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Wales Online
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Plan to reconsider cuts to 'vital' Bangor University archive service welcomed
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info News that Bangor University is to reconsider proposed cuts to its Archives and Special Collection service following significant public and political pressure has been welcomed. Politicians Siân Gwenllian MS, Liz Saville Roberts MP, and Rhun ap Iorwerth MS recently met with the university's Vice-Chancellor Professor Edmund Burke to express their "serious concerns". Their intervention had come amid a university cost-saving plan that initially threatened 78 jobs and the future of vital archive services. University officials have now confirmed that the proposal to cut three archive staff roles is "under review". Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The Arfon MS Siân Gwenllian said: 'Members of staff and students have approached me with concerns about different aspects of the proposals, and I was able to convey them directly to the Vice Chancellor and senior representatives. I'm glad they have listened to the strength of feeling and are now reconsidering the proposed archive cuts. 'We will now continue to make a case for a halt to compulsory redundancies and for the in-year support provided by the Welsh Government to be used to reduce job losses. "We will continue to make the case for the Government to step in with more support.' Liz Saville Roberts MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, said: 'The archives at Bangor are of national significance. Ensuring continued public access to this vital historical resource is essential for our understanding of Welsh history, identity, and culture. I welcome the university's decision to pause and reconsider.' MS for Ynys Môn Rhun ap Iorwerth, said: 'This is a step in the right direction, but we will continue to monitor the situation closely. Bangor University plays a central role in our national life – it must be supported to thrive, not hollowed out by short-term decisions'. The three Plaid Cymru representatives have reiterated a call to the Welsh Government to step up support for the higher education sector in Wales. They are warning that cuts like this "risk irreparable damage" to institutions that serve as cornerstones of national heritage and community life. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
BBC News
30-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bangor University to reconsider cuts to archive service
Some of the planned cuts at a Welsh university where dozens of jobs are at risk will be reconsidered after "serious concerns" were cuts to the archive and special collection service at Bangor University were part of a university cost-saving plan which threatens 78 prompted politicians to intervene, with Plaid Cymru MSs Siân Gwenllian, Liz Saville Roberts and Rhun ap Iorwerth meeting with the university's vice-chancellor, Professor Edmund officials have now confirmed that the proposal to cut three archive staff roles is "under review". Gwenllian, who represents the Arfon constituency, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Members of staff and students have approached me with concerns about different aspects of the proposals, and I was able to convey them directly to the vice-chancellor and senior representatives."I'm glad they have listened to the strength of feeling and are now reconsidering the proposed archive cuts."We will now continue to make a case for a halt to compulsory redundancies and for the in-year support provided by the Welsh government to be used to reduce job losses."We will continue to make the case for the government to step in with more support."Saville Roberts added the archives at Bangor were "of national significance"."Ensuring continued public access to this vital historical resource is essential for our understanding of Welsh history, identity, and culture. I welcome the university's decision to pause and reconsider."
North Wales Live
30-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Live
Plan to reconsider cuts to 'vital' Bangor University archive service welcomed
News that Bangor University is to reconsider proposed cuts to its Archives and Special Collection service following significant public and political pressure has been welcomed. Politicians Siân Gwenllian MS, Liz Saville Roberts MP, and Rhun ap Iorwerth MS recently met with the university's Vice-Chancellor Professor Edmund Burke to express their "serious concerns". Their intervention had come amid a university cost-saving plan that initially threatened 78 jobs and the future of vital archive services. University officials have now confirmed that the proposal to cut three archive staff roles is "under review". Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The Arfon MS Siân Gwenllian said: 'Members of staff and students have approached me with concerns about different aspects of the proposals, and I was able to convey them directly to the Vice Chancellor and senior representatives. I'm glad they have listened to the strength of feeling and are now reconsidering the proposed archive cuts. 'We will now continue to make a case for a halt to compulsory redundancies and for the in-year support provided by the Welsh Government to be used to reduce job losses. "We will continue to make the case for the Government to step in with more support.' Liz Saville Roberts MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, said: 'The archives at Bangor are of national significance. Ensuring continued public access to this vital historical resource is essential for our understanding of Welsh history, identity, and culture. I welcome the university's decision to pause and reconsider.' MS for Ynys Môn Rhun ap Iorwerth, said: 'This is a step in the right direction, but we will continue to monitor the situation closely. Bangor University plays a central role in our national life – it must be supported to thrive, not hollowed out by short-term decisions'. The three Plaid Cymru representatives have reiterated a call to the Welsh Government to step up support for the higher education sector in Wales. They are warning that cuts like this "risk irreparable damage" to institutions that serve as cornerstones of national heritage and community life.
North Wales Chronicle
28-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Bangor University: archive job cuts ‘assault on Welsh language'
The university, which has around 10,000 students, is looking to cut jobs across the board as part of its bid to save more than £5m. A consultation was recently launched to reduce staff costs equal to around 78 full-time equivalent roles within the university. A spokesperson for the university recently said: 'The university has launched a consultation regarding proposed changes as part of a broader cost-reduction strategy.' On hearing that the university was proposing to cut 75% of the staff in the Archives and Special Collections department, 46 Cyngor Gwynedd councillors joined forces by signing a letter to the university's vice-chancellor, Professor Edmund Burke, calling for a rethink. The Archives and Special Collections is responsible for the collection and long-term preservation of manuscripts, archival collections and a diverse range of rare books and printed material. The VC had recently emailed university staff warning of impending cuts within the university. He had said it followed a fall in international students and the upcoming changes to national insurance by the UK Government, which would add to staffing costs. MORE NEWS: The councillors' letter reads: 'We, the Gwynedd county councillors named below, are thoroughly dismayed at Bangor University's proposed cuts to the Archives and Special Collections service, a move that would result in a 75% reduction in the Archives' staff. 'The proposed cuts are an assault on Gwynedd's heritage, on a significant part of our nation's Welsh-language heritage and on an organic Welsh-speaking workplace that has served Gwynedd's local historians for decades. 'By virtue of its history and location, the University has a moral responsibility to respect and value the part of our local heritage entrusted to its care. 'Therefore, we call on you to reconsider, to realize the extent of your error, and to shield this important service from any impending cuts.' According to the university website the Archives and Special Service's aim is 'to ensure that our resources are accessible to all researchers, free of charge'. It adds: 'We actively promote these collections as valuable research and learning tools and engage the wider community in our activities as well as the staff and students within the University.' Siân Gwenllian MS had recently raised urgent concerns in the Senedd over the significant job cuts proposed by the university. In a direct question to the Welsh Government, she had called for a statement on how the Government planned to secure long-term financial sustainability for the higher education sector, and what specific support could be offered to Bangor University in light of its current crisis. In response, Welsh Government Minister Jane Hutt had acknowledged the 'widespread pressures' facing higher education institutions across Wales, and highlighted the importance of workforce involvement and trade union engagement in the consultation process.
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
University's plan to cut archive staff 'an assault on Gwynedd's heritage'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Gwynedd councillors have slammed proposals to cut Bangor University staff from its archive and special collection service as an "assault" on Welsh heritage and language. The university, which has around 10,000 students, is looking to cut jobs across the board as part of its bid to save more than £5m. A consultation was recently launched to reduce staff costs equal to around 78 full-time equivalent roles within the university. A spokesperson for the university recently said: "The university has launched a consultation regarding proposed changes as part of a broader cost-reduction strategy." Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday On hearing that the university was proposing to cut 75% of the staff in the Archives and Special Collections department, 46 Cyngor Gwynedd councillors joined forces by signing a letter to the university's vice-chancellor, Professor Edmund Burke, calling for a rethink. The Archives and Special Collections is responsible for the collection and long-term preservation of manuscripts, archival collections and a diverse range of rare books and printed material. The VC had recently emailed university staff warning of impending cuts within the university. He had said it followed a fall in international students and the upcoming changes to national insurance by the UK Government, which would add to staffing costs. The councillors' letter reads: "We, the Gwynedd county councillors named below, are thoroughly dismayed at Bangor University's proposed cuts to the Archives and Special Collections service, a move that would result in a 75% reduction in the Archives' staff. "The proposed cuts are an assault on Gwynedd's heritage, on a significant part of our nation's Welsh-language heritage and on an organic Welsh-speaking workplace that has served Gwynedd's local historians for decades. "By virtue of its history and location, the University has a moral responsibility to respect and value the part of our local heritage entrusted to its care. "Therefore, we call on you to reconsider, to realize the extent of your error, and to shield this important service from any impending cuts." According to the university website the Archives and Special Service's aim is "to ensure that our resources are accessible to all researchers, free of charge". It adds: "We actively promote these collections as valuable research and learning tools and engage the wider community in our activities as well as the staff and students within the University." Siân Gwenllian MS had recently raised urgent concerns in the Senedd over the significant job cuts proposed by the university. In a direct question to the Welsh Government, she had called for a statement on how the Government planned to secure long-term financial sustainability for the higher education sector, and what specific support could be offered to Bangor University in light of its current crisis. In response, Welsh Government Minister Jane Hutt had acknowledged the "widespread pressures" facing higher education institutions across Wales, and highlighted the importance of workforce involvement and trade union engagement in the consultation process. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
