Benchmarks
We compared several key aspects of our services and charges with Archive Services in neighbouring counties (1 - 4), fellow Charter Mark holders (5&7) and with 3 other counties with similar demographics (5, 6 & 8).
Nigel Lutt is the Operations Manager for Customer Services & Outreach, and welcomes comments on the service. You can contact him by telephone on (01234)228834 or e-mail him from the link below.
If you have any comments on any of these areas please contact us.
To provide us with feedback please send an e-mail to: archive@bedscc.gov.uk| and please entitle the e-mail "Feedback".
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Benchmark BLARS Comparable to other Record Offices - August 2005
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Beds
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Bucks(1)
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Cambs/Hunts(2)
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Herts (3)
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Northants (4)
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Cheshire (5)
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Durham (6)
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Hants (7)
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Lancs (8)
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Service Charter
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Y
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Y
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Y
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Y
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N
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Y
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N
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Y
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Y
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Booking needed
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N
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Y - several days in advance
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Y
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N
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N
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Preferred
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Y
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Y
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N
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Reader's Ticket
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N
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Y - CARN member
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Y - CARN member
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Y - CARN member
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Y - CARN member
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Y - CARN member
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N
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Y - CARN member
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Y - CARN member
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Document production
target (minutes)
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5
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ASAP
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ASAP
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On site ASAP
Off-site: twice daily
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15 mins in half hourly slots
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15 mins maximum
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'a few minutes'
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20
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Max 30 mins
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Letter reply target (days)
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3
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10 at most - preferably 3
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Within 10 working days
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Acknowledged 3
Full reply - 10
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5
(Corporate target)
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Acknowledged in 10 days
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Same day of receipt
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5
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Within 7 working days
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Weekly
Office
hours
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40
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48
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36.25
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45
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37.75
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36
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43.25
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57
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42.5
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Out of normal office hours opening
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NIL
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Saturday
9 - 3.45
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Closed Monday and lunchtimes. 2nd Saturday of the month 9 - 12
Tues (Cambs) til 9pm by arrangement
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Sat until 1
Tues until 8
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1st & 3rd Saturdays
9 - 12.15
Thurs until 7.45
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Shut Mon a.m.
Open 3rd Saturday of the month 9 - 4
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Wed until 8
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Sat 9 - 4
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Tues until 8.30pm
1 sat per month 10 - 4
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Research Charge
(per hour)
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£26
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No service available
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£25
(£45 for 2 hours)
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£25
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£15
(£8 30 mins)
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£20
(£18 thereafter)
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£20
(minimum 1 hr)
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£22
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£5 'short' searches - referred to record searcher thereafter
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Copying
charges
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b/w A4/A3 50p
Mic A4/A3 50p
(half price self service)
Colour A4/A3 £2
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b/w A4 30p
b/w A3 40p
Mic A4 40p
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60p by staff
b/w A4 40p
b/w A3 60p
MicA4 60p
(40p self service)
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b/w A4 25p
b/w A3 50p
Mic A4 80p
(self service 40p)
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b/w A4 30p
b/w A3 40p
Mic 30p
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(same day)
b/w A4 40p (50p)
b/w A3 40p (50p)
Mic £1 (self service 50p)
Colour A4/A3 £3.50 (£4)
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b/w A4/A3 50p
mic self service 40p
Colour A4/A3 £5
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b/w A4 50p
b/w A3 65p
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b/w A4 45p
b/w A3 50p
col A4 £4.50
col A3 £5.00
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Copying concessions
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0.5 rate for full time students & bulk copying
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No
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No
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No
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0.5 educational rate
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Education staff in Cheshire and students - discounts
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Bulk 25p
(50 pages and over)
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5p cheaper for children and students
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No
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