# Advisory Council

The Advisory Council on National Records and Archives is an independent body. It
advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on issues relating
to access to public records and represents the public interest in deciding what
records should be open or closed.

The Advisory Council was established by the [Public Records Act
1958](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/6-7/51) as a non-departmental
public body.

It is chaired by the [Master of the
Rolls](https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about-the-judiciary/who-are-the-judiciary/judicial-roles/judges/profile-mor/),
a senior judge, and [its
members](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about-us/how-we-work/boards-councils-and-groups/advisory-council/membership/)
include historians, archivists, information management professionals, former
civil servants and journalists.

* ## [About the Advisory Council](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about-us/how-we-work/boards-councils-and-groups/advisory-council/about-the-advisory-council/)

  Learn what the Advisory Council is, how it functions and where to find updates
  on its work.
* ## [The Advisory Council's Terms of Reference](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about-us/how-we-work/boards-councils-and-groups/advisory-council/terms-of-reference/)

  Explore the Advisory Council's terms of reference to learn about its
  responsibilities and how it responds to them.
* ## [Membership of the Advisory Council](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about-us/how-we-work/boards-councils-and-groups/advisory-council/membership/)

  The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport appoints the members of the
  Advisory Council.
* ## [Forum on Historical Manuscripts and Academic Research](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about-us/how-we-work/boards-councils-and-groups/advisory-council/forum-on-historical-manuscripts-and-academic-research/)

  The Forum on Historical Manuscripts and Academic Research is a subcommittee of
  the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives.

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