ONE of York's longest-serving councillors says action on securing a future for the city's archives has been too slow.

Coun Ken King, shadow executive member for leisure and culture on City of York Council, was speaking following a report from council officers recommending the next steps for the city's archives, which hold many of the important historic records for the city.

Coun King, who has been a councillor for 25 years, said: "The time has come to really sort this out and get the future of the archives secured for the long term. There has been years of talking and it is time we grasped the nettle and ensured the archives is placed in safe hands.

"It has remained in limbo for a significant number of years, when it has been obvious that something needs to be done.

"It is even more important in a place like York that this issue is taken seriously, as the city's history is such an important part of its identity."

The officer's report, which will be considered by the council's ruling executive tomorrow, recommends launching a feasibility study into setting up a trust to look after the archives.

Labour leader David Scott said: "The only option now available is to undertake this feasibility study so we can move towards taking proper action on the archives.

"This ought to be funded as a one-off cost from council reserves, rather than stripping the existing service to the bone just to pay for the study."