all information created, sent and received in the course of carrying out the business of your agency. Records have many formats, including paper and electronic. Records provide proof of what happened, when it happened and who made decisions. Not all records are of equal importance or need to be kept.

Records that relate to high-risk areas of your business require most attention as they need to be kept to provide evidence, to support your actions and to ensure accountability. You should keep the records that support your business decisions and you should manage them appropriately. Advice on this website will help you do this.

Records should be destroyed in an accountable way using either a National Archives approved Records Authority, a General Disposal Authority or under Normal Administrative Practice.