If there's no problem, then we should restore the status quo ante bellum - not being a problem is not a reason to not do (or undo) anything.
I think the members of this list are entitled to know when, why, by whom, and on whose instruction or advice the archives were made subscriber-only, and I think we're owed an explanation as to why nobody notified the list of this action.
Personally, I'm not especially fussed if the archives are public or private or what, but it's not the sort of thing that should be done without so much as a by-your-leave to the community - the list exists for the UK community, and the chapter and its board should not be attempting to govern it (especially not in camera), however pure their motives.
Harry