Issue - meetings

Report by Head of Strategy and Communications (CC9).

As part of the BBC's need to make £89m of cuts from its national BBC Journalism budget, managers at the corporation are considering withdrawing three regional TV news outlets in Oxford, Cambridge and the Channel Islands.

The cuts to BBC Journalism are part of wider cost-savings across the BBC that stem from the freezing of the TV licence for five years. The BBC has not made any formal decision on these proposals to date. Any firm proposals in coming months would be subject to the ratification of the BBC Trust, which would wish to hear the views of local people and organisations before making a final decision.

There are also suggestions that the BBC is looking at transferring some daytime broadcast time at all of its local radio stations to BBC Five Live. Such moves would not be unique to BBC Oxford.

The Council is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)                                                  record that it believes that a cessation of the local TV service and dilution of the local radio service would deny the people of Oxfordshire a truly local and comprehensive television news service and that local communities could lose their voice and the council could lose an important channel of communication;

(b)                                                  ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Chairman of the BBC Trust, the Director General of the BBC and to respond to any consultation on the proposals expressing the Council’s concern and opposition;

(c)                                                   ask the Leader of the Council to write to all six local MPs and the Culture Secretary to express these concerns and ask for their support against the proposals.

The Council had before them a report by the Head of Strategy and Communications (CC9) which outlined proposals for consultation of the future of BBC Oxford.

Councillor Fatemian moved and Councillor Skolar seconded the following motion as amended by Councillor Patrick in bold italic:

The Council is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)               record that it believes that a cessation of the local TV service and dilution of the local radio service would deny the people of Oxfordshire a truly local and comprehensive television news and radio service and that local communities could lose their voice and the council could lose an important channel of communication;

(b)               ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Chairman of the BBC Trust, the Director General of the BBC and to respond to any consultation on the proposals expressing the Council’s concern and opposition;

(c)               ask the Leader of the Council to write to all six local MPs and the Culture Secretary to express these concerns and ask for their support against the proposals.

Following debate, the motion as amended was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:  (unanimously)

(a)               record that it believes that a cessation of the local TV service and dilution of the local radio service would deny the people of Oxfordshire a truly local and comprehensive television news and radio service and that local communities could lose their voice and the council could lose an important channel of communication;

(b)               ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Chairman of the BBC Trust, the Director General of the BBC and to respond to any consultation on the proposals expressing the Council’s concern and opposition;

(c)               ask the Leader of the Council to write to all six local MPs and the Culture Secretary to express these concerns and ask for their support against the proposals.

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/109

Contact: Paul Smith, External Relations Manager, Tel: (01865) 810256

Report by Head of Strategy & Communications (CA   ).

Councillor Jean Fooks, Opposition Deputy Leader expressed her astonishment and anger at the thfreat to both local TV and radio. She noted that the report did not refer to radio but many people relied on it for local news, weather(particularly during severe conditions) and school closures. The closure of services was not in the spirit of localism and she supported the need to comment on the proposals and to get across the view that they were not a good idea.

The Leader commented that the recommendation to Council in June was appropriate to give all members an opportunity to debate this important issue.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Services was concerned at the impact on local people as the service had long provided a balance view and a valuable local voice. The rise of community TV did not provide the same service.

Cabinet Members supported the recommendation to Council but in noting that some areas of the County did not receive Oxford TV considered that the debate should be widened to include  the threat to local radio. The Deputy Leader recognised the severe financial pressures on the BBC and hoped that in looking at the consultation the Council could come up with alternative options.

Subject  to the referral of the matter to Council including BBC local radio services in addition to BBC Oxford TV it was:

RESOLVED:                        to RECOMMEND to Council to:

(a)       record that it believes that a cessation of service would deny the people of Oxfordshire a truly local and comprehensive television news service and that local communities could lose their voice and the council could lose an important channel of communication.

(b)       ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Chairman of the BBC Trust, the Director General of the BBC and to respond to any consultation on the proposals expressing the Council’s concern and opposition.

(c)        ask the Leader of the Council to write to all six local MPs and the Culture Secretary to express these concerns and ask for their support against the proposals