BCR 07

Y Pwyllgor Cymunedau, Cydraddoldeb a Llywodraeth Leol
Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee
Ymchwiliad i’r Adolygiad o Siarter y BBC
Inquiry into the BBC Charter Review
Ymateb gan: Councillor Philip Rapier
Response from: Councillor Philip Rapier

 

I  strongly recommend that the committee consider the serious affect  on community well being  caused by  the decline in  English Language  programmes on BBC Wales.

I would urge them to support the establishment of a Board of Trustees for Wales instead of the curent position of one Trustee serving the whole of Wales. A physically impossible task.

The significant effect is that the  complex multicultural demographic of  densely populated areas such as Cardiff are not sufficiently represented either in Drama or Documentary output at BBC Wales

Tony Hall began his 50th Anniversary BBC Cymru Wales  Lecture on the 1st April 2014.by saying

The BBC's English language television programming in Wales has been "eroded" in recent years,

He went on to say "English language programming from and for Wales by all broadcasters had been declining for almost a decade and that some aspects of Welsh life were not "sufficiently captured by the BBC's own television services in Wales".

He of course  mentioned that since 2006/7 BBC Wales' budget for English language TV programmes has fallen 18% from £24.6m to £20.2m in 2012/13.

The basis of my submission is that through the the establishment of BBC Cymru Wales Trust this situation may be remedied without harming Welsh Language output in anyway whatsoever.

The facts speak for themselves since the First Minister opened the BBC Roath Lock even the Studio's  Website has not been updated. Employment opportunities at Roath Lock are rare.

 Recruitment is exclusively carried out in London for both Artistic and Technical staff.  The present policy has  therefore had  a grossly unfair affect on both  the Creative Industries and the wider community.

This  is entirely as  as a reult of BBC Wales being charged to find savings of £10.7m by 2017 as part of the Delivering Quality First programme introduced after the last licence fee settlement, in a way that is unfair and not democratically accountable.

 

Appointing a  Board of Trustees for Wales would restore the balance

 

 

Councillor Philip Rapier writing in  a personal capacity only.

 

29 Oct 15