Ranjit Sondhi welcomed to the meeting Julie Panagarry, representing the North West RAC, Katherine Byles, representing the West RAC, and from the BBC, David Levy, Controller Public Policy, John Allen, Head of New Services English Regions and Heather Summerfield, Public Accountability Manager. Matters Arising from the July Forum Meeting and Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as a true record with no amendments. All Matters Arising were covered in the agenda. Chairman's Report
Board of Governors Meetings: Ranjit Sondhi reported that the main business discussed at recent Board meetings included the BBC Annual Report, the submission to the DCMS ahead of the BBCi Review, the Digital Curriculum, Charter Review and the Communications Act. The Hutton Inquiry Report was unlikely to be published before the end of the year. Members were directed to the inquiry website at www.the-hutton-inquiry.org.uk The Governors had approved proposals for determining interim Tier 2 quotas with Ofcom and Andy Griffee agreed to produce a report on independent production and production quotas for the next ENF meeting. ENF VIP Drinks Reception 2004: It was agreed to hold this event at Television Centre. External Assessment: Independent Assessors would review a half hour segment from 11 local radio station breakfast programmes. Nicola Williams agreed to chair their meeting. Advisory Council Website Pilot: Members considered the results of a questionnaire sent to subscribers. They agreed that questions put to the Controller English Regions under the Controller's Comment initiative, and his response to them, would be posted on the site. It was also agreed to use it to facilitate timely feedback to network programme makers. RAC Programme Reviews
Regional Lunchtime Bulletins: Members discussed a number of aspects related to the lunchtime bulletins including the range of stories and issues, geographical coverage, scripting and programme construction.
The opportunity to access regional news on digital was welcomed; it gave viewers real choice. It was unfortunate Freeview did not offer the same. Comments on individual news programmes included on-screen diversity and reflecting multi-cultural communities, the treatment of human interest stories, outside broadcast locations, the structuring of interviews and interview techniques, and sports coverage. Late Evening Bulletins: members acknowledged the bulletins had doubled in length as a result of pressure put on the BBC by the ENF but felt there was still room for improvement. Andy Griffee agreed to provide members with a video compilation of late news bulletins from around the country. The Sonia Deol Programme on the Asian Network: Members considered the innovative nature of the Network, its appeal to non-Asian listeners, its name, the quality of the programme's presenter and the on-air debate they had reviewed. ENF members were invited to a meeting for former Asian Network Advisory Council members and other council members who had expressed an interest, to discuss coverage for minority audiences. Ranjit Sondhi agreed to write to the Asian Network to compliment them on their success so far. Where I Live Sites: Members debated the age range the sites were aimed at and their appeal to a wider range of users. They felt the sites met users' expectations. Comments included 'informative', 'interesting', and 'a wide range of subjects with no obvious gaps.' The sites were recognised for the opportunities they provided for young talent. Members were also pleased that text-only versions were available for users with visual impairments. Issues discussed included navigating the sites, graphics, language, and the amount of health, outdoor activities and faiths' information to be found. John Allen said the sites delivered English Regions content to under-served young people between 18-35 who were not using regional and local services but still paid a licence fee. Controller's Report
Andy Griffee reported on capital developments in the past two years and additional investment in new services. He went on to discuss the impact of increased National Insurance and pension contributions and significant rent increases on next year's budget. Audience figures for The Politics Show and Inside Out were substantially higher since the move to BBC One. The new SON&R Centre at BBC Bristol was bringing programme makers from across the UK together so regions could share best practice. He hoped to maintain the momentum created by the Voices series through a partnership with the Arts Council.
Where I Live Progress Report
John Allen updated members on the progress of the sites and developments such as Video Nation and English Regions travel news for BBCi. There had been a 144% growth in users in the past year, and the March 2004 target of 5 million monthly users had already been met. English Regions was the biggest producer of News Online, accounting for one third of output.
The BBC was the biggest content provider in Europe. Most people used portals such as Google but the BBC's chief competitors were local newspaper websites. Performance Against Objectives & English Regions' Statement of Programme Policy
Louise Hall presented her paper 'The Objectives Cycle' which gave advisory councils clear guidance on how to review output against editorial objectives. It proposed that in their reviews and assessments, councils should consider whether output matched up to the 'Seven As' - Area, Authority, Accessibility, Agenda, Availability, Audiences and Awareness. Members accepted the recommendations and complimented Louise Hall on her work. It was agreed that the Regional Editorial Objectives and the paper on the Objectives Cycle would be presented at the December RAC meetings, and reviewed annually. ENF Seminar 2003
Key issues arising from the seminar had been analysed and specific action points agreed in a letter which would go from the Controller English Regions to all advisory council members. A number of initiatives to raise the profile of advisory councils were discussed including photo boards, advisory council phone-ins, offering feedback to network programme makers and advertising council vacancies on-air. In a new initiative, Controller Comment, Controller English Regions would invite key questions at the end of advisory council meetings to which he would respond in time for the next meeting. Charter Review
David Levy outlined the purpose of the Royal Charter and the broad terms of the Agreement. He described how the current Charter would run out on 31 December 2006, and the process for putting in place a new Charter and Agreement. He went on to describe the context in which the BBC was operating and how the world and the broadcast environment were changing, the BBC's purposes, and the timetable and process for Charter Renewal. Any Other Business
ENF 2004 meeting dates were agreed. | 
