This is a summary of subjects discussed and conclusions reached by the members of the English National Forum.
1. Attendance
The English National Forum (ENF) met on Thursday, 23 June at the University of Sheffield's Halifax Hall of Residence. Ten of the 12 members attended, with one deputy. Apologies were received from the member unable to attend.
BBC managers present throughout the meeting were Louise Hall (Secretary English Regions) and Fiona Lynch (Public Accountability Manager).
Paul Cannon, Deputy Editor, The Politics Show, and Andrew Lane, Manager Television News Weather attended parts of the meeting.
2. Routine Business Under 'Matters Arising' members gave their feedback on an induction day for new Advisory Council Chairs. They were updated on: the Governors' decision to publish in full the minutes of all advisory bodies under the Freedom of Information Act from the autumn; and the broadcasting unions' position on further strike action; and agreed to network programme makers and commissioners being invited to future ENF dinners.
Ranjit Sondhi reported on the main business conducted at the March, April, May and June Board of Governors meetings. An audit of ENF recommendations set alongside BBC developments was presented to the Forum. It was agreed to forward it to the Chairman of the BBC. Members discussed the ENF's response to the Green Paper on the future of the BBC and were advised of a proposed meeting between the Culture Secretary or a DCMS minister and an ENF/Broadcasting Council delegation. 3. Main Agenda Items Feedback on the ENF's Presentation to the Board of Governors: Members were given feedback on the annual presentation to the Governors. They believed one formal contact a year between the Forum and the Governors was inadequate and recommended more regular future interaction. Louise Hall was asked to commission a research paper on accountability models and issues around 'representativeness.' Joint Boards Conference Feedback: Ranjit Sondhi said the conference was an annual event at which the Governors and BBC management debated performance issues. It had become increasingly important since the wider separation of the two bodies; it was the one time all the members of the two boards met. Future of the Advisory Councils: Members identified and discussed their key criteria for the future shape and form of the English Regions advisory structure. Louise Hall was asked to produce a paper outlining a number of potential models for members to consider in conjunction with a report being produced by Penny Young, Head of Accountability Nations and Regions. RAC Programme Reviews: Members reported on their respective RAC reviews of The Politics Show, General Election coverage, Politics England, Comic Relief, Nation on Film and the new weather graphics. Retiring Members: Ranjit Sondhi paid tribute to retiring members Tessa Gordziejko and Margaret Maden and thanked them for their contributions over the years.
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