BBC Audience Council Scotland Report

BBC Scotland

BBC Scotland performed well against the public purposes, in a year which posed major challenges including the Scottish Parliament and council elections in May 2007, the move to Pacific Quay, reprioritisation of budgets in the light of a lower-than-bid-for licence fee settlement, and the Trust's public value test for the proposed Gaelic Digital Service.

Audiences raised issues relating to football coverage, BBC Radio Scotland, transmission in the Highlands and elsewhere, and a range of other topics. These were discussed with management during the course of the year. Some, such as football coverage and transmission issues, are refl ected in the priorities for 2008/09, while others will be pursued through monitoring the delivery of the public purposes in the year ahead.

Engagement with audiences

During the year the Council undertook a programme of 20 engagement events, and made 11 submissions to the Trust. Views and concerns expressed at these events, and gathered from a variety of other means, have informed and shaped the Council's advice to the Trust. New priorities raised by audience members included coverage of national football and a range of transmission issues including Freeview reception, digital switchover, and radio reception in the Highlands. The Council will diversify its programme of engagement in the year ahead, with plans to target specific audience segments and increase usage of its revamped website.

Gaelic Digital Service

Work on the Trust's public value test (PVT) for the proposed Gaelic Digital Service dominated the second half of the year. The Trust Unit team in Scotland worked closely with the Trust's Head of Finance, Strategy & Economics on the public value assessment, and organised eight events in relation to the PVT, from stakeholder meetings for the Trust to consultative events for the Audience Council. The Council acknowledges the work of other BBC National Councils in relation to the proposal. In the Council's view, the Trust's scrutiny of the management proposal resulted in improvements which are likely to deliver significant benefits for audiences in Scotland.

Membership

Five new members were recruited to the Council, which now represents a more balanced age range and a broader geographical spread. The number of female members rose from two to three. Monitoring diversity, with further improvement in the representation of women, remains a priority.

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