We held consultative events with young people, people with disabilities, and members of ethnic and cultural groups. For the children’s service review, we listened to the views of school children from Glasgow and the surrounding areas, and received particularly valuable input from Primary 6/7 children at Glencairn Primary School in Stevenston, Ayrshire. An audience meeting in Kelso focused on digital switchover in the Scottish Borders. Consultation on the review of BBC services for younger audiences was conducted at Baldragon Academy in Dundee, Glasgow Caledonian University, and with representatives of organisations representing young people. We consulted audiences in Elgin and Kilmarnock on the Executive’s proposals for improved local video services.

Members attended events on broadcasting topics held by other organisations, monitored the logs of audience comments made to the BBC, and studied the results of research undertaken by the BBC Trust, the BBC Executive and other organisations. The Council held 11 meetings and advised the Trust of matters arising.

During the year we drew the attention of the Trust to the possibility of re-using Gaelic learning material following the closure of BBC Jam, without potentially negative impact on commercial media; the lack of availability of BBC Alba on cable; public concern that the period set for the BBC to increase network programme making in Scotland was too long; the displacement of programmes for audiences in Scotland as a result of changes to the network schedule; and a wide range of other issues of concern to licence fee payers in Scotland.

We also monitored the progress of digital switchover during the year.