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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 Monday, 29 March at the
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, Birmingham. Apologies were received from Kenneth Iwugo, Keith
Gilfillan and Nicola Williams. They were represented by Sue Kelly
(North East & Cumbria RAC), Tony Bowen (London RAC) and Sue
Pomeroy (West RAC).
The following Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ managers were present throughout: Andy Griffee
(Controller English Regions), Louise Hall (Secretary English Regions)
and Fiona Lynch (Public Accountability Manager, English Regions).
Mark Byford (Acting Director General) and Pat Loughrey (Director,
Nations & Regions) attended for items relevant to their responsibilities.
2. Routine Business
ENF members approved the minutes of the previous meeting and dealt
with a number of matters arising. These included the six month attachment
of Liz Munro as Head of Complaints and Compliance; the draft programme
for an advisory council chairs' induction day; a report produced
by Andy Griffee on long-term viewing figures and a press release
on The Crouches.
Ranjit Sondhi outlined the business conducted at recent Board of
Governors' meetings including the Review of Local Government Coverage
presented at the March meeting. Andy Griffee advised members of
the creation of a database of the membership of public bodies which
had come about through a recommendation made in the Review.
3. Main Agenda Items
Councils and Advisory Bodies Committee (CABC)
Ranjit Sondhi said this committee met annually to consider nominations
for new advisory council members. It had met on 24 March and approved
new appointments and extensions to the National Broadcasting Councils,
Regional Advisory Councils and Local Advisory Councils.
Management Review
Pat Loughrey updated members on a number of management and programme
developments including: regional television news, Inside Out and
The Politics Show; the developing relationship between the English
Regions and the networks, and local radio audiences and future challenges.
Andy Griffee announced the streaming of all Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ local radio stations
online. He also presented members with reports on the English Regions
Performance against its Statement of Programme Policy and Performance
against English Regions Objectives in 2003/4.
Statements of Programme Policy 2004/5
Ranjit Sondhi advised members the Charter required the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to set
annual objectives, and Ofcom that it publish Statements of Programme
Policy (SoPP). Members considered and accepted the English Regions
draft SoPP for 2004/5.
RAC Programme Reviews
ENF members summarised their members' reviews of The Politics Show,
the TakingCare campaign and Grandstand.
Draft ENF Annual Report
Members considered the draft report and recommended a number of
changes which were agreed and incorporated.
ENF Presentation to the Board of Governors
Each year the ENF along with other advisory bodies presents its
Annual Report to the Board of Governors, stating how well or otherwise
they believe the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has met its objectives.
John Smith (Chair West Midlands RAC), Tessa Gordziejko, (Yorkshire
& Lincolnshire RAC), and Margaret Maden (Chair, South RAC) confirmed
they would be representing the ENF.
Louise Hall tabled a summary of the issues arising from RAC meetings
throughout the year. Members considered these and agreed to base
their presentation on the following; Voices - highlighting the success
of local radio in providing opportunities for local people to be
heard. Scheduling - using concerns over the scheduling of Inside
Out and The Politics Show to question the impact the accountability
structure had in influencing the networks. Regional diversity -
a call for it to be expressed more often to celebrate the richness
and diversity of the regions. Widening the genre of regional programmes
- using Voices and TakingCare as examples of what works.
Mark Byford, Acting Director General
Mark Byford described his career with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and outlined his hopes
for the future of the corporation. He discussed Charter Review and
the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's place within a fragmented marketplace, and answered questions
put to him by members.
Assessing Performance Against Objectives
Members discussed how they might best assess output against the
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's editorial objectives.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Charter Review: Local Radio Phone-Ins
Louise Hall tabled a draft feedback report on the phone-ins.
Retiring Members
Ranjit Sondhi expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to retiring
members Tony Willson, Colin Smith, Nicola Williams and Kenneth Iwugo.
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