Minutes:
The Council had before it a Notice of Motion set out in the agenda papers standing in the names of Cllr Richard Udall, Cllr Dan Boatright, Cllr Luke Mallett, Cllr Lynn Denham, and Cllr Mel Allcott.
The motion was moved by Cllr Richard Udall and seconded by Cllr Dan Boatright, who both spoke in favour of it, and Council agreed to deal with it on the day.
The following amendment was moved by Cllr Adam Kent and seconded by Cllr Marc Bayliss:
“Council recognises and values the contribution to Worcestershire life and society made by BBC radio stations, such as BBC Hereford and Worcester. The use of BBC local radio is an important part of the council’s ability to communicate with local residents at times of emergency or natural disaster. Council calls upon the BBC’s Director General to prioritise funding for BBC local radio stations in order to maintain local programming, scheduling, reporting and broadcast quality.”
Those in favour of the amendment commented:
· The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Corporate Services and Communication highlighted the work of other local and community radio stations in Worcestershire and beyond aside from the BBC and the importance of maintaining a wide-range of local media with different views. He stated his support and concern for the future of local radio but the allocation of resources was a matter for the Director General of the BBC not the Government and the letter should be directed accordingly
· The BBC’s move to more regionally-based local radio would have a negative impact on the viability of local newspapers
· The BBC had plenty of alternative funding streams other than taxation and had sufficient funds to support local radio if it chose to do so.
Those against the amendment commented:
· Massive cuts to local radio were proposed by the BBC which would impact on this Council’s ability to communicate with its residents, particularly in a crisis. The original motion was addressed to the Secretary of State because the reduction in the funding to the BBC was a decision that had been made by the Government
· It was queried whether the amendment negated the original motion because the meaning of the motion had been lost. The Democratic Governance and Scrutiny Manager explained the changes made to the original motion, most notably the plea to the Director General of the BBC rather than the Secretary of State. She advised that the overall thrust of the motion had been retained in the amendment which was to provide support and resources to local radio
· The Government had restricted the funding available to the BBC and the appointment of BBC governors was not an independent process which indicated an element of politicisation in the funding arrangements for the BBC
· The BBC did not represent a threat to local newspapers. It was an important institution nationally and locally and more was needed to be done to protect it.
On being put to a vote, the amendment was carried and put as the substantive motion.
Those in favour of the substantive motion commented:
· Local radio was an important service that could be retained in its present form if the BBC was minded to change its proposals to cut local services
· The increase in the use of social media meant that local residents used different means to access information which was not as accurate as it should be and therefore the BBC should be asked to reconsider its plans for local radio
Those against the substantive motion commented:
· The local BBC radio service had proved vital to local residents especially during the global pandemic. It also had an important role in supporting the democratic process. This role was threatened by the cuts to its budget made by the Government
· The Secretary of State controlled the finances of the BBC and she had the power to change the priorities of the BBC to ensure fair funding to support local radio.
On a named vote the substantive motion was agreed.
RESOLVED ” Council recognises and values the contribution to Worcestershire life and society made by BBC radio stations, such as BBC Hereford and Worcester. The use of BBC local radio is an important part of the council’s ability to communicate with local residents at times of emergency or natural disaster. Council calls upon the BBC’s Director General to prioritise funding for BBC local radio stations in order to maintain local programming, scheduling, reporting and broadcast quality”
Those in favour of the motion were: Cllr Chris Rogers, Cllr Alastair Adams, Cllr Allan Amos, Cllr Marc Bayliss, Cllr Bob Brookes, Cllr Brandon Clayton, Cllr Kyle Daisley, Cllr Nathan Desmond, Cllr Allah Ditta, Cllr Matt Dormer, Cllr Elizabeth Eyre, Cllr Simon Geraghty, Cllr Laura Gretton, Cllr Peter Griffiths, Cllr Karen Hanks, Cllr Ian Hardiman, Cllr Adrian Hardman, Cllr Paul Harrison, Cllr Marcus Hart, Cllr Bill Hopkins, Cllr Adam Kent, Cllr Adrian Kriss, Cllr Steve Mackay, Cllr Emma Marshall, Cllr Karen May, Cllr Tony Miller, Cllr Jo Monk, Cllr Dan Morehead, Cllr Richard Morris, Cllr Tony Muir, Cllr Tracey Onslow, Cllr Scott Richardson Brown, Cllr Andy Roberts, Cllr Linda Robinson, Cllr David Ross, Cllr Mike Rouse, Cllr James Stanley, Cllr Kit Taylor, and Cllr Craig Warhurst. (39)
Those abstaining were: Cllr Mel Allcott, Cllr Martin Allen, Cllr Dan Boatright, Cllr Lynn Denham, Cllr Andy Fry, Cllr Matt Jenkins, Cllr Natalie McVey, Cllr Beverley Nielsen, Cllr Josh Robinson, Cllr Richard Udall, and Cllr Tom Wells. (11).