SOUTH LAKELAND DISTRICT COUNCIL Council Date of Meeting: 6 December 2007 Part I Portfolio Holder: Cllr Brendan Jameson, Leader of the Council Report From: Head of Strategy & Performance & Agenda 18 Corporate Change Manager Item No: Report Author: Sheila Meades, Communications Manager Report Title: Proposed cuts to Border TV news Summary This report outlines the proposed changes to the provision of regional news on ITV, which would see the Border TV news service submerged into that of ITV Tyne Tees. Such a change is likely to have a major impact on the TV broadcast coverage both in South Lakeland and in Cumbria. Recommendations (1) That the Council notes the report and formally offers its opposition to the proposed changes to Border TV news. (2) That the Leader of the Council writes to Ofcom, ITV and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport expressing the Council’s opposition to the proposals. (3) That the Leader of the Council responds to Ofcom’s formal consultation on this issue, when it is announced. Report 1. News coverage from Border Television has been seen in this area for over 40 years. The audience figures for its regional news programme, Lookaround, show that it receives one of the highest ratings of any BBC or ITV region in the country (as a proportion of the population). 2. The programme is now under threat due to proposed changes outlined in September by ITV Chief Executive and Executive Chairman, Michael Grade. Nationally, ITV are looking to cut the number of regional news services from 17 to 9 in a bid to save up to £40m per year. The proposals would have to be approved by Ofcom, the regulator for the UK communications industry, before they could be implemented and it is anticipated that Ofcom will launch a formal consultation early next year. 3. Under the proposed changes, ITV Border’s half hour teatime news programme, Lookaround, would be cut to be replaced by ten minutes of local news slotted into a nightly news programme broadcast by Tyne Tees, based in Gateshead. Such a move would inevitably lead to a significant reduction in the TV coverage of this area as all news stories within the current Border region would have to compete in order to fit into the ten minute news slot. This will lead to a loss of identity, both for South Lakeland and for Cumbria as news broadcast from Gateshead is likely to be focussed on the North East and its large cities of Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland. 4. Such a change could also have a significant impact on the Cumbrian economy due to the decline of the broadcast facilities at the Border Television studios in Carlisle, which would be downgraded with resulting job losses. 5. This Council currently has an excellent relationship with the Border news team who are quick to respond to many of our press releases on important issues such as housing, regeneration and recycling. A decrease in air time will inevitably result in reduced opportunities for broadcasting important information to our residents and is likely to have an impact on reputation and resident satisfaction with the council and its services. It is likely that only the major Cumbrian stories will be significant enough to feature in the regional news and many of these stories tend to be negative such as flooding, job losses and public health issues. 6. A significant amount of public opposition to the proposals has already been voiced. Cumbria County Council and all the Cumbrian district councils (apart from Barrow which receives Granada rather than Border) have recommended that action be taken to oppose the proposals. 7. On 7 November, Tim Farron MP, tabled an Early Day Motion on the issue. On 15 November, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee published the report of their inquiry into public service content. The report highlights that concerns have been raised that ITV will reduce their provision of public service content and the report directly mentions concerns raised about Border TV, and talks about an Ofcom consultation on the subject of ITV cuts. Alternative Options Not to voice an opinion on this matter, and leave other community representatives to have their say. This is not the preferred option because of the significant impact the proposals will have on news coverage in South Lakeland. Material Considerations Not applicable Links to Corporate Plan Reduced TV coverage will impact on the council’s ability to communicate achievement of corporate objectives. Links to Other Strategic Plan(s) Equalities & Diversity Community Safety Background Documents Document: Contact: Date: 29/11/2007 Version No: Amended by: 2 .