The Trust’s plans for 2007/2008 


The year ahead will be a busy one for the Trust as we 
continue to build and operate the new BBC governance 
systems and establish the Trust as the representative 

of the licence fee payer. 

Our duties under the new Charter fall into three 
main groups: 

Stewardship of the licence fee income and 
other resources 


Upholding the public interest within the BBC, 
particularly the interests of licence fee payers 

Effectively promoting the BBC’s Public Purposes 

The key elements of our plans for 2007/2008 
that address these issues are outlined below. 

Stewardship of the licence fee 

Reprioritisation 

Following the licence fee settlement, the 
BBC Executive has carried out an extensive 
reprioritisation exercise.We will be examining 
the proposals closely in order to protect the 
interests of licence fee payers and ensure that 
their voice is taken into account as spending 
decisions are made. 

Value-for-money studies 

The Charter requires us to carry out value-formoney 
studies into specific areas of BBC activity. 
In 2007/2008 we will investigate: 

BBC use of radio spectrum – to ensure that 
the BBC is making the most efficient use of this 
valuable resource 

In-house commissioning – to ensure that BBC 
commissioning processes drive value and reflect 
our strategic priorities 

Procurement – to ensure that the BBC 
is getting best value from its suppliers 


Preparations for digital switchover – to ensure 
that the BBC is playing an effective role in 
digital switchover 

Additionally, we will carry out a study into the 
BBC’s role in the talent market – to ensure 
that the BBC is generating the greatest value 
for audiences. 

Upholding licence fee payers’ interests 

Public Value Tests 

We expect to conduct a number of Public Value 
Tests (PVTs) during the coming year.We have 
already announced a PVT on BBC plans to 
launch a high-definition television channel. Details 
are on the Trust website. Following the suspension 
of BBC jam we look forward to receiving fresh 
proposals from the Executive, which we expect 
to be subject to a Public Value Test. Other tests 
may follow from the reprioritisation work. 

Audience engagement 

We want to make it as easy as possible for licence 
fee payers to take part in our consultations.To find 
out licence fee payers’ own ideas on how we can 
best achieve this, we are currently consulting publicly 
on ways to engage with BBC audiences. Full details 
and a consultation form are on our website. 

Complaints framework 

It is important that anyone with a complaint 
about the BBC is given a clear idea of how to 
complain, and can do so with confidence that 
the complaint will be dealt with seriously and 
in a timely manner.We will consult publicly 
on a complaints framework later in the year. 

Effectively promoting the BBC’s Public Purposes 

Purpose remits 

We consulted publicly on our draft purpose remits 
and will finalise the remits over the summer 
alongside the Trust’s view on reprioritisation. 

Service licences 

For the first time, each BBC service has 
a licence setting out clearly what is expected 
of it.We published interim service licences at 
the start of 2007.We will amend these later 
this year in the light of our public consultation. 

Service reviews 

We will review each BBC service at least 
once every five years. Our first review will 
be of bbc.co.uk. 

Our full work plan 
can be found on 
bbc.co.uk/bbctrust. 
You can also find 
details of how the 
public may contribute 
to our various 
planned consultations 

Part One:BBCAnnual Report and Accounts 2006/2007 | 51