bbc.co.uk service review consultation 

Name of project/policy 

Trust consultation to inform the bbc.co.uk service review. 

Aims and objectives of project/policy 

To gather responses from stakeholders and licence fee payers to inform the review of 
bbc.co.uk. 

The main consultative methods the Trust is using to establish views on the proposal are: 

1. A Public online consultation – to elicit information on specific questions posed in the 
consultation document and the opportunity for stakeholders and licence fee payers. 


2. Stakeholder briefing – one hour briefing session at Marylebone High Street, London on 
30 July 2007. The session comprised a presentation from the Trust, covering the service 
review objectives, process and relevant governance arrangements. 


3. The BBC Trust Unit commissioned further audience research across the UK as part of 
the service review. 




This EIA was an evaluation of the above three exercises. 

Stakeholders directly affected by the project/policy 

Licence fee payers with focus on internet users (a range of expertise levels) and users of 
bbc.co.uk Also BBC staff and other key industry bodies. 

Are you targeting a particular audience, if so which group? 

Licence fee payers with focus on internet users (a range of expertise levels) and users of 
bbc.co.uk. 

Summary of EIA 

Process 

An initial screening EIA was conducted of the impact the pursuance of the public function would have 
on different groups of people. The primary objective was to ensure all groups were able to 
participate equally in the consultation process. 

The Trust Unit then identified a number of particular needs and requirements and the measures 
which could be taken to address these. 

The Trust Unit evaluated the merits of each measure, taking into account proportionality and 
relevance. The following measures were steps which the Trust Unit decided to take. 


1. Web and research process accessibility 

Both research and best practice guidance has shown that although an online form is the 
preferred method for contributing to a consultation for many groups, it presents a number 
of issues for some people, mainly women and those above 65. The process by which the 
survey is conducted may also pose a problem for people with disabilities if specialist support 
isn’t provided. 

Mitigating actions 

All of the Trust online forms are created so that they are accessible to a wide range of 
disabled internet users. This consultation was no different. 

A telephone line was set up to handle any queries from the public. 

The Trust Unit provided alternative versions of the consultation document in hard copy 
format, Braille and audio. 

As part of the recruitment process, participants were asked if they required any additional support at 
the research meetings. 

2. Venue accessibility 
With regards to the stakeholder meetings and qualitative research, physical access was 
identified as a key issue . 

Mitigating actions 

• All venues were access audited (prior to each event). 


• The specific addtional requirements of attendees and participants were considered in 
advance. 




3. Ensuring diversity 

In view of the web related issues more prevalent for some groups, ensuring a representative mix of 
respondents was identified as a potential issue. 

Mitigating action 

• When conducting the research days and times were chosen at the convenience of participants 
where possible, and locations were spread across the UK. 


• Women and children-only groups were arranged, with particular consideration to any specific 
needs. 


• The invitation list for the stakeholder event was based on potential impact and interest and 
covered a wide range of representatives from the industry and user groups. 


• The Audience Councils in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will be submitting a 
response which will have been informed by their links and the activities conducted with their 
many different local communities 




Final decision 

It was decided that having taken these measures, a full equality impact assessment was not necessary.