Role and remit of the BBC Audience Council Wales
The role and responsibilities of the Audience Councils are set out in the new BBC Royal Charter, which came into force on 1 January 2007. This provides both the basis and context for the ACW's work on behalf of BBC audiences in Wales, and its work on behalf of BBC audiences across the UK alongside the other Councils in Scotland, Northern Ireland and England.
The ACW takes over the responsibilities held under the previous Royal Charter by the Broadcasting Council for Wales (BCW).
Key Areas of Responsibility
The ACW's responsibilities are primarily two-fold :
Firstly, to scrutinise the BBC's performance on behalf of audiences living in Wales and to advise the BBC Trust on issues relating to BBC audiences and services at a Wales level. This is particularly important in the context of devolution. The National Trustee and the ACW are well placed to understand the needs, circumstances and concerns of audiences within Wales, and to advise the Trust on current issues.
The Council will provide a close and continuing assessment of BBC programmes and services in Wales and the extent to which the BBC's network output and other activities reflect the diversity of the UK and its nations, regions and communities. Such work will include the identification of audience priorities for BBC services (based on feedback and research in Wales) and the assessment of the BBC's performance against its Service Licences, Public Purposes and annual Statement of Programme Policies.
Secondly, to contribute to the development and implementation of the Trust's performance framework, based on a programme of audience outreach activities, research and joint-working by the Councils on behalf of audiences across the UK.
The ACW's programme of work will be aligned to the Trust's business cycle and the new Governance and Performance Framework, but flexible enough to respond to the needs and concerns of audiences in Wales.
