British Broadcasting Corporation Race Equality Scheme
Action Plan 2: The BBC Trust in relation to certain functions under the BBC Charter and Agreement (relating to involvement)
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- How are the public consulted and informed about the Trust’s activities and role
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Action Plan 2: The BBC Trust in relation to certain functions under the BBC Charter and Agreement (relating to involvement)What is the BBC Trust?The BBC Trust is the governing body of the BBC. It is responsible for getting the best out of the BBC for all licence fee payers. The Trust does this by assessing the performance of the BBC Executive Board in delivering the BBC’s services and activities and holding the BBC Executive Board to account for its performance. In doing so the Trust must ensure that licence fee payers are at the heart of its decision-making and that their diverse views and needs are listened to and heard. How are the public consulted and informed about the Trust’s activities and role?The Trust is required to consult publicly when carrying out a number of its key regulatory functions, for example when conducting Public Value Tests or Service Reviews. As it is the Trust’s role to represent all audiences, it is important that the methods it uses reach the full diversity of licence fee payers. The Trust is always seeking to develop its understanding and awareness of the different needs and expectations that people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds may have. The Trust regularly draws upon the support and advice of the BBC’s Diversity Centre. It also, where relevant, invites organisations who represent people from different ethnicities and cultures to stakeholder/public meetings. In reviewing the Trust’s objectives and actions within each of the BBC’s three Equality Schemes, which included the Race Equality Scheme, the Trust commissioned a research agency to carry out an involvement exercise with a number of organisations representing people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds. 30 in-depth interviews amongst disability, gender and race related organisations were conducted over a four week period with each interview lasting an average of 45-60 minutes. The results of this exercise informed the following action plan
This Action Plan details a series of planned actions which have been identified as necessary following an audit of current activity in relevant areas and through involvement with different ethnic or cultural groups. Equality impact assessments, where appropriate, and the continual involvement with people from a wide range of ethnic or cultural backgrounds will inform ongoing review (see above and also section 4.3). Objective 1 We will operate in a way that means that anyone can have their say and contribute to our work. Our processes will be accessible and we will tackle the barriers for audiences wanting to engage with us. Action 1- We will ascertain specific needs in advance of all public meetings and appropriate adjustments will be made to facilitate the involvement of people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds. Due date: Ongoing Lead: Audiences and Marketing team Evidence/outcomes: The Trust’s public meetings will be held in venues and conducted and set up in ways which are accessible to all. Action 2- Where practical and/or possible we will hold public meetings with BBC Audiences in locations which will be attended by a fair representation of people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds – unless the meeting is specifically targeted at one particular group. Due date: 2010-11 Lead: Audiences and Marketing team Evidence/outcomes: Over time the Trust’s monitoring data will show that it has been able to meet with a fair representation of people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds. Action 3- When handing appeals we will identify and provide the necessary advice and support required for those persons who are unable to submit their appeal in writing and/or may lack literacy skills or the confidence to submit their appeal through the usual channels. Due date: 2010-11 Lead: Editorial Standards team Evidence/outcomes: People from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds are not deterred or prevented from submitting an appeal to the Trust. Action 4- In relation to BBC Trust Appeal hearings, information on specific needs will be sought in advance and the appropriate adjustments will be made to facilitate the full participation of people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds Due date: 2010-11 Lead: Editorial Standards team Evidence/outcomes: People from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds are not deterred or prevented from participating in a BBC Trust hearing. Action 5- In making arrangements to support the work of the Audience Councils, the Trust will seek to tackle any barriers for people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds in becoming members of the Audience Councils. Due date: 2010-11 Lead: Audiences and Marketing team Evidence/outcomes: Over time, the Audience Councils to have a balanced and representative membership. Action 6- The Audience Councils will ensure that they engage with and positively encourage the involvement of people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds. Due date: 2010-2011 Lead: Audiences and Marketing team Evidence/outcomes: The work of the Audience Councils is informed by their diverse communities. . Drivers/informed by: Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 BBC Values: Audiences; Respect; Working Together Objective 2 We will be proactive in reaching audiences, including minorities and the seldom heard. Action 1- For greater success in involving hard to reach groups in the Trust's work, develop a long term relationship with those groups and organisations who represent people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds. For example through the programme of Trustee interest group lunches. Due date: 2010-2011 Lead: Audiences and Marketing team Evidence/outcomes: Less ad hoc and more strategic relationship building with interest groups. Action 2- Where possible use alternative and more tailored methods for reaching those people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds who do not routinely participate, or are unable to participate in our online consultations. Due date: 2010-2011 Lead: Audiences and Marketing team Evidence/outcomes: An increase in the participation of Trust Unit activities by people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds Action 3- Improve the implementation of diversity monitoring of our consultations, meetings and research to enable us to measure and report on performance and to inform action planning /review where necessary. Due date: 2010-2011 Lead: Audiences and Marketing team Evidence/outcomes: Evidence of more consistent diversity information collected by the Trust. Action 4- Find ways of ensuring that the Trust’s engagement with opinion formers and interest groups includes those who can speak for and may influence people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds. Due date: 2010-2011 Lead: Communications team Evidence/outcomes: A broader range of voices the Trust hears from. Drivers/informed by: Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 BBC Values: Audiences; Respect; Working Together Objective 3 In our work we will carefully consider the full range of contributions and evidence so that our decisions are fair, independent and impartial and do not discriminate against any audience groups. To further this we will take action to address key issues that have emerged, so that, where appropriate and necessary, we and the BBC Executive deliver change in the interests of all audiences. Action 1- When reviewing and publishing a framework for dealing with BBC Complaints we will ensure that this is open and accessible to all, there are no barriers to participation. Due date: 2010-2011 Lead: Editorial Standards team Evidence/outcomes: Through audience research and customer surveys the BBC can demonstrate to the Trust that the complaints framework is accessible to people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds. Action 2- We will explore the opportunities for improving the BBC’s Complaints recording. Due date: 2010-2011 Lead: Editorial Standards team Evidence/outcomes: Effective monitoring data that informs the Trust whether there is a fair representation of people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds using the complaints system. Action 3- During part 2 of the Mystery Shopping project we will investigate amongst users of the BBC’s complaints system, whether there is any aspect of the way people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds are treated which is unfavourable and/or unfair. Due date: 2010-2011 Lead: Editorial Standards team Evidence/outcomes: A complaints system which when used is not unfavourable or unfair for people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds. Action 4- An Equality Impact Assessment will be conducted prior to us commencing any new policy/project/review which is carried out as part of a public function. Due date: 2010-2011 Lead: Audiences and Marketing team Evidence/outcomes: New Trust policies/reviews/projects which result in better outcomes for people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds. Action 5- We will monitor and then report to the Secretary of State in the Annual Report and Accounts the performance and steps we and the BBC Executive have taken to fulfil our public sector equalities duties. Due date: 2010-2011 Lead: Trust Unit Evidence/outcomes: The Trust to receive regular compliance reports from the BBC Executive. The publication of the Annual Report and Accounts which reports on the performance of the Trust and BBC Executive in fulfilling its public sector equalities duties. Action 6- We will plan Board and departmental activities that will continue to facilitate open discussion on diversity and equality issues, for example awareness training and working lunches with external and internal guests. Due date: 2010-2011 Lead: Audiences and Marketing team Evidence/outcomes: Improving and raising the awareness of diversity and equality issues within the Trust. Drivers/informed by: Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 BBC Values: Audiences; Respect; Working Together Objective 4 We will share our findings and conclusions in a way which is accessible, open and transparent. Action 1- When the content of a public document is directly related to a specific ethnic/cultural group and/or existing output (radio, tv, online) is customarily translated into a specific language, the Trust will provide the appropriate translations (within a published maximum time limit) Due date: 2010-2011 Lead: Trust Unit Evidence/outcomes: Where appropriate, the prompt provision of translated documents for licence fee payers who do not speak English or Welsh so that they are able to participate or engage in Trust activities. Action 2- When appropriate and where possible we will use alternative methods for feeding back our findings and decisions to people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds who routinely do not or are unable to access our website and its online documents. Due date: 2010-2011 Lead: Trust unit Evidence/outcomes: Increasing the awareness and understanding of the Trust’s decisions amongst people from different ethnic/cultural backgrounds. Drivers/informed by: Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 BBC Values: Audiences; Respect; Working Together NB: Charter Articles 22 and 23: No specific actions, but will be addressed through actions against the more detailed public functions of the Trust. Charter Articles 24 (2) (h) and (i), and 45: These provisions have been assessed by the BBC and found to be a public function not relevant to the General Duty.
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