Executive Board 13 June 2011 1030 1530 Rm 3028, Broadcasting House, London Attendees... 2 1 Minutes from the Executive Board meeting on 30 March and 9 May 2011... 3 2 General update... 3 3 Annual Report and Accounts... 3 4 Talent at the BBC strategy update... 4 5 Delivering Quality First... 4 6 Commercial update... 4 7 Alternative Funding Strategy for International News... 4 8 DMI update... 4 9 Director updates... 5 Papers for approval... 5 10 Coverage of London 2012 Olympics: update on Regulatory Issues and extension of BBC Three hours during Games... 5 11 BBC Coverage of Science BBC response to Professor Jones s report... 5 12 World Service Trust name change... 5 13 Trials register... 6 14 Quarterly property update Q4... 6 15 Quarterly BBC Portfolio Status Report... 6 16 Digital Switchover Help Scheme Annual Report... 6 17 Specialist Classical Podcast... 6 18 Any other business... 6 Papers for noting... 7 19 Summary of papers and actions from Finance Committee... 7 1
Attendees Present Mark Thompson (Chair) Helen Boaden Tim Davie George Entwistle Zarin Patel Ralph Rivera Caroline Thomson Marcus Agius Simon Burke Val Gooding Mike Lynch Robert Webb Director-General Director, News Director, Audio and Music (A&M) Director, Vision Group Finance Director Director, Future Media Chief Operating Officer Senior non-executive director With Mary Wilkinson Acting Head of the Director-General s Office Lynsey Tweddle Head of the Executive Unit (secretary) Christina Roski Business Manager, Executive Unit Michael McLaren Head of Annual Report and Accounts (item 3) Karen Wightman Partner, KPMG (item 3) Scott Cormack Partner, KPMG (item 3) Edward James Head of Group Reporting and Analysis (item 3) Mike Ford Director of Risk and Assurance (item 3) Bal Samra Director of Vision Operations (item 4) Jessica Cecil Director of Delivering Quality First project (item 5) John Tate Director, Policy and Strategy (item 5) Gautam Rangarajan Controller, Public Service, Policy and Strategy (item 5) Charlie Villar Director, Corporate Finance (item 5) John Smith Chief Executive, BBC Worldwide (item 6) Peter Horrocks Director, Global News (item 7) John Linwood Chief Technology Officer (item 8) Chris Buist Programme Director, DMI (item 8) Apologies None 2
1 Minutes from the Executive Board meeting on 30 March and 9 May 2011 1.1 The minutes from the March and May Board meetings were approved and the summary for publication noted. 2 General update 2.1 Executive directors provided an update following a further meeting with the Trust on Delivering Quality First (DQF). The Board discussed communication with staff, engagement with the Trust and the timetable for DQF. 3 Annual Report and Accounts a) Overview 3.1 This paper provided the context for the items that followed. b) Report from the Audit Committee Chair 3.2 The Chair noted that, on the whole, the Audit Committee considered the audit process to be in good shape, with audit conclusions being constructively received within the organisation. A review of the risk assessment process was recommended and the Chair noted that, although there had been some movements in the accounts, there were no significant issues to report to the Board. c) KPMG Report 3.3 This paper provided the KPMG Report for year ending 31 March 2011.The Board noted the update from KPMG, who confirmed they were content with the preparation of the BBC s financial statements. The Board thanked KPMG for their report, noting how user friendly and useful it was. d) Going concern review 3.4 This paper provided the Executive Board with the necessary evidence to enable it to produce the Annual Report and Accounts on the going concern basis. The paper and supporting detailed cash flow statements had been reviewed by KPMG. 3.5 The Board noted the contents and conclusions of the paper, which would be reflected in the Annual Report and Accounts. e) Annual assurances to BBC Trust on risk management, internal controls and corporate governance 3.6 This paper noted that the Executive Board made a number of public statements about governance, risk management and internal control in its Annual Report and Accounts. In addition the Board was also required to provide annual assurances on these matters to the BBC Trust. 3.7 The Board noted the following: the BBC s risk and internal control processes had been operating effectively for the year; the BBC complied with the Combined Code, apart 3
from the areas noted in the paper; that the BBC s non-executive directors were independent for the purposes of the Combined Code. f) Approval of BBC Annual Report and Accounts 2010/11 3.8 The Board approved Part Two of the Annual Report and Accounts and the final statements, agreeing to delegate final sign-off of the full financial statements to Mark Thompson, Zarin Patel and Simon Burke for online publication. 3.9 The Board agreed that it would be useful to conduct media briefings in advance of publication to ensure appropriate context and detail were provided. g) BBC World Service Annual Review 2010/11 3.10 The Board approved the BBC World Service Annual Review, including the financial statements and governance reports. The representation letter from the BBC Executive Board and the BBC World Service Board to KPMG LLP was also approved. Appropriate signatures were provided. 4 Talent at the BBC strategy update 4.1 This paper reminded the Board that in June 2009, the Executive presented to the Trust a strategy and range of measures it had implemented to address the recommendations of the Trust s review of Talent Costs. This paper set out the progress of this strategy, including steps to make the BBC's dealings with talent more transparent to licence fee payers along with an outlook on future challenges. 4.2 Subject to some amendments, the Board approved the paper for submission to the BBC Trust. 5 Delivering Quality First 5.1 The Board received an overview of progress so far from the central analysis team, digital, news, radio and finance. 6 Commercial update 6.1 John Smith provided an update on commercial matters. 7 Alternative Funding Strategy for International News 7.1 This paper described options for funding the BBC s public service mission in international news, as defined in the Global Strategy Review. 7.2 The Board discussed how best to progress this item and take it forward to the Trust. 8 DMI update 8.1 This paper provided members of the Executive Board with a summary of progress on DMI to date and laid the groundwork for a separate DMI commercial paper to follow. 4
8.2 The Board asked for a DMI update to return in September, including particular focus on the Vision area. 9 Director updates a) Audiences and all services 9.1 Executive Board discussed the audience update which featured Audio & Music this month. b) Regulatory and industry 9.2 Caroline Thomson provided an update on regulatory and industry matters. Mark Thompson and Caroline updated the Board on discussions relating to the Trust Governance Review. c) Finance 9.3 Executive Board noted that finance matters had been covered as part of the Annual Report discussion. d) News 9.4 The Board noted the news update provided by Helen Boaden. Papers for approval 10 Coverage of London 2012 Olympics: update on Regulatory Issues and extension of BBC Three hours during Games 10.1 This paper reminded the Board that it had approved a number of proposals to seek regulatory comfort from the Trust in June 2010. This paper provided an update on those issues. 10.2 The Board agreed submission of proposals to the Trust to seek permission to allow a temporary extension of BBC Three s transmission hours for 20 days around the Games without a Public Value Test. 11 BBC Coverage of Science BBC response to Professor Jones s report 11.1 This paper presented the BBC draft response to Professor Jones review of the impartiality and accuracy of the BBC s coverage of Science. 11.2 The Board approved the paper for submission to the Trust. 12 World Service Trust name change 12.1 This paper outlined why the name BBC World Service Trust no longer met the needs of the organisation and recommended a new name. 12.2 The Board agreed that the BBC World Service Trust adopt a new name BBC Media Action - and also noted the charity s revised mission. 5
13 Trials register 13.1 This paper provided the register of pilots and trials, updated on a quarterly basis. 13.2 The Board noted that the register was up-to-date, accurate and comprehensive. 14 Quarterly property update Q4 14.1 This paper provided the fourth quarterly property update to the Executive Board for 2010/11. It provided an update on the current activities of BBC Workplace together with key property metrics. 14.2 The Board approved the paper for submission to the Trust. It was noted that the BBC would be announcing the first phase in the sale of Television Centre that day. 15 Quarterly BBC Portfolio Status Report 15.1 This paper informed the Executive Board of the issues arising from the Finance Committee s scrutiny of the 2010/11 fourth quarter status report on the BBC Portfolio of critical projects. 15.2 The Board noted the report. 16 Digital Switchover Help Scheme Annual Report 16.1 This report updated the Board on Help Scheme performance against the agreed success measures for the April 2010-March 2011 period. 16.2 The Board approved the paper for submission to the Trust, 17 Specialist Classical Podcast 17.1 This paper sought permission to provide a podcast of the Radio 3 Breakfast Show's Specialist Classical Chart on an ongoing basis. 17.2 The Board agreed that the proposal did not constitute a significant change to the UK Public Services. The paper was approved for submission to the Trust. 18 Any other business 18.1 The Board had a brief discussion regarding the composition of the Executive Board subcommittees. 6
Papers for noting 19 Summary of papers and actions from Finance Committee 19.1 The Board noted the summary of discussions and actions at the Finance Committee meetings held on 22 March and 12 April 2011. 7