Cuts to BBC local radio condemned by councillors

27 Jan 2023
Councillor Declan Wilson proposed the motion about the cuts of BBC local radio

A Lib Dem motion opposing cuts to BBC local radio has received unanimous support from councillors.

The motion was debated at a meeting of Gloucester City on January 27. 

It opposes the proposed cuts to BBC local radio and the loss of services to our communities this would entail.

Councillor Declan Wilson proposed the motion and it was seconded by Councillor Sebastian Field.

The motion said:

“Council is extremely concerned by the recently announced cuts to BBC local radio programming.

"The changes will cut local programming after 2pm – with most shows after this point being broader regional or national broadcasts.

"Council notes the announcement has met fierce criticism from across the political spectrum.

"BBC Radio Gloucestershire is a vital service for people in Gloucester. It helps residents stay connected to their local community, providing local news, culture, sport and weather updates, and gives residents an opportunity to have their say and participate in local debates through phone-ins. BBC Local Radio does this in a unique way that commercial radio cannot quite match.

"In the last couple of years, during the Coronavirus pandemic, the station was able to help spread important information, while also in many ways being the only source of company for those residents cut off from the rest of society. During the cost of living crisis local radio will play a similarly crucial role in spreading information about support services, warm banks and a number of other important lifelines for residents.

"BBC local radio also does a great job of holding decision makers to account – both local and national – as was demonstrated by the round of local interviews conducted with former Prime Minister Liz Truss on 29 September 2022.

"Council recognises the BBC is being forced into cuts by successive Government freezes to the license fee and the withdrawal of funding for free licenses for over 75s.

"Council calls on the Government to fund the BBC properly so it can continue to deliver a full schedule of local radio programming across the UK – in addition to its planned expansion of digital radio services.

"Council instructs the Managing Director to write to the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP, to express our dismay at these proposed cuts to BBC local radio and to demand that the Government find a solution to cover the BBC’s predicted £295 million funding shortfall by 2027.

"Council further requests that the Managing Director write to the Director General of the BBC to celebrate the irreplaceable local service Radio Gloucestershire provides to residents in Gloucester and stresses our desire for its local programming to be protected and retained."

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