FOI request reveals BBC North risks
A Freedom of Information (FoI) request from the Sunday Times has revealed the key risks that the BBC is discussing about the move to MediaCityUK.
The documents are from over a period of time, and show how some risks have already been dealt with, and how others continue to cause concern, for example recruitment, business uncertainty and business continuity.
Issues in the children’s department were also mentioned in the report, with one risk being the cost of BBC tech support outside of London, although it was stated that finance figures are expected this month. It was also said thatthe ‘Current Childrens operation becomes impossible within revised budget, following imposed efficiencies plus additional costs expected following the move to Salford.’ More work still had to be done on this area.
However, other parts of the FoI request show that some risks have reduced as the stages of development continue, such as the worry of a shortage of desks leading to demoralisation being solved, and a way to deal with teams being present in different areas being discussed.
The majority of risks put forward in December 2010 were considered of low or medium likelihood, such as the design of the building not being fit for purpose, level of change in BBC North causes quality of output to fall, or failing to understand the preferences and attitudes of Northern audiences. The only risk qualified as high risk on this date was technical infrastructure being ‘late, incomplete or not fit for purpose.’