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Peter Salmon joins Media City debate

The debate, organised by the union's BBC Division, will take place in Bournemouth on 24 April from 17.30, ahead of the union's annual conference.

The panel will include:

• Peter Salmon, Director designate BBC North
• Ken Lee, Head of HR, BBC North.
• Mark Scrimshaw, Chair, BBC Division
• Tony Lennon, BECTU President.

Many BBC representatives will join the discussion with freelances in film and broadcasting and delegates from other parts of the union sure to attend as well. 

The BBC plans to start relocating staff to Salford Quays, home to Media City UK, in the North West of England, later this year.

The Media City project presents significant challenges for huge numbers of BBC staff outside the region who face the relocation of several departments, including Childrens and Radio 5 Live.

But what is the BBC's vision for its new NW presence? How will production be organised? Will the investment in jobs and skills be substantial enough to enable the BBC to continue to lead developments in all aspects of programme-making and delivery?

What future with the corporation, if any, will there be for staff who choose not to relocate? How will Media City affect the resources and opportunities available to other parts of the BBC, particularly in England?

When Peter Salmon, currently creative head of BBC Vision, was appointed to his new position in December 2008, he said:

"I want to help build a world-class, creative powerhouse for the BBC based in the North of England but networked into the whole UK."

The debate offers delegates the opportunity to highlight the current needs of staff and freelances across the North.

The union has been discussing the prospects for the project since the BBC first confirmed its involvement.

In November 2007, BECTU hosted a successful debate on Media City UK in Manchester, pulling together a range of employers, staff, freelances and academics.

Eighteen months on, BECTU representatives will want to reinforce the union's commitment to working with the BBC, and other operators at Salford Quays, to meet the ambitions of the project.

However, BECTU believes that the full potential of Media City UK can only be achieved if planning is rooted in strong commitments to the workforce and to the local communities.  

BBC North: what is the vision? takes places on 24 April from 17.30-19.00. The meeting is open only to those attending BECTU's annual conference.