The executive in charge of the BBC's English regional output has warned staff they need to be "realistic" about how the corporation will cope with swingeing budget cuts after plans were revealed to cut much of its local radio output.

The proposals prompted outrage from the National Union of Journalists, which warned it would "spell the death of local radio".

The BBC English Regions controller, David Holdsworth, said the corporation had to work out how it would operate with "significantly less money" in the future.

In a message to all BBC local radio staff, Holdsworth said no decisions had been taken but warned that "challenging" times lay ahead with a "fundamental reassessment" of the BBC's future operations.

"We are nowhere near the stage of talking about staffing implications because there is still no clear proposal," said Holdsworth.

"But we all need to be realistic. The BBC is going through a fundamental assessment of what it needs to do to maintain quality, audience trust and fulfil our purposes but with significantly less money.

"This process is very challenging but it is not about damaging audience trust, audience reach or in the case of local radio, that special relationship that listeners have with what they regard as their own BBC local station.

"We should be proud of our audience of seven million which is growing – and proud of the fact we reach audiences who consume no other BBC radio service."

The proposal to cut local radio output was put forward as part of BBC director general Mark Thompson's "Delivering Quality First" initiative. The BBC is having to make savings of more than £400m following last year's licence fee freeze agreed with the government.

Under the plans – still at an early stage – all local radio programming would be axed outside of breakfast and drivetime shows and replaced with content from BBC Radio 5 Live.

The NUJ said it could lead to the loss of more than 700 jobs and the closure of some small local stations.

Holdsworth appeared to issue a rallying cry to local staff to defend their corner as the cost-saving consultation continues.

"I am really sorry if you have found these reports unsettling, both in terms of your own personal future but also because I know how passionate you all are about serving local communities," Holdsworth told staff.

"The current stage of Delivering Quality First is about testing all sorts of radical ideas to shape the BBC for the new licence fee settlement, and it will still be some time before firm proposals are considered."

He added: "The important thing now is not to be destabilised by these ideas. We need to continue to deliver the best service possible on a daily basis for our audiences.

"I would also urge you to get fully engaged in the DQF process and make your views known. This is your chance to have your say in the future shape of the BBC."

By John Plunkett

Source:-
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/mar/11/bbc-local-radio

Can someone explain to me what this job entails (from Ariel page on Regional Cuts) other than a few hundred grand a year!

Pat Younge, BBC Vision's chief creative officer