BSAC

British Screen Advisory Council

Established in 1975, the British Screen Advisory Council is an independent sector body representing the audiovisual industry

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Governance

How BSAC operates

BSAC holds eight Council meetings a year and requires a quorum of fifteen Members. Agendas for the meetings are varied according to the business and policy issues facing the industry. Members unable to attend a specific Council meeting may nominate a substitute who must be approved by the Chief Executive. However, Members are still required personally to attend a minimum of two Council meetings a year. 

Much of BSAC's work is handled by Working Groups set up on an ad hoc basis to deal with issues. BSAC also has a valuable network of co-opted Members, particularly Associate Members, who are invited to serve on Working Groups where a particular field of expertise not represented on the Council is needed. Reports from Working Groups are given to Council regularly and on such occasions the full Council's endorsement is sought. Wherever possible the Council seeks support from all Members on policy issues. On rare occasions where proposals are not fully supported the Council seeks to illustrate, where possible, the degree of support and, in general terms, who supported and who are the dissenters with their reasons.

In addition to the Chairman, the Council is served by four Deputy Chairmen.

The Board 

The Board meets according to need and comprises the Chairman, four Deputy Chairmen and the Chief Executive. A quorum of two of members of the Board is required. It provides appropriate financial oversight and deals with membership issues. It also acts as a forum within which the Chief Executive can seek views on the Council's strategy and work programme. 

BSAC's Links with Government

BSAC maintains strong links with Government. Civil servants and policymakers from the key departments with responsibilities for the audiovisual industries such as DCMS and BIS are regularly invited to participate in Council meetings and events. John Whittingdale MP, the Chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee also attends as an Observer. BSAC also invites representatives from the Treasury, other Government departments and the European Commission to attend meetings where appropriate. BSAC holds frequent meetings with EU officials and MEPs. BSAC is non-party political.