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BBC trust chair Lord Patten's vision for S4C BBC Trust chair Lord Patten's vision for S4C
(40 minutes later)
The chair of the BBC Trust has said he wants to see a "sensible and creative partnership" between BBC Wales and S4C. The chair of the BBC Trust has said he wants to see a "sensible and effective partnership" between BBC Wales and S4C.
Lord Patten said he wanted to see a "creatively independent" S4C when the BBC takes responsibility for its funding. Lord Patten said he wants a "creatively independent" S4C when the BBC takes responsibility for its funding.
Lord Patten also said he wants to strengthen the Welsh language and emphasised the BBC's role in protecting the "civic space" in national life. He also said he wants to strengthen the Welsh language and emphasised the BBC's role in protecting the "civic space" in national life.
He said his priority was to steer the BBC through a "challenging" time, when the corporation faces cuts of 20%. His priority was to steer the BBC through a "challenging" time, when it is facing cuts of 20%, he added.
From 2013, S4C will be funded from part of the BBC licence fee, following a decision by the UK Government.
The future funding arrangement sparked questions about S4C's independence and claims by the Commons' Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee that the arrangement was a "shotgun marriage".
Speaking about S4C on BBC Radio Wales, Lord Patten, who took over as BBC Trust chairman last month, said he was not in the business of "trying to undermine other peoples' independence".Speaking about S4C on BBC Radio Wales, Lord Patten, who took over as BBC Trust chairman last month, said he was not in the business of "trying to undermine other peoples' independence".
Recently-leaked report "I'm in the business of defending the BBC's independence," he said.
He met First Minister Carwyn Jones on Tuesday, who raised concerns about S4C. "It would be ridiculous for me to be in any other position. I want to see a creatively independent S4C.
"Because I'm responsible for licence fee payers' money, obviously we want to be in a sensible and effective partnership with S4C.
"It doesn't get all its money and won't get all its money from the licence fee payer - it also raises money itself.
"My principle priority in the short-term is to work with and not over S4C to produce even better programmes."
'Protect language'
Lord Patten said that in the medium and longer terms he wanted to debate how to "protect and strengthen the Welsh language," saying it was very important to give "greater prominence to local, regional, national, cultural norms".
He said he was sure a partnership could be developed "which underlines absolutely, unequivocally the independence of S4C".
Lord Patten met First Minister Carwyn Jones on Tuesday, who raised concerns about S4C.
After the meeting, Mr Jones said: "It is essential that the editorial and operational independence of the channel continues and its funding is put on a long-term, secure footing.After the meeting, Mr Jones said: "It is essential that the editorial and operational independence of the channel continues and its funding is put on a long-term, secure footing.
"And we also believe that there should be a fundamental review of S4C in order to inform the shape of the channel in the future.""And we also believe that there should be a fundamental review of S4C in order to inform the shape of the channel in the future."
Mr Jones also raised concerns over proposed 20% cuts to the BBC in Wales, some of which were detailed in a recently-leaked report. Mr Jones also raised concerns over proposed 20% cuts to BBC Wales, some of which were detailed in a recently-leaked report.
'Full disclosure'
Unions and politicians have responded to the document, which proposes dropping BBC Wales' current affairs programme Week In Week Out and, among other ideas, suggests scaling back coverage of the National Eisteddfod and Royal Welsh Show.Unions and politicians have responded to the document, which proposes dropping BBC Wales' current affairs programme Week In Week Out and, among other ideas, suggests scaling back coverage of the National Eisteddfod and Royal Welsh Show.
The corporation-wide cost-cutting exercise - called Delivering Quality First - stems from a decision last autumn to freeze the BBC licence fee.The corporation-wide cost-cutting exercise - called Delivering Quality First - stems from a decision last autumn to freeze the BBC licence fee.
Carwyn Jones said: "When it comes to BBC Wales, I have told Lord Patten of our worries over proposed cuts to its output. The first minister has written to UK Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt requesting a meeting to discuss broadcasting, which is not devolved.
"I want to see full disclosure of the scale of cuts and changes currently being considered by the corporation."
Carwyn Jones has previously written to UK Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt requesting a meeting to discuss broadcasting, which is not devolved.
BBC Wales director Keith Jones has previously said no final decisions are expected "until much later this year and that final recommendations will need the approval of the BBC Trust".BBC Wales director Keith Jones has previously said no final decisions are expected "until much later this year and that final recommendations will need the approval of the BBC Trust".