Department for Culture, Media and Sport
This means that S4C's funding is secure for the next 4 years and will enable you to structure yourself for the modern broadcasting environment. You will also retain your commercial freedom.
In order to deliver this, we envisage a partnership between the Authority and the BBC comprising a combined board to oversee delivery of a service licence and a joint management board with a majority of independent directors appointed by the Welsh Authority and the BBC Trust. This should ensure that S4C remains as a unique entity and retains its editorial distinctiveness. We intend for this partnership to be up and running as soon as possible from 2012/13.
We envisage a review of S4C's strategy and finances to conclude in good time before the end of the period covered by the CSR.
We recognise this will be a radical change but believe it is the best option for providing a sustainable and independent future for Welsh language programming. We look forward to working closely with you and the BBC Trust to develop the detail of these arrangements. My officials will be in touch in due course.
JEREMY HUNT
Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport
