The chief executive of the largest district council in England has hit out at proposed cuts at BBC Radio Suffolk - saying that it has vital role at times of civil emergencies.
East Suffolk Council chief Stephen Baker is the former SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives) spokesman on Civil Resilience and Emergency Planning and a member of the National Preparedness Commission.
He said: “The importance of local BBC radio during a civil emergency simply cannot be underestimated.
"They play a key role in keeping local communities informed about what is happening in their area, and that is a critical role – no-one else has that ability or the resource to deliver what is such an important service."
Mr Baker's comments came as concerns grow about the BBC's plans to cut local broadcasting to eight hours a day, five days a week with shared regional or national services during afternoons, evenings, and weekends.
The only local broadcasting during these times would be when there is a league football match.
Concern about the plans come from radio professionals, local councillors and MPs - and the government during a debate in parliament at the start of the week.
Mr Baker added: “The role of BBC Radio Suffolk has always been so important during a severe weather event.
"I recall how Mark Murphy broadcast throughout the night during the floods that hit the Suffolk coast in 2013.
"It was informative, reassuring, and reliable, and of course, no-one else has that specific public broadcasting duty.
“Being able to rely on the presence of an informed, professional, local BBC radio station, with local knowledge and understanding, is a key part of any response.
"After all, that’s why we use the phrase 'Stay in, Tune in' as part of any response."
Mr Baker, who retires at the end of the year after 40 years in local government in Suffolk, added: “I remember incidents such as the Floods of 2013, and the Beast from the East in 2018, and BBC Radio Suffolk were there throughout.
"But BBC local radio didn’t only play a key role during those major events, they are there to support communities during any difficult times, whenever there is severe weather that catches people out or a serious incident.
"BBC Local radio is the ideal means of getting information out there, and being a focal point for sharing information as events unfold.
"They cover everything from school closures, road closures, safety warnings, and of course perhaps most important, letting people who are hunkered down know when normality is starting to return.”
However, not everyone is convinced that BBC local radio should be saved in its present form.
James Hazell founded Gen X Radio in Suffolk after he parted company with the BBC last year - and this week it started broadcasting on DAB as well as online.
He said: "It's not just the BBC that can provide local radio - the commercial sector can. We're doing that.
"When I was at Radio Suffolk I was told it cost £2m a year to run - that's a lot of money and the commercial sector can do exactly the same job."
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