Post by Teddy Bear on Aug 3, 2009 22:30:05 GMT
Comment is pretty much superfluous as the article evokes the obvious reactions to the BBC lack of regard for its license payers
BBC spent £90,000 on luxurious Cannes villa for 'hospitality' purposes
By Ryan Kisiel
BBC executives spent £90,000 of public money hiring a luxurious villa in the south of France to entertain corporate bosses, it has emerged.
The huge mansion boasts a large swimming pool, private terrace and spectacular views of the Mediterranean.
The corporation admitted spending £90,530 hiring the hillside property that overlooks Cannes on five separate occasions for 'hospitality' purposes since 2006.
Foreign broadcasters were also wined and dined there twice a year for the last eight years in a bid to sell them a syndicated versions of its programmes - costing taxpayers thousands of pounds more.
It is hired for a week in April and week in October each year to accommodate BBC staff as they try to attract foreign investment. A chef is hired for both weeks to provide luxurious catering.
The villa was hired by the BBC's Commercial Agency, but is part of the corporation's public service and paid for through the licence fee.
It is the former holiday home of the late record producer Mickie Most. He was the recording genius behind a string of number one hits in the 1960s for bands such as The Animals, Herman's Hermits, Donovan, and Suzi Quatro and the Jeff Beck Group.
Tory MP John Whittingdale, chairman of the House of Commons culture, media and sport committee, said: 'It does beg the question as to whether it was really necessary for the BBC to commit that amount of money in order to find commercial partners.
'You don't really have to put people up in a five-star villa in Cannes. At a time when the BBC is claiming it is short of cash, it does seem somewhat extravagant.'
The information, released through the Freedom of Information Act to the Guardian newspaper, reveals that the BBC has spent £73,838 on three separate hirings of the villa between 2006 and 2008.
It also racked up an additional cost of £16,692 for 'travel and hospitality' during two hirings since last year.
BBC executives defended the hiring of the villa claiming that the Commercial Agency was responsible for raising more than £80million a year for investments in programmes.
A spokesman added that the agency was currently discussing whether to hire the villa again this October.
He added: 'It all depends on what their needs are. They are keeping their options open. Their costs are quite low compared to commercial companies. It is a fair spend.'
By Ryan Kisiel
BBC executives spent £90,000 of public money hiring a luxurious villa in the south of France to entertain corporate bosses, it has emerged.
The huge mansion boasts a large swimming pool, private terrace and spectacular views of the Mediterranean.
The corporation admitted spending £90,530 hiring the hillside property that overlooks Cannes on five separate occasions for 'hospitality' purposes since 2006.
Foreign broadcasters were also wined and dined there twice a year for the last eight years in a bid to sell them a syndicated versions of its programmes - costing taxpayers thousands of pounds more.
It is hired for a week in April and week in October each year to accommodate BBC staff as they try to attract foreign investment. A chef is hired for both weeks to provide luxurious catering.
The villa was hired by the BBC's Commercial Agency, but is part of the corporation's public service and paid for through the licence fee.
It is the former holiday home of the late record producer Mickie Most. He was the recording genius behind a string of number one hits in the 1960s for bands such as The Animals, Herman's Hermits, Donovan, and Suzi Quatro and the Jeff Beck Group.
Tory MP John Whittingdale, chairman of the House of Commons culture, media and sport committee, said: 'It does beg the question as to whether it was really necessary for the BBC to commit that amount of money in order to find commercial partners.
'You don't really have to put people up in a five-star villa in Cannes. At a time when the BBC is claiming it is short of cash, it does seem somewhat extravagant.'
The information, released through the Freedom of Information Act to the Guardian newspaper, reveals that the BBC has spent £73,838 on three separate hirings of the villa between 2006 and 2008.
It also racked up an additional cost of £16,692 for 'travel and hospitality' during two hirings since last year.
BBC executives defended the hiring of the villa claiming that the Commercial Agency was responsible for raising more than £80million a year for investments in programmes.
A spokesman added that the agency was currently discussing whether to hire the villa again this October.
He added: 'It all depends on what their needs are. They are keeping their options open. Their costs are quite low compared to commercial companies. It is a fair spend.'
