Home > About Ofcom > Corporate Structure and Governance > Advisory Committees for the Nations > Advisory Committee Scotland > Notes of meetings > 1 Nov 04

01|11|04

Advisory Committee Scotland Meeting 1 November 2004

Present

Vicki Nash - Ofcom (Chair)
Philip Schlesinger – Ofcom
Thomas Prag – ACS
Fiona Macleod – ACS
Jim Hunter – ACS
Andrew Muir – ACS
Selma Rahman – ACS
Joyce Taylor – ACS
Millie Banerjee – Ofcom Main Board
Fiona Ballantyne – Ofcom Consumer Panel
Tony Stoller - Ofcom
Alan Stewart - Ofcom
Claire Mack - Ofcom
Alan Pridmore – Ofcom

1. Members were welcomed to the meeting as was Ofcom Board Member Millie Banerjee. There were apologies from Matthew MacIver, Content Board Member.

Minutes of the last meeting held on 16 September 2004

2. No points of accuracy were raised. In matters arising, it was noted that the Radio Review (point 2) timeline is still being settled. There is a statutory obligation on Ofcom to make a submission to the Secretary of State on the progress of digital radio. Members would be updated in due course. The minutes of the last meeting were approved.

PSB Phase 2

3. It was reported that Ofcom Scotland staff were organising a Summit event for 17 November 2004. The question of an ACS response and the process for submitting it was discussed. Clarification was sought on the role of local TV services and their current situation. Members wanted to be clear about the potential for these services if they were to be used to deliver PSB and if the sector requires developing. In terms of a response to PSB Phase 2, ACS had been engaged throughout the consultation process and specifically wanted to ensure that Ofcom as a whole was aware of Scottish perspectives to enable a good reflection of the views of Scotland. Any response from ACS would aim to do this using the means available to them.

4. ACS discussed the points raised at their own presentation of the PSB Phase 2 document including engaging the relevant bodies and stakeholders in Scotland.

Planning for the Future

5 a)15 September ACS endorsed the note of the meeting in Aberdeen that dealt with the modus operandi of the committee. The consensus view was that to do the job properly, members needed to spend more than eight days a year and more resources should be allocated accordingly. There was a need to focus on priority work making the most of the areas of expertise of members. There may also sometimes be a case for inviting members to meetings in London, drawing on the accessibility of Ofcom staff there. Most members also felt the ACS had a legitimate role of trying to stimulate debate about communications in Scotland. Members thought it was a good idea to have joint discussions with the other advisory committees where interests overlap. These matters would be taken to the Ofcom main board and Ofcom would be considering how to improve its governance structure. ACS also expressed a desire to consider Ofcom’s strategic plan which should be available early next year.

6. Chair position. The consensus was in favour of an independent, non-executive chair with views differing as to whether it should be a high profile person. It was proposed that the post should be advertised and be open to existing ACS members.

7. Frequency of meetings. There should be more meetings a year, perhaps six, or full meetings augmented by sub groups although views differed on the desirability of these.

8. (b) Strategy Members expressed concern at the Scottish Executive’s lack of input into media literacy and lifelong learning policy. It was noted that Ofcom staff would raise this concern with the Executive and report back. ACS was sensitive to the geographical dimension of digital penetration in Scotland and believed that Scotland should lead the way in digital switchover only if done correctly, avoiding the “poll tax syndrome”. Members proposed more in-depth research on coverage to give a fuller picture of the potential effect on vulnerable groups, and suggested a public communication campaign. The Consumer Panel has commissioned research which will include a section on Scotland. It was suggested that ACS should go on record in terms of urging Ofcom to ensure switchover progresses properly. This item will be retained on the ACS agenda.

9. (c) 2005\6 Strategy Day The discussions under agenda point 4 had earlier dealt with strategy issues. Members felt that Ofcom should give priority to engaging with the Scottish Parliament and should take account of geographical coverage factors when consulting.

10. (d) Is Ofcom delivering? ACS felt that Ofcom in Scotland could benefit from a higher level of public awareness of our role although the priority should be to ensure citizen-consumers were provided with the correct advice when issues arose.

11. ACS felt it was important to devise a mission statement and lay out protocols for its engagement with Ofcom. The use of time and resources was a key factor.

Universal Service Obligation

12. It was reported that a consultation document was due to be launched on USO. It was recognised that due to timing of meetings that ACS may need to hold a special meeting to discuss the document. In Scotland the USO for payphones was a significant issue. ACS were briefed on the process for removal of phone boxes and the consultation required by BT. From Ofcom’s perspective there is a process for closure and Ofcom will ensure that it is adhered to. ACS is aware that the Scottish Executive took an interest in PCB closures and asked what contact there had been. Ofcom Scotland had written to MSPs setting out the position and highlighting the forthcoming coming USO Consultation and will write again when it is issued. Two issues of importance emerged; (i) public perceptions of what a phone box means in terms of access and (ii) communication and ensuring that the consultation process is properly conducted. Ofcom has within its remit the ability to look at the process but would be mindful of its role as a light touch regulator.

Freedom of Information

13. Ofcom is currently making great efforts to ensure that all staff and connected bodies understand the FOI Act and its implications, including ACS. Ofcom is building a records management policy and an email retention policy that is compliant with the Act. Everyone should be aware of what requests under the FOI Act cover and retain information accordingly. There was a lack of clarity about the effect of the Act as it came into force at different times in Scotland and in England and how this would affect a UK wide body like Ofcom.

14. ACS requested that this position in particular is clarified and that advice is sought in Scotland so that the differences are requirements are fully understood by ACS members

Broadband Update

15. Staff from the Scottish Executive have offered to brief ACS on telecoms and broadband strategy. The tender is out for the Communities Broadband work and ACS will be provided with more information on broadband in Scotland. Ofcom Scotland staff had met Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise staff to forge links with each organisations work in this area.

16. ACS welcomed the offer of a briefing and requested that it be on a future agenda.

Edinburgh Radio Licence

17. There had been 12 applications for the new FM licence which could be viewed on the Ofcom website. ACS could be asked to provide local knowledge. One member declared a connection with one of the applicant groups and did not feel able to take part in such discussions. This was noted.

Consumer Panel Research

18. ACS were updated on the research programme initiated by the Consumer Panel. Some preliminary findings were relayed and full analysis would be ready in January 2005. The Consumer Panel would utilise these findings to identify its priorities for the year. There was statistically valid information for Scotland within the research.

OCC Figures

19. Telecoms were still the dominant reason why people contacted Ofcom. ACS were interested in the issue of Slamming. Ofcom staff had met with BT in Scotland to be briefed on the issue. Ofcom was also looking at mis-selling.

Recruitment for new members

20. There had been a very encouraging response to the recruitment advertisement. Ofcom staff, a recruitment agency and a representative from OCPA would conduct the interview process. It was intended that three or four additional members would be recruited.

Issues raised by members

21. There were none.

Future Meetings

22. ACS would meet on the following dates:

2 March 2005
27 June 2005
14 September 2005 (Edinburgh)
7 December 2005

This was subject to continuing discussions over frequency of meetings.

AOB

23. ACS were due to meet the full Ofcom Board as part of their Out of London meeting process, after their June meeting.