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27|03|06

Note Of The First Meeting Of The Ofcom Community Radio Fund Panel Held at Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London on Tuesday 18th October 2005.

Chairman’s Introduction

1. The Chairman welcomed Members to the first meeting of the Ofcom Community Radio Fund Panel. All members were present throughout. Other Ofcom colleagues were also present throughout.

Terms of Reference Community Radio Fund Panel

2. The Terms of Reference which previously had been circulated were noted.

Community radio fund grant award process and defining core needs for community radio broadcasters.

3. The Panel noted that DCMS was providing £500,000 per annum for the Fund, and that Ofcom could only award grants from this fund to holders of community radio licences. The Panel noted that the legislation does not state for what purpose grants should be used, however, DCMS had indicated that the fund should be allocated only in support of core costs incurred by licensed community radio stations.

4. The Panel concluded that as it would be dealing with stations starting up initially their financial needs now would be different to their needs in five years’ time, so the purpose of grants may change over time. It was also agreed that the Panel should assist licensees in the areas where it would be difficult for them to gain grants, funding or financial assistance for from elsewhere. It was decided to give an indication of the kind of “core costs” that may be considered for funding, but that this should not be definitive, offering applicants some flexibility to argue their case. This should be set out in guidance notes for applicants and refer in general terms to the work areas that could be supported, rather than specific posts, for example.

5. The Panel decided that each application should include an explanation from the applicant setting out the reasons why they needed the grant, and in the case of multiple applications to rank in order the priority of their financial needs.

6. The Panel agreed that they would not wish to prioritise awards (e.g. to stations operating in areas where they are prevented from generating income from on-air commercial sources).

7. The Panel agreed that they would set no maximum or incremental limits, however, they would set a minimum of £5,000 for each application.

8. In respect of accountability and providing evidence back to Ofcom on how the grant was spent, it was agreed that part of the application proforma would include a report to be returned to Ofcom certifying how the grant was used.

9. It was agreed that the Community Radio Team would in accordance with the above points, draft an application form complete with guidance notes and send it to Panel Members for comment. The team would aim to finalise the paperwork for publication in late November.

Any other business

10. The Panel discussed in general the community media sector and other related issues.

Date of next meeting

11. To be held on 14 February 2006 in London.

March 2006

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