Notes 1st Meeting 21 May 04

Chairman’s Introduction

1. The Chairman welcomed Members to the first meeting of the Radio Licensing Committee. All members were present, with the exception of Kip Meek (Co-Chair) who had sent his apologies. Graham Howell (Secretary to the Corporation) and Glenis Rylance (Assistant Secretary to the Corporation) were present throughout.

Terms of Reference Radio Licensing Committee

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

Commercial Radio Update and Next Steps

3. Following on from the Ofcom Consultation document “Future Licensing of FM Commercial Radio” published in February 2004, the Committee were briefed on the views of stakeholders. In line with the policy set out in the published statement the timetable of new licences would be published in due course.

Community Radio – Presentation of Audience Research by Research Works

4. The Radio Licensing Committee received a presentation on four of the community radio pilot stations in terms of who was listening and what benefits and values were being delivered to those listeners. Based on the research collected by Research Works, it was perceived that the general public believed Community Radio enhanced their personal sense of community and that stations were well run, relevant, entertaining and different to the radio product offered by either commercial or public broadcasters.

Community Radio – Next Steps

5. The Committee noted that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport had consulted on a draft Order setting out the legislative framework for this new type of radio licence. The Order was expected to be laid in Parliament in the summer and Ofcom will publish a statement of its licensing policy in due course.

Any other business

6. The Committee noted that several radio-related projects were currently being undertaken within Ofcom under the Radio Review, including a digital radio review, localness and AM licensing.

Date of next meeting

7. To be held on 22 June 2004 in London .

March 2005