Notes 14th Meeting 25 July 2005

Chairman’s Introduction

1. The Chairman welcomed Members to the 14 th meeting of the Radio Licensing Committee. All members were present, with the exception of Martin Campbell who contributed by telephone for Items 1 to 4 only. John McInnes (Legal Advisor) and Glenis Rylance (Assistant Secretary to the Corporation) were present throughout. The following colleagues attended for part of the meeting: Helena Brewer (Associate, Radio Licensing), Lawrie Hallett (Senior Associate, Radio Licensing), Jon Heasman, (Senior Associate, Radio Licensing), Ruth John (Radio Executive, Content & Standards), Francesco Lamanna, (Legal Advisor), Kathleen Stewart (Associate, Radio Licensing), Soo Williams (Senior Associate, Radio Licensing).

Minutes of the previous Meeting

2. The minutes of the Radio Licensing Meeting held on 4 July 2005 were agreed subject to one small amendment.

Matters Arising

3. There were no matters arising that were not being dealt with under items on the Agenda.

Kix 96.2 FM ( Coventry) – Change of Format Request

4. The Radio Licensing Committee noted that Kix 96.2 FM in Coventry wished to change the musical elements of its Format from the current requirements for “roughly equal mix between Current Top 40, Reggae/Soul, and Dance” and at least five hours each week of Irish specialist music programming to a music format described as “a mix of adult contemporary music from the 60s/70s, 80s, 90s, 00s and current/recurrent hits [the latter comprising not more than 25% of the output] and no specialist music requirements. Following a full discussion, the Radio Licensing Committee rejected the change and noted that a statement would be published to enlighten all licensees on the assessment and factors which had led the Committee to its decision.

Galaxy 102.2 ( Birmingham) - Change of Format Request

5. The Radio Licensing Committee noted that Galaxy 102.2 in Birmingham wished to be released from its obligation to play a set minimum of eight hours of reggae (per week) within its specialist music obligations. The station wanted to incorporate reggae within its specialist output, but without a set number of hours. Following a full discussion, the Radio Licensing Committee agreed the change and noted that a statement would be published to enlighten all licensees on the assessment and factors which had led the Committee to its decision.

Community Radio licence awards: West Yorkshire

6. The Committee discussed the ongoing frequency planning work relating to the applications in the West Yorkshire area.

Community Radio licence awards: Greater Manchester

7. The Committee discussed the ongoing frequency planning work relating to the applications in the Greater Manchester area.

Community Radio licence awards: London Area

8. The Committee discussed thirty-nine of the applications in the London area. After a full and careful discussion, the Committee agreed that any licence award decisions would await the outcome of discussions around frequency availability.

Any other business

9. The Radio Licensing Committee discussed the current progress of the Radio Review.

10. The Chairman updated the Committee on the judgement received in the judicial review case in respect of the Ashford licence award. It was noted that the judge had dismissed the application and also refused leave to appeal against his judgement. It was also noted that the judgement found no fault in the process that Ofcom follows when awarding licences.

Date of next meeting

11. To be held on Monday 5 September 2005 in London.

July 2005