Notes 25th Meeting 6 July 2006

Chairman’s Introduction

1. The Chairman welcomed Members to the 25th meeting of the Radio Licensing Committee. All members were present throughout. Philip Graf, Chairman of the Content Board was present for and on behalf of the Content Board. Other Ofcom colleagues were also present throughout or attended for part of the meeting:

Minutes of the previous Meeting

2. The minutes of the Radio Licensing Committee Meeting held on 8 June 2006 were agreed as an accurate record.

Matters Arising

3. There were no matters arising which were not covered elsewhere on the Agenda.

Local commercial radio licence award: Kingston-upon-Hull

4. After a full and careful discussion of each licence application, and having regard in particular to the factors set out in section 105 of the Broadcasting Act 1990 and section 314 of the Communications Act 2003, the Committee awarded the licence to Planet Broadcasting Company Limited (KCFM 99.9) which is owned by SMC Ltd (29%) and six individuals. It was noted that the announcement regarding the winning licence application would be made on the same day, and that a statement explaining the factors which led the Committee to its decision was scheduled to be published in due course.

Local commercial radio licence award: Andover

5. After a full and careful discussion of each licence application, and having regard in particular to the factors set out in section 105 of the Broadcasting Act 1990 and section 314 of the Communications Act 2003, the Committee awarded the licence to Radio Andover Limited (Andover 106.4 FM), which is wholly owned by Provincial Radio Limited, a 100% subsidiary of Tindle Radio Holdings. It was noted that the announcement regarding the winning licence application would be made on the same day, and that a statement explaining the factors which led the Committee to its decision was scheduled to be published in due course.

Applications for Bristol local commercial radio licence.

6. The Radio Licensing Committee discussed the six applications received for the Bristol licence. The Committee was scheduled to make its final decision at the 14th September 2006 meeting.

Community Radio: Process for Second Round.

7. The Radio Licensing Committee discussed the proposed process for the second round of Community Radio. It was agreed to publish a statement on the revised approach in due course.

FM commercial radio: Proposals for additions to licensing timetable.

8. The Radio Licensing Committee agreed that a FM commercial radio licence for Herefordshire and Monmouthshire be added to the timetable.

Format Change Requests

9. The Radio Licensing Committee considered Format change requests.

Community Radio Fund: Report for 2005/6.

10. The Radio Licensing Committee noted the Community Radio Fund Panel Report for 2005/6.

Current Purdah Lists.

11. The Radio Licensing Committee noted the current “Purdah Lists”.

AOB

The Future Licensing of DAB Digital Radio; draft statement.

12. The Radio Licensing Committee was updated on the outcome of the Regional Radio Conference which was held in Geneva during May/June 2006. It was reported that agreement had been met on all UK objectives, and the outcome for UK-T-DAB would be included within “The Future Licensing of DAB Digital Radio” statement. The Committee noted the statement was due for publication in the near future.

Date of next meeting

13. To be held on Thursday 14th September 2006 in London.

17 July 2006