Note Of The 35th Meeting On 12 June 2007

Chairman’s Introduction

1. The Chairman welcomed Members to the 35th meeting of the Radio Licensing Committee. All members were present and 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 May 2007 were agreed as an accurate record.

Matters Arising

3. There were no matters arising.

Local radio mutiplex licence award Herts/Beds/Bucks

4. After a full and careful discussion of each licence application, and having regard in particular to the factors set out in section 51(2) of the Broadcasting Act 1996, the Committee awarded the licence to NOWdigital Ltd. It was noted that the announcement regarding the winning licence application would be made on the same day and a statement explaining the factors which led the Committee to its decision was scheduled to be published in due course.

Community radio licence awards: Scotland and Northern Ireland (Batch 2)

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 (as modified by the Community Radio Order 2004), the Committee awarded a licence to each of the following five applicants:

Aldergrove & Antrim FM, Aldergrove & Antrim;
Ballykinler FM, Ballykinler;
Holywood FM, Holywood, Belfast ;
Drive FM, Derry/Londonderry; and
Speysound, Badenoch & Strathspey.
The Committee decided not to award a community radio licence to Riverside FM, Derry/Londonderry and Radio Fyneside, Loch Fyne, Argyll. It was noted that the announcement regarding successful licence applications would be made on 14 June 2007 and a statement explaining the factors which led the Committee to its decision was scheduled to be published in due course.

Purdah Lists: N.E. Wales & West Cheshire and Herefordshire & Worcestershire local radio multiplex licences

6. The Committee noted the Purdah lists in relation to the applications for the local radio multiplex licences for N.E. Wales & West Cheshire and Herefordshire & Worcestershire.

Any other business

7. The Committee discussed and agreed how best to provide legal advice and support to the Committee going forward.

Date of Next Meeting

8. To be held on Thursday 5 July 2007 in London.

August 2007