Note Of The 37th Meeting On 6 September 2007

Chairman’s Introduction

1. The Chairman welcomed Members to the 37 th meeting of the Radio Licensing Committee. All members were present with the exception of Tim Suter who gave his apologies. 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 5 July 2007 were agreed as an accurate record.

Matters Arising

3. It was noted that a paper regarding the application for a Format change was not on the agenda, as it needed to go to the Content Board first before coming to RLC for approval.

Local radio multiplex licence award N.E. Wales & West Cheshire

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 MuxCo Northeast Wales and West Cheshire Limited. It was noted that the announcement regarding the winning licence application would be made on 6 September 2007 and a statement explaining the factors which led the Committee to its decision was scheduled to be published in due course.

Local radio multiplex licence award Herefordshire & Worcestershire

5. 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 MuxCo Hereford and Worcester Limited. It was noted that the announcement regarding the winning licence application would be made on 6 September 2007 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 1)

6. After a full and careful discussion of each licence application in the respective areas, 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 four applicants:

3TFM, North Ayrshire;
Spice FM, Newcastle-upon-Tyne ;
Utopia FM, Sunderland ; and
Community Voice FM, Middlesbrough .

Update to community radio licensing timetable

7. The Committee agreed the proposed timetable.

Non-take up of awarded community radio licences

8. The Committee noted two cases in which community radio licences were awarded but the applicants to whom they were awarded were unable to launch the proposed community radio service.

New Purdah Lists: Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire local radio multiplex licences

9. The Committee noted the Purdah lists.

Restricted service licences annual reports: 2005 and 2006

10. The Committee noted the report of Ofcom licensing of restricted services during 2005 and 2006.

Any Other Business

11. It was noted that Tim Suter had stepped down from his position as Deputy Chair of the RLC.

Date of Next Meeting

12. To be held on Thursday 11 October 2007 in London.

September 2007