Section 359 of the Communications Act 2003 makes it possible for a fund for community radio operators to be set up, and for Ofcom to administer it and “make such grants as they consider appropriate” to community radio licensees.
Government (specifically, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport) provides some funding to be distributed to community radio stations through such a fund. Only holders of a community radio licence can seek a grant from this Fund.
Ofcom has established the Community Radio Fund Panel to meet as required to examine applications and make awards from the Fund. The Panel's Terms of Reference are available to view.
The Panel is scheduled to meet on the following dates. (Meetings to be held at Ofcom’s offices in London unless otherwise indicated):
21 January 2020
27 May 2020 (virtual)
August 2020 (virtual) – final date TBC
Meeting agendas will be published here.
Agenda for the 29th meeting of the Community Radio Fund Panel - 19 June 2018 (PDF, 61.4 KB)
It is our policy to keep board and committee minutes on our site for two years only. Older minutes can be accessed via the National Archives.
It is our policy to keep board and committee minutes on our site for two years only. Older minutes can be accessed via the National Archives.
The Community Radio Fund Panel comprises of three Non-Executive Members. Its members are:
Wendy is a consultant who works with the world's leading broadcasters in implementing strategy and managing change. She delivers training in leadership skills and journalistic ethics, particularly for public service broadcasters in emerging democracies. She also offers specialist radio consultancy services based on 21 years working at senior levels of the BBC including BBC Radio 4, 5Live and Radio One.
Wendy joined the Board on 1 January 2009. Her appointment runs until 31 December 2021.
Richard Hilton is Senior Finance Business Partner at Business in the Community, a charity and membership organisation that works with companies to improve the positive impact of business on society.
He has also been co-opted to the council of the Community Media Association (CMA) which is a UK membership association that supports organisations that manage local community-based radio, television and internet projects.
Richard joined the Board on 3 October 2005. His appointment runs until 30 September 2023.
Fiona is the Executive Director of the Communications Consumer Panel and a member of the Ofcom Corporation Secretary's Team. Her extensive experience in communications strategy, policy, research and management is reflected by the range of Boards and Committees she has served on including the Consumer Expert Group, Broadband Stakeholder Group Executive Group, International Media Literacy Research Forum, UKCCIS Expert Research Panel/Evidence Group, the Media Smart Expert Group and the Get Safe Online Steering Group. Fiona has also acted as a judge for several national digital inclusion awards.
Fiona's previous roles include Standards Manager at Ofcom and Head of Standards at the Broadcasting Standards Commission. Responsible for developing Ofcom's comprehensive programme of media literacy research, Fiona became one of the UK's internationally recognised experts in this field. She has also studied diversity in Malaysian broadcasting.
