Community Radio Fund Panel
The Community Radio Fund Panel meets as required to examine applications and make awards from the Community Radio Fund.
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 and 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.
Terms of reference for the Community Radio Fund Panel (PDF, 155.3 KB)
Following an administrative review in May 2021, Ofcom’s Project and Management Board approved a change to the Panel's Terms of Reference, removing the requirement for the Panel to include a trade body representative. The full Terms of Reference are available above.
A third Panel member has been appointed for a three-year term, starting 1 November 2021. Wendy Pilmer, the Panel’s current Chair, was due to finish her term on 31 March 2022. Her term has been extended to 31 March 2023. Members' details and biographies are available below.
The Panel is scheduled to meet (at Ofcom's offices in London unless otherwise indicated) on the following dates:
Meeting agendas will be published here.
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.
Notes of previous Panel meetings will be published here.
Note of the thirtieth meeting of the Community Radio Fund Panel – 22 January 2019
(PDF, 113.7 KB)
Note of the thirty-first meeting of the Community Radio Fund Panel – 25 June 2019
(PDF, 113.5 KB)
Note of the thirty-third meeting of the Community Radio Fund Panel – 27 May 2020
(PDF, 114.1 KB)
Note of the thirty-fourth meeting of the Community Radio Fund Panel – 20 August 2020
(PDF, 117.2 KB)
It is our policy to keep board and committee notes on our site for two years only. Older notes can be accessed via the National Archives.
The Community Radio Fund Panel comprises two Non-Executive Members and one Executive Member. Its members are:
Wendy Pilmer
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 Panel on 1 January 2009. Her appointment runs until 31 March 2023.
Olu Bankole
Olu is the Finance Business Partner for Income in Ofcom's Corporate Group. Her role involves a combination of financial and non-financial analysis to ensure that Ofcom’s funding complies with statutory requirements, and she has direct involvement in calculating and setting Broadcasting Act fees. She has an interest in promoting activities that build on community spirit and a passion for contributing to a more diverse and inclusive society.
Olu joined the Panel on 1 April 2021. Her appointment runs until 31 March 2024.
Mark Jones
Mark has extensive radio reporting, production and management experience. In the 1980s he worked to establish and support small community radio groups across the UK as well as lobbying for change in UK broadcasting law. He joined the BBC to trial small scale local radio in the Birmingham area before leading the team making opt-out programming in south Cumbria. He was BBC Radio Five Live’s regional reporter in the north west of England for over a decade.
Most recently, Mark was Assistant Editor at BBC Radio Gloucestershire, combining programming, financial and management responsibilities.
Mark joined the Panel on 1 November 2021. His appointment runs until 31 October 2024.