[cma-l] Royalty payments

[Two Lochs Radio]

> With regard to the payment or otherwise of Royalties, I think it's vital
> that NFPs, CLBGs and Charities must be treated the same way as each other.
>
> It's ridiculous to make such a distinction when the aims and effective
> monetary trading policies are the same.

Yes, we would wholeheartedly support that here in the Highlands and Islands 
of Scotland. We have a number of community-based, volunteer-dependent, 
stations that are tiny ILRs constituted as not-for-profit bodies, and are 
operated wholly for community benefit.

Several Highlands & Islands communities were 'ahead of the curve' on 
community radio, going for ILR licences in the years before CR licences were 
conceived, but sometimes we suffer by being marignalized when community 
radio is taken to mean Community Radio licencees exclusively. For example, 
we aren't able to acces the Community Radio fund. The station I manage, is 
smaller than any of the CR stations and with less in the way of paid staff 
than any other community station I have come across.

So I agree, it is vital that all the radio stations working for community 
benefit and properly consituted one way or another as not-for-profit should 
all be treated together in respect of group negotiations on royalties, 
licences and the like. The field is ripe for numerous other similar 
initiatives, such as a group incurance scheme, legal advice, etc.

Alex Gray
Two Lochs Radio