[cma-l] Community Radio Fund - Lords debate 15/12/09

[Steve Buckley]

The House of Lords debated and approved the 
Community Radio (Amendment) Order 2010 yesterday. 
Among matters raised was the need to increase the 
Community Radio Fund. Excerpts here:

Lord Clement-Jones (Lib Dem)
"The issue of funding for local community radio 
in this context is very important. I can see the 
Government's motives in wanting to allow 
single-source funding up to a greater figure-75 
per cent, I think-but one of the key sources of 
funding has been the community radio fund. That 
started off, rather disappointingly, at £500,000; 
since then, the spending commitments of that fund 
have increased massively from something like 14 
stations to over 200, as we heard today. If the 
Government are changing regulations and wishing 
the community radio industry well, I hope that at 
the same time they will give some indication that 
the funding for community radio will be improved. 
It is all very well to wish community radio well 
and say what an important part of the 
broadcasting landscape it is but, without willing 
some additional resource to it, it will be 
difficult, particularly in the current climate, for it to sustain itself."

Lord Faulkner of Worcester (Labour)
"The noble Lord, Lord Clement-Jones, referred to 
the funding of community radio through the 
community radio fund. He raises a good point. The 
availability of funding is committed until 
2010-11. Decisions beyond 2011 have still to be 
taken but the Government have been working 
closely with Ofcom and the community radio sector 
to ensure that we make the best use of the 
funding that is available by promoting best 
practice and employing fund raisers. In addition, 
the Minister for Creative Industries has met 
representatives of the community radio sector to 
discuss the future of the community radio fund. 
He has agreed to write to other government 
departments to highlight the benefits of 
community radio in delivering wider government 
objectives and to seek a financial contribution from them to the fund."

Full debate at:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/91215-gc0003.htm
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/91215-gc0004.htm