[cma-l] Ofcom breaches - lessons for all stations

[Studio, TMCR 95.3fm]

And, in the latest list of breaches issued today, http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/radio-ops/breaches/compliance-reports.pdf, is TMCR FM. I'd just like to add my 2p worth.

One of the big problems in trying to run a community radio station is the amount of time it takes to look after paperwork. At one point we had some volunteers helping out in the office, but they decided they didn't want to carry on and left. We have only one member of staff, me, and it's near impossible to keep up with everything. Volunteers tend to come and their shows and we may get them to appear at a local event, but they're not interested in the office side of things.

I "don't do" Excel and have really struggled trying to work out what's needed in the financial report. No use passing it to the treasurer as he's recently retired and was never a fan of computers. So, we're now under threat of sanction but, in fairness to Ofcom, they have now provided an alternative means of submitting the information. That seems to be my task for the rest of today.

It's something I know little about as I am not usually involved in the book-keeping side of things. I don't feel comfortable doing the report but there's no option.  There's no easy answer, the reporting has to be done - or else. One of those 'one size fits all' situations that simply does not fit, as no less than 10 stations in the latest report appears to show. 

Of course, not all stations are equal. There are those with lots of paid staff who may be able to churn out an Excel spreadsheet in 2 minutes flat. For what we are, a very small community radio station, I think TMCR works wonders and our listeners like what we do.

I didn't get involved in the station to spend hours on paperwork. My priority is to keep things running and make sure the presenters and listeners are happy.   I'm told that Rolls-Royce used to have a word for it - MAGPIE = Manufacture And Generation of Paper Instead of Engines...

Gordon Sharpe, Station Manager, TMCR FM, Doncaster
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