[cma-l] Officialdom

Thu Feb 5 17:33:49 GMT 2015

Did Ofcom actually refuse to reply in writing to the FOI request? If so, what were the formal grounds for refusal?

I agree that the process and its criteria should be open, and it's hard to see convincing reasons for why it shouldn't be. They are guardians of a very scarce public property - FM spectrum, and should be using open and objective criteria to grant its use.

Alex
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Alan Coote 
  To: 'The Community Media Association Discussion List' 
  Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2015 5:17 PM
  Subject: Re: [cma-l] Officialdom

  I asked Ofcom to explain their scoring process by way of a Freedom of Information Request.

  This created quite a bit of excitement in Ofcom and many phone calls. They were more than happy to talk over the phone but not answer in writing.

  I have long believed that the process is floored because it is not repeatable. For example if you send in two averagely good and identical applications they should arrive at the same result, but it's difficult to see how this is the case.

  It's normal in government contracts to know the criteria and scoring scheme prior to application. Without this Government would open themselves up to litigation. Ofcom's decision is final, there are no appeals and they are not transparent. 

  Most people, I think would find that undemocratic.   

  Kind Regards

  Alan

  From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk [mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of David Duffy
  Sent: 05 February 2015 16:07
  To: Ian Hickling
  Cc: The Community Media Association Discussion List
  Subject: Re: [cma-l] Officialdom

  I think that's an excellent idea. All in the spirit of 'open government'.  One for Dom and Ed to discuss over a slice of cake I feel.

  David

    On 5 Feb 2015, at 13:57, Ian Hickling <transplanfm at hotmail.com> wrote:

    Maybe we should formally ask to be shown the procedure - as it has a very direct effect on Applicants' businesses?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    From: david at theradiopeople.co.uk
    Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2015 11:08:49 +0000
    To: cma at nnbc.co.uk
    CC: cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
    Subject: Re: [cma-l] Officialdom

    It would be interesting to hear a summary of people's experience on this as there is no published process.

      a.. As we all know, the list of applicants is first published followed, a few days later, by the application documents (once the confidential sections have been redacted).  
      b.. We understand the application is broken into various sections and 'farmed out' to specialists in each area. 
      c.. We can't identify any discernible order that Ofcom use for prioritising which applications to look at from a region. 
      d.. If Ofcom has a query regarding anything in your application they will invariably email you.  Our experience is that their questions are not worded particularly well (this could be intentional).  So be careful how you answer them - don't offer more that they are asking or you could dig yourself into a hole!
    In short, that's our experience on behalf of our clients.  Anyone else?

    David

    The Radio People

    <240 x 240 copy.jpg>

    Email:        david at theradiopeople.co.uk

    Website:    www.theradiopeople.co.uk

    Twitter:      @theradiopeople

    Facebook: facebook.com/theradiopeopleuk

      On 5 Feb 2015, at 10:07, Terry Doyle <cma at nnbc.co.uk> wrote:

      Hi All,

      Can anyone provide me with some information on how those OFCOM process community licence applications they've received... or is subject to the Official Secrets Act (shoot me now!) 

      Just spoke to and 'representative' and boy do they know how to 'answer' probing questions without 'answering' probing questions. 

      Why am I asking this? Oh just curious! 

      Terry Doyle 

      NNBC, Northampton

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