[cma-l] Future FM Licencing

Sat Feb 6 09:26:29 GMT 2016

Bill
We've been in conversation with Rob and Jane Hughes at Cannock Chase Radio, with their MP Amanda Milling, with the Leader of the House Chris Grayling, with Ed Vaizey and Ian O'Neill at the DCMS and with various officers at Ofcom on this subject for well over six months now.It is abundantly clear that what you have been told and relayed here in good faith is simply untrue.
Ofcom stated that it was not able under present legislation to change its Regional system.When pressed for details of this it was clear that there was no such prohibition - Ofcom was able to change its procedures at will.
We were then told that if Applications were invited from anywhere in the UK, the floodgates would be opened.It again transpired that Ofcom, DCMS and the CMA were aware of no other potential Applicants.All that Rob and Jane are asking is for Ofcom to accept their Application on a merit basis and for it then to take its place on the conveyor belt with no expectation of any other priority.Ofcom would then have 27 Applications to deal with in the current batch from Region 9 rather than 26.
Can I take you up on the points in your last paragraph in order:
Unfortunately, it would appear that there are insufficient resources for Ofcom to change their current procedures in the immediate future - disputed - no additional resources are required and at this late stage in Round 3 of licensing it is highly unlikely that they can be changed substantially - disputed - it is simply a matter of allocating a little more time to the existing resources against an accepted flexible timetable.when Ofcom's small Community Radio Team is engaged with the South-East region applications - these are well under way and will not be impeded.some involvement with the small-scale DAB trial - very low level of work currently required for this over the planned time-scale.and the London region and AM licence applications to be opened later on this year - neither of these have started and have already been rescheduled once.
It is shameful that despite all the many statements of support and encouragement over the past months that short-sighted quoting of inflexible policies is stopping this dedicated and fully-funded station from even being considered for a Licence.
It would appear that there is nothing whatsoever standing in the way of Ofcom accepting an Application from Cannock Chase Radio other than a desire not to upset the comfortable status quo.

Ian Hickling
Partner

Office: 01635 578435  (7am-11pm UK time)Carphone: 07530 980115 (only responds when driving)6 Horn Street, Compton, NEWBURY, RG20 6QS

From: bill.best at commedia.org.uk
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2016 12:14:14 +0000
To: cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Future FM Licencing

Dear Jane
Thank you for your email.
Your case has been discussed with Ian O'Neill at DCMS and has also been the subject of a House of Commons debate:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm150908/halltext/150908h0001.htm#150908h0001.htm_para120

This can also be viewed online here:
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/e0cbce54-fda8-44e7-a5bc-850e5399624b
In summary, Amanda Milling MP, Cannock Chase, Conservative suggested that Ofcom could invite applications from stations with special circumstances at any time along side the current rounds. This suggestion was made with specific regard to Cannock Radio which was created last year after the regional round for the West Midlands closed.
Amanda Milling also mentioned a possible Apply-On-Demand system but admitted that this would require more resources but a premium fee could be attached to any on-demand licence application to cover any additional staff which would be required.
In reply, Culture, Communications and Creative Minister Ed Vaizey said he was a fan of community radio and explained the recent history of community radio regulation.
Mr Vaizey acknowledged the request regarding Cannock Radio but said any change to the system could make the application process even slower - referencing previous rounds where applications were invited from all over the UK at once resulting in some stations having to wait a long time:
"The current system of regional rounds, as developed by Ofcom with the Community Media Association, enables Ofcom to manage the licence process in a way that is fair and equitable to all comers and to manage all the moving parts, as it were, in a particular region. The way in which Ofcom manages that process strikes the right balance between the operational challenges of managing the licensing process and Ofcom’s aim to license a community radio station for every community that meets the criteria. It avoids the situation with earlier rounds where Ofcom initially allowed applications from all over the UK, resulting in a large number of applications being submitted, with many applicants having to wait a long time for their applications to be considered".
The current licensing round is almost complete, at which point, the Minister said, it would be a good time for Ofcom to consider alternative procedures:
"The third licensing round is due to be completed this year, so it is a good time for Ofcom to look at whether changes can be made to the design of the next round to reflect the fact that 230 licensed community radio stations are on air".
In addition, he pointed out that small-scale DAB could be an alternative for Cannock Radio.

"While I have time, I will quickly mention the role that digital radio can play in the future of community radio, and perhaps in the future of Cannock Radio. We are working on a process to give community radio stations and small independent stations a route through to digital audio broadcasting. The Government make no secret of the fact that we believe that digital radio is the future of radio. Digital radio is growing at a significant rate. As DAB coverage improves significantly between now and 2016, it is important that we put in place a system to allow community stations to migrate on to DAB frequencies, particularly where an FM frequency might not be available".
Finally, Vaizey revealed that a 4th Round of community radio licensing will be announced in 2016:
"I understand that Ofcom will be announcing details of round 4 in 2016, and I hope that Ofcom will make those details as clear as possible, as soon as possible".
Unfortunately, it would appear that there are insufficient resources for Ofcom to change their current procedures in the immediate future and at this late stage in Round 3 of licensing it is highly unlikely that they can be changed substantially when Ofcom's small Community Radio Team is engaged with the South-East region applications, some involvement with the small-scale DAB trial, and the London region and AM licence applications to be opened later on this year.
However we will continue to raise the issue of Cannock Radio at our next meeting scheduled with DCMS.
Hope that helps and best regards for now
Bill Best-- Operations Manager
Community Media Association
http://www.commedia.org.uk
https://twitter.com/community_media
https://facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation

Canstream Internet Radio
http://www.canstream.co.uk
https://twitter.com/canstream

On 4 February 2016 at 13:01, Cannock Radio <office at cannockradio.com> wrote:
HiThere is no timetable for future licencing rounds despite Ed Vasey promising there would be. We are expanding our station here in Cannock but with no FM on the horizon our future looks bleak.A government that supports local small business well start by letting the community that is crying out for our station to be heard on FMCan the CMA help?  Jane Hughes (Director)Cannock Radio LtdUnit 2 Wynns Venture CenterBroad StreetBridgtownCannock StaffWS11 0XLOffice - 01543 622556Studio - 01543 622555Out of Hours - 07852 462888

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