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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>And, in the latest list of breaches issued today,
</FONT><FONT face=Arial><A
href="http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/radio-ops/breaches/compliance-reports.pdf">http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/radio-ops/breaches/compliance-reports.pdf</A>,
is TMCR FM. I'd just like to add my 2p worth.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT><FONT face=Arial>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>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. </FONT><FONT face=Arial>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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>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 </FONT><FONT face=Arial>flat. For what we are, a very small
community radio station, I think TMCR works wonders and our listeners like what
we do.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>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. <FONT face=Arial>I'm told that
Rolls-Royce used to have a word for it - MAGPIE = Manufacture And Generation of
Paper Instead of Engines...</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Gordon Sharpe, Station Manager, TMCR FM,
Doncaster</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>