Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

1. Station Name Guidance Notes What is the proposed station name? This is the name you expect to use to identify the station on air.

Ninesprings FM

2. Community to be served Guidance Notes Define the community or communities you are It is a legislative requirement that a service is intended proposing to serve. Drawing from various sources of primarily to serve one or more communities (whether or data (e.g. from the Office of Population, Census and not it also serves other members of the public) and we Survey) and in relation to your proposed coverage need to understand who comprises that community or area, please determine the size of the population communities. The target community will also be concerned and the make-up of the population as a specified in the licence, if this application is successful. whole, along with any relevant socio-economic The legislation defines a ‘community’ as: people who live information that would support your application. or work or undergo education or training in a particular (Please tell us the sources of the information you area or locality, or people who have one or more provide.) interests or characteristics in common. Answer in fewer than 300 words:

Following the definition in the legislation, our community will be the people who live, work, are educated and trained, and have interests and characteristics in common with Yeovil and the district of South Somerset. The brief agreed with South Somerset District Council is to provide a relevant community radio service across its area, which is the largest in Somerset, with a 2011 Census population of 162,113, predicted to increase by 6% to 172,401 by 2021. South Somerset is a mix of sparsely inhabited rural areas and network of market towns of which the main town is Yeovil, population 37,212, with Chard, Crewkerne, Langport and Wincanton each having 8,000 to 13,000 populations. 98% of the population is white British. The largest non-British grouping is Polish and there are small communities of people of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, African, Caribbean and Arab origin. The proportion of people 65+ age group is estimated at 21.8%. In 2030, this is likely to increase to 31.3%. Conversely, the 16–to-24 age group is predicted to decrease by 17% by 2030. 7% of 16-to-18 year olds are classed as N.E.E.T’s, which is slightly below the national average. A survey in Chard showed 1-in-5 feel they have no influence over decision-making and the town lacks ‘community cohesion’. Yeovil is ranked 202 out of 326 for deprivation. Fuel poverty at 16% is the second highest in Somerset. About 4,000 children live in poverty. Yeovil is home to Leonardo Helicopters (formerly AgustaWestland) the world’s second largest helicopter manufacturer. The town has a well-supported professional football club – Yeovil Town FC. The Westland theatre and conference centre in Yeovil is one of the South West’s major entertainment venues. Supporting statistics: South Somerset District Council, Somerset Intelligence Partnership.

3. Proposed area Guidance Notes What is the area you propose to serve? Although we believe it is helpful to set guidance that frequency availability may often limit transmission powers to around 25 watts and the coverage radius to around 5km, we are adopting a more flexible approach and will consider applications for wider areas where applicants can demonstrate that the proposed coverage area will better serve the target community, and where it is

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

technically possible. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/10 1459/community-radio-future-licensing-technical-policy- statement.pdf

An area consistent with that served by South Somerset District Council comprising postcode areas: BA20 (Yeovil Central) BA21 (Yeovil West) BA22 (Queen Camel) BA7 (Castle Cary) BA9 (Wincanton) BA10 (Bruton) TA11 (Somerton /Langport) TA12 (Martock) TA18 (Crewkerne) TA19 (Ilminster) TA20 (Chard) – which constitute the town of Yeovil and district of South Somerset. It is appreciated that this is greater than the usual 5km radius but our research shows that the specified area is of an integral character and is uniformly under-served by existing broadcasters. We have carefully appraised the desired audience and have taken professional advice as to how best it may be served consistent with the funding available. We consider that the ERP required to achieve this is 100W H plus 100W V. A coverage plot based on those figures is attached. Provision of our transmission system has been placed with Transplan UK using a BW TX300V2, a BW RDS-2+, an Audessence, 7020-30B coupler and an Amphenol 7680 antenna.

Programmes and programme output: Definitions: Studio location: The studio from which the service will be broadcast should be located within the licensed area. Locally-produced: Locally-produced output is output made and broadcast from within the service’s licensed coverage area. (It is anticipated that most stations will produce the bulk of their output themselves, in the locality. However, for some target communities it may be appropriate for fairly high levels of output to originate from outside the licensed area.) Live output: is that which is produced by a presenter in the studio at the time of broadcast. (The amount of live output may vary between different services depending on the needs or expectations of the target community.) Original output: output that is first produced for and transmitted by the service, and excludes output that was transmitted elsewhere before. Original output can be live or voice-tracked. Repeat broadcasts of original output do not count towards the minimum requirement. Peak time: it may be helpful to state what material will be broadcast in ‘peak time’. If you do, please say what you consider peak time to be for your target community (this may vary from station to station). Automated output/voice-tracked material: most stations will carry automated output at some time. The amount of automated or voice-tracked material does not need to be specified in the Key Commitments. Sustaining service/third party produced material: if you intend to broadcast material produced by a different organisation please state what it is and how much (per day or week as appropriate). 4. Programming output Guidance Notes Please fill-in all three questions below The law requires applicants to state their proposals for Question A asks you to describe your programme providing a service that would: service. (i) cater for the tastes and interests of members of its Question B relates to how your output will serve the target community or communities (or for any tastes and interests of your target community. particular tastes and interests in those communities); Question C is about how your service will broaden (ii) broaden the range of programmes available on non- the range of local (non-BBC) services available in BBC local services (commercial and community your area. stations) to members of the relevant community or communities; Later in this form you will be asked to draft your own ‘key commitments’. This will form the basis of your (iii) broaden the overall range of such non-BBC local licence and is what Ofcom will judge you against. It services provided in the area concerned; and should include a summary of your proposed (iv) have a distinct nature, or provide distinct content, programme output as set out below and reflect your from any non-BBC local services with which it would commitment to cater for relevant tastes and interests, overlap. to broaden the range of relevant programmes and Ofcom is required to consider the extent to which an services and to provide a service with a distinct applicant’s proposals will cater for the tastes and nature and content as set out in the Guidance Notes interests of members of its target community or in the column opposite. communities.

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

Ofcom is also required to consider the extent to which proposals for a community radio station would broaden the range of programmes available by way of non-BBC local services (both commercial and community stations) in the area concerned (especially, the extent to which a proposed service would have a distinct nature or provide distinct content from any overlapping non-BBC local services). The information given here should be more detailed than what you set out in your draft key commitments (later in this form), and will help us gain a fuller understanding of how you will serve your target community and what the station will sound like. 4. Programming output A: Please tell us about your programme service. The following questions may help you describe your programme service (but should only be used as a guide): • What will the service sound like? • What music will you play? • What are the main speech elements of the service and how will the social gain/community benefits you propose be reflected on-air? • What is the likely music to speech ratio? • Will this vary at different times of the day or week (or year)? • Do you intend to broadcast live output? If so when and how much do you propose to do? • Will you broadcast in languages other than English (what languages and how much)? • Will your output be original i.e. specifically produced for your service? • Will it be locally produced? • Do you intend to repeat material? Answer in fewer than 1,000 words:

Ninesprings FM will provide an original, creative service of community radio aimed at those who live, learn and work in Yeovil and district of South Somerset. Community engagement will be at the forefront of what we do and we will engage at all levels to achieve our aims. The speech content of Ninesprings FM will meet the range of tastes and interests of the community of South Somerset. We aim to be a ‘walk-in-and-talk’ radio station allowing access to the airwaves to everyone at all times. We will encourage debate in our phone-in programmes on a wide range of local issues that apply to Yeovil and South Somerset; topics such as rural transport, town centre shopping, loneliness, personal debt, jobs and training will be discussed. Callers will be given every opportunity to voice their concerns and show support for the local area. We will have local decision-makers in our studio to provide answers. Ninesprings FM will have a popular and attractive sound but will not chase audiences. Instead, our programmes will reflect the various activities of the ‘communities of interest’ that exist within Yeovil and South Somerset. A typical programme item would be about the game of skittles. In South Somerset, skittles is a major recreational sport with a loyal following yet little about it is reported by the mainstream media. We would provide coverage of the activities of the many skittles teams who compete in the South Somerset Skittles League in an entertaining and informative way. We will provide in-depth coverage of the South Somerset Carnival Circuit. The circuit encompasses the towns of Chard, Wincanton, Crewkerne, South Petherton, Langport and has a wide following. We will broadcast live from our local towns when carnivals are held and report extensively on the activities of our local carnival clubs as the season progressed. Other ‘communities of interest’ like local beekeepers, arts and writers groups, ladies football and those who work in that most traditional of South Somerset industries – cider making – would be strongly reflected in our output. By linking with these ‘communities of interest’ we aim to find those characters and personalities with local dialects and local knowledge who would become our ‘on-air’ presenters /contributors to give Ninesprings FM a truly authentic South Somerset voice.

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

The music we play will be from the 1950’s to the present. There will be specialist music shows reflecting the different current musical tastes within South Somerset and we will encourage local bands and artists to record with us or play live into programmes, provided they are of a good standard. By the end of year-2, we aim that a significant amount of our musical output will be provided by local artists, to support growth in the South Somerset music sector. Local writers, poets and performers will be given the opportunity to make programmes, to encourage local talent and produce home-grown material. We will include radio drama productions to increase the variety of non-music based programming. Our partner organisation - Yeovil Arts Association - will write short stories and produce drama for broadcast. We plan to broadcast local heritage and history-based speech programmes to educate and inform listeners about the area in which they live. Programmes on the ‘100-year history of aircraft manufacturing in Yeovil’ and the ‘Bombing of South Somerset in WW2’ have already been produced for broadcast. We have formed a partnership with a local freelance news agency – Yeovil Press - to provide a minimum of 5x local news stories each day to compile a bulletin of hyper-local news and information. We will broadcast live /as live discussion on local issues in the style of ‘Any Questions’. For example, we have already recorded programmes with audience questions at the Yeovil Literary Festival on the subject of ‘100 years of Westland’. A public ‘question and answer’ with Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner has been recorded for broadcast. We propose to have a mix of 30% speech 70% music, however, this will vary depending on the nature and content of individual programmes. We intend to broadcast live from our studio for a minimum of 6x hours each day, Monday to Friday. We intend to broadcast live from our studio for a minimum of 5x hours Saturday and 3x hours Sunday. By the end of year-2, this will increase to 8-hours live programming each day, Monday to Friday. All original content will be produced at our studio, based within the proposed broadcast area. We shall, however, accept content generated and syndicated by other community radio stations. We will look to actively engage with the non-English speaking communities with a view to them producing and eventually presenting, with our help, programmes focused on their community and in their own language, when appropriate. Students at Yeovil College will be given opportunities to co-present and contribute to our flagship community show ‘ONE South Somerset’, 0900 to 1300, each weekday, Monday to Friday. ‘ONE South Somerset’ will be repeated, Monday to Friday, 1800 to 2200. Monday to Friday, 1300 to 1600, we will run an automated service with local features, events guide, public service messages and music. On Saturday, 0800 to 1100, we will broadcast ‘South Somerset Big Weekend’ a programme about the weekend’s events in the local area. On Saturday, 1100 to 1300, we will broadcast a programme about sport and leisure with a phone-in element on sporting topics with a studio panel. On Sunday, 1100 to 1600, we will broadcast the ‘Best of ONE South Somerset’ on automation. On Sunday, 1600 to 1900, we will broadcast a live programme of locally produced music. From the commencement of our broadcasting we will use automation - Monday to Friday (weekdays): 0000 to 0900 1300 to 1600 1800 to 2400

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

Saturday: 0000 to 0800 1300 to 2400 Sunday: 0000 to1600 1900 to 2400 We will broadcast live: Monday to Friday (Weekdays): 0900 to 1300 1600 to 1800 Saturday: 0800 to 1300 Sunday: 1600 to 1900 A key feature of our output will be public information. We will give priority access to publicise services /messages for South Somerset District Council, all parish and town councils in South Somerset, Jobcentre Plus, Business Link, GP Clinical Commissioning Groups, South Somerset Together Partnership, Yeovil ONE Safety Partnership, local schools, Yeovil Town FC and all the organisations who support this application. No individual or organisation will be excluded from taking part in a broadcast on Ninesprings FM, unless there are legal obstacles. Ninesprings FM will be as active on-line as it will be ‘on-air’. Presenters will encourage interaction with listeners through social media. We will make the fullest use of the various social media platforms to give everyone the opportunity to engage with our programmes, to express their thoughts and promote their ideas.

B. What is the address of the proposed studio (if known)?

Huish Park (home of Yeovil Town Football Club), Lufton Way, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8YF

C: Based on what you have said above, how will your proposed radio service cater for the tastes and interests of your target community/communities? Answer in fewer than 400 words:

Ninesprings FM will reflect the tastes and interests of people in Yeovil and South Somerset by encouraging local people and organisations to be pro-active and make programmes for broadcast. Importantly, by attending events and engaging with ‘communities of interest’ we will keep firmly in- touch with the changing tastes and interests of our local audiences and will adjust our programming to meet those changes. Our service will cater specifically for the needs and interests of the community of South Somerset. We will provide content that is relevant and focused on local issues, more so than any other radio service heard in Yeovil and South Somerset. The tastes of local writers and performers will be catered for through long-form spoken word programmes. We are confident of generating interest from writers /poets who wish to contribute material, through engaging extensively with local cultural activities /events. Sports fans will be catered for through extensive reporting of local sport. We have a partnership with Yeovil Town Football Club and will report on their matches, including Yeovil Ladies FC. We will stage ‘Fans Forums’ on the local soccer scene and broadcast these forums. Amateur sports enjoy strong support in South Somerset and we will promote, engage and give airtime to amateur clubs to talk about their activities. Musical tastes will be catered for through a variety of musical outputs. We will give a platform to locally produced music and the opportunity to local musicians /schools to take part-in programmes,

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

either live or recorded. Ninesprings FM will offer air-time for the creation of items to include: • Public information advice regarding medical, lifestyle, financial, educational matters • Local what’s on guide; leisure and entertainment taking place in Yeovil and South Somerset • Community information pieces recorded by our ‘community journalists /village correspondents’. These recordings will be incorporated into our live and automated programming, together with interviews and information on current local matters • Coverage of job and training opportunities, crime and police awareness campaigns and information about community and voluntary organisations. Compared to other places, the district of South Somerset has a higher percentage of resident elderly people many of whom are not computer literate and do not have Internet access. Radio is still their most used form of communication as it helps to alleviate loneliness. Through targeted programme items Ninesprings FM will address the tastes and interests of this group.

D: How will your proposed community radio service add to the range of programmes available on non- BBC local services (commercial and community stations) to members of the relevant community or communities, add to the overall range of such services in the area concerned and be different and distinct from them? Please tell us which non-BBC local services your station will overlap with. Answer in fewer than 400 words:

No other broadcaster provides a community radio service comparable with our proposed output in the postcode areas previously listed. BBC Local (BBC Somerset) shares output with Radio Bristol and is ‘regional /countywide’ in its coverage and tone. The commercial stations (Breeze, Heart, Kiss) are chart music-led and ‘for profit’ businesses. The Breeze is aimed at 15-45 year olds, Heart 25-55 year olds and Kiss 25-55 year olds. Each of these stations broadcast from main studios outside of South Somerset. The commercial stations do not encourage wide community participation in their programming due to their commercial nature. Participation is limited to restricted phone-ins. The output is popular music with regular rotation of advertisements. These stations follow the tried and tested commercial radio format of other stations within their respective companies. Their output is designed to cater for a certain demographic and the stations are generally regionalised or automated, especially after 7pm. Our service is designed specifically for our proposed broadcast area and the local community of Yeovil and South Somerset. We will reflect local tastes; broadcast more relevant content and focus totally on our local community. We will provide higher levels of participation and access to programmes than the other local radio stations that broadcast to our area. Ninesprings FM will offer advertisements that are more locally relevant than the existing commercial stations and at a cost that encourages wider participation and makes radio advertising affordable for the smallest of businesses and new start-ups. We will provide an alternative by broadcasting a greater variety of musical choice, including locally produced music and programmes that are predominantly speech-based and locally focused. Geography dictates there could be slight overlap in coverage with Abbey 104, the community station for North West Dorset. However, the station has its own identity /sound and its output is designed for its licensed area. If our transmission were to overlap with Abbey 104, our programmes would sound different because they would relate to Yeovil and South Somerset. We would endeavour to have links with Abbey 104 and also Glastonbury FM - the community station to the north of our broadcast area - to ensure that our programming was distinctive.

Social gain

5. Social gain Guidance Notes Community radio is required to be for the public good Broadcasting legislation specifies a number of and to bring community benefits, or social gains, to ‘characteristics of community radio services’. Licence listeners and participants. The requirement for ‘social holders need to ensure their services conform to these gain,’ is one of the key factors that makes community characteristics, including in this case the delivery of radio stations different from other radio services. social gain.

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

Please tell us what community benefits your service The legislation sets out social gains that stations must will bring to your target community(ies) and/or the provide. These are the achievement, in respect of general public. Please include summaries of individuals or groups of individuals in the target evidence to support your answer. community, or in respect of other members of the public, Your draft ‘key commitments’ (later in this form) of the following objectives – should include a summary of your proposed social (a) the provision of a radio service to individuals who gain set out below. are otherwise underserved by such services, Answer in fewer than 1,500 words: (b) the facilitation of discussion and the expression of opinion, (c) the provision (whether by means of programmes included in the service or otherwise) of education or training to individuals not employed by the station, and (d) the better understanding of the particular community and the strengthening of links within it. Social gain may also include the achievement of other objectives of a social nature.1 Applicants are required to provide evidence that their service will result in significant social gain to the public or the target community(ies). Copies of letters or research reports etc. should not be submitted, but brief relevant extracts from them, which represent an accurate and comprehensive summary, may be included. If we wish to see the source material, we will ask for it. Ofcom is required to have regard to the extent to which your proposed service would result in the delivery of social gain to the public or target community.

We will support the social and economic development of Yeovil and South Somerset through a fully accessible and inclusive community radio service. The service we provide will encompass all age ranges, all ethnic origins and all other ‘communities of interest’. We aim to enable different communities to be heard, to give local people the opportunity to listen to the experiences of others, to create better understanding of other people’s views. We will provide opportunities for people from across South Somerset to come together as ‘one community’. We will give a voice to people who are under-represented and to places that are hard-to-reach. We will link with our partners to identify these groups and provide opportunities for people to gain new work skills, to help their employability. These groups will include a wide range of people but, in particular, the longer-term unemployed, NEETS (young people Not in Employment, Education or Training) disabled people, those who live in isolation and anyone from the local community who needs support and extra encouragement. We will improve social inclusion by producing programmes that contain specific content relevant to our broadcast area. This content will be unique within the area and will include programmes that the existing local radio services do not provide. We aim to embed ourselves within South Somerset, to win hearts and minds and be an important resource for the provision of hyper-local news and information. We will gather our news and information by building a network of ‘community journalists /village correspondents’. They will submit stories /information from their localities as copy or audio for broadcast. We will contribute to improving educational opportunities for people of all ages by working in partnership with voluntary and community groups, businesses, schools, the local further education sector. We have partnership agreements with Yeovil Federation of Schools and with Yeovil College. We will supplement the course work of students by giving them access to our studios, to advance their education and skills as well as providing a broadcast platform for their work. We will improve the economic standing of Yeovil and district of South Somerset by supporting local businesses with broadcast opportunities to promote their services and activities. This is already happening through our links with Yeovil Chamber of Commerce, Love Yeovil Business Group and Yeovil Live magazine. We will contribute to community cohesion by supporting and attending community events. For example, with our outside broadcast van we attended ‘Super Saturday in Yeovil’, Westfield Community Fete, hosted the Christmas Lights switch-on in Crewkerne and ran the ‘Introducing Music Stage’ with local bands at the Yeovil Show. We ran an RSL at this year’s Yeovil Show (2017). We involved traders, exhibitors and visitors in producing the output. The service ran over 4x days and was packed with local information and entertainment and became

1 See Article 2(3) of the Community Radio Order 2004 and Ofcom’s Notes of guidance for community radio applicants and licensees.

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

required listening. We will improve the knowledge and skills of local people by providing training to anyone wishing to become involved with Ninesprings FM. We will assess individual needs and support volunteers throughout their time with the station, providing training in content production, broadcast journalism, presenting and audio recording /editing. We will provide job and volunteering opportunities in partnership with Yeovil College. People who are marginalised will be encouraged to contribute to the development of the radio station in a sustainable way. We have a clear focus to be inclusive to all cultural groups. By broadcasting in different languages we hope to overcome isolation and provide opportunities for different groups to come together and share their experiences. We will develop a service of community support on our website and operate a help-line. This will be a ‘one-stop- shop’ for community information, to provide answers and point people in the right direction. The domain ‘Ninespringsfm.com’ has been registered. We also plan a system where goods and services can be exchanged. We will broadcast information /key messages on behalf of South Somerset District Council and the other town and parish councils in South Somerset. We will report-on council meetings, policies and campaigns. Ninesprings FM will foster intergenerational understanding by continuing to work with older and younger people. For example, in partnership with Yeovil College we brought together young and old to produce an oral history of ‘100-years of Westland in Yeovil’, a project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Of particular concern will be the need to include people in our programmes who are often overlooked by the other media e.g. migrant workers domiciled or working within Yeovil and South Somerset to give them a greater local voice. There is a lack of places where younger people can obtain ‘hands-on’ media training in Yeovil and South Somerset. Both BBC Somerset and The Breeze commercial radio station have closed main studios in Yeovil. Ninesprings FM will fill the gap in the provision of media training facilities and deliver a pool of trained young people for employment across all manner of media roles. In summary we will: • Develop links with local organisations to provide mutual support and promote each other’s activities • Support enterprises that wish to go on-air to talk about their products and services • Encourage on-air exchanges to foster understanding and tolerance across Yeovil and South Somerset • Work with regeneration partnerships to promote their work and raise awareness of particular initiatives e.g. South Somerset District Council and Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership • Cover events such as public meetings, including the live broadcasting of council meetings Ninesprings FM believes it complies with the objectives described in the Community Radio Order 2004 and will: • Raise awareness of local council services and amenities • Promote economic development and social enterprise • Promote employment • Provide opportunities to gain work experience • Promote social inclusion • Promote cultural and linguistic diversity • Promote civic participation and volunteering “Radio Ninesprings (Ninesprings FM) has already demonstrated its ability to engage with community groups and people of all ages. It has proved a most helpful resource in bringing together the community in which the majority of our 3,200 employees and their families live.” J Ponsonby, Managing Director, AgustaWestland Ltd.

Access and participation:

6. Participation in the service Guidance Notes How do you propose to ensure that members of your Legislation specifies a number of ‘characteristics of target community (or communities) are given community radio services’. Licence holders need to opportunities to participate in the operation and ensure their services conform to these characteristics, management of the service? including in this case providing opportunities to Your draft ‘key commitments’ (later in this form) participate in the operation and management of the should include a summary of your proposed

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form participation objectives as set out below. service. Ofcom requires information as to how this would Answer in fewer than 400 words: be achieved. What will be the involvement of members of the target community in the radio station? How many volunteers do you anticipate will be involved in your service per year?

We will involve local people in all aspects of the radio station, including its operation and management. We will maintain a website: www.ninespringsfm.com together with an online forum that will be open to everyone, to encourage debate about local matters and the programmes on Ninesprings FM. The station will be run entirely by volunteers. No one will be paid, unless funding /Service Level Agreement(s) makes this possible, however, commission will be paid to volunteers who sell advertising and sponsorship. The Station Manager will work 30+ hrs each week The Technical Manager /Deputy Station Manager will work 15+ hrs each week The Station Manager will report directly to the Board of Directors /Trustees The Technical Manager /Deputy Station Manager will report to the Station Manager The Station Manager will be responsible for scheduling and deploying volunteers The Station Manager will work closely with the Board of Directors /Trustees and Programme Committee to achieve key performance indicators, including social gain targets. Volunteer opportunities will be actively encouraged in the following areas: • Presenters to deliver the output. We expect around 30x volunteers to participate each year • Producers /Researchers to carry out background work for programmes. We expect around 15x volunteers to participate each year • Administrative staff to run our back-office functions. We expect around 10x volunteers to participate each year • Volunteers to help with events and outside broadcasts. We expect around 15x volunteers to participate each year • Volunteers will be paid commission for selling advertising /sponsorship. We expect around 20x volunteers to participate each year. Currently, we have 56x volunteers. They bring to key areas a range of professional, community and hospital radio experience. They include a former Commercial Radio Chief Executive, former BBC Editor /Senior Producer, former commercial radio Programme Controller /Senior Presenter and a former BBC Engineer with a deep understanding of FM transmission systems. Members of Radio Camelot - hospital radio in Yeovil - have expressed an interest in a partnership with Ninesprings FM. They have 22x members who would join as presenters /producers /engineers /admin volunteers. Participation in the management of the station will be possible by becoming a volunteer representative on the Programme Committee. Volunteer opportunities will be publicly advertised and open to everyone to join.

7. Access to facilities and training Guidance Notes Set out the practical (formal and informal) Ofcom is required by the legislation to have regard to the mechanisms which you will use to ensure that provision each applicant proposes to make to allow for members of your target community can gain access access by members of the target community to the to your facilities that would be used for the provision facilities to be used for the provision of the service and of your service and to receive training in their use. for their training in the use of those facilities. Your draft ‘key commitments’ (later in this form) should include a summary of your proposed access and objectives for training people in the use of the facilities as set out below. Answer in fewer than 400 words:

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

We will deliver comprehensive training packages to anyone who expresses an interest in becoming a volunteer. We aim to implement our training plans within year-1. This will be on going so that volunteers can also take advantage of the training provided by our partners e.g. Yeovil College, Yarlington Housing, South Somerset District Council. Our training packages will include transferable soft skills such as team working, communications, self-motivation, problem solving and confidence building. This form of support will be informal and make involvement easier for those with disadvantaged backgrounds. Promotional material about Ninesprings FM will contain details of how people can access our training programmes, along with volunteer opportunities. Ninesprings FM plans to base its main studio at Huish Park (home of Yeovil Town Football Club). The local football club plays a vital role in the everyday life and economic well being of Yeovil and South Somerset. Huish Park has good public transport links and public car parking. The training we provide would take place at Huish Park. We will use the resources of Yeovil Town FC to deliver the training. The subjects covered would include: editing for the media, writing for the media, presenting, researching, managing technical resources, content-making on social media. Essentially, the training would teach the basics of how to run a community radio station and multi-media enterprise. The training would provide important start-up experience as a vital first step to paid employment for those seeking a media career. We aim to offer accredited training within 3-years of our licence award. Ninesprings FM will have a welcoming and unbiased environment that will be accessible to everyone and foster personal development for everyone across the district of South Somerset.

Ensuring accountability:

8. Accountability Guidance Notes Please set out your proposed community Broadcasting legislation specifies a number of accountability mechanisms. These should cover ‘characteristics of community radio services’. Licence matters such as: holders need to ensure their services conform to these How will members of your target community: characteristics. One is that, in respect of the provision of the service, the provider makes itself accountable to the • make contact with your service, and community (or communities) the service is intended to • influence the operation of the service? serve. How will suggestions or criticisms from members of Ofcom is required to have regard to the provision each your target community (or communities) be applicant proposes to make in order to ensure its considered and acted upon? accountability to the relevant community (or Your draft ‘key commitments’ (later in this form) communities). should include a summary of your proposed accountability measures as set out below. Answer in fewer than 500 words:

We aim to be fully accessible through a variety of routes. We want to make it so that people can walk into our radio station and be on-air with a minimum of fuss. Our studio at Huish Park will be open to all-comers. We will attend community meetings to give talks and invite people to join Ninesprings FM as members. We will offer people the opportunity to make contact by phone, website, social media, email, letter or in person. We want our audience to tell us what we are doing that is both right and wrong. We will take all suggestions seriously. Our whole ethos will be targeted at serving the community and we will shape our programming to respond to the needs of local people. We will have a complaints procedure in place for anyone who is unhappy with our service. In the first instance the Station Manager will deal with complaints. Complainants will receive an acknowledgement within 48-hours and a response within 7-days. Any suggestions for programmes will be acknowledged and an opportunity given to the sender to develop their ideas for broadcasting, where practicable. We will have monthly meetings with our volunteers for them to present their ideas and concerns and have them acted upon. Volunteer presenters will have regular and continuing one- to-one coaching advice to enable them to progress. We will act with complete transparency and openly publish our policies and procedures, including complaints and feedback policies, to meet our objectives of sustainability and community support.

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

The Board of Directors /Trustees, together with the Programme Committee, made-up of partner and volunteer representatives, will oversee all aspects of our commitment to improving the economic, health and social welfare of Yeovil and district of South Somerset. We will work closely with Yeovil College and South Somerset District Council as key partners to achieve the ‘public good’. We will make e-mail, Facebook and Twitter our primary contact platforms and commit to providing constructive feedback using social media. Our Board /Trustee meetings will include public sessions when required where members of the community can ask questions or raise issues relating to policy and output. These question and answer sessions will enable listeners and volunteers and the broader community access to decisions made about the running of Ninesprings FM. We will advertise our public sessions on-air, through the local press and social media.

Guidance notes: station’s draft key commitments Please draft the Key Commitments for your proposed service. There is a blank key commitments template overleaf. If your organisation is awarded a licence, the key commitments you draft here will be included in your licence. (Please note: Ofcom may require amendments if, for example, we feel changes are required to better reflect your application proposals). Your draft Key Commitments should be consistent with, and, where appropriate, summarise the answers you have already given in this application form. It is important that you draft your own commitments rather than just copying what may have been done by others. You should keep in mind that it will be a condition of any licence to meet the Key Commitments: something you must do at all times and for breach of which you could face sanctions including revocation of the licence. So, you should think carefully about what you will be committing to. We would expect key commitments to be brief and no more than one page long.

KEY COMMITMENTS: to be completed by the applicant [Guidance is given in italics.]

Station name Ninesprings FM [As in section 1 of this application] An area consistent with that served by South Somerset District Council comprising postcode areas: BA20 (Yeovil Central) BA21 (Yeovil West) BA22 (Queen Camel) BA7 Licence area (Castle Cary) BA9 (Wincanton) BA10 (Bruton) TA11 [State the proposed coverage area as (Somerton /Langport) TA12 (Martock) TA18 (Crewkerne) set out in section 3 of this form.] TA19 (Ilminster) TA20 (Chard) – which constitute the town of Yeovil and district of South Somerset.

Description of character of service [Describe in no more than 80 words in total]: - the target community/communities [describe the community or communities you will serve; this should be a summary of your answer in section 2 of this form]: The people who reside in South Somerset, in particular, under-represented individuals and places that are hard to reach, to whom community radio would be beneficial. - the main purpose of the service: To develop and promote the social and economic well-being of South Somerset through the provision of a fully accessible community radio service. - the station’s primary functions or activities: To give a voice to everyone, linking with partners to identify places that are hard-to-reach and people who are under-represented, to provide training and opportunities for all to be involved in the station.

The service broadcasts: [these bullet points should be a summary of the answers you have given in section 4 of this form]:

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

• Music. The main types of music2 broadcast over the course of each week are: [insert types of music in a maximum of 30 words] : We will play music from the 1950’s to present. Weekend programming will be more specialised and include dance, rock, soul, folk, and any other musical types, as request. • Speech. The main types of speech output3 broadcast over the course of each week are: [describe the speech output in a maximum of 30 words] : Speech content will include presenter chat, news, interviews, phone-ins, travel, competitions, sports reporting, film /theatre /paper reviews. Listeners will be encouraged to promote discussion on local issues. • Over the course of each week programming is broadcast in [list all language(s) other than English, if relevant] : The principal broadcast language will be English. The most commonly spoken non-English languages in South Somerset are Polish, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. The number of individual speakers of these languages is less than 2% of the population. We will be open to programme proposals for non-English language broadcasting, however, we do not expect non-English programmes to be a significant part of the output. • The service provides original output4 for a minimum of [insert number] hours per day. [What are the minimum hours per day that the service will broadcast original output?] : Ninesprings FM aims to provide 6x hours of original output each weekday (Monday to Friday) and 8x hours of original output at the weekend (Saturday and Sunday). The minimum number of hours per day the service will broadcast original output will be 6x hours. • The service provides locally-produced output5 for a minimum of [insert number] hours per day. [What are the minimum hours per day that the service will broadcast locally-produced output?] : Ninesprings FM aims to broadcast 10x hours of local programmes per weekday (Monday to Friday) and 13x hours of local programmes per weekend days (Saturday and Sunday). This will include repeated programme highlights from weekday broadcasts. Ninesprings FM will broadcast local news each weekday (Monday to Friday) at 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 12 midday, 1pm, together with travel, weather, community information. When not broadcasting locally produced news bulletins Sky News will be broadcast. Ninesprings FM will give a voice to the opinions of everyone who lives, works and studies in Yeovil and South Somerset. We will facilitate discussions on the most relevant of local issues e.g. jobs in our local aircraft manufacturing industries. We will provide a daily mix of well-produced local news, current affairs, local information and music, delivered by knowledgeable local presenters, contributors and students. Our flagship programme will be ‘ONE South Somerset’, a community magazine, 0900 to 1300 weekdays (Monday to Friday), repeated each evening, 1800 to 2200 (Monday to Friday) with a ‘best of’ repeat’ Sunday 1100 to 1600. Training will be an everyday activity. Through our partnership with Yeovil College we will develop learning pathways to enable local people to improve and enhance their work skills and life chances. We will develop skills in journalism, presentation, marketing, web content creation, media sales and engineering and focus on training younger people in preparation for careers in the media. We will support local groups by taking forward initiatives that positively affect people’s lives e.g. highlight the campaign by ‘Disability South Somerset’ to improve access to public buildings for disabled people. We will tell listeners about job vacancies and work with our local schools and the further education sector to schedule work experience for students e.g. we routinely provide work experience for students when recording events /performances and will continue to provide these opportunities. We will promote social inclusion and people’s different cultures and lifestyles e.g. work with ‘Diversity Voice’ to influence positive change for economic migrants working in Yeovil and South

2 e.g. mainstream pop, urban etc. 3 e.g. local news, what’s on etc. 4 Original output is output that is first produced for and transmitted by the service, and excludes output that was transmitted elsewhere before. Original output can be live or voice-tracked. Repeat broadcasts of original output do not count towards the minimum requirement. 5 Locally-produced output is output made and broadcast from within the service’s licensed coverage area.

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

Somerset. We will ensure that our listeners participate in the output and will seek their contributions, regardless of their age and ethnicity. We will encourage local people to be ‘community journalists /village correspondents’ and submit stories from their localities as copy or audio for using in programmes. In summary we will: • Broadcast studio discussion on issues involving people with expertise, experience and knowledgeable opinions to express • Provide multiple ways to allow community expression of opinion • Broadcast live and recorded public debates • Report on local issues, news and events • Operate an online discussion forum Ninesprings FM will encourage audience feedback - good and bad – through e-mail, Facebook and Twitter. The Station Manager will handle difficult issues and report to the Board and Programme Committee when appropriate. By being accessible and inclusive, Ninesprings FM will contribute to the social and economic growth of Yeovil and South Somerset. We aim to be a ‘walk in and talk’ radio station where people can take part in programmes with a minimum of fuss. [The text below is included in the Key Commitments in all community radio licences, and does not need to be amended or augmented. Every service is required to comply with these requirements, but the details of how each service does so do not need to be included in the Key Commitments] The studio is located within the licensed coverage area. The service provides a range of community benefits (social gain objectives mandated by statute) for the target community, both on-air and off-air, and in doing so, achieves the following objectives: • the facilitation of discussion and the expression of opinion, • the provision (whether by means of programmes included in the service or otherwise) of education or training to individuals not employed by the person providing the service, and • the better understanding of the particular community and the strengthening of links within it. Members of the target community contribute to the operation and management of the service. The service has mechanisms in place to ensure it is accountable to its target community.

[Please note: If awarded a licence, the key commitments you draft here will be included in your licence. (However, Ofcom may require amendments if, for example, we feel changes are required to better reflect your application proposals).]

About your organisation:

9. Company details Guidance Notes The legislation requires that: • Community radio services should not be provided primarily for commercial reasons or for the financial or other material gain of the body providing the service or the individuals involved in it • Any profits produced may only be used to either improve the future provision of the service or for the delivery of social gain to members of the public or the target community Provide the name of the body corporate (e.g. Only a body corporate can hold a community radio company) submitting this application and the type of licence. A body corporate is almost always a (registered) body corporate. company, although it can also include, for example, Please provide copies of the company’s some bodies created by statute (an individual or a Memorandum, Articles of Association and Certificate registered charity on its own is not a body corporate).

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

of Incorporation (or, where it is another type of body Your application must therefore be submitted on behalf corporate, its founding documents and those which of a registered company (or other body corporate). set out its objectives and rules of operation) There are different types of company (e.g. a company limited by shares, a community interest company, a company limited by guarantee) and we need to know what kind of company is applying for a licence. We will not consider a licence award to a company if it has not yet been registered. If the application is successful the licence will be awarded to the body corporate (e.g. company) submitting this application.

Company (or other body corporate) name: Radio Ninesprings

Date of registration: 15th April 2013

Company registration number: 8488902 Company limited by guarantee with charitable status Company number: 8488902 Type of company (or other body corporate): Charity number: 1168243

Where your body is not a company, please explain how it meets the requirement to be a body N/A corporate:

10. Ownership Guidance Notes Please provide details of who controls and who owns Ofcom needs to know about the ownership of the the body corporate (e.g. company) applying for this company (or other body corporate) applying for this licence, and on what basis this control and ownership licence, and any issues regarding its control. We will is achieved. (If this will be different once the station also consider how the company (or body corporate) will starts broadcasting please say so (a licence is not be run (this will usually be specified in the Articles of issued until broadcasting starts.) Association of the company). The information provided must include: In relation to exerting control over the applicant, the • all the subscribers, members, shareholders, or information provided should include the name and whatever is appropriate for the applicant address of any individuals or corporate bodies in company (or body corporate), and state the accordance with whose wishes the applicant’s affairs are extent of their interest (e.g. % shareholding) (if or will be conducted in most cases or in significant the company will be controlled by members, but respects. the members are not yet recruited, please say so). (You will also be asked about the board of directors in 11 & 12 below.) • details of any individual, company or other body that may exert control over the applicant.

Radio Ninesprings is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status with objectives that are wholly in-line with the ethos of community radio generally. We are ‘not-for-profit’, made sustainable through the experience and infrastructure offered by our partners and volunteers. The Directors /Trustees /Station Manager represent Radio Ninesprings Charitable Trust with information confirmed in the directorship section of the application.

The setting-up of the company and the application is supported by South Somerset District Council, Yeovil Town Council, Battens Solicitors Trust, Chalmers Accountants, Yarlington Housing Group, Yeovil Town Football Club, Leonardo Helicopters (formerly AgustaWestland Helicopters), Yeovil Chamber of Commerce, South Somerset Association for Community Voluntary Action, Yeovil Youth Council, Yeovil College, and all the public service and voluntary organisations referred to in the application. The governance of the company will be representative of the needs and ambition of people living in Yeovil and district of South Somerset. The established security and experience offered by the partners will ensure that the objectives will be met with responsibility extended to those parties and others as appropriate.

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

Steve Haigh as Managing Director /Station Manager and Adrian Dening as Technical Director /Deputy Station Manager will be jointly responsible to the Directors /Trustees. The Programme Committee will be made-up of our partner representatives: Yeovil College, Yarlington Housing Group, Yeovil Chamber of Commerce, South Somerset Association for Voluntary Community Action, South Somerset Schools Partnership, Yeovil School’s Federation, Yeovil Community Arts Association, University of the Third Age, Yeovil Youth Council, Yeovil Literary Society, Yeovil Town Football Club, and other parties who support the aims of Ninesprings FM.

Ability to maintain the service:

11. Management and operations Guidance Notes With regard to the applicant please provide: In addition to the notes above on ownership, Ofcom is • A list of directors, indicating who is the managing also required to evaluate the human resources involved director and/or chair (please see question 12 in the running of a community radio station. Answers regarding directors’ details). should demonstrate how those who have relevant experience will work for the station. In addition, a • An indication of management structure (e.g. diagram or organisation chart may help paint a clearer management committee or equivalent, if picture. applicable), and/or • Information about who would be responsible for the day to day management and running of the station (there is a separate question regarding other staff below). Explain the role(s) in the station, job titles, and indicate whether paid or voluntary, full or part-time (and the number of hours).

John Bradford as Chairman will take overall responsibility for the sound management of the company. He will liaise with the regulatory authorities and the numerous local community organisations that have already invested a large amount of time and effort in trying to secure this much-needed resource. He will ensure that necessary financial and editorial controls are in place to allow this local venture to prosper into the future. Steve Haigh as Managing Director /Station Manager will be responsible for the overall management of Ninesprings FM, for the output of the radio station, management of the budget. He will rota, supervise and support volunteers, liaise with local organisations /councils /businesses to ensure public accountability. Adrian Dening as Technical Manager /Deputy Station Manager, will be responsible for all technical and engineering aspects and deputise as Station Manager. Samantha Mackenzie-Green as Events Director will be responsible for all ‘off-air’ activities, including events at Yeovil Showground and elsewhere around the district of South Somerset. Dale Parsons as Financial Director will be responsible for financial controls, preparation of financial information to inform the directors, end-of-year of accounts, systems for making payments and systems for monitoring income. The directors /trustees will be supported by a Programme Committee consisting of representatives of our partner organisations and volunteers.

12. Management and operations Guidance Notes Please provide information regarding each director as Ofcom needs to know about the proposed directors and set out below (some or all of which may be regarded chair of the applicant. Some or all of the information as confidential). given in this section will usually be removed from In addition if any individuals have been identified for the publicly available copy of this application form. management roles at the proposed station, please (All community radio applications forms will be made give further information in this section. available on our website.) If you request that any information be removed, please indicate which (and why Answer (for each director): by email to [email protected]).

Name: John Bradford, Chairman

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

Employment: Retired Other directorships: Taunton Theatre Association Relevant experience or qualifications: John Bradford was one of the pioneers of commercial radio in the UK. Part of the 1970s lobby group, the Local Radio Association, through the establishment of Radio Tees, Mercia Sound, the GWR group and Jazz fm. He served as Chairman of the Commercial Radio Companies Association and RAJAR, the industry audience measurement company. He was later the head of management consultancy for the creative industries at KPMG and then the Chief Executive of the Radio Academy working with the BBC, commercial radio, student, hospital, prison and community radio. On retirement he formed Schoolsradio.com to help school students get involved in radio. He has been a trustee and chairman of a number of registered charities.

Name: Steve Haigh, Managing Director /Station Manager Employment: Broadcaster and Journalist Other directorships: none Relevant experience or qualifications: Steve Haigh was BBC staff for 39-years. He worked as: Editor /Senior Producer /Chief Radio and TV Reporter /Programme Presenter, began as BBC News Trainee. Currently, Manager of the Westland 100 Oral History Project (funded by Heritage Lottery Fund) and Volunteer Media Trainer, Yeovil College.

Name: Adrian Dening, Technical Manager /Deputy Station Manager Employment: Education consultant (science for gifted children), Approved Driving Instructor Other directorships: None Relevant experience or qualifications: Former Radio Officer and Technical Training Manager, GCHQ (1996 - 2004). Active Radio Amateur since 1978 and volunteer instructor for the Amateur Radio licencing scheme. Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Worked with BBC Somerset to provide media training opportunities for schools.

Name: Samantha Mackenzie-Green Employment: Event Director Other directorships: Yeovil Show CIC Relevant experience or qualifications: Show Secretary and Company Secretary for Dorchester Agricultural Society (organisers of Dorset County Show) 2002 – 2015, Event Director of Yeovil Show CIC 2015 - present.

Name: Dale Parsons, Financial Director Employment: Director Relevant experience or qualifications: Chartered Accountant with 37-years experience, 26-years of which as a principal in a firm of Chartered Accountants, 2-years as financial controller of a company within the technology sector. Trustee and non-executive director of a large trust operating mainly within the agricultural industry but with various other commercial and philanthropic interests. If any individuals (not necessarily directors) have been identified for management roles please state what experience identified individuals have to undertake the role in question.

13. Staffing structure Guidance Notes What is the staffing structure of your proposed radio The legislation requires that Ofcom has regard to the service? Provide a job title for each position and applicant’s ability to maintain the proposed service (as indicate whether the individual will be paid or will well as to ensure the applicant is fit and proper to hold work in a voluntary capacity, will be full or part-time the licence). As well as its ownership, management and

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

(indicate the number of hours for part-time posts). operations, the proposed staffing of the station is This may be provided as a diagram or organisation relevant to these considerations. chart. Answer in fewer than 400 words, plus organisation chart (optional):

Radio Ninesprings is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status and has 5x directors /trustees. The directors /trustees are John Bradford, Steve Haigh, Adrian Dening, Samantha Mackenzie-Green and Dale Parsons. The roles of Station Manager and Technical Manager /Deputy Station Manager will be unpaid. However, these roles will be paid if sufficient income is generated through training contracts and Service Levels Agreements (SLA’s). The Station Manager and Technical Manager will both report to the Directors /Trustees and be responsible for all practical aspects of broadcasting day-to-day. They will also present programmes. Station Manager (voluntary) 30+ hours per week – reports to Directors /Trustees Technical Manager /Deputy Station Manager (voluntary) 15+ hours per week – reports to Station Manager News Editor 30 + hours per week (1x volunteer) - reports to Station Manager. Reporters /Social Media (4x volunteers, 20+ per week) – reports to News Editor /Station Manager Presenters /producers (20x volunteers, 2-to-6 hours per week) – Reports to Station Manager Education and Training Manager (1x volunteer 8+ hours per week) – reports to Station Manager Administration, Financial & Legal (2x volunteers, 2-to-6 hours per week) – Reports to Station Manager Sales and Marketing Manager (1x volunteer /commission basis) 20+ hours per week – Reports to Station Manager Sales and Marketing Volunteers (5x volunteers /commission basis, 2-to-10 hours per week) – Reports to Sales & Marketing Manager Events & Fundraising Manager (1x volunteer, 10+ hours per week) – Reports to Sales and Marketing Manager Volunteer Trainers (3x volunteers, 2-to-6 hours per week) – Reports to Education and Training Manager Non-presenting/studio support (10x volunteers, 2-to-6 hours per week) – Reports to Station Manager People who sell advertising will be paid on a commission basis. We will have in-place a team of volunteer presenters prior to going ‘on air’. All will be trained to a standard agreed with the Station Manager. Students at Yeovil College will play an important role in providing speech and music programming. Business students at Yeovil College may become involved in the administration of the radio station. Students will not receive payment. Volunteer membership will be open to all local residents; those being trained or educated in Yeovil and South Somerset and others sharing their interests. We will operate a volunteer membership scheme or some other way of ‘registering’ our volunteers as evidence of who are volunteers. In addition, we will require volunteers to sign-in when attending the radio station to record the hours contributed. These records will be signed as accurate by the station management.

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

14. Applicant’s experience Guidance Notes Please describe the history of your group, and any Ofcom is required to consider whether an applicant has relevant experience of the group, or the individuals the ability to run a community radio station for the within the group, by answering the questions below. licence period (up to five years). To aid our consideration we want to know about any relevant experience the applicant group as a whole, or the individuals involved, may have.

A. Please provide a brief history of your group. Answer in fewer than 300 words:

Radio Ninesprings began life as Radio Yeovil Community Interest Company with 2x directors in April 2013. The company was awarded charitable status in April 2016 and changed its name to Radio Ninesprings. Two further directors were appointed in 2014/15. A fifth director was appointed in 2016. Subject to the award of an FM licence, Radio Ninesprings will broadcast as Ninesprings FM. Radio Ninesprings was launched in response to an identified need for Yeovil and South Somerset to have a community radio station that was truly local to the area. It followed the decision by BBC Somerset and The Breeze commercial station to close their main studios in Yeovil. In 2013/14 public meetings were held and a Working Group formed to deliver the ambition of a dedicated community radio station for Yeovil and South Somerset. Further meetings were held with the town’s MP and local councillors and more support was generated. We have attended and recorded local events /performances and made these recordings available as ‘Listen Again’ on our website: www.radioninesprings.com These include: Mayor’s Civic Service, Yeovil Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner ‘Question Time’ General Election ‘Hustings’ General Election Yeovil constituency result Freedom of Yeovil Parade Yeovil Pride Awards Christmas lights switch-on, Crewkerne Westland Family Day St Johns Church Restoration

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

Preston School Christmas Carol service Super Saturday, Yeovil Last Flight of the Sea Vixen, RNAS Yeovilton Westland 100 – history of aircraft manufacturing in Yeovil with panel discussion, Yeovil Literary Festival Yeovil Show 2016 and 17 Westfield Community Association Fete, Yeovil Our website launched in 2013 and it provides a service of community news /information through a link with Yeovil Press. Currently, we are engaged in delivering a 2-year project to create an Oral History of ‘100 years of Westland’ with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. We work in partnership with Yeovil College and through the experience of recording interviews, editing and scripting, students studying BTEC Level 1/ Level 2 /Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production have gained important production and technical skills B. Please summarise the group’s broadcasting experience (e.g. internet radio, Restricted Service Licences (RSLs)). Answer in fewer than 150 words:

John Bradford, pioneer of commercial radio in the UK through establishment of Radio Tees, Mercia Sound, GWR group and Jazz fm. Steve Haigh, 39 years as BBC staff, Editor /Senior Producer /Chief Radio and TV Reporter /Programme Presenter /former BBC News Trainee. Since leaving the BBC; Director, Radio Sherborne (now Abbey 104) and worked on 3x RSL’s, most recently ran Yeovil Show Radio FM 87.7 as RSL. Adrian Dening, works as a Sound Engineer covering local performances using multi-track recording facility. Steve Carpenter, Programme Controller Midwest commercial radio station, Yeovil. Currently, presenter/DJ on the Taunton community station, Tone FM and commercial station, Wessex FM. Ray Tostevin, worked for RFN hospital radio in London, BBC Local Radio and ITV, now runs his own TV production company, Grace Productions. Chris Dolman, ex-BBC ETSI qualified transmitter engineer. Qualified to 17th edition 3rd amendment for electrical installers. Other volunteers have experience of working in hospital radio as presenters /producers /IT engineers. C. Please summarise the relevant experience of the group or its members, in relevant non-broadcast areas (such as third sector, local business, fund-raising, training or education). Answer in fewer than 150 words:

The Board of Directors combine financial, business and management experience. John Bradford is a director of Taunton Theatre Trust. He was a member of BCAP, an advisory group to the Advertising Standards Authority and member of the UK UNESCO Group. Steve Haigh formed the Somerset Kidney Research Appeal as Chairman for 15 years. Currently, a Governor of Fairmead Special School, Yeovil and a Volunteer Media Trainer at Yeovil College. Adrian Dening has been responsible for the provision of education for gifted and talented children since 1986 specialising in teaching science and media. Samantha Mackenzie-Green is an experienced Events Organiser and Charity manager having run both Dorset County Show and the Yeovil Show. Dale Parsons is a qualified Chartered Accountant. He was Treasurer of an appeal that raised £300,000 to refurbish the children’s ward at Yeovil Hospital. He plays as a regular member of the Yeovil Town Band.

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

D. Please summarise the radio broadcasting experience of key individuals in the applicant group (only if not already described above). Answer in fewer than 150 words:

John Bradford, Chairman – as described Steve Haigh, Managing Director /Station Manager – as described Adrian Dening, Technical Manager /Deputy Station Manager – as described Steve Carpenter, Senior Presenter, Radio Ninesprings – as described Ray Tostevin, Producer /Presenter – as described Chris Dolman, Engineer – as described

Evidence of demand:

15. Demand and/or support Guidance Notes Please provide a summary of evidence of demand When considering community radio licence applications, and/or support for your proposed service. Ofcom is required to take into account the extent of local This may include a variety of information, for demand for, or support for, the provision of the proposed example: service. • summary of support from statutory or voluntary It is for applicants to decide what evidence of demand or sector organisations which expect to contribute support they wish to submit. However, Ofcom does not practically and/or financially to your operations, believe that generic support for the establishment of a or which would expect to collaborate with you in new radio service is as meaningful as evidence of joint activities; considered support for a specific applicant’s proposals. This means that Ofcom does not attach great value to • evidence of interest generated through radio numerous examples of similar generic or form letters of activity (e.g. RSLs, internet radio), community support by your group, or to petitions. activity, training, voluntary sector work etc.; Copies of letters or research reports etc. should not be • results of research; submitted. However, your response here may include • summary of support from local politicians, brief relevant extracts from such material and must councils, educational or religious bodies etc.; represent an accurate and comprehensive summary of any such supporting evidence. If we wish to see the • summary of support from local business or other source material, we will ask for it. sectors;

• evidence of support from your proposed target community. Answer in fewer than 1,000 words:

South Somerset is a diverse area with many distinct groups that all flourish alongside one another in their distinctive ways. It is, however, an area that is starved of a single unifying force that can help bind the several into one. This is put strongly by the Leader of South Somerset District Council: “South Somerset has long been recognised as the South West’s poor relation in broadcasting. Despite Yeovil and the surrounding towns economic importance, we have always been on the extreme edge of three broadcasting zones and thus rarely feature in news and current affairs items. The establishment of Radio Ninesprings (Ninesprings FM) will be a major step forward in bringing a sense of community cohesion and identity to the area in a way that will benefit all sectors of our society, and is long overdue. Now is OFCOM’s golden opportunity to enable a major new and much needed communications facility and I would urge them to support us in meeting that need.” Ric Pallister OBE, Leader, South Somerset District Council. It is also a cohesive economic area with a number of local businesses thriving around the central hub of Yeovil. D Woan, President of Yeovil Chamber of Commerce knows this community well: “I am very excited about the prospect of having Radio Ninesprings (Ninesprings FM) broadcast local current affairs and news which will be 100% relevant to the people of Yeovil and South Somerset. It is needed to provide a vital, instant means of communication for the rapidly expanding town of Yeovil.” D Woan, President Yeovil Chamber of Commerce. Further evidence for the need for a community voice, as provided by Ninesprings FM has been

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form gathered from throughout the area: “Radio Ninesprings (Ninesprings FM) will give younger people opportunities to make programmes, write scripts and develop their presentation skills, to enhance their career prospects. We support their application” J Bachrach, Development Director, Yeovil Federation. “We know residents want to be kept up-to-date with news about their local policing teams. Radio Ninesprings (Ninesprings FM) will give the police another outlet to deliver the hyper-local information that people want.” Chief Inspector M Edgington, Commander for Somerset East Local Policing Area. “A community radio station serving South Somerset would be a most welcomed addition to the local media landscape.” J Fry, Chairman, Yeovil Town Football Club. “Radio Ninesprings (Ninesprings FM) will provide a crucial platform to engage with the thousands of people who rely upon our services.“ S Blackburn, Associate Director of Communications, Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. “South Somerset has a diverse range of community networks that need a voice to represent them. I would urge Ofcom to recognise this by granting a community radio licence.” Lord Ashdown of Norton (formerly MP for Yeovil). "We seek to encourage voluntary action and celebrate the invaluable work taking place in our communities. We support this application.” K Nolan, Manager, South Somerset Association for Voluntary & Community Action. “Radio Ninesprings (Ninesprings FM) will help organisations like ours provide information about what’s going on at grass roots level.” S Place, Chief Executive Officer, The Balsam Community Centre, Wincanton. “We have 20,000 people living in our homes and Radio Ninesprings (Ninesprings FM) will provide a platform to communicate to all our residents.” K Davy, Customer Engagement and Community Coordinator, Yarlington Housing Group. “Community Radio offers the chance to share information and bring communities together. I support this application“ A Burgan, Arts & Entertainment Manager, The Octagon Theatre, Yeovil. “Radio Ninesprings (Ninesprings FM) have worked with our learners on broadcast projects. This ‘real experience’ is most important and we look forward to working with them more in the future.” R Campbell, Head of Marketing & Communications, Yeovil College. “A community radio station with a common footprint and complementary objectives would provide a valuable enhancement by reaching out more widely to those who would benefit.” P Burrows, Rotary Club of Yeovil "We welcome any outlet to enthuse local people about the heritage that is all around them. A community radio station would be great way to engage more people in feeling proud of where they live." J Seaton, Langport & District History Society. “Radio Ninesprings (Ninesprings FM) has the full support of Fairmead School to deliver a high quality, vibrant and meaningful community-based information hub within the heart of South Somerset.” D Denman, Head teacher, Fairmead School, Yeovil. "The Hub would champion the needs of vulnerable people in the workplace and engaging in active citizenship through Radio Ninesprings (Ninesprings FM)." C Tuck, Chief Executive Officer, The Hub-Yeovil Community Support Charity. "Take Art supports this application; it will help promote cultural activity in South Somerset.” R Lister, Take Art. “Yeovil is a dynamic Town that merits its own Community Radio Station” D Mills, General Manager, Quedam Shopping Centre, Yeovil. “Radio Ninesprings (Ninesprings FM) will help spread the word about art, cultural and sporting events to people who don’t always pick-up leaflets and brochures.” L Pike, Chairman, Yeovil Community Arts Association. “Radio Ninesprings (Ninesprings FM) is needed to provide opportunities for writers, performers,

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

musicians, poets, and those in digital media.” P Burr, Arts Development Officer, South Somerset District Council. “In the face of regional radio stations, it is important to retain a local voice that speaks directly to South Somerset. We fully support this application.” V Ixar, Marketing Officer, Somerset Skills and Learning. “Radio Ninesprings (Ninesprings FM) will provide opportunities for younger people in Chard to showcase their talents and share their views with other communities.” C May, Chard Area Youth Committee. “I endorse this application. A community radio station for South Somerset will benefit local businesses, community groups and younger people pursuing careers in the media.” Marcus Fysh, MP for Yeovil. “Radio Ninesprings (Ninesprings FM) will help to integrate new-comers into South Somerset to influence positive changes.” R Skarbek Chief Executive Officer, Diversity Voice, South Somerset.

Ability to maintain the service – financial information:

16. Pre-launch financial information

In assessing an applicant’s ability to maintain the service we need to know what funds and assets it holds, how much it intends to spend getting the station on-air (pre-launch expenditure), and predicted funding for the pre- launch period. Please note ‘in-kind’ income is dealt with in 18 below.

/  Tick this box if you request Ofcom to withhold this information from the public copy of your application.

17. Year 1 financial information - income Please provide information on the predicted income for your first year of broadcasting. N.B. there is a legislative restriction on income from on-air advertising and sponsorship/commercial references (in summary, each station is allowed a ‘fixed revenue allowance’ of £15,000 per year from paid-for advertising and sponsorship; some stations may also be allowed up to 50% of their total relevant information per year (i.e. disregarding the fixed revenue allowance). See the ‘Invitation of applications for community radio licences’ for your region for further information). /  Tick this box if you request Ofcom to withhold this information from the public copy of your application.

18. Financial information – in-kind support Please provide totals that reflect the in-kind support you expect to receive for the pre-launch period, and for year one. You may count some volunteer input as in-kind support – please see our guidance on this https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/23966/volunteerinput.pdf

/  Tick this box if you request Ofcom to withhold this information from the public copy of your application.

19. Year 1 financial information – outgoings Please summarise year 1 outgoings – your expected operational expenditure to cover the first 12 months after the service has commenced broadcasting. (Add rows if necessary). /  Tick this box if you request Ofcom to withhold this information from the public copy of your application.

20. Year 1 financial information – commercial activities on air During your first year of broadcasting would your proposed The legislation for station carry any on-air advertising? (If so, please state the Community Radio amount of income you anticipate from this source and its places limits on the anticipated proportion of total income) Yes – 10000 amount of income annually from the sale If ‘No’ might your proposed service seek to carry on-air of on-air advertising and advertising at a later date? (If so, please state the amount

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

of income you estimate from this source and its estimated sponsorship that can be proportion of total income) generated. During your first year of broadcasting would your proposed station carry sponsorship or commercial references in return for payment? (If so, please state the amount of income you anticipate from this source and its anticipated proportion of total income) Yes - 5000 If ‘No’ might your proposed service seek to carry sponsorship or commercial references in return for payment at a later date? (If so, please state the amount of income you estimate from this source and its estimated proportion of total income) /  Tick this box if you request Ofcom to withhold this information from the public copy of your application.

21. Pre-launch financial information - contingency If there is a shortfall between pre-launch predicted income and outgoings, please explain below how you would expect to cover any outstanding costs. Answer in fewer than 150 words and/or submit a summary table: /  Tick this box if you request Ofcom to withhold this information from the public copy of your application.

22. Year 1 financial information - contingency If there is a shortfall between Year 1 income and Year 1 outgoings, please explain below how you would expect to cover any outstanding costs (see also 23 and 24 below). Alternatively if there is a surplus at the end of Year 1, please explain what you intend to do with such additional resources. Answer in fewer than 150 words and/or submit a summary table: /  Tick this box if you request Ofcom to withhold this information from the public copy of your application.

23. Financial information – loans and other borrowings If any of your proposed funding (either set-up or operational) is in the form of loans e.g. from directors, individuals or organisations, please provide details as to who the loan is from and the terms of such lending, expected repayment terms, interest rate charged and other associated costs. Answer in fewer than 150 words and/or submit a summary table: /  Tick this box if you request Ofcom to withhold this information from the public copy of your application.

24. Financial information – alternative funding streams If there is a shortfall between income and outgoings, what arrangements have you explored and are in place to provide further financial and/or ‘in-kind’ support for your proposed service? If you have any proposals for expanding and/or changing the funding model of your proposed service after the first year of operation, please provide details below: Answer in fewer than 150 words and/or submit a summary table:

/  Tick this box if you request Ofcom to withhold this information from the public copy of your application.

Broadcasting engineering:

Engineering notes We require preliminary radio frequency (r.f.) engineering information and applicants are advised that this section is not intended to be exhaustive. We are asking for the basic engineering parameters necessary to determine the extent of frequency availability in an applicant’s chosen area (after taking account of the requirements of neighbouring broadcasters); and to determine whether the proposed service area can be adequately served from this site. As a result, applicants should note the importance of identifying a transmission site that is suitable for

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

the area they wish to serve. While Ofcom would not wish applicants to go to unnecessary expense (we do not guarantee the availability of a suitable frequency and/or our ability to allocate it for broadcasting from the chosen transmission site), we do require precise details about the transmission site chosen. The questions following relate to this. Applicants should provide evidence of negotiations or agreement with the site owner (e.g. whether a provisional agreement is in place). Any licence award will be based on the coverage area from the site identified in the application. If a licence is offered, Ofcom may not be able to agree to a change from the site put forward in this application (and any request for a change will need to be justified). Applicants should read and be aware of the relevant part of the Ofcom Site Engineering Code which may be found at: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/guidance/tech-guidance/eng_code/ 25. Engineering information Answer Waveband: This application is for an FM licence Yes Do you understand the requirements for FM (VHF) and have you incorporated these below and in, for example, Yes your start-up and other costs, detailed earlier? Transmission site What is the postal address and post code: Huish Park (home of address: Yeovil Town FC), Lufton Way, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8YF The NGR is a reference code comprising two letters and two groups of three numbers (e.g. SW 123 456). It is ST 527 169 available from Ordnance Survey. What is the height of the site, in metres, Above Ordnance Datum (AOD)? 94m AOD National Grid In metres, what is the total height of the mast / building Reference (NGR): Above Ground level (AGL)? 16m AGL About the site’s What is the height, in metres, of the transmitting antenna dimensions: AGL? 18m AGL Please supply photographs of the transmitter mast / / Tick if enclosed building and aerial location. Who owns the site and what are their full contact details? Is this site already used for broadcasting and if so by whom? No About the Delete as appropriate the yes/no answers which describe transmission site: your situation regarding proposed site (it may be that you cannot answer all four questions): Site identified? Yes Transmission site Provisional agreement with site owner in place? Yes availability: Or under negotiation? No Applicant group owns site? No Other – please specify. N/A Applicant group owns site? N/A (Note: we cannot consider an application if no site has been identified.)

26. Public contact details Guidance Notes Provide the name of the person who will deal with Ofcom will publish community radio licence enquiries from the press and public and the contact applications, and from time to time statements which details for them. may include public contact details, on its website. A point of contact is required to deal with press and other enquiries from interested parties. Name: Steve Haigh

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

Email: [email protected] Website: www.radioninesprings.com

27. Contact details for Ofcom Guidance Notes Provide the name of the person who will be Ofcom’s Ofcom will need to contact your group in relation to this primary contact and their contact details: application.

28. Declaration APPLICANT’S, DIRECTORS’ AND OWNERS’ OTHER INTERESTS 1. In relation to the applicant and any body’s and/or individuals whose details are given in sections 11, 12 and 13 of this application, please state whether the applicant, any body or individual is (and if so identify that body or individual) involved in any of the activities set out in the table below, and the extent of the involvement or interest. For these purposes, the applicant includes associates of the applicant (i.e. directors and their associates and other group companies): (Note: if none of the following categories in this section apply, this must be clearly indicated by writing “none” in any appropriate box.) Activity/involvement By the applicant By a director and/or a shareholder (section 12 of this or member application form) (section 11 of this application form) a) Local authorities None None b) Bodies whose objects are wholly or mainly of a None None political nature, or which are affiliated to such a body c) Bodies whose objects are wholly or mainly of a None None religious nature d) An individual who is an officer of a body falling within None None (c) above e) A body corporate which is an associate (as defined in paragraphs 1(1) and 1(1a) of Part I of Schedule 2 None None to the Broadcasting Act 1990) or a body falling within (b) or (c) above) f) An advertising agency or an associate of an None None advertising agency g) Other broadcasting interests (including radio, television, satellite and cable broadcasting and allied None None activities). Other interests 2. Give details of any other interest or activity of the applicant which is or could be incompatible with the requirements imposed by or under Schedule 2 to the Broadcasting Act 1990 (as modified by the Community Radio Order 2004) and Articles 6 and 7 of the Community Radio Order 2004. Please also give details of any other participant in the applicant whose interest is or could be incompatible with those requirements. (You may need to seek advice about these matters) None Other matters 3. In pursuance of its duties under Section 86(4) of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (as amended), Ofcom requires that the applicant should notify Ofcom of any matters which might influence Ofcom’s judgement as to whether: (i) the applicant; (ii) any director of the applicant; (iii) any individual, or any director of a company, who will have an interest of 5 per cent or more in the applicant; may not be considered a 'fit and proper person' to participate in a radio licence. Such matters would include, for example, the following (whether they occurred in the UK or any other country): any unspent criminal conviction, any undischarged insolvency and/or bankruptcy orders, any disqualification from being a director of a limited company, and any adverse findings made by Ofcom (or its predecessor broadcast regulators), any other regulatory authority and/or any court or tribunal in respect of any regulatory matters.

Ninesprings FM community radio licence application form

None Do you confirm, to the best of your knowledge and belief, that: 4. The applicant is not a disqualified person in relation to the licence by virtue of the provisions of section 143 (5) of the Broadcasting Act 1996 (relating to political objects); 5. The applicant is not otherwise a disqualified person in relation to the licence by virtue of Part II of Schedule 2 to the Broadcasting Act 1990 or any other rule prohibiting its holding the licence; 6. No director, member or other person involved directly or indirectly in the management of the applicant group is the subject of a disqualification order as defined by section 145 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 1996; 7. No person (body corporate or individual) involved in the application has been convicted within the past five years of an unauthorised broadcasting offence and that the applicant will do all it can to ensure that no person (body corporate or individual) so convicted will be concerned in the provision of the service, the making of programmes included in it, or the operation of the radio station if the applicant is granted a licence; and 8. Any matters which might influence Ofcom's judgement as to whether the directors or members of the applicant group are fit and proper persons to participate in a radio licence have been made to Ofcom. Applicants should note that Ofcom reserves the right to revoke a licence if at any time any material statement made is found to be false and to have been made by the applicant or any member or officer thereof knowing it to be false, and that in the circumstances of section 144 of the Broadcasting Act 1996, the provision of false information or the withholding of relevant information with the intention of misleading Ofcom could incur a criminal conviction and a disqualification from the holding of a licence. /  Please tick this box to confirm that the applicant agrees with the above statements. Please tick the boxes below to indicate which additional documentation is included as part of this application. We are not willing to accept additional information with this application, other than that set out below: /  Memorandum & Articles of Association /  Certificate of Incorporation /  Application Payment (UK £ 600.00) non-returnable /  Photographs of the transmitter mast / building and aerial location.

I hereby apply to Ofcom for the grant of a community radio licence and declare that the information given in this application and any additional documentation is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, correct.

Steve Haigh (Name of person)

Managing Director /Station Manager (Title or position in the applicant group)

24th July 2017 (Date)