Community radio 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.
Radio Ninesprings
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 populations of 8,000 to 13,000. 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 in the 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. The percentage of younger people 16-to-18 classed as N.E.E.T.’s at 7% is slightly better than 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 202nd 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 Westland’s) the world’s second largest helicopter manufacturer. The town has a well-supported professional football club – Yeovil Town FC. In 2017, the former Westland’s Leisure Complex will re-open as a major new entertainment venue for South Somerset, offering Radio Ninesprings unrivalled community engagement opportunities. Supporting statistics: South Somerset District Council, Somerset Intelligence Partnership.
3. Proposed area Guidance Notes What is the area you propose to serve? It is Ofcom policy that community radio stations usually serve an area of up to a 5 kilometre radius from the transmission site. See ‘Coverage and planning policy for analogue radio broadcasting services’. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0 018/54621/analogue-coverage-policy.pdf
Community radio application form
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 above but our research shows that the specified area is of an integral character and is uniformly under-served by existing broadcasters. Our transmission antenna will be a scaled-down version of the type illustrated installed at Chingford using slim wooden telegraph poles supporting a T-antenna strung between them with a small ATU box at the centre. The required directionality will be achieved by the format of the earth mat installed. The antenna will be fed by a ducted coaxial cable from the transmitter location in either an existing building or small purpose-built cabin, depending on the site owner's preference. We have consulted with experienced transmission engineers and have been advised to apply for an EMRP of 1kw in order to ensure reliable coverage of our target community. We are aware this will require a transmitter with a port output of 3kw. This has been allowed for in our costs. The same consultation has shown that the optimum frequency for effective coverage of our area, together with consideration of optimal structure dimensions, to be 1143 kHz.
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.
1 Community radio 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:
Radio Ninesprings 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 well engage at all levels to achieve our aims. The speech content on Radio Ninesprings 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. Our phone-in programmes will cover issues local to Yeovil and South Somerset. Topics like legal advice and debt/benefits advice, job and training advice. Callers will be given every opportunity to voice opinions and concerns and ask questions and we will have decision-makers in our studio to provide answers. Radio Ninesprings will have a popular and attractive sound but will not chase audiences. Instead, our programmes will reflect the varied activities of ‘communities of interest’ groups 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 that has a wide and loyal following yet little reporting about it is included in the mainstream media. We would cover the activities of the South Somerset Skittles League in an entertaining and informative way. We would have items about the South Somerset Carnival Circuit. The carnival circuit encompasses Chard, Wincanton, Crewkerne, South Petherton, Langport and has a wide following. We would provide in-depth coverage when carnivals are held in our local towns and feature regular up-dates on the activities of local carnival clubs. Other ‘communities of interest’ groups like train spotters, arts and writers groups, walking football teams, and those who work in that most traditional of South Somerset industries – cider making – would feature strongly in our output. Community radio application form
Through these ‘communities of interest’ we aim to find the characters and personalities with local dialect and local knowledge to be our ‘on-air’ presenters /contributors, to give Radio Ninesprings a truly authentic voice of South Somerset. The music we play will be from the 1950’s to the present. There will be specialist music shows reflecting the different musical tastes within the community of South Somerset, and we will encourage local bands and artists to record with us or, play live into programmes, provided they are of 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 local music sector. Local writers, poets and performers will be given 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. The members of our partner organisation, Yeovil Arts Association, will write short stories and 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 been produced for broadcast. We have formed a partnership with a local freelance news agency to provide a minimum of 5x local stories each day for a broadcast bulletin of hyper-local news and information. We will broadcast live /recorded as live, local discussion on local issues in the style of ‘Any Questions’. For example, we have recorded programmes with audience questions at Yeovil Literary Festival on the subject of ‘100 years of Westland’s’. A public ‘question and answer’ with Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner was also 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 4x 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 6-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 around 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, weekly 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 1800, we will run an automated service with local features, events guide, public service key messages and music. On Saturday, 0800 to1100, 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
3 Community radio application form on sporting topics to a 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 1800 2200 to 2400 Saturday: 0000 to 0800 1300 to 2400 Sunday: 0000 to1600 1900 to 2400 We will broadcast live: Monday to Friday (Weekdays): 0900 to 1300 Saturday: 0800 to 1300 Sunday: 1600 to 1900 A key feature of our output will be public information. We will give access to publicise services /key messages to: South Somerset District Council, Parish and all parish and town Councils across 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 organisations who support this application. No individual or organisation will be excluded from broadcasting on Radio Ninesprings, unless there are legal obstacles. Radio Ninesprings will be as active on-line as it is ‘on-air’. Presenters will encourage interaction with listeners through social media. We will use these platforms to give everyone the fullest 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)?
Yeovil College, Mudford Road, Yeovil BA21 4DR
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:
Radio Ninesprings will reflect the tastes and interests of people in Yeovil and South Somerset by encouraging local people, organisations, to take an active part in making programmes of their own. Importantly, by taking part at events and engaging with ‘communities of interest’ groups, we will keep in-touch with the changing tastes and interests of local people and adjust our programming to meet those changes. Community radio application form
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 to our proposals, wishing to contribute material, through engaging extensively in local cultural activities. Sports fans will be catered for through extensive reporting of local sport. We have a partnership with Yeovil Town FC and will report on their matches, including Yeovil Ladies FC. We will hold ‘Fans Forums’ on the local soccer scene. Amateur sports have strong support in South Somerset and we will promote, engage and give airtime to 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 opportunities to local musicians /schools to take part-in our programmes, either live or recorded. Radio Ninesprings will offer air-time for the creation of items to include: • Public information advice regarding medical, lifestyle, financial, and 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 will be incorporated in live and automated programming, together with interviews and information on local matters • Coverage of job and training opportunities, crime and police awareness campaigns, and information about community and voluntary organisations. Compared to other places, South Somerset has a higher percentage of resident elderly people, many of whom are not computer literate and do not have Internet access. The radio is still their most used form of communication as this helps to alleviate loneliness. Through targeted programme items, Radio Ninesprings will address the tastes and interests of this group of people.
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 /county wide’ 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 participation from the community in their running, 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 networked or automated during the day and after 7pm. Our service is designed specifically for our proposed broadcast area and the local community of Yeovil and South Somerset. We will be able to reflect local tastes and broadcast more relevant content. We will encourage participation and access to contribute to programmes in a way that stations heard in Yeovil and South Somerset currently don’t provide. Radio Ninesprings 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
5 Community radio application form 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, its output is designed for its broadcast area and it has its own identity /sound. If our transmission was to overlap with Abbey 104, our programmes would sound different through the content relating to Yeovil and South Somerset. We would endeavour, however, to have links with Abbey 104 and with 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. 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 but also to give local people the opportunity to listen to the experiences of others within our broadcast area, to create an understanding of the views of other people. Through Radio Ninesprings we will provide opportunities for people 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 local people to gain new work skills to help their employability. These groups will include a wide range people but, in particular, the long-term unemployed, NEETS (young
1 See Article 2(3) of the Community Radio Order 2004 and Ofcom’s Notes of guidance for community radio applicants and licensees. Community radio application form 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 to join-in with Radio Ninesprings. 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 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 through our Newsdesk, either in copy or audio form, 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 and Yeovil College. We have partnership agreements with Yeovil Federation of Schools and 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 South Somerset by supporting local businesses with broadcast opportunities to promote their services. This is already happening through our links with Yeovil Chamber of Commerce. We will contribute to community cohesion by supporting and attending smaller-type community events. For example, with our OB van we attended ‘Super Saturday in Yeovil’, hosted the Christmas Light’s switch-on in Crewkerne and ran the ‘Introducing Stage’ with local musicians at Yeovil Show. We will improve the knowledge and skills of local people by providing training to anyone wishing to become involved with Radio Ninesprings. We will assess individual needs and support volunteers throughout their time with the station, providing training through courses in radio production, presenting, sound and audio recording, broadcast journalism. 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 telephone help-line. This will be a ‘one-stop-shop’ for community information, to provide answers and to point people in the right direction. The domain ‘radioninesprings.com’ has been registered. A system in which groups and individuals can exchange goods and services is also planned. We will broadcast information /key messages on behalf of South Somerset District Council and the other town and parish councils in South Somerset and report-on council decisions, policies, and campaigns. Radio Ninesprings will foster intergenerational understanding by continuing to work with older and younger people. For example, in partnership with Yeovil College we brought young and old together to produce an oral history of ‘100-years of Westland’s 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 other media e.g. migrant workers domiciled or working within Yeovil and South Somerset, to give them a voice. There is a lack of places for younger people to obtain ‘hands-on’ media training in South Somerset. Both BBC Somerset and The Breeze commercial radio station have closed their main studios in Yeovil. Radio Ninesprings aims to provide the training facilities that are much needed in the local area, to 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 in Yeovil and South Somerset Work with regeneration partnerships to promote their work and raise awareness of particular initiatives e.g. South Somerset District Council, Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership Cover events such as public meetings, including the live broadcasting of council meetings Radio Ninesprings believes it complies with the objectives described in the Community Radio Order 2004 and will: Raise awareness of local council services and amenities
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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 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.” 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 service. Ofcom requires information as to how this would participation objectives as set out below. be achieved. Answer in fewer than 400 words: 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.radioninesprings.com) and online forum that will be open to everyone to encourage debate about local matters and about the programmes on Radio Ninesprings. The station will be run entirely by volunteers. No one will be paid, unless funding /Service Level Agreement(s) make this possible. However, commission will be paid to volunteers who sell advertising and sponsorship. The Station Manager will work 20 + hrs each week The Technical Manager /Deputy Station Manager will work 10 + 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 Advisory 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 20x volunteers to participate each year Producers /Researchers to carry out background work for programmes. We expect around 10x 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 around10x volunteers to participate each year Volunteers will be paid commission for selling advertising /sponsorship. We expect around 15x volunteers to participate each year. Currently, we have 32x 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 Community radio application form
Senior Producer /Editor, former commercial radio Programme Controller /Senior Presenter and former BBC Engineer with a deep understanding of AM transmission systems. Members of Radio Camelot - hospital radio in Yeovil - have expressed interest in a partnership with Radio Ninesprings. 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 Advisory Board. 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:
We will deliver comprehensive training packages to anyone who expresses an interest in becoming a volunteer with the radio station. We aim to implement our training plans within year-1. This will be on-going so volunteers can take advantage of not just the training we offer but also the training provided by our partners e.g. Yeovil College, Yarlington Housing Our training packages will include transferable soft skills such as team working, communication skills, self-motivation, problem solving and building confidence. This form of support will be informal and make involvement easier for those with disadvantaged backgrounds. Promotional material about Radio Ninesprings will contain details of how people in the community can access our training programmes, along with volunteer opportunities. Radio Ninesprings has its studio within Yeovil College campus. The College plays vital role in the everyday life and economic well being of South Somerset. The campus has good public transport links and car parking. The training we provide would take place at our studio. We will use resources within the media department 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 community enterprise. The training would provide important start-up experience for those seeking a career in the media, as a vital first step to paid employment. We aim to offer accredited training within 3-years of our licence award. Radio Ninesprings aims to provide a welcoming and unbiased environment that is accessible to everyone and will foster personal development for everyone in South Somerset.
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
9 Community radio application form 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 accessible to the local people through a variety of routes. We want to make it so that people can walk into the radio station and then be on-air, without any fuss. Our studio at Yeovil College will be open to all-comers. We will attend community network meetings and will make formal presentations and have informal discussions about getting local people involved with Radio Ninesprings. We will offer opportunities for people to contact us by phone, website, social media, email, letter or, in person to tell us what we are doing, right or wrong. We will take all suggestions seriously. Our whole ethos will be about serving the community and we will shape our programmes 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 about 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 all our volunteers present so their ideas, suggestions and concerns can be aired. 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. The Board of Directors /Trustees, together with the Programme Advisory 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 South Somerset. We will involve Yeovil College and South Somerset District Council as key partners to achieve ‘public good’. We will make Facebook and Twitter our primary contact platform and commit to providing constructive feedback using social media. Radio Ninesprings Board 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 Radio Ninesprings. We will advertise our public sessions on-air and 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.
Community radio application form
KEY COMMITMENTS: to be completed by the applicant
Station name Radio Ninesprings An area consistent with that served by South Somerset District Council comprising postcode areas: BA20 (Yeovil Central) Licence area BA21 (Yeovil West) BA22 (Queen Camel) BA7 (Castle Cary) [State the proposed coverage area as BA9 (Wincanton) BA10 (Bruton) TA11 (Somerton /Langport) set out in section 3 of this form.] TA12 (Martock) TA18 (Crewkerne) TA19 (Ilminster) TA20 (Chard) – which constitute the town of Yeovil and district of South Somerset. Description of character of service The target community/communities: 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 to be involved in the station to all.
The service will broadcast: Music: 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 requested. Speech: 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. Languages: 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. Original output: Radio Ninesprings aims to provide 4x 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 4x hours. Locally-produced output: Radio Ninesprings aims to broadcast 8x 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. News, weather, travel: Radio Ninesprings will broadcast local news each weekday (Monday to Friday) at 8am, 10am, 11am, 12 midday, 1pm, together with travel news, weather forecasts, community information. Our bulletins will be provided by Sky News when were are not broadcasting locally produced news. Radio Ninesprings will give a voice to the opinions of everyone who lives, works, studies in Yeovil and South Somerset. We will facilitate discussions on the most relevant local issues of the day e.g. threat to 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, local 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 local people’s lives e.g.
11 Community radio application form highlight the campaign by ‘Disability South Somerset’ to improve access to public buildings for disabled people. We will tell listeners about job opportunities and work with local schools and Yeovil College to schedule work experience places for students e.g. we routinely provide work experience for students when recording events /performances and will continue to do so. We will promote social inclusion and promote people’s different cultures and lifestyles e.g. work with ‘Diversity Voice’ to influence positive change for economic migrants coming into South Somerset. We will ensure that our listeners participate in the output and we will seek their contributions, regardless of their age and ethnicity. We will encourage local people to be ‘community journalists /village correspondents’ to submit stories from their local areas to our newsdesk, in copy or audio form, for using in our local news bulletins. 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 Radio Ninesprings will encourage audience feedback - good and bad - through Facebook and Twitter. The Station Manager will handle difficult issues and report these to the Board and the Programme Advisory Committee, when appropriate. Radio Ninesprings will be part of the social and economic growth of Yeovil and South Somerset by being accessible and inclusive. Our aim is to be a ‘walk in and talk’ radio station, where people can come into our studio with ease of access and be put ‘on-air’ with a minimum of fuss.
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). 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 Community radio application form
Community Interest Company limited by guarantee with Type of company (or other body corporate): charitable status. 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 Community Interest Company with charitable status whose objectives are wholly in-line with the ethos of community radio generally. We are a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation, made sustainable through the experience and infrastructure offered by our partners. The Directors /Trustees /Station Manager represent Radio Ninesprings CIC and 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, Chambers Accountants, Yarlington Housing, Yeovil Town FC, Leonardo Helicopters (formerly Westland Helicopters), Yeovil Chamber of Commerce, South Somerset Association for Community Voluntary Action, Quedam Shopping Centre, Yeovil Youth Council, 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 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. Station Manager, Steve Haigh and Technical Manager/Deputy Station Manager, Adrian Dening, will be jointly responsible to the Directors /Trustees. The Programme Advisory Committee will made-up of our partner representatives: Yeovil College, Yarlington Housing, 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, Quedam Shopping Centre, Yeovil Youth Council, Yeovil Literary Society, Yeovil Town FC, and other parties who support the ambition of Radio Ninesprings.
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.
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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, 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, Managing Director /Station Manager, will be responsible for the overall management of Radio Ninesprings, for the output of the radio station, for managing the budget. He will rota, supervise and support volunteers, liaise with local organisations /councils /businesses to ensure public accountability. Adrian Dening, Technical Director /Deputy Station Manager, will be responsible for all technical and engineering aspects and deputise as Station Manager. Samantha Mackenzie-Green, Events Director, will be responsible for all ‘off-air’ activities, including events at Yeovil Showground and elsewhere around South Somerset. Dale Parsons, 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 Advisory 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 as Chairman, Radio Ninesprings 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 as Station Manager /Managing Director, Radio Ninesprings Employment: Journalist and Broadcaster Other directorships: none Relevant experience or qualifications: Steve Haigh was BBC staff for 39-years. […] Currently, he’s Community radio application form
Manager of the Westland Oral History Project (funded by Heritage Lottery Fund) and a Volunteer Media Trainer, Yeovil College.
Name: Adrian Dening as Technical Manager /Deputy Station Manager, Radio Ninesprings Employment: Education consultant, Approved Driving Instructor Other directorships: None Relevant experience or qualifications: Former Radio Officer and Technical Training Manager, […]. 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: […] Event Director of Yeovil Show CIC.
Name: Dale Parsons, Financial Director, Radio Ninesprings Employment: Director – Chalmers & Co (SW) Limited Other directorships: AH Warren Trust Limited 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.
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 (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 Community Interest Company with charitable status and has five 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. Both positions will include a programme presentation role. These roles will be paid, however, if allowable through income provided by training contracts and Service Levels Agreements. The Station Manager and Technical Manager will report to the Directors /Trustees and be responsible for all practical aspects of broadcasting day-to-day. They will report to the Board and be members of the Programme Advisory Committee. Station Manager (voluntary) 20+ hours per week – reports to Directors /Trustees Technical Manager /Deputy Station Manager (voluntary) 10+ hours per week – reports to Station Manager News Editor 20 + hours per week (1x volunteer) - reports to Station Manager.
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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 providing speech content and music programming. Business students at Yeovil College may become involved in the administration of the station. Students will not receive payment. Volunteer membership will be open to all local residents; those being trained or educated in the 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 our volunteers. In addition, we will require volunteers to sign-in when attending the station to record the hours they have contributed. These records will be signed as accurate by the station management.
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. Community radio application form
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 two 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. 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. 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 The events recorded include: Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner ‘Question Time’ General Election ‘Hustings’ 2015 Freedom of Yeovil Parade Yeovil Pride Awards Yeovil Town Council Civic Service Westland Family Day St Johns Church Restoration Mayor of Yeovil Christmas Carol service Last Flight of the Sea Vixen, RNAS Yeovilton Westland ONE – 100 year history of aircraft manufacturing in Yeovil, Yeovil Literary Festival We launched our website in 2013 and provide a service of community news /information through a link with Yeovil Press. Currently, we are engaged in a 2-year project to create an oral history of ‘100 years of Westlands’ 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, the GWR group, and Jazz fm. Steve Haigh, 39 years as BBC staff, Senior Producer /Radio and TV Reporter /Presenter /Editor. Since leaving BBC; Director, Radio Sherborne (now Abbey 104) worked on 2x RSL’s Adrian Dening, worked as Sound Engineer covering local performances using multi-track recording facility. Steve Carpenter, Programme Controller Midwest commercial radio station, Yeovil. Currently, presents daily show on Taunton community station, Tone FM. Ray Tostevin, worked for RFN hospital radio in London, BBC Local Radio and ITV, now runs own TV production company. Chris Dolman, ex-BBC ETSI qualified transmitter engineer. Qualified to 17th edition 3rd amendment for electrical installers.
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Other volunteers have experience of working in hospital radio as presenters /producers.
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 a member of the UK UNESCO Group. Steve Haigh set-up Somerset Kidney Research Appeal and ran it as Chairman for 15 years. He’s a Governor of Fairmead Special School, Yeovil, and 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 science and media. Samantha Mackenzie-Green is an experienced Event Organiser and Charity manager having run both Dorset County Show and 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’s a regular member of the Yeovil Town Band
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, Radio Ninesprings – 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. Community radio application form
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 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.” R. 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. David Woan, President of Yeovil Chamber of Commerce knows this community well: “I am very excited about the prospect of having Radio Ninesprings 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 Radio Ninesprings, has been gathered from throughout the area: “Radio Ninesprings 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 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 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 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 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 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
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"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 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." 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 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 is needed to provide opportunities for writers, performers, 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 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.” M. Fysh, MP for Yeovil. “Radio Ninesprings will help to integrate new-comers into South Somerset to influence positive changes.” R. Skarbek Chief Executive Officer, Diversity Voice, South Somerset. “Radio Ninesprings will be a valuable asset to communicate local matters and enable people to feel part of the local community.” Cllr D. Shutler, Mayor of Yeovil.
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 Community radio application form 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 / Tick this box if you request Ofcom to withhold this information from the public copy of your application.
21. Pre-launch financial information - contingency / Tick this box if you request Ofcom to withhold this information from the public copy of your application.
22. Year 1 financial information - contingency / 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 / Tick this box if you request Ofcom to withhold this information from the public copy of your application.
24. Financial information – alternative funding streams / Tick this box if you request Ofcom to withhold this information from the public copy of your application.
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 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/ Community radio stations typically have a coverage area of up to a 5 kilometre radius. Please see Ofcom’s ‘Coverage and planning policy for analogue broadcasting services’ (including community radio) http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/radio-ops/coverage/analogue-coverage-policy.pdf
25. Engineering information Note: there are fundamental differences between FM (VHF) and AM (MF) transmission systems. These include differences in mast and antenna size, transmitter site requirements, site location, installation cost, audio quality and night-time interference. Before completing this section, applicants may wish to take professional advice to ensure they understand these differences and their implications.
21 Community radio application form
Waveband: Is the application for an FM licence? No Is the application for an AM licence? Yes Should a suitable FM frequency be unavailable, would a We would like to place on frequency on AM be acceptable? record that we anticipate a If you have answered YES to this last question please demand for an FM and/or complete the questions below separately for both an FM DAB service within 2 transmission site and an AM transmission site. years of launch. Do you understand the fundamental differences between FM (VHF) and AM (MF) services and have you Yes incorporated these below and in, for example, your start-up and other costs, detailed earlier? Transmission site Yeovil Showground address: What is the postal address and post code: Dorchester Rd, YEOVIL BA22 9TA National Grid The NGR is a reference code comprising two letters and Reference (NGR): two groups of three numbers (e.g. SW 123 456). It is available from Ordnance Survey. Further information can ST 556 139 be found at: http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/index.html About the site’s What is the height of the site, in metres, Above Ordnance 66 dimensions: Datum (AOD)? In metres, what is the total height of the mast / building 25 Above Ground level (AGL)? What is the height, in metres, of the transmitting antenna 25 (same as above) AGL? Please supply photographs of the transmitter mast / Enclosed building and aerial location. About the Who owns the site and what are their full contact details? transmission site: Is this site already used for broadcasting and if so by Mobile phone operators whom? within the same property Transmission site Delete as appropriate the yes/no answers which describe availability: your situation regarding proposed site (it may be that you cannot answer all four questions):
Site identified? Yes Provisional agreement with site owner in place? Yes Or under negotiation? No Applicant group owns site? No Other – please specify. 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 applications, enquiries from the press and public and the contact and from time to time statements which may include details for them. 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 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. Community radio application form
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 to None None 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) Answer: 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. Answer: 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
23 Community radio application form
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)
Director /Station Manager (Title or position in the applicant group)
24th October 2016 (Date)