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.
Flames Radio
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:
Flames Radio primarily serves the Afro-Caribbean community. Reflecting diverse musical tastes and interests; our content attracts listeners of all ages. Through social media and our existing online presence (circa 3000 followers on Twitter, 6000 Facebook, 2500 Instagram, 30,000 TuneIn radio); we have determined that our current listening audience is predominately Black, mixed race, African and Caribbean. Within our proposed broadcast area of East London, Hackney has a black population of 47,144 and is very diverse. Residents include people from the Countries of Africa, Caribbean countries of Antigua, Jamaica, St Lucia and Dominica who have settled mostly in Stoke Newington and Clapton. In 2011 8% (19,168 people) described themselves as Black/Black British Caribbean. There has been a significant growth in Hackney residents with a mixed white and black Caribbean heritage, along with other mixed groups. Mixed white and black Caribbean residents now account for two per cent of Hackney's population, reflecting a high degree of integration. It was reported in 2001 that Newham was the most ethnically diverse place in Britain. According to the 2011 Census Newham has an overall Black population of 60,256. Tower Hamlets has a black population of 28,989 and Waltham Forest has a Black population of 25,976.
Weighted % of Afro-Caribbean Community in East London
40% 30% 20% Afro-Caribbean 10% Community - 2011… 0% Newham Hackney Tower Waltham Hamlets Forest
Our community to be served in total is 162,365. (Statistics taken from 2011 Census.) Despite being an area of growing economic opportunity thanks to increased focus on East London, all four boroughs experience higher than average levels of deprivation. All 4 boroughs score in the top 4 when evaluating key parameters of inequality: homelessness, housing, unemployment, low pay, benefits and education. In addition, we know that there are territorial issues and gang rivalries across the boroughs that we plan to broadcast in. According to an article in the Evening Standard (date 23 November 2015) there were 1,798 knife crimes in East London.
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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’. http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/ radio-ops/coverage/analogue-coverage-policy.pdf
The London Boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.
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: (i) cater for the tastes and interests of members of its
2 Community Radio Licence Application Form service. target community or communities (or for any Question B relates to how your output will serve the particular tastes and interests in those communities); tastes and interests of your target community. (ii) broaden the range of programmes available on non- Question C is about how your service will broaden BBC local services (commercial and community the range of local (non-BBC) services available in stations) to members of the relevant community or your area. communities; Later in this form you will be asked to draft your own (iii) broaden the overall range of such non-BBC local ‘key commitments’. This will form the basis of your services provided in the area concerned; and licence and is what Ofcom will judge you against. It (iv) have a distinct nature, or provide distinct content, should include a summary of your proposed from any non-BBC local services with which it would programme output as set out below and reflect your overlap. commitment to cater for relevant tastes and interests, Ofcom is required to consider the extent to which an to broaden the range of relevant programmes and applicant’s proposals will cater for the tastes and services and to provide a service with a distinct interests of members of its target community or nature and content as set out in the Guidance Notes communities. in the column opposite. 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:
Flames Radio is the perfect blend of the Caribbean’s favourite musical talent and social topics. Our mandate is simple – “Provide the Caribbean Community with a radio station that is designed with THEM in mind”. Flames Radio will be a service made for and produced by the Afro-Caribbean communities of Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. Our sound will reflect this in both music and speech elements. We will play music that is currently under-represented on mainstream radio and carries great cultural significance with our audience – particularly reggae, soca and calypso. This will be underpinned by news and information presented by local people, as well as news and interest pieces from our homelands, which would not otherwise be heard through UK media outlets. Music
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Genre Subgenres Ratio
Reggae One drop. Roots, Dub, 55% Dancehall
Soca 10%
Calypso 5%
Urban Soul, Hip Hop, R&B 15%
Gospel 5%
UK Garage 2 Step, 44 and Bassline 2.5%
House UK Funky House, 2.5%
Spoken Word Individual artists, collectives, 5% poetry slam
Speech As well as music we will provide dedicated speech output, to include: National, local and community news, Discussion programmes (community and Caribbean) Interviews with guests including (local and international) artists, decision and policy makers. Interactive Advice Centres, where we invite members of the local council to advise on important community issues such as housing, education and employment Documentaries and features Learning and advice programmes which will include material aimed at a range of different ethnic communities, including refugees and asylum seekers. Upliftment programmes with successful local business people to give a positive message to those seeking guidance Hourly soundbites from people in the community General Programming The overall music to speech ratio will be approximately 70/30. We will, however, remain flexible at times when more focus is required for local or national news, current affairs, or when we’re running focussed single or multi-issue campaigns, such as those around sexual health awareness, serious youth violence, or social isolation amongst the elderly. We will broadcast for 18 hours per day, with the majority of content being locally produced. Weekdays 7am – 6PM (daytime) Music will account for 70% of the station output between 7am – 6pm, delivering a mixture of music from different genres as per the chart above. We have already started to make enquiries in regards to partnering up with local and Caribbean press to deliver up to date community news. We will consistently encourage Listener interaction via phone, text, email and social media. The station will tackle community issues specific to East London such as drugs, gang crime, cyber- bullying, education, employment, housing and social awareness with guests from local education, community police, the local council, and various community action groups. Weekdays 6pm – 2am (evening) With younger audience members listening in the evening, we will have a slightly higher ratio of 85%
4 Community Radio Licence Application Form music to 15% speech, but will also use this time to really push our youth-focused campaigns. We will run automated shows from 2am until Breakfast. Saturday 90% urban music from the UK and Caribbean 10% Live call in and studio interviews with actors, artist, poets from within the entertainment industry (this will be local and international) Sunday Dedicated gospel music from 7am – 12pm Originality The majority of the output will be original and bespoke to our service, but we will have an element of appropriate news taken from radio stations in the Caribbean. Some of our popular features such as health and legal advice programmes will be repeated so that there is more chance that all our community can access free advice, and when we are running campaigns, especially in our key focus area of gang crime; soundbites, interviews and occasionally whole programmes will be repeated. We are also in the process of adding a ‘Listen Again’ feature to our website. Flames will create lasting, measurable community benefits and social gain by engaging with local support to provide specialist speech-based programmes and live phone ins on matters such as housing, finance, and finding work. We will also be steadfast in our commitment to improve life for local people by addressing issues related to gang crime, creating opportunities, and fostering an environment that promotes a positive perception of young people and cohesion across different groups. This is our passion, and will be a key area of our focus. This will be reflected on air through our programming, but also through our ethos of inclusivity; promoting positive pathways and opportunities for all. Language We will broadcast in English with some dialects distinct to Caribbean islands.
B. What is the address of the proposed studio (if known)?
77 West Ham Lane, Stratford, London E15 4PH
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:
Flames Radio will offer a bespoke, local service that is tailored primarily to the Afro-Caribbean community of East London. That being said, we recognise that the community we plan to broadcast to is very diverse. Though similarities can be found amongst this ethnic community, this does not equate to sameness. We will continue to actively seek feedback from our listenership and beyond, on what they would like to hear, to ensure we meet community need. Flames Radio currently broadcasts online, and is uniquely positioned to offer a viable platform to the disenfranchised Black community. Our research, via regular phone ins and social media polls, has established that our listenership doesn’t feel they are represented or have a legitimate voice on mainstream, commercial radio services. For this reason, the East London Caribbean community are forced to rely on unlicensed stations to feel any kind of affiliation with Caribbean music and social topics. Flames Radio will be a legitimate station for the East London Caribbean community. Together with delivering bespoke authentic Caribbean music from both home grown and overseas artists, we will become and fundamental source of, and outlet for local talent. We believe this will directly benefit Ofcom and local authorities in their campaign against unlicensed broadcasting. Many of our current DJ’s are already established names within the music industry, working with record labels, as well as the likes of Redbull, Wireless Festival and musical acts such as Stylo G, Chipmunk & Wretch 32. Flames Radio will have an open door policy as well as obtaining regular feedback by attending local
5 Community Radio Licence Application Form events, creating surveys via our website, text messages, email, social media and phone ins. Within 2 years of broadcasting we are confident we will be a key player in uniting the Afro-Caribbean community across the four broadcast boroughs within our coverage area.
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:
Music and Entertainment London does not have an Afro-Caribbean community radio station. The other stations that the community have access to, Capital XTRA and Kiss FM, both play ‘urban’ music, though their offer is quite narrow, repeating playlists. ‘Urban’ music often describes music of black origin, though in reality only a small section of black musical genres are heard under this definition. Whilst popular and deserving of a place in UK broadcasting, there is a real need for a station that moves beyond the narrow confines of ‘urban’ music, to provide playlists that appeal to a wider spectrum of the black community. Flames Radio plays a much wider range of black musical genres, and is at the forefront when it comes to discovering and championing emerging genres and artists, particularly new London- based talent. Our ground-breaking programming has already helped the careers of Grammy- nominated artists such as Beenie Man, Sean Paul, Morgan Heritage and UK Based MOBO award winner, Stylo G. The Local Community Flames Radio is different and distinct from services such as Capital XTRA and Kiss FM, because we are really a part of the community. We are not a commercial entity run for profit. Advertisements on Flames will endorse and promote local events and businesses, charged at a rate that is reasonable and affordable for those in our local network. In addition, we will be distinct when it comes to the real impact that we make to the lives of those in our community. Our radio programming addresses issues related to gang crime, by providing opportunities. Our proposed broadcast area is local enough that our programming and projects are bespoke and unique to the needs of our community. Our presenters make our programmes different from what is heard on contemporary radio – they are local people who have direct contact with the community. Our marketing team have built a small but comprehensive portfolio of small businesses that would provide opportunities for the local community, including access to many events within the city of London. Catering to the needs of the community is our number one priority, and this is what separates us from BBC or commercial stations; our accountability to East London’s community needs.
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,
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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.
Supporting a reduction in gang crime Our main focus is to give members of our community opportunities to channel their energies into positive activities. Our reputation as a purveyor of good entertainment allows us to gift media experience to those who need support. Giving vulnerable teenagers ‘options’ diverts them away from anti social behaviour and gangs and allows freedom of thought through creativity. The Flames Academy The Flames Academy is a media training model that we have developed and piloted successfully in South London. We are currently in discussion with community partners to replicate this bespoke programme within our proposed broadcast boroughs in East London. There are a lot of media jobs concentrated in London, but access to these opportunities is not equal. The Flames Academy pilot has specifically targeted young people at risk of becoming involved in gangs or serious youth violence, and works to develop their confidence and teach the media skills that could subsequently lead to media job opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. Understanding our target market Flames Radio will be pivotal in assisting in the needs of our target community. We will be community- led both in programming content and in delivery of non-broadcast activities. The station will be proactive, as well as reactive to issues that need to be addressed through programming and positive community engagement. There is a huge need for an accessible medium that connects members of the Afro-Caribbean community and facilitates dialogue across boroughs. By providing a platform for the community, Flames Radio will play a fundamental role in challenging negative stereotypes that lead to fear in the wider community and among young people themselves. The negative result of this is self evident in the USA where the ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaign is needed to raise awareness. Flames Radio has greater access to community groups, statutory organisations and individuals than corporate entities or the police, for example. Naturally these stakeholders will have opportunities to influence the direction of the station through regular focus groups and our open door policy. Connecting the Local Authority and local community We have been serving the community for over 15 years, and during this time we have developed strong relationships with organisations including the Metropolitan Police and local Tenant’s Associations. We will continue to develop strong relationships with local stakeholders. Our internet broadcast (www.flamesradio.co.uk) is already well established, and is the ideal foundation on which to build Flames Radio (as a community FM station) and ensure it meets ever-changing community needs.
1 See Article 2(3) of the Community Radio Order 2004 and Ofcom’s Notes of guidance for community radio applicants and licensees.
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We have completed much valuable community work, assisting young people to shape the delivery of careers advice by Connexions, activities for all ages available through the local authority, and by providing a platform for interaction between our listenership and the Metropolitan Police to influence ‘stop and search’ complaints procedures. Empowering the community The management team believe that empowering the community to address their own needs is a fundamental goal of community radio, and this is embedded in the ethos of Flames Radio. We aim to accomplish our priorities by: Facilitating discussions and expression of opinion through a number of regular forums, panel discussions and phone-ins, which will be allocated within prime-time slots and use music, celebrities and MPs to stimulate discussion and interest. This format has proved successful through our Internet broadcasting. Discussion and opinion are part of a structure that aims to feed social change. This is extremely important as our community are often pessimistic about their ability to change things, and will only take part in discussion with people like the Police and MPs if they can see it really makes a difference. This will be a key method in which we continue to champion our fight against gang, gun and knife crime. Promoting our ‘open access slot’, which invites interested parties from the community to sit on a panel and discuss prominent issues on air. Alongside the use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat we will encourage wider participation from all sections of the community. Actively encouraging discussion and opinion from all sections of the community as this increases the potential for community benefit and social change. Providing information about local services: We are currently in talks with local authorities to extend contracts in which we deliver information to young people through www.Flamesradio.co.uk. This includes information such as details of drugs misuse facilities or sexual health clinics. We will secure more of these contracts when the station has a viable FM network, and this will contribute to overall running costs. Promoting services that assist employment in our community. Our work with organisations like Connexions helps fill the gap between young people and employers by offering work experience and volunteering opportunities. Such opportunities will be available to all people, regardless of background, with those most in need actively targeted through recruitment drives with Youth Offending Teams, local authorities and other organisations. Providing a new platform for creative, artistic and musical expression enabling previously unknown people with creative gifts, talents and skills to be showcased and celebrated. Delivering specific projects aimed at targeting hard-to-reach sections of the community, such as young black Muslims, who hold a monthly discussion show on Flamesradio.co.uk Flames Radio’s Caribbean influenced events When Reggae music emerged in the late 1960s, it came as a cultural bombshell not only to Caribbean Islands, but to the whole world. Caribbean associated events have influenced societies throughout the world, contributing to the development of new counterculture movements, particularly in the UK. Caribbean culture has a significant influence, not just in the UK, but on the global entertainment platforms we see today. Despite this, there is still a distinct lack of high quality, organised Caribbean events in the UK. Working with a promotional company called Another Level, Flames Radio has brought to London a number of diverse events, which assists in employment and work experience for black actors, comedians, media students and professionals. Events More Life - is a Caribbean-influenced event that Flames introduced to the UK in 2012, due to a
8 Community Radio Licence Application Form number of radio debates regarding the noticeable lack of authentic Caribbean music in established venues across the UK. The first event was held in East London, for 250 attendees. In just four years, this has grown into an annual event at the legendary Brixton Academy, attracting over 5000 people. In 2016 we took the event on tour across the UK and reached over 10,000 people within a 3 days period. The rapid growth in popularity of this event shows that there was a real social and cultural need for this type of event within the Afro-Caribbean community. Artists and acts for the event are chosen by our listeners. We put out a poll via Internet radio and social networks, asking the local community which national or international acts they want to see. Flames then works to secure these acts. Our position online, as a legitimate voice for the black community in the UK is critical to our success in securing the top artists. We are the only radio service delivering a Caribbean event of this quality to the UK. Other promotions Flames Radio have delivered include a number of sell-out comedy shows and plays: Comedy Face Off at the Indigo2 Greenwich - This event included Richard Blackwood, who now stars in EastEnders on the BBC Young Dons of Comedy at the Catford Broadway Theatre – Young comedians from East London and other London communities performed to an 800 capacity crowd The Real Housewives of Brixton – Caribbean influenced play presented to a 1,275 capacity crowd in the legendary Hackney Empire.
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 have a proven track record working as an online broadcaster with a team of volunteer presenters taken from the local community. Over the last 7 years, we have been successful in ensuring participation in our service from a wide range of our target audience. With a community license it will allow us to engage in many more enterprising schemes. Our current work with organisations such as schools and outreach centres has produced good outcomes. All of our presenters will be local volunteers. The participation of volunteers will range from our street team which will design and distribute leaflets advertising the radio station, updating the website, and sending social media updates on Twitter and Facebook. Flames Radio will make sure that facilities are open to all sections of our target community through a combination of targeted outreach, referral processes with other organisations to provide progression routes for young people, online advertising and an open door policy. This allows community members access to Flames Radio office to receive information and advice on becoming involved with their station. Through our work with young people over the last twelve years, we recognise that gang territorial tension and fear are often barriers to free movement. Youth gangs are often estate or postcode based, sometimes with more than one gang within a postcode. Rivalries and area code issues are
9 Community Radio Licence Application Form intense and should not be underestimated, as these can be life or death issues for young people. Despite this difficulty, we believe that this only heightens the need for greater cross-borough unity, of which we hope Flames Radio could be a key part. We have started negotiating a service contract with a local car service in order to collect and drop off people who want to participate in the radio station, but feel at risk travelling across (or within) boroughs. This access we will provide young people will give real, positive opportunities to access and ultimately get involved with radio programming and production. Together with the above we have a combined total of 40,300 people signed up to Flames via social networks (i.e. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tunein App). We will have a team dedicated to monitoring this for interaction, requests and comments.
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:
Our volunteer charter reflects our commitment to offering participation and training opportunities to all members of our community to gain valuable media experience. We already have close links with schools, colleges and Universities. The station will actively recruit volunteers from the full spectrum of social backgrounds. Flames Academy This year Flames Radio partnered with The Hyde Group in South London to create a youth music and radio project called PALAVA (Promoting Academic Literacy and Vocal Activism). The aim is to support participants to write and record a portfolio of music and to learn radio presentation and operation skills. PALAVA uses the arts to break to down barriers in communities and engage young people who are at risk of becoming involved in youth violence and crime. Flames are a key partner of this 20 week project which has 35 young people aged between 9 and 21. Every Wednesday a volunteer from Flames Radio provides a class on “Radio presentation and operation, Recording session / Lyric and Creative Writing” At the end of project, the students present 3 Showcase events at venues in London. Currently, we organise for a number of people to travel to South London to join this project. There is no platform like this in the East London community. We believe that with an FM Radio License and our proven track record, we will be in a better position to partner up with local authorities to create a much-needed platform in East London. Flames Academy engages young people between 16 to 25 years old. We will deliver bespoke workshops in schools and community centres that teach young people radio production skills. We are also going a step further as we recognise that the way to change a young person’s life, is to have a meaningful outcome, such as a job. Therefore, we are committed to have a Production Apprentice in the first year of broadcasting on the FM band if we are successful with our application. London is at the forefront of the creative industries in Europe, yet a large number of young Londoners do not have access to jobs in the creative industries. Through our professional networks we have relationships with venues, sponsors, and other media companies. We will act as a broker for young
10 Community Radio Licence Application Form people through the Flames Academy to create opportunities exclusively for young people from deprived backgrounds.
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:
Flames Radio aims to offer the East London Caribbean community an amazing listening experience once tuned in to our frequency. To create this amazing experience and achieve retention and growth; we need feedback from listeners about what they want, and how we can improve or hopefully do more of what we are doing. Flames Radio will have a passionate commitment to gathering, organising and sharing customer feedback in order to become the authentic “Afro Caribbean East London Community Station”. We will achieve this via: Email We will have a dedicated email address for customer feedback which will be accessible via all of our promotional material and also available via our website. We will have an internal service level to acknowledge any email within 48hrs. Customer Feedback Surveys We will have a two tier customer survey process: i. Web based customer survey via our website. This will be highly visible on our website ii. We will distribute questionnaires via a Flames Radio Street Team. We will target local shopping centres, colleges, universities and housing estates in order to obtain a balanced feedback Listener Panels We will set up an 8-member community listener panel, which will provide 8 members of the East London Community with an opportunity on a quarterly basis to discuss the service being proved by Flames Radio. People can submit their names to be on the panel via email or the Flames Website. The panel will have a clear variety in gender and age to give a broad understanding of our delivery. We will change the panel on a bi-annual basis. Customer feedback drop box at the Flames FM studio An opportunity for members of the public to physically drop any comment to the station. The box will be checked every evening and we would aim to respond within 48 hours. Word of mouth Our directors and volunteer DJ’s are local members of the community who attend or are involved in
11 Community Radio Licence Application Form most Afro-Caribbean events in East London. Flames Directors and volunteers would be very much encouraged to report and feedback to the station accordingly. The station manager will acknowledge customer complaints within 48hrs compiling feedback on a daily basis with urgent issues noted and discussed with members of the steering committee. The Steering Committee is made up of 6 professionals, which will include: A Solicitor An Accountant 2 x Charity Founders Community Services Manager A community and Church leader MBE The Steering committee have kindly agreed to help govern Flames Radio and provide us with direction as and when required. We have a commitment in place to meet with the Steering Committee on a monthly basis during the first year of broadcasting. The meeting will move to every two months after the second year. All community feedback will be compiled and presented to the Board of Directors and Steering Committee at the meetings.
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 Flames Radio [As in section 1 of this application] Licence area London Boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets & [State the proposed coverage area as Waltham Forest. set out in section 3 of this form.]
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 Afro-Caribbean community living, studying and working in East London. - the main purpose of the service; - To play music Afro Caribbean music, facilitate conversations that engage and give a voice to the disenfranchised black community in East London. - the station’s primary functions or activities. To tackle gun and knife crime and to support the local community serious youth violence, reducing the symptoms of poverty, and creating opportunities to participate. We aim to achieve this through entertainment, advice and workshop sessions (Flames Academy).
The service broadcasts: [these bullet points should be a summary of the answers you have given in section 4 of
12 Community Radio Licence Application Form this form]: Music [if relevant]. The main types of music2 broadcast over the course of each week are: Reggae – One Drop, Roots, Dub, Dancehall; Soca; Calypso; Urban – Soul, Hip Hop, R&B; Gospel; UK Garage – 2Step, 44, Bassline; House – UK Funky House; Spoken Word. Speech [if relevant]. The main types of speech output3 broadcast over the course of each week are: Local and national news; community and Caribbean discussion programmes; interviews; interactive advice centres; documentaries and features; learning and uplifting programmes; sound bites. The ratio music to speech will be 70/30 [Languages other than English, if relevant] Over the course of each week programming in [list all language(s), including English] is broadcast. English with dialects distinct to the Caribbean. The service provides original output4 for a minimum of 18 hours per day. [What are the minimum hours per day that the service will broadcast original output?] 18 hours The service provides locally-produced output5 for a minimum of 18 hours per day. [What are the minimum hours per day that the service will broadcast locally-produced output?] 18 hours 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). 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
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.
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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: Flames Media And Entertainment Limited
Date of registration: 8 April 2016
Company registration number: 10113075
Type of company (or other body corporate): Limited Company
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.
Mr Leroy Johnson
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).
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Meet the team Directors The founding directors of Flames Media & Entertainment Limited are: Leroy Johnson Ashaka Marshall
Steering Group Natalie Carter – Commercial Real Estate Solicitor Rachel Fox – Founder of London Village Network (LVN) Andrew Brown – Founder of Elevating Success REV Barry Carter (MBE) – Founder and Patron of St Andrews Community Centre Matthew Earle - Finance Manager, Acamar Films Ltd Emma Frievogel – Community Services Manager
Day to day Management The day to day responsibility for running the station rests with the station manager: Station Manager: (Leroy Johnson) Full Time Paid (42 hours per week) Flames Academy: Ashaka Marshall Flames Marketing and Sales Manager: Portia Clarke
Station Manager - Mr Leroy Johnson Entrepreneur with a strong property development and estate portfolio. A vast range of different businesses from Hair Salons and online radio station for over 10 years. Flames Academy - Mr Ashaka Marshall Youth and Community Professional Ashaka Marshall has over 18 years of experience working with young people between 4 and 25 years old, formerly working for a G15 housing provider as a youth development coordinator, leading on their gang strategy across London 2008 - 2016. Flames Radio Marketing & Sales - Ms Portia Clarke
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]).
Mr Leroy Johnson Employment: Owner/Director Other directorships: None
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Relevant experience or qualifications: 10 years experience in event management, marketing and community radio broadcast. Experienced property portfolio manager and finance director.
Mr Ashaka Marshall Employment: Owner/Director Other directorships: Heymarsh Ventures Ltd Relevant experience or qualifications: 15 years experience in HR, consultancy, corporate and community administration. 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 (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): Flames Management Team
Mr Leroy Johnson Company Director / Station Manager (Paid)
Ms Portia Clarke Mr Ashaka Marshall Ms Stacey Osbourne Presenters Head of Flames Marketing Company Director / Head Community Liaison (Volunteers) & of Flames Academy (Volunteer) (Volunteer) (Volunteer)
Marketing Students Students (Volunteers) (Volunteers)
Paid – Full Time Leroy Johnson – Station Manager The station manager oversees the administrative and business side of the Radio Station as well ensuring the smooth daily operation including tasks such as daily programming. Voluntary – Unpaid Portia Clarke – Head of Flames Marketing & Sales Responsible for delivering business development activities by researching and developing marketing opportunities and plans; implementing sales plans, and managing staff. Ashaka Marshall – Head of Flames Academy Overall responsibility for the managing, promoting and growth of Flames Academy, by working with the management team to ensure the Academy serves the community and vice
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versa Stacey Osbourne – Community Liaison Responsible for establishing and sustaining a working relationship between Flames Radio and the East London Community. Presenters Various presents from the East London Community
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:
In 2003 3 young entrepreneurs realised that there was no authentic Afro Caribbean station representing East London the on the FM radio. Determined to keep the culture relevant Flames FM was formed. Although at the time an unlicensed station, the response from the local community was immediate and the feeling of affiliation created substantial growth for Flames and Afro Caribbean community togetherness. We became the people’s station, providing education, music and news to Afro Caribbean’s, mixed race, multi cultured and those interested in our community. The station attracted presenters and DJ’s from the community who also brought their own fan bases and local personality to the station. The station became well known for its continuous delivery of good music and information and became well known in the Caribbean. We have strived to make the brand that is FLAMES one that is recognised as quality and one to be trusted. Although the station was successful, there was still one big problem that did not sit well with the owners, for all their good work and business ethics Flames was seen by the authorities as “Unlicensed Broadcasters”. Such a tag was never the aim and so Flames FM came to an end. No longer wishing to be a target to OFCOM enforcement or a drain on Government resources, 2009 saw the Internet station www.flamesradio.co.uk (Flames radio) become established. The station retained their DJ’s and currently operate a Full-Time Internet Station which has a allowed us to remain up to speed and confident that we have what is required to run a successful radio station with the intention to be back on the FM with a legal community license. Flames Radio has continued to grow over the years and now runs a successful Flames Academy alongside the Internet Radio station.
B. Please summarise the group’s broadcasting experience (e.g. internet radio, Restricted Service Licences (RSLs)). Answer in fewer than 150 words:
Flames Radio has been broadcasting since 2003. Originally started unlicensed broadcasted which within 5 years transitioned into a successful online radio station only, called Flames Radio. We have since launched the station on a number of internet based platforms including our own Android and Apple platform based apps. As part of our online platform we have launched our own online video stream using high quality HD video camera equipment that allows listeners to become even more interactive with Flames presenters online. We also stream shows live from venues using our own personalised stream equipment. The Flames brand basically has been continuously solvent and successful from 2003 to present.
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).
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Answer in fewer than 150 words:
Flames has assisted and pioneered many charity and community based events since its existence. Most recently we raised money for the ACLT Charity and the Rejuvenate Jamaica Hospital's Charity. We are currently a key stakeholder in a youth development media training program, where we are training a number of individuals from the ages of 9 – 21 years old on music production and media. We have helped assist with many business start-up projects over the years by steering people in the right direction when obtaining contacts, marketing and advertisement planning. Since Flames Radio first came into existence we have held annual youth parties. This has ranged from under 18 concerts to Family BBQ’s events, where children of all ages are invited with Food and Drink provided for free. Our steering committee also has members with valuable experience of community based events and presentations.
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:
Stacey Osbourne - has 12 years of radio broadcasting experience. Skills ranging from show production to DJ mentoring and continuous community liaison work.
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:
During our many years as an Online Station, we have had extensive dialogue with many people to help us understand and also confirm the need to have a Caribbean Community local radio station in the East London area. We have received overwhelming support from different age, gender and ethnic groups within the community. Voluntary bodies ACLT Charity – Promoting Bone Marrow and Blood Donation “Thanks you for your support and offering ACLT the opportunity to raise awareness and fund at your Reggae Concert on the 30 April 2016 at the 02 Academy Brixton. Thanks to Flames Radio we raised £937.65”
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G Alleyne – ACLT
Rejuvenate Jamaica Hospitals – Charity Dear Flames Once again Rejuvenate Jamaican Hospitals Appeal, would like to thank you and your team for your continued support for allowing members of the (RJH) team to attend the More Life year to year event on Saturday 30th April 2016 @ the 02 Academy Brixton And on Sunday 1st May @ the 02 Academy Birmingham. On Saturday a total of £937.98 was donated towards the RJH appeal and on Sunday £673.95 was donated Please know we are highly grateful for the support you have given us, that has allowed us to continue in our quest to improve the facilities and equipment to Hospitals in Jamaica. Without the help and support this would not be possible. C Jenkins - Rejuvenate Jamaica Hospital's – Founder
Internet Radio Listener Support P Tuitt Flames Radio have been part of my life for over 8 years. I’ve been an avid from School to college and now to becoming a working man. Listening via the Internet Radio and phone App has been great. Professional station, great music and people that we can affiliate to. M Gayle Well done Flames Management and DJ’s. The Flames Annual Family Summer Fun Day has been a great yearly highlight. I love the fact that with all your activities every child is a winner and walks away with a prize. It was the first time I saw my child gain confidence and dance. I was actually crying when I saw. D Williams I would love for Flames to be on the FM dial. We are the only community without a station, South London had “Reprezent Radio”, West London has “BANG Radio”, but we have nothing unless we listen to Unlicensed Radio on the FM.
Local Education, Housing and Council Dear Flames Radio, I am fully supportive of your application. Your station will be a fine addition to the local media in the borough and reflect the cultural diversity of this vibrant borough. I am pleased that you will focus on tackling gangs and anti-social behaviour as these negative elements plague all communities. I look forward to hearing from you and wish you well in your application. Regards Councillor James Beckles - Plaistow North – (London Borough of Newham)
Teacher - Bsix Brooke House Sixth Form College (Hackney) Flames Radio has been a real asset to me and my community, not only providing musical entertainment though their daily schedule and successful events but also in providing a platform for community discussions on various subjects which are rarely covered by the mainstream media. As a teacher of media at Bsix College in Hackney, i do believe that Flames Radio obtaining a broadcasting licence would not only provide a voice for communities under represented in the mainstream media but also encourage more young people to aspire to careers in the media industry, flames radio has always encouraged enterprise particularly in young people and having a licence to broadcast would only broaden this principal that is already engraved in their ethos
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Local Businesses Caribbean Flavour Restaurant - Leytonstone We need a local station for the Caribbean Community in East London. As a local small business owner, there is no way I can afford to advertise on the large commercial station. A local Caribbean station for me to get in the ears of my local target market is 100% needed. Two Sweet Restaurant – Hackney & Tottenham We listen to Flames radio via the net in my shops every day. Clean music and informational about what happening in our community both here in the UK and overseas. The younger generation also listen to it, so it helps me stay in touch with what my kids are into!!! Lady Glitter Hair Salon - Dalston Flames Radio has supported my business since we launched. I started out as a mobile hair stylist and they allowed me to run competition and phone in to talk about my services. I now have my own business and staff and I’ll always listen to and thank Flames for their help. I’m fully behind the quest for an FM license in our community.
Flames Website, Social Media, event statistics Our twitter account was launched in 2013. We have over 2,965 followers Our Facebook account has over 6,000 members. These are listeners with a high level of interaction. Our Instagram account was launched in 2013 and has over 2,500 followers Our website stream via www.flamesradio.co.uk averages 8,628 visits per month We’ve had over 15,000 attendees at Flames endorsed events over the last 9 months (January – October 2016)
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 http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/radio-ops/volunteerinput.pdf Tick this box if you request Ofcom to withhold this information from the public copy of your application.
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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.
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 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. Waveband: Is the application for an FM licence? Yes Is the application for an AM licence? No
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Should a suitable FM frequency be unavailable, would a frequency on AM be acceptable? If you have answered YES to this last question please No complete the questions below separately for both an FM transmission site and an AM transmission site. 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 Elmslie Point Leoplold What is the postal address and post code: address: Street London E3 4LD 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 TQ 36797 81755 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 9.274 meters dimensions: Datum (AOD)? In metres, what is the total height of the mast / building 59 m Above Ground level (AGL)? What is the height, in metres, of the transmitting antenna 66 m AGL? Please supply photographs of the transmitter mast / • Tick if 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 N/A whom? 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 Advanced stage of Or under negotiation? negotiation Applicant group owns site? Yes Other – please specify. (Note: we cannot consider an application if no site has been identified.)
How to contact you:
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: Leroy Johnson Mobile: 07506 850 690 Email: [email protected] Website: Flamesradio.co.uk
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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. PLEASE ENSURE YOU ADVISE OFCOM OF ANY CHANGES TO YOUR CONTACT DETAILS
Concluding declaration: 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 N/A N/A b) Bodies whose objects are wholly or mainly of a N/A N/A political nature, or which are affiliated to such a body c) Bodies whose objects are wholly or mainly of a N/A N/A religious nature d) An individual who is an officer of a body falling within N/A N/A (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 N/A N/A the Broadcasting Act 1990) or a body falling within (b) or (c) above) f) An advertising agency or an associate of an N/A N/A advertising agency g) Other broadcasting interests (including radio, television, satellite and cable broadcasting and allied N/A N/A 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) N/A
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.
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N/A
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.
Leroy Johnson (Name of person) Director (Title or position in the applicant group) 23rd October 2016 (Date)
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