Consultation Meeting One – Saturday 24th November 2007

Group Feedback

Grp 1 - Online / On Air [Licenses]
Online Radio:

No License is required for online radio station,
Online is much easier to run and gives easy access to content information,
Online radio doesn’t require any broadcasting license or transmitter,
Online gives the option for downloading shows, content and also allowing people to access a pod cast of previous / current shows on their iPod / MP3 players.

On Air Radio:

No FM licenses / frequencies available in London,
There is currently a six month window available for a short term / community license but applications must be made within the next six months,
All applications cost £600 and are not refundable even if unsuccessful,
License is unlikely to cost less than £10k.

Grp 2 – Community Outreach:

There could is an option for a main committee / junior committee,
Schools in the local area,
Station could be used to provide training / mentoring in radio production for young people / adults wanting to get into broadcasting,
Distribute leaflets, flyers, letters to company directors in the area,
Citizen’s Advice,
Distribute CD’s of shows to local groups, schools, businesses.

Grp 3 – Fundraising:

Approach local businesses in the private / voluntary sector for sponsorship or funding, in exchange for radio promotion or cheap deals on printing,
Government funding / local charities – If one helps the others will follow,
Princes Trust / major organisation – bear in mind large companies will want a return for any input, also consider conflicts of interest.

Grp 4 – Premises:

Lewisham council / housing association buildings,
Here for Good Centre / local community centre / anywhere that will not have to pay hire fee for.

Grp 5 – Creative Programming:

Initially find out what community want to hear / what is not being covered,
Local news / advice / debates,
Youth programs / music shows / book reviews / events,
Voxpops,
Magazine programs / features / poetry / spoken word
Reality TV / online drama,
Phone in / competitions,
Music downloading / charts / reviews / sound clash /open mic,
Local history programs,
Religious issues and faith debates.

Grp 6 – Equipment/Budget:

Consider budgets – Basic / Mid range / Top range.

Basic – Equipment available locally or cheaply,
Basic set up: Mics, Decks, Twin CD Players, Mixer, Monitor Speakers, PC.
Don’t need expensive premises, no need for acoustically treated room.
Budget of nil - £500.

Mid - Equipment can be donated, or obtained from Ebay / local music shops or Music companies for a good price,
Free websites such as Gumtree.com,
Budget of £500 - £2,000.

Top - High quality, professional kit
Budget of £10-20k.

Large Budget – Means more accountability / fewer people.
Small Budget – Many people / board.

Grp 7 – Structure:

Four options – Limited Company,
Co operative,
Registered charity,
Community Trust

The station model depends on the funding available, important that model chosen fits the radio type,
Research existing radio, legal structures and budgets,
Structures shouldn’t be top heavy, must be accessible,
Everyone must feel involved in the running of the station and the management must be fair and equal.

Grp 8 – Benefits:

Give community a voice / outlet,
Find out what people want to hear.

Next Meeting: Saturday 8th December 2007
Discuss – Radio name suggestions,
Material that could be shared between boroughs / events,
Establish radio identity.
Pod Casting / streaming data / recording shows, news updates.