[I’ve updated this and moved it from another thread, but I hope it’s still useful]
The ongoing relationship with Ofcom has to be managed carefully and professionally, and needs to be based on trust and evidence. This also needs to work both ways. Lobbying for significant change to the remit of Ofcom, and the legislative direction that they are working under, will not be resolved in these private catch-up meetings.
If wider significant change is needed to the regulatory framework for community radio, then this has to be built into a long-term engagement programme that is resourced and planned more fully. A lobbying programme needs to be built on evidence and a clear understanding of the legal and regulatory structure of broadcasting legislation and how it interconnects with other legislation.
The approach that has been taken more recently in these meetings, and which will contribute to be advanced in future meetings, is about confidence. Primarily, so that we are able to play a meaningful and long-term role as a partner and equal of other lobby interests and groups. If we simply fly off the handle, or seek to rattle-the-cage for the sake of rattling-the-cage, then we will not achieve this.
The officers that we speak with have a job to do, and it is essential that we actively seek to understand the boundaries and the resource implications of these jobs. At all times we should be seen to make positive and constructive contributions to the forward planning that Ofcom has to deal with. However, we also have to help to mitigates any problems or difficulties that might result from the way the rules are applied to stations in practice.
The feedback that we gathered about any operational issues prior to the meeting was valuable and helped to illustrate some potential difficulties and showed common ground between us and Ofcom.
It feels frustrating sometimes, especially when we think about what we have to do in practice, but there is a lot of support at both Ofcom and DCMS for the participatory and social-value role of community radio, and the more that we can focus on that role, and provide positive evidence of what we achieve (on a very limited budget), the more that we are likely to be recognised as a partner in the development and engagement process.
We have limited resources, and if lobbying for political change in the way that community radio is regulated is a priority, then between us we will have to find a way to fund and resource that additional lobbying capability. As a group of volunteers (and one paid member of staff), who give up their time to become familiar with the issues discussed, and who are still able to meet with Ofcom and DCMS at all (and on mutually respectful terms), should be recognised as a considerable achievement.
I’ve not yet had a chance to summarise my notes from the meeting, which I will do without compromising the confidentiality of the meeting, but it was positive and constructive. There’s lots more to achieve and to build on, and any constructive input to this process, via this forum, will be explored. Thanks for the input.
Just to add one more note, it seems that the whole of government is consumed with Brexit at the moment, and with the threat of a snap election there might be a drawing-in of civil service resources as ministers work on other priorities.