A community radio station in Preston has been found in breach of several Ofcom licence conditions after failing to deliver local programming and provide requested recordings.
The ruling relates to Juice Radio, operated by Preston Community Radio 23, following complaints that the station was not meeting its required character of service. The service has since been rebranded as Beat 103.
Ofcom reviewed recordings supplied by the licensee and found the output consisted mainly of non stop music, station idents and adverts, with no editorial content aimed at people who live, work or study in Preston.
Community radio stations must follow Key Commitments that set out how they serve their target community and deliver social gain. In this case, Ofcom concluded the service was not providing programming created by local people or reflecting local organisations.
The regulator also found the station failed to provide the correct recordings requested for assessment and did not supply a programme schedule when asked. Ofcom said the failure to provide recordings and information prevented it from properly assessing complaints about the service.
As a result, Preston Community Radio 23 was found in breach of multiple licence conditions relating to character of service, retention of recordings and the provision of information.
The regulator noted this is the third time the licensee has breached the rules requiring broadcasters to retain and provide recordings when requested.
Ofcom said it may monitor the service in future to ensure the station complies with its licence obligations.
Also today, Ofcom reports that 15 licensees have been found in breach after failing to pay their annual Ofcom licence fees on time.
Great Driffield Radio Limited and Seaside Radio Limited apologised for late payment. Kohinoor Media Limited and Quality Radio Enterprise Ltd each made representations that
they had not received any invoices previously.
2ZY Limited apologised to Ofcom over the delay in payment and said that it was due to an administrative error. BFBS Shorncliffe Ltd made representation to Ofcom apologising for the delay in payment, saying that it did not receive the invoice.
And Jorvik Radio Limited requested a contact change and asked for clarification on the invoices.
Others, Big City Radio CIC, Coast & Country Radio FM Ltd, Koast Radio Limited, Select Radio Limited, St Mathews Community Solution Centre Ltd (EAVA FM), Tircoed Village Trust (Welsh Coast Radio), Top Rizz International Music Ltd and Youth Community Media (Radio Wyvern) all paid after the deadline.
In addition, Nomads Media CIC (Nomad Radio) and Not Really Here Group Limited (Tameside Radio) both failed to pay at all.