The information about the Phonic FM steering group has been updated.

All the information posted below is also available by going to http://www.phonic.fm clicking on the About Us page and following the link at the top of the page to About the steering group.

I hope the following information is useful. Any thoughs would be appreciated.

What is the Steering Group?
Phonic FM is a community radio station and therefore has a remit to serve the community.

In order to ensure community radio stations are fulfilling their remit The Community Radio Order 2004 states that: “It is a characteristic of every community radio service that, in respect of the provision of that service, the person providing the service makes himself accountable to the community that the service is intended to serve.” And that is where the Phonic FM steering group come in.

Phonic FM’s Steering Group is drawn from within the community. The initial membership of the Steering Group was selected to represent a cross-section of the target community. However anyone is be able to put themselves forward for membership.

The Steering Group group’s role is to advise on station strategy, programme content, and provide arbitration. It is the eyes and ears of the station.

The Steering Group are all volunteers who want to help the radio station to fulfil its remit of being a well-run and effective community radio station. We will do our best to ensure we fulfil our group's remit of advising the board as to how to achieve that.

How is the Steering group connected to Phonic FM and what can it do?
Phonic FM is wholly owned by a company set up to managed the station called Exeter Community Radio Ltd.

Exeter Community Radio Ltd holds the broadcasting licence for Phonic FM.

The steering group was mentioned in their licence application.

This is what it says: “The station’s Steering Group will be drawn from the radio station’s stakeholders within the community.

“The initial membership of the Steering Group has been selected to represent a cross-section of the target community, from the local education authority, other local authorities, local businesses, cultural organisations and musicians and DJ’s. (In future, anyone will be able to put themselves forward for membership).

“The Steering Group will be the formal mechanism for communication with the station and regular meetings will be timetabled. This group will advise on station strategy, station policy, programme content, provide arbitration and be the eyes and the ears of the station.”

“The group will be able to co-opt members as it thinks fit, to ensure that the community is adequately represented but there will be no more than 15 members, in order to ensure an efficient and purposeful body.

“On an annual basis the steering group will hold an open meeting for members of the community to have their say on the station and review the station’s progress and activities.

“Annual targets will be set by the directors in agreement with the steering group and station manager.

“The steering committee will hold a quarterly review meeting to agree and make sure that pre-set targets have been completed.

“A Director can be removed by unanimous vote of the Steering Group.”

Who is on the Steering Group?
The current steering group chairman is Pete Bishop (pete@phonic.fm).

Steering group membership and the organisation each person represents:

Natalie Cole (Exeter City Council)
Laura Newton (Exeter City Council)
John Fitzsimons (Exeter College)
Greg Bradley  (University of Exeter)
Gervaise Cerio (Exeter Council for Voluntary Service)
John Stammers (Exeter Council for Voluntary Service)
Bernie Sloane (Exeter Respect Festival)
Abi Ralls (Exeter Respect Festival)
Dan Kjellgren (Ivy Project)
Tim Arnold (Devon County Council)
Julian Piper (Phonic FM)
Martin Hodge (Phonic FM)
Jules Walker (Phonic FM)
Jenna Richards (Phonic FM)

How do I become a member of the Steering Group?
The steering group committee is currently full but a new committee will need to be re elected at the Phonic FM AGM.

If you are interested in being on the steering group in the future please email Pete bishop (pete@phonic.fm).

This hasn't answered by question.
If you have any questions about the steering group that haven't been answered here please email pete@phonic.fm.