AFTER intense lobbying by community radio stations around the country, the government has changed its policy on advertising and programme sponsorship. In the House of Commons on 22 January, Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, announced that broadcasting community stations like Swindon 105.5 community radio will be permitted to raise up to £15,000 in advertising revenue and on-air programme sponsorship which will reduce the pressure upon them to seek grants, donations and support in kind in the areas they serve. Swindon 105.5 manager Shirley Ludford welcomed the change of view by central government. She said: “Community radio stations have been campaigning for a change in legislation for some time. I’ve been writing to ministers for about three years pointing out the disparity between community radio and the start-up funding offered to community television stations. “South Swindon MP Robert Buckland has given us excellent backing, and with his support, we welcomed Mr Vaizey to Swindon 105.5 in December 2012 to see the station in action and meet the 100 volunteers who keep it running 24/7. “He discovered what a diverse mix of community and business representatives are involved in our effort to keep Swindon residents better informed and entertained. At the end of his visit he hailed us by saying: ‘SWINDON 105.5 IS Swindon!’” The representations and the minister’s visit had an impact as Shirley was invited to the House of Commons to present her views in July 2014, again supported by Robert Buckland. 
Shirley added: “This change in legislation will mean being able to widen our areas of funding, a little less time spent on grant applications and more time on delivery of our service. We will also be free to credit more fully on-air supporters of our service, as well as our provision of school, college, university and work placements and training.” Robert Buckland is pleased that the joint lobbying effort has paid off in today’s announcement in Parliament. He said: "This is great news for SWINDON 105.5 community radio. I worked with Shirley and liaised with officials at the Departure for Culture and Media & Sport to help make this change and thank Ed Vaizey for listening and making it happen. “This will allow 105.5 to plan for the longer term and to do even more for our Swindon community. I am truly delighted.”
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