 Fel o chair yw Gerdduno'r cw briefly a gyfan AG os yw voy does yn ôl cynabodor ac mae y next item fiy sihwn hwn sy'n跟ir y fiotem, sef 352187, yn ellai Gwrein Christine Graham yn gynhaladw'nリெw yn krystau Ffm, FAny Cooc, gyas i'r plant sgwr gydag y Cymru a nodd ar Ys functional plyless ytigono, Wednesday daysy o SMA news, yographiaeth diwyll storag, O'ch gwbl fyddion gwneud â'r cyfath yw'r ardufodiaeth a'i gwyll wherebyr, a'r cwrs mwrgyllai arwain o'r cyfaradau a'i gofyn i'w mwrgyll mwrgyll, yn gyflosio'n, ei cantyniol. It's a pleasure to speak and not for the first time on the importance of community radio. This debate focuses on Crystal FM located in Pennycook in my constituency and in particular ond y dyfodol, a'r ystafell yn gweithio'r awrwadol yn gyfer y cerddefnyddio i'r ffwrdd yma. I visited the studio recently in very professionalities too, and met up with Colin McAll, the anchor man, and a man who has devoted his time to the good of Pennie Cook over decades. First campaigning with him to save Jackson Street facilities years ago, unfortunately that was a battle lost, but you can't keep a good man down, Felly, we have a good long chat about all the station does and some of its issues, which I'll come to as well as more about Colin. Launched on 1 December 2013, it's run by volunteers broadcasting over South Midlothian, Edinburgh and the Lothians, as well as to listeners all over the world via the internet. With over 50 presenters and information providers involved, it has non-stop 24-7 output and is an important part of the community but depends on donations and subscriptions. Simply to survive, it has to raise 12,000 annually and has overcome setbacks over the years. Flooded studios are moved to temporary accommodation for a period of six months and then when code appeared it required to move to other premises to ensure the studios were Covid compliant. As a result, it went from its temporary accommodation to a permanent home in the Eastfield Business Centre in Penicook. The radio service has been maintained, meaning that youngsters from penny high, B-slack high school, people's and last-weight high schools can continue to participate in the service, gaining hands-on experience in all aspects of broadcasting, thereby developing skills, confidence and self-esteem. Those committee volunteers ensure the smooth running and scheduling of programmes. They do outreach work with individuals who are housebound and encourage others to visit the studios to participate in discussion and learn new skills and to allow spells away from their home isolation. In particular, older members of the community enjoy the autonomy and the creation of their own shows and the community engagement involved, thus giving them that good-feel factor enhancing mental health. Individuals with special needs are catered for, including two with physical handicaps and an individual who is artistic and one who suffers from Aspergers. Now to funding, a constant worry but supported by 12 businesses classified as proud supporters of Crystal FM and numerous individuals who also pledge support with regular and frequent financial pledges and numerous donations received from others from time to time. The Crystal FM radio club provides financial support via membership fees, but outlays are substantial, off-com £6,000, wireless and telegraphy £2,500. Those will retain your period. Music licensing fees to PPL, PRS, MCPS, £30,000. VAT payments made in excess of £25,000 over the 10 years, and that is a particular cruel levy on this local service, which is not a business and therefore cannot apply to be VAT registered as it doesn't have income levels. VAT is reserved to Westminster but I do put some point, something could be done for these organisations when they have these VAT burdens to carry. More actually from a really good website they have, it has well over 110,000 hits on the website, and now with over 50 presenters and information providers involved, as I said, in 24 hours a day, seven days a week output. Back to Colin McCall, station co-ordinator, former primary school teacher, now in his 80th year, but like me he's flourishing. He founded the station, which was shortlisted for a community award in last year's Midlothian East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Awards, with a handful of other enthusiasts who donated £100 each. A quote from Colin, Crystal FM came to fruition because black diamond, brackets in Newton Grange, was not receivable over here in Pennycook. I forward in an application of Ofcom to extend the area to Pennycook and they refused. They did however say they looked favourably on a Pennycook application. Seven of us put £100 on the table and 18 months later, Crystal FM came about. This is the start of our 11th year and we have a great team of volunteers who have made that possible, close quotes. Overall, the station reach is supposed to be six miles from the studio in Eastfield Business Centre in Eastfield Farm Road in Pennycook, but Colin says, quotes, How do you stop a radio signal? It's variable. You can go a very short distance if the signal is lost or you can go a long distance and pick up the signal. For example, I've picked up the signal from the golf course car park in Kirkcaldy. I don't know what he was doing there. It's excellent quality in the car, but our signal also reaches Rathlen, near Edinburgh, so it must go through a gap in the Pentland hills. Isn't that intriguing? Continuing the quote, we now stream out online and it's interesting to note that since we moved to our new studio more than two years ago, we now have over 100,000 hits on our website. Continuing the quotes, looking further afield on the internet, our broadcasts are worldwide and our regular top four online are the UK, USA, Europe and India. We also have listeners in Australia. I don't really know why we have listeners in India, he says, but it may possibly be a link to the people who live there and it allows their relatives to listen, but India has always figured in the top three or four close quotes and there's a wee exercise for somebody to find out why India listens to the crystal FM. Good stuff, Colin. Finally, Deputy Presiding Officer, I commend all who work at crystal FM, the volunteers, the donors and the listeners who make it all worthwhile and I wish them many more decades ahead. Thank you very much. Thank you, Ms Graham. I now call Claire Hockey to be followed by Craig Hoyt, Ms Hockey. Thank you, Presiding Officer. I would like to congratulate Christine Grahame on securing today's debate and I too pay tribute to crystal FM based in the member's constituency for winning the best community radio broadcast award. Community radio stations provide a voice for our local communities and for my speech today I want to highlight and celebrate one of the UK's licensed community radio stations, Cam Glen Radio, which is based in my constituency. Cam Glen Radio, as the name suggests, primarily serves the areas of Camposlang and Rutherglen in my constituency, as well as surrounding localities broadcasting on 107.9 FM locally and worldwide online. Part of the brilliant local third sector organisation Healthy and Happy Community Development Trust, Cam Glen Radio has broadcast since 2007 and became a full-time service in 2015. As it says in their website, the station's purpose is to address inequality and improve wellbeing, and they do that through supporting local people to be active and involved by providing media training and skill building as a pathway to employment and by using radio to connect people and communities. Presiding Officer, on that last point, community radio will play a crucial role in fostering a sense of belonging and interaction amongst its listeners. At a time when radio is dominated by large media conglomerates, which are more focused on regional, national or global news, community radio stations very often tell the stories of local significance that wouldn't be picked up elsewhere. Cam Glen Radio offers a variety of programming, including music spanning different genres, talk shows covering local news, history and events, and speciality programmes catering to specific interests within the community. Not only that, the radio station provides local people with vital opportunities and experiences. Cam Glen Radio helps the volunteers to develop their radio skills, covering all aspects of radio operations from planning and presenting shows through to editing, production and broadcast support. Whether it's learning how to host a radio show, produce compelling stories or operate technical equipment, community radio stations play a vital role in nurturing the next generation of broadcasters and journalists within our communities, or even providing local people with transferable skills to take into whatever career path they choose. Since starting, Cam Glen Radio has given the opportunity to local primary and secondary schools to take over the airways and produce their own shows. Some of the skills in my constituency that I have made content on Cam Glen Radio over the years include Newton Farm, James Aitons since Brides, Halside, Burra, Bankhead, Calderwood, Caernes, St Markson and St Anthony's primaries, as well as Rutherglen, Cathgin and Trinity High Schools. Two of my own sons took great pride and pleasure in presenting shows with their classmates from St Colin Hill's primary school some years ago. Community radio, such as local newspapers, connect people to the stories in a way that national media cannot. People may feel that articles and stories are abstract, and they may feel disconnected if the issues at hand aren't local to them. Community radio stations such as Cam Glen Radio ground stories within the heart of the communities they serve. One of my constituents, Dr Janice Ross, wrote her doctoral thesis on community radio, the first person to do so in the country. Janice is currently interviewing local refugee women whom she has met and befriended through her local volunteering to learn more about their experiences, their journeys to these shores and how they have adapted to life in Scotland. This series of programmes will provide a unique personal, social and political history archive and will be broadcast on the radio station in the coming months. This highlighting of an amplification of diverse local voices is what makes Cam Glen Radio what it is and why community radio is much loved across Scotland. Presiding Officer, I too have had the pleasure of being on Cam Glen Radio a couple of times over the years, the first of which was when I was interviewed by the late Bob Rowett just before the 2016 election. Bob Rowett was rather glen in Cambus Lang's answer to Jeremy Paxman, having hosted many local political hustings that Cam Glen Radio broadcast. He was a very astute interviewer and kept many local candidates on their toes. Cam Glen Radio, like so many other community radio stations, play a vital role in our democratic process, promoting informed decision making amongst voters and holding us politicians to account. In concluding, Presiding Officer, I would like to again thank Christine Grahame for securing today's debate. I'm sure that Cam Glen Radio will give Crystal Radio a run for their money at next year's awards ceremony. Thank you. I call Craig Hoy to be followed by Foisal Tragedy. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'd like to echo those thanks to Christine Grahame for bringing forward this important debate. Like Ms Grahame, I would like to add my wholehearted congratulations to all the volunteers at Crystal FM on winning the Best Community Radio Broadcaster Award at the SME News Scottish Enterprise Awards for the second year running and for the energy that they bring to doing so and the energy that the member has brought to the debate today. The award recognises the innovation excellence and dedication that the volunteers bring to providing the best and most outstanding services to clients and customers. It's crystal clear to me that Crystal FM does truly represent the very best of community radio. As Christine Grahame said, the station has been operating for the past 11 years providing a service for the people of Penicook, the surrounding area and the world, thanks to Alexa. Given that I've got friends and family in India, I will set about trying to find out why there are so many tuning in from there. Obviously Penicook Community Education Association as a licensee of Crystal FM ensures that this important community broadcasting service continues principally for the local area. I'm alert to the funding concerns that the member has raised. I hope that the minister recognising however tight the creative budget is in Scotland would look to see what he can do to support the directors and volunteers right across Scotland to deliver community radio services. I will certainly. Christine Grahame. I don't know if there's a solution to this to say to the member, but do you agree with me that it's rather tough that they have to pay some substantial amounts in vat and simply because they're not an income generating business, they can't even apply to register. I wonder if, with his strong communication, I'm sure with his colleagues at Westminster you might be able to pursue this. Absolutely well, I've already suggested to the Treasury that it should be cutting vat for our hard pressed hospitality businesses here in Scotland, and I'm happy to add our community radio services to those discussions. Now, obviously, the Crystal FM service benefits hugely from the support of local businesses, patrons, listeners, friends and volunteers. It's their unwavering assistant commitment that ensures that it can continue to serve members of the local community with a broadcasting service, which provides, as Christine Grahame also said, hands-on training, inclusion, life-long learning and information. Someone who went to Lasswade High was good to hear that those who are following my footsteps at that vulnerable institution are also getting access to radio services as well. Now, the radio station also doesn't just cover local issues. It raises greater awareness of global and national events. Obviously, you're on your way to work, as many of us are, and you're being held up at Sheriff's Hall roundabout. It's good to hear that Colin McCall will keep you updated on just how long you might be held at that roundabout. Colin, as Christine Grahame said, is now in his eightieth year, and is a former primary school teacher who founded the station, and I'd like to express our gratitude to him, because we know that he needs somebody at the centre to drive these community initiatives forward. Obviously, if you like rock and metal, Snoddy Mark, Snodgrass, his show is on at 10pm on Wednesday nights, and that will keep you rocking long after my bedtime. If you'd like to rather listen to folk music, then Johnny Ward presents Petland Folk on a Thursday and Saturday afternoon. I'm a huge fan of community and local radio, not least because it was in community and local radio that I cut my teeth journalistically. It was on Edinburgh University's student FM that I took to the microphone for the first time, presenting a late-night cooking programme without any of the supporting materials in order to narrate how to make a luxury omlet in a student budget. I didn't even have a spoon or a stove in the studio, but my mother still believed that I'd actually managed to rustle up a late-night lobster omlet. I doubt that any listeners tried to make it, and in fact I doubt there were many listeners at all, but it was a good place to make early journalistic mistakes. I had more luck at Radio 4, where I learned at the knee of the great David Johnson, the then news editor, or Dial David, as he was known. It was wonderful when I was working on a Sunday's on his Sunday call-in show when Tam from Llymlythgo would religiously dial in, and then the unmistakable voice of Tam Diall from Llymlythgo would then boom out to our listeners. David is no longer on our radios, but it's nice to see him frequently in East Lothian as a trustee and honorary flagmaster of the Saltaire Heritage Centre in Elsinford. Deputy Presiding Officer, local and community radio stations have been, and will continue, even in the digital age, to remain an important part of our community. For example, in East Lothian we see Radio Saltaire and East Coast FM all broadcasting to residents. A quick glance at Crystal FM's website and Facebook page confirms the important role that it is providing within Penicook and much further afield promoting local events, upcoming shows, local football, rugby, cricket team wins, draws and occasionally losses. I once again congratulate all at Crystal FM for the important work that they are doing to share news and in entertaining listeners. The award is well deserved and long may their success continue. Thank you Mr Hoy. I now call Foisal Chowdhury to be followed by Jamie Greene. Mr Chowdhury. Thank you Deputy Presiding Officer. I began by congratulating both Christian Graham on bringing this motion to the chamber and the Crystal FM on winning the award for best community radio broadcast at the SME News Scottish Enterprise Awards for the second year running. A station that came to be when Ofcom refused to extend the signal of another. It is a true do-it-yourself story to be proud of. With over 50 presenter and 24-7 programming it is impressive how Crystal FM have been able to mobilise the community to make this project a success. It is a great achievement and reflective of the dedication of everyone who gives their time to the station. Community radio stations such as Crystal FM are great in helping people of all ages develop new skills like my colleague Craig Hoy. Meet new people and increase their confidence. This belief is held by ScotSew. A 2012 Scottish Government review of community radio found 49% of people saying it was important to have a community radio station in their area. As other members will know Crystal FM was formed when a handful of volunteers donated £100 each. As most community stations are run on the good will of their volunteers and donations, they are free from commercial influences. This freedom lets communities create programming which truly represent them. It also allows for a wider variety of programming with Crystal FM broadcasting shows containing reggae and running runway. With the internet, the barrier to entry for new stations has never been lower. Independent stations such as Crystal FM should be welcomed. They give communities the opportunity for self-expression and foster arts and culture across Scotland. Community radio is also active in Lothian with stations such as EHFM and Black Diamond FM. Indeed Black Diamond FM's work experience scheme for high school people is an example of how community stations can do great work for their local area. EHFM also celebrated its five-year anniversary last year. They allow local artists to submit their music to be played on the station. Further developing the city's music scene and Edinburgh's statue as a culture hub. It is clear that community stations do great work in helping people develop new skills and foster culture across Scotland. I reiterate my congratulations to all who have worked to bring this award to Crystal FM. They have created something very special. I wish them all the best in the future broadcast and look forward to turning on. Thank you. Members will forgive me. I wasn't scheduled to speak in this debate, so I'm going to subject you to one of my... I wrote it during FMQ speeches, but I felt this was a really important debate to participate in, at least because I have a huge personal interest in local and community radio. I want to thank Christine Grahame for bringing this motion to us to commend Crystal FM on its achievement. We've heard a little bit more about some of the other community radio stations that are thriving in our communities, not despite and in face of the many challenges that they have. Of course, it would be remiss of me not to use this opportunity to plug some of my own community radio stations. I know the cabinet secretary is fully expecting me to do so because he will refer to him in his closing comments. I know this. To Clyde Coast Radio out of Port Glasgow. I know he loves this station because their local MP, Ronnie Cowan, has a resident slot on the station, alas they're yet to ring me, but I'm very welcome to come and do a show if they want me to. What's really interesting is that when, obviously, technology means they're broadcasting on FM, but being able to broadcast online does open your reach right across the world. In fact, they have listeners in New Zealand, Canada, Spain and France, amongst other countries. Of course, some of that is diaspora. It will be greener crime reclied residents or relatives who want to know what's going on in their local communities. That really reiterates the importance of it. For example, the Greenwick Telegraph local newspaper is read by people all over the world. They have subscribers across the globe. That's the case, too, of local radio. I also am really surprised to hear that we do harbour our own very own Julia Child here in the chamber who took to the radio waves to teach people how to cook. Thank goodness they couldn't see the products of that effort. Such as the nature of radio or indeed the taste. Mr Greene, can I remind all members of the need to treat each other with courtesy and with respect to Mr Boyle? Apologies to Julia Child for the reference in that respect. I'd really want to make some important points about community radio. There are over 300 community radio stations operating across the UK. Many have tried and failed over the years for some of the reasons that have been quite eloquently illustrated. My own personal experience takes me right back to being a teenager when I got involved in local radio. I was very heavily involved in hospital radio, which also still thrives to an extent, and Inverclyde Royal hospital radio was my starting point for a career in media and broadcast. I then did work experience in a number of local radio stations, and I remember our first local community radio station, which was Tall Ship's FM in 1999, which was a short-term licence station off the back of a very big and successful local event which attracted tens of thousands of visitors to Greenock. But that inspiration weren't running around chasing after people with a microphone sitting there in front of a red light knowing that you have to speak, otherwise silence is your death. It was very much an inspiration and it really gave me the motivation to seek more formal education and experience as my career moved on and to radio and then into television as well. So it really is a starting point that can input and ingrain young people the inspiration that they need, that this is something you can do anyone from any background can sit in front of a microphone and with the right experience make a success in a career out of it, and many people do. But the challenges they face are plenty. There is a consultation undergoing at the moment. Ofcom are looking at new ways of licensing this. There have been various models over the years. Some I think have been quite successful. Various grants have been available over the years, but it is never enough. It often relies on the ability to commercialise in any way you can through small local advertising or through philanthropy or indeed through other funding nature such as the national lottery and the postcode lottery. We have also helpfully funded many of those. I do hope that Ofcom will be looking carefully at how they make licensing appropriate, how they make it easy and accessible and also how we make better use of new technologies to reach wider audiences as well. It is a very difficult landscape. All local radio has gone through a very difficult time of the last 20 years. That consolidation of networks, that reducing of bigger private ownership has taken out a lot of local news production. The same is true of local television as well and local news gathering. Those are very common issues that they face. But what I hope is that both Governments will look at any way they can, whether it is the VAT issue, whether it is grant funding, whether it is off-combed licensing regimes, whether it is how we can invest the skills and technology in those communities. I want to see that community station network thrive and survive and not have to face the fierce competition of the very well-funded large networks or indeed the public service broadcasters who seem to have bottomless pits of money to produce and pay their presenters. Those are all run by volunteers. You should never forget that. It is important to educate the local communities and the local communities that rely on the local news with the charitable organisations that are off and on. Of course, to listen to some good music and good chat and banter, as we have heard, and anyone that has ever listened to sunny government in Glasgow will know that the banter really is fantastic. I want to thank Christine Gaim for this very short debate and I really do hope that if we have this debate in the future we will have far more community radio stations to praise and talk about. Thank you, Mr Greene. I now invite the cabinet secretary, Angus Robertson, to respond to the debate around seven minutes. Please, cabinet secretary. I would like to thank Christine Gaim for bringing this motion to the Parliament this afternoon and to all those from across the chamber who have contributed on a subject that is close to my heart as a former radio broadcaster by profession. To all colleagues of their contributions to Claire Hawke, to Craig Hoy, to Faisal Chowdry, to Jamie Greene. I am sure that I speak on behalf of every member of the chamber when I say that it would be very grateful if Craig Hoy would share a link to his Edinburgh University cookery programme. I am sure that we would all enjoy listening to that. I agree with all members that community radio stations play an important part in the social fabric of Scotland. Community radio has an important role in the lives of its listeners and it creates a sense of connection to others in their community. It promotes local activity and it encourages engagement. Its enduring importance in Scotland can be seen in the growing number of stations as of March 23. There are 32 community radio stations broadcasting in Scotland. There was almost double the number a decade ago and many of them were quite rightly name-checked in the course of proceedings today. According to a recent study published by the University of Northampton there is a high level of trust amongst listeners. People act on information provided. Significant numbers of listeners have been directly helped in employment in health and in other areas thanks to the information heard and trusted on local community radio. The small, usually volunteer-led organisations provide a vital resource not only for the local communities that they serve but also to the Scottish music industry by providing a platform for emerging artists. I am delighted to congratulate Crystal FM on their second year running as the best community radio broadcaster and the SME News Scottish Enterprise Awards. The accolade is hard-earned with a station running 24 hours a day saved in seven days a week including original and locally produced output with important objectives including facilitating discussion providing training and strengthening links within the community and as we have heard even as far away as Kirk Coddy. The Scottish Government recognises that culture as communities should respond to the ambition, need and challenges of our respective communities and Crystal FM Penicook have demonstrated that they are doing just that. Our culture strategy makes clear that our ambition is for everyone in Scotland to experience culture and the empowering potential that it holds for communities across the country and we can all acknowledge culture's unique power to inspire, to enrich to transform our lives not only as individuals but also for the collective wellbeing of our communities. The Scottish Government strongly supports broadcasting and the important role that the distinct and essential services provided by broadcasters have in Scotland in relation to our audiences and the creative sector and we engage closely with the media regulator OFCOM to ensure that Scottish interests are fully considered and this week indeed I met with Melanie Dawes, the chief executive of OFCOM to discuss their future plans in Scotland. I value OFCOM's initiatives to improve and support community radio ensuring that stations can focus on delivering social gain to our target communities and I'd also like to take this opportunity as has already been mentioned by Jamie Eggreen to encourage those with an interest to respond to OFCOM's consultation on the key commitments for community radio. I set out in the building a new Scotland paper on culture nearly nine in ten of us listened to the radio weekly for an average of almost 19 hours yet broadcasting remains reserved and decision making on key issues sits with the UK Government. With independence the Scottish Government could build on the strengths of the current broadcasting model and use new powers to develop a broadcasting strategy that better reflects and prioritises the specific needs and interests of Scottish audiences and our creative economy. Today we are celebrating Crystal FM, Colin McCall, station coordinator and his great team of over 50 volunteers. The Scottish Government values the skills, the kindness, the commitment of our volunteers and we recognise the difference that they make to people's lives and appreciate all who give their time to volunteer and to make things better for others. Volunteering is the power to make an impact on both society and our wellbeing and is one of the most rewarding things that we can do. It makes vital contributions to health and wellbeing for those who volunteer and those who gain from that support. Volunteering brings communities together and helps people to feel valued and part of something good. It also brings generations together and creates a greater sense of belonging. We recognise the value of volunteering and the role of community-based organisations to deliver positive social impact. Furthermore, I am delighted by the fact that Crystal FM presenters are reaching not only their community in Midlothian but listeners across Europe, North America, Australia and India demonstrating that Scotland's culture and creative sector is respected the world over for its creative output. I recognise this today that the Scottish Government publishes Inspiring Connections Scotland's international culture strategy 2024 to 2030. This is the first time that the Scottish Government has set out a strategic approach to international cultural activity and while we supported the sector's international work, this new strategy aims to maximise its potential and provide coherence to our approach. In conclusion, I look forward to hearing what countries will be added to the future list of listeners. I wish the team at Crystal FM all the best going forward and that the Scottish Government truly values the importance of their work and agrees with the member that radio stations are an important part of local communities and thanks all involved for their continuing efforts. I would like to thank Christine Grahame again for securing the debate which is provided with the opportunity to celebrate not only the success of the community radio right across Scotland. Thank you very much. That concludes the debate and I suspend this meeting until 2.30pm.