The Legislative Reform (Renewal of Radio Licences) Order 2020

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order is made under section 1 of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 (c. 51) and concerns radio licences granted under the Broadcasting Act 1990 (c. 42). References to the section numbers in the following paragraphs are to sections of the 1990 Act.

National radio licences granted under section 86 are renewable under section 103A and further renewable on two occasions for not more than 7 and 5 years under section 103B. Article 3 of this Order amends section 103B to allow for a further renewal on a third occasion and for such a renewal to be for a period of not more than 10 years.

A local licence granted under section 86 before 8th April 2010 (the date on which the insertions of sections 104A(1A) and 104AA came into force) may be renewed under section 104A for 12 years and further renewed under section 104AA for periods of not more than 7 and 5 years. Article 5 of this Order amends section 104AA to allow for a further renewal on a third occasion and for such a renewal to be for a period of not more than 10 years.

A local licence granted on or after 8th April 2010 may be renewed under section 104AA on one occasion for a period of not more than 7 years. Article 5 of this Order amends section 104AA to allow for a further renewal on a second occasion for a period of not more than 5 years and on a third occasion for a period of not more than 10 years.

Article 4 of this Order amends section 104A to allow for the nomination of a small-scale radio multiplex service in relation to a licence renewed under that section and to a licence renewed under section 104AA.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private or voluntary sector is foreseen.