Issue - meetings

This report outlines the options available to upgrade the communal aerials to blocks of flats in preparation for the switch over to a digital reception in 2011 and advises of the procurement process to appoint the contractor for the delivery of the digital infrastructure to tenants in blocks of flats.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Housing be advised to approve option three, to:

i)                    Approve the installation of Integrated Reception System (IRS) in council flats;

ii)                  Agree an increase in the service charge to 50p per week (48 weeks per year), the increase to commence from the start of the financial year following installation.

Decision of the Executive Member for Housing

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  The installation of the IRS will provide customers with the widest choice and offers the opportunity to take advantage of further technologies which will be advantageous to the customer and the Council.

Consideration was given to a report which outlined the options available to upgrade the communal aerials to blocks of flats in preparation for the switch over to a digital reception in 2011. It also advised Members of the procurement process to appoint the contractor for the delivery of the digital infrastructure to tenants in blocks of flats.

Members considered the following options:

Option one              Do nothing this is always an option but customers will have blank screens when the switch-over happens.

Option two               Head end upgrade, this is potentially the cheaper solution however it has a number of limitations.

Option threeIntegrated Reception System (IRS), this is the most expensive option however offers the greatest potential.

It was reported that the IRS system would ensure that those living in flats would have the same choices as those living in houses and would allow the council to ban dishes. To cover the initial costs a CRAM bid had been submitted and that this had been built into the Business Plan.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Housing be advised to approve option three, to:

i)                    Approve the installation of Integrated Reception System (IRS) in council flats; ¹⁾

ii)                  Agree an increase in the service charge to 50p per week (48 weeks per year), the increase to commence from the start of the financial year following installation. ²⁾

Decision of the Executive Member for Housing

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  The installation of the IRS will provide customers with the widest choice and offers the opportunity to take advantage of further technologies which will be advantageous to the customer and the council.