Decision No: CAB112 - 12/2008

Forward Plan No: HL03235

This record relates to A07 on the agenda for the Decision-Making

RECORD OF EXECUTIVE DECISION

22/12/2008  

DECISION-MAKER:

THE CABINET  

PORTFOLIO AREA:

Housing and Local Services  

SUBJECT:

Communal Television System Upgrade in readiness for Digital Switchover  

AUTHOR:

Keith Meredith  

THE DECISION

To approve the proposals / recommendations contained in the report without modification as set out below.
(i) To agree to install a new digital TV system based on an Integrated Reception System+ (IRS+) with an option for contractors to add any additional services and infrastructure options they can offer.

(ii) To agree that the tender process will ask for two pricing options, one for a capital purchase, the other for a leasing arrangement. The choice of which procurement option to be pursued will be taken on the advice of the Head of Property and Procurement.

(iii) To agree that there is a no opt out option given to tenants ensuring all properties are connected to the system to cater for potential future tenant requirements not just existing and require all tenants to pay for the service through a service charge.

(iv) To agree to recommend to Council that £2.6M be added to the HRA capital programme phased £0.8M in 2009/10, £1.0M in 2010/11 and £0.8M in 2011/12, which is funded by prudential borrowing so that the option of proceeding with the capital purchase option is retained.
 

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

1. Terrestrial analogue television signals are being replaced with digital within the Meridian area in 2012. The Council needs to install a new digital TV system to ensure all the properties on the existing Virgin Media communal television system are set up to receive a digital TV signal come 2012.
2. Southampton City Council owns and manages approximately 13,000 individual properties on the communal television system of which 99% of these are on a cable service currently provided by Virgin Media.

3. The current Virgin Media cable system provides the 5 terrestrial TV signals (BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, CH4 and CH5) but does not give access to the digital ‘Freeview’ channels. Plugging a digital TV or set-top box into a non digital communal receiving system will not enable digital signals to be received.
4. Tenants have indicated they are not happy with the current system and wish to have access to the digital TV services.
 

DETAILS OF ANY ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

During this project the following options have been considered and explained to tenants but due to responses made and greater benefits being identified from the IRS+ system these were rejected.
• Aerial
• Cable
• Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)
These options have not been recommended for one or more of the following reasons; not addressing the ever increasing dish proliferation issues across the City and the possible contravention of planning laws this brings; not providing the same level of service for all tenants i.e. Tower block residents; the Tenant consultation process not indicating these as preferred options; not future proofing the system for technological changes and possible television broadcasting developments. A detailed explanation of all the options is included in appendix 1.
 

OTHER RELEVANT MATTERS CONCERNING THE DECISION

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The decision-maker(s) did not declare a personal or prejudicial interest in the matters set out in the report  

CONFIRMED AS A TRUE RECORD:

We certify that the decision this document records was made in accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000 and is a true and accurate record of that decision.

Date:

Decision Maker:

22/12/2008

The Cabinet

Proper Officer:

Judy Cordell

SCRUTINY

Note: This decision will come in to force at the expiry of 5 working days from the date of publication subject to any review under the Council's Scrutiny 'Call-In' provisions.

Call-In Period

23 December 2008 to 30 December 2008

Date of Call-in (if applicable) (this suspends implementation)

Call-in Procedure completed (if applicable)

Call-in heard by (if applicable)

Results of Call-in (if applicable)