Satellite and cable television

1. Statement of intent

1.1 The Council acknowledges that tenants will want to benefit from new technology and would not wish to discourage this. As a landlord it has a responsibility for its property and it needs to ensure that work done on the premises and equipment fixed to the structure does not cause damage or breach planning rules and this applies for individual requests for satellite dishes.

1.2 The Council provides cable television under contract with Virgin Media (previously NTL) to all its tenants in properties previously served by communal aerials with the intention of expanding the provision to cover all its stock in accordance with the Government's E-Agenda.

1.3 The Council will ensure that suitable technology is in place for tenants in blocks of flats to receive digital television by 2012.

Back to top

2. Detail

2.1 The Tenancy Conditions allow tenants to carry out minor works (which includes the installation of a TV Aerial, Satellite Dish or Cable TV Decoder Box) with the written consent of the Council.

2.2 By law, the Council cannot unreasonably withhold consent, but it may grant consent with reasonable conditions.

Back to top

3. Satellite television and aerials

3.1 Tenants in houses will be granted landlords permission as long as Planning consent has been obtained either by the General Development Order or by application to the Borough Planning Officer.

3.2 Tenants of flats or maisonettes will be granted landlord's permission subject to the dish/aerial being in a location acceptable to the council and also subject to Planning consent. If cable television is already available (under contract to Virgin Media) and there is a charge in the rent, this must still be paid as a condition of tenancy. Any permissions granted will be reviewed block by block as digital systems are made available by the Council.

3.3 Action to remove unauthorised dishes/aerials will be taken if the Borough Planning Officer requests it.

Back to top

4. Cable television

4.1 The Council has entered into a contract with Virgin Media to provide all those properties previously on communal aerials with cable television.

4.2 The contract supplies tenants with Virgin Media's "basic package" for a monthly charge and free installation.

4.3 The charge is recouped from tenants receiving the service at the rate of ?1.15 per week (subject to increase as the charge to us is increased by Virgin Media) with a discount of ?5 granted to the tenant on their monthly account from Virgin Media.

4.4 The Council will charge all tenants of properties within the Virgin Media contract irrespective of whether the tenant chooses to take advantage of the service.

Back to top

5. Key targets / standards

5.1 Requests for permission to erect dishes/aerials will receive a response within 14 days.

Date Approved: 18 September 1995
                               23 March 2005

Date Reviewed: 06 June 2003
                               14 March 2005
                               26 July 2007