Digital switchover: plugged in or turned off?

Only 76% of social landlords have started preparations for digital switchover – a drop of 10% compared to March 2009. 24housing can exclusively reveal the results of the latest survey of the sector from Sky, which will be published in full later this month. Jane Gething-Lewis reports.

Sky’s latest survey appears to show that almost a quarter of social landlords are yet to start switchover preparations; even fewer than figures suggested in March last year.

The roles, rights and responsibilities for landlords in providing access to digital services are “clearly laid out in leases and tenancy agreements”, so the consequences of blank screens will go beyond the wrath of disgruntled tenants.

Time to press the big red panic button? Not necessarily, according to Head of Sky Homes, Pascal Wharton: “Over 600 of the UK’s largest social landlords responded to this survey as opposed to 400 at the beginning of 2009,” he explains.

“It would appear that the additional landlords who took part this time are less prepared, and have brought the overall average down. However, it’s more useful to look at the new figures on a regional basis, focusing on how close to actual switchover the landlords are.

“If switchover is fast approaching in a region and a large number of social landlords are not prepared, then obviously there is a problem. On the other hand, if your switchover date isn’t until 2011/2012, then it’s not so worrying.

“Our data seems to show that the regions closest to their switchover dates are the ones that are most prepared, so I don’t feel there is any major concern.“

Headlines will no doubt later this month scream reproach at the sector for such seemingly shoddy forward thinking. But the facts behind the statistics broadcast a much sharper picture, according to Mr Wharton.

“If you look at where social landlords are compared to the private managing agents, they’re leagues ahead,” he says. “The social sector is much more aware and much better prepared.”

Mr Wharton is impressed with the creative approach driven by social landlords, who are leading with innovations like “buying groups” which radically speed up the procurement process on behalf of a number of organisations. A buying group – such as Fusion 21 or Northern Housing Consortium - can achieve in 3 weeks what would typically take up to a year for individual landlords.

“We have three customer groups: new-build, the private sector and the social sector. Of these, social landlords are the least of our worries,” says Pascal Wharton.

One landlord well ahead of the game is Leeds Council, who started switchover preparations in all of its social housing at the beginning of 2006 and finished all necessary work by the end of 2007– even though switchover wasn’t due to take place until 2011.

Leeds may be the exception, and while Sky are complimentary about the sector as a whole, Mr Wharton says there are some serious concerns. “There are definitely some landlords who are not going to make it on time, but we are talking to them. It’s the ones who we haven’t spoken to, who haven’t engaged in the survey, who we are concerned about.”

“However, to the best of Sky’s knowledge only one very small development, situated in the Border region, has so far been left with blank TV screens to date.”

Those landlords who are dragging their heels could find themselves with slapped wrists, according to Frances Kneller, who is Head of Housing and Property for Digital UK, the not-for-profit company leading the switchover project. “We have to report to the government at key milestones,” she explains.

“If an organisation is not willing or able to do the work, then we are required to refer it to either the CLG, the TSA or the devolved government of that area because it is seen as very important that people should get the service they expect.

“We have had to do that on one occasion but that was basically a misunderstanding and subsequently resolved. But there is an escalation policy in place.”

Frances Kneller is also positive about how social landlords are tackling the switch. “Awareness is now very high and increasing numbers of people are watching at least one tv set with digital services so about 89% of households are already at least partially digital.

“By default, residents will be asking for those services. Organisations want to provide the services they know tenants will be asking for, and they also want to get value for money so recognise if they leave it late in the day, installers could be more difficult to find and more expensive, so we do have quite a lot of forward thinking, positive thinking housing organisations.”

Frances Kneller says her advice to landlords is to look beyond the technical installations. “For those who have upgraded their systems already, my message is to make sure that your staff can give independent informed advice to residents. We’re here to help with training and support if needed.”

While Pascal Wharton from Sky Homes is casually confident that the new survey results paint a more positive picture than the headline figure may suggest, he’s urging those landlords who are avoiding the issue to get tuned in. “It’s the ones who we haven’t spoken to, who haven’t engaged in the survey, who we are concerned about. The fact that they haven’t taken part indicated to me that they have a greater likelihood of not being ready.

“But overall social landlords really are a professional bunch and I’m glad they’re ahead of the game.”

ARE YOU TUNED IN TO DIGITAL SWITCHOVER?

• In September 2005, the Government confirmed that the UK would switch from analogue to fully digital television between 2008 and 2012.
• Switchover will extend digital terrestrial television to 98.5% of UK households, the same as current analogue coverage. Viewers will need to have converted or upgraded their TV equipment to receive digital signals, through their aerial, by satellite, cable or broadband.
• The schedule is divided into 24 switchover projects across the 15 tv regions including:
1st to switch – (Nov 2007) Whithaven/Copeland, Cumbria
Just completed -(Nov/Dec 2009) - North Wales, Granada
Next due - (Spring 2010) – Granada, South Wales, West
Last to switch - (2012) – London, Tyne Tees, Ulster

HOMES SET FOR DIGITAL

What is it?
An accreditation scheme for public or private sector property managers and developers.

How does it work?
Organisations who can demonstrate they have taken all reasonable steps to be able to guarantee delivery of digital tv services to all homes they’re responsible for, at least three months in advance of switchover in their region are awarded the licence to use the HSFD certification mark.

How many rsl’s have achieved the accreditation?
Around 40 so far, including St Pancras & Humanist Housing Association and First Choice Homes Oldham (pic)

Resources:
Sky Homes http://communaltv.sky.com/
Digital UK www.digitaluk.co.uk
Homes set for digital www.digitaluk.co.uk/propertymanagers