28/02/2008

SBHA accused of profiteering over digital TV switchover

Scottish Borders Housing Association has been accused of profiteering from the forthcoming digital TV switchover after it notified tenants in properties it oversees that they will have to pay over £500 each for a share of a communal aerial.

Residents are understood to be furious over the proposals that were notified to them in a letter from the housing association issued last week.

In one block of flats in Galashiels residents have been asked to share a bill of over £3,000 for one communal aerial. SNP MSP Christine Grahame who is currently undertaking an extensive consultation on television and radio services in the region said:

“I think there is little doubt SBHA, or whoever they have awarded the contract to, are attempting to profiteer from the Digital TV switchover that will take place on 6th November this year.

“They claim the cost of these communal aerials has been obtained through a ‘competitive tendering process’ yet most residents have no idea what this entailed or who was involved.

“I think SBHA have a duty, in the interests of transparency and openness, to disclose the details of that, given it is SBHA residents who are being asked to pay the bill. So far they are being left in the dark, and unless they fork out hundreds of pounds will be left without any TV signal after November.

“I have expressed concern from the start of the process towards the digital switchover that it would be open to abuse with vulnerable people becoming victims of unscrupulous practices by organisations and individuals looking to exploit the changeover for financial gain.

“I cannot see how an aerial serving six properties could possibly cost over £3000 unless SBHA have themselves slipped up in their tendering process or are themselves profiteering from the change.

“I am currently undertaking a very large consultation exercise in the region covering the whole issue of broadcasting and I would urge constituents to respond and give me their views on this and other areas related to the TV and radio service currently on offer.”

Over 40,000 consultation papers have been issued to people in the Scottish Borders asking for their views.

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Note to Editors:
SBHA wrote to residents in February. In one letter to a resident in Galashiels SBHA “planning and cyclical” official wrote: “Prices have been obtained through competitive tendering and therefore we can offer to include your share of the elements in the programme for the sum of £516.24 per property” [£3097.44 for the block of six].

SNP It’s time.....