TV Going Digital

As London prepares for the Olympic Games, so Poplar

HARCA is preparing for the Digital Switchover which also occurs in 2012.

A programme to convert all our homes has started and should be completed by 2011, in time for the switchover.

What does this mean?

New TV aerial systems are being installed to enable you to receive the new digital television programmes. You do not need to buy a new television.

There will be two ways of receiving your TV programmes:

We are installing a communal satellite dish as well as a communal aerial. This means you will be able to get the new digital TV through either:

a standard set-top box OR a satellite receiver, one of which you will need to buy.

Both are available from high street electrical stores. Set-top boxes cost from £20 upwards and satellite receivers between £30 and £40.

A note on reception

Satellite reception is much less prone to interference, especially as the number of building developments using cranes increases nearby, and new buildings get higher.

If you want Sky television you will not need to buy your own mini dish; you will be able to plug into our communal dish, but will need to subscribe.

The new systems Poplar HARCA is installing provide a TV connection as well as two satellite connections. This means you can have digital TV, Sky TV, Sky Plus HD or use the satellite connections for televisions in other rooms. The choice is yours.

Need more information?

For more detailed information please contact our TV boffin, Peter Harrold on 0800 035 1991.

Or you can go to the website: www.digitalUK.co.uk

If you are elderly (75 or over) or disabled you may be able to get help with the cost of a set-top box. To find out if you are eligible you can ring the Switchover Help Scheme on 0800 408 5900, go to the website above or

e-mail: info@helpscheme.co.uk

New lettings policy

Since 29 October 2010 there is a new lettings policy in Tower Hamlets.
New criteria are being used to decide who will be allocated housing from the 23,000 households on the Tower Hamlets Housing list. This includes all Poplar HARCA transfer applicants and anyone that is on the waiting list from a Poplar HARCA property.
A Frequently Asked Questions factsheet and a full version of the new Lettings Policy is available on the Tower Hamlets website,
www.towerhamlets.gov.uk and on
www.poplarharca.co.uk.
A dedicated call centre dealing with general enquiries relating to the new policy will be open from 8 November to 21 November
Opening hours
- Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm
- Saturday 9am to 12noon
(closed Sundays)
- Telephone: 020 7364 2826
Email: newlettingspolicy@towerhamlets.gov.uk
After 21 November 2010, when the dedicated call centre is closed, Poplar HARCA transfer
applicants with lettings and new policy enquiries should phone Poplar HARCA Lettings on 0800 035 1991 or visit a Lettings
Officer at
Home Choice,
60 Cordelia Street,
London E14 6AS
Monday to Friday
10.00am to 2.00pm

Message from our chair

Last year was an award winning year for our staff and residents.

One award we are particularly proud of winning was The Guardian Public Service Award 2009 for our Family Intervention Project. 

This initiative has a special place in our hearts as the idea;

-           was proposed by John Baker, one of our residents on the Aberfeldy Estate

-           received funding approval and backing from a majority of residents at our 2008 Residents' conference

-           has helped more than 50  people in the Poplar area.

It is a perfect example of what can be achieved if we listen to our residents and work in partnership. This project could not have worked without the specialist skills of Tower Hamlets Council’s Family Intervention Project Team.

Despite the challenging economic climate, Poplar HARCA has continued to move ahead with its regeneration plans for P oplar and provide excellent communtiy services for more residents than ever before.  We are committed to providing you with the best possible levels of service and this continues to be our focus.

This year value for money has been at the forefront of everyone's mind. Both our officers and residents have been carefully scrutinsing our services to make sure they are good value for money. 

Having recently sent you the "Every Resident Matters Report", which sets out resident approved standards for all our services, we are not providing an annual report calendar this year.  Instead we have included the performance figures, financial statement and review of the year from April 2009 to March 2010 in this issue of HARCA Life. We feel this provides better value for you.  We hope you agree with our decision.

l look forward to the year ahead and  working with you, our staff, boards and partners.

Bernadette Conroy

Chair