TV Licence article Discussion

Cornucopia

There's something particularly (and peculiarly) controversial about the way that Capita and the BBC operate TV Licence enforcement.

Pretty much every aspect of it raises legal, ethical and/or practical questions.

I doubt that it would make much difference if a different outsourcer was involved, or even if the BBC undertook enforcement in-house.

Nick_C

Lewie wrote: »

Wow! No wonder we are in such a mess. Local authorities are contracting loads out now.
I don't get it.
Capita have to employ people then make their rather large profit.
Why can't the local councils employ similar people themselves then they get the 'profit' and could put it back where it belongs?
Bizarre!!

Contracting out of Local Authority services dates back the Thatcher Government of the 90s, when 25% of Finance functions had to be put out to Tender (Compulsory Competitive Tendering). LAs at the time were generally inefficient, LA Managers generally lacked Private Sector experience and a commercial attitude. Many Councils didn't even try to keep their services in house, and the newly formed Capita (a management buy out of CIPFA Consultancy) swallowed up contracts left right and centre, sometimes in highly questionable circumstances.

Local Government has improved beyond all recognition over the last 25 years, largely due to the requirement to compete with the private sector. Some authories have now taken services back in house, running them cheaper and providing better services than private companies.

Kensington & Chelsea's Tenant Management Organisation was set up in that era to keep management of that Council's housing stock out of the hands of the private sector, giving more power to tenants and leaseholders in the process. The arrangement worked well until the Grenfell Tragedy resulted in RBKC and Central Government looking for scapegoats.

[Deleted User]

Nick_C wrote: »

Funded by the government suggests paid for from government funds.

The Government have no funds. All the money the Government spends, is taxpayer's money.

[Deleted User]

Today sees me reach 10 years LLF. :j

oldernonethewiser

New year, new letter. I am being given "10 days to get correctly licensed"


That's is sweet of them.



"If you think you don't need a licence, you should tell us in the next 10 days so we can update our records"


I know, not think, I don't need a licence.



So once again they can f*** off.

Mistral001

Cornucopia wrote: »

There's something particularly (and peculiarly) controversial about the way that Capita and the BBC operate TV Licence enforcement.

Pretty much every aspect of it raises legal, ethical and/or practical questions.

I doubt that it would make much difference if a different outsourcer was involved, or even if the BBC undertook enforcement in-house.

The BBC has nothing to do with enforcing the TV Licence. They may run adverts for methods of payment of the licence but that is not enforcement.

Nick_C

Mistral001 wrote: »

The BBC has nothing to do with enforcing the TV Licence. They may run adverts for methods of payment of the licence but that is not enforcement.

Wrong.

"TV Licensing has a number of roles and responsibilities ... We're also responsible for identifying people who aren't correctly licensed and prosecuting people who evade paying their TV Licence."

"'TV Licensing' is a trade mark of the BBC and is used under licence by companies contracted by the BBC to administer the collection of the television licence fee and enforcement of the television licensing system."

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/our-roles-and-responsibilities-AB3

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/who-we-are-AB4

Mistral001

Nick_C wrote: »

Wrong.

"TV Licensing has a number of roles and responsibilities ... We're also responsible for identifying people who aren't correctly licensed and prosecuting people who evade paying their TV Licence."

"'TV Licensing' is a trade mark of the BBC and is used under licence by companies contracted by the BBC to administer the collection of the television licence fee and enforcement of the television licensing system."

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/our-roles-and-responsibilities-AB3

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/who-we-are-AB4

Well that is a surprise. Looks like the BBC is in control of what everybody can legally watch on their TV receiver, whether it be BBC or ITV or whatever channel. That surely has to change. Little wonder this only in the small print. Thanks for pointing it out.

FreeBear

Mistral001 wrote: »

Looks like the BBC is in control of what everybody can legally watch on their TV receiver, whether it be BBC or ITV or whatever channel.

<pendant mode=on>
The BBC has no control over what you watch, nor does any other body/person. The BBC is only tasked to collect the licence fee from those that are legally required to pay it in order to watch live broadcast programmes. The content is outside the control of the BBC.


If you want to watch cute kittens on Youtube, there is no one (or law) to stop you.

Mistral001

FreeBear wrote: »

<pendant mode=on>
The BBC has no control over what you watch, nor does any other body/person. The BBC is only tasked to collect the licence fee from those that are legally required to pay it in order to watch live broadcast programmes. The content is outside the control of the BBC.


If you want to watch cute kittens on Youtube, there is no one (or law) to stop you.

Pedant mode also on. When I mentioned "receiver" I was referring to a television receiver receiving broadcasts from the air.

I am of a generation when a "receiver" meant just that. And also when the GPO would enforce TV Licencing.