Website help

How do I get around this site?

To move around the site, click on the menu items with your mouse. The main menu is on the left. When you have clicked on a main menu item, a sub-menu appears. Sometimes a section will have more links at the top of the main text area.

Whenever your cursor looks like a hand rather than an arrow, it means you can click and go to another page. Links in the text areas are underlined.

Once you have left the home page, you'll notice that a line of text at the top left of each page shows you which section you are in. The words are links and can be used to trace your steps back to the home page.

You can also use the back button on your browser to return to the page you last visited.

Using the search box

You will find a green box inviting you to 'search this site' at the top right hand corner of most web pages on the Tower Hamlets website. Using the site search is often the quickest route to the information you are looking for.

To use the site search, type in a word or phrase relating to the information you are looking for into the search box and then click the 'go' button. A list of links to pages containing your search word will come up.

What is the A-Z of services

Tower Hamlets provides a range of services for residents and local businesses which can be searched for via the A-Z of services. Type in a word or phrase relating to the information you are looking for into the search box and then click the 'go' button.

A list of services containing your search word will come up.

We've added direct links to relevant entries in the Services A-Z at the bottom of some pages, so look out for these too.

What are PDFs and how do I read them?

PDF stands for Portable Document File. It's an established way of publishing documents on the web and retaining their original printed look. We've used PDFs on the site for application forms for certain services for you to print off and return to us by mail.

You need a plug-in called Adobe Acrobat to read these files. This is available to download free of charge at www.adobe.com.

How can I view a Word file if I don't have Microsoft Word software?

Microsoft has made a free Word Viewer available to download.

How can I view an Excel file if I don't have Microsoft Word software?

Microsoft has made a free Excel Viewer available to download.

The text is too small for me to read - how can I change it?

In Internet Explorer go to View > Text size and select the text size, e.g. Larger or Largest

My browser out of date - how can I get a new one?

This site is designed to be viewed using version 4 and above of Internet and Netscape browsers.

The latest versions of Internet Explorer and Netscape can be downloaded free of charge from their web sites:

Internet Explorer
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx

Mozilla Firefox
www.mozilla-europe.org/en/

Google Chrome
http://www.google.com/chrome

Safari

http://www.apple.com/safari/

You'll also find that lots of the computer magazines for sale in newsagents include CDs with copies of the latest browsers.

Reporting a website problem

If you notice any problems with the Tower Hamlets Council website please email the web team at webteam@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Website information in community languages

If you need to contact Tower Hamlets Council in your own language use our Council Hotline telephone numbers .

This website is speech enable with Browsealoud. Browsealoud reads web pages aloud for people who find it difficult to read English online. Visit the Browsealoud website to download this free plug in.