1. Newham Online Steering Group minutes & matters arising
1. The minutes of the meeting of 14th September were agreed.
2. (Ref 1.2) RJS still to write up draft policy on participation (was membership). He explained that he had started to do this but that the decisions made as to whether there would be a separate network management company (eg newham.net) were a major consideration.
3. (Ref 1.3) Promotional leaflet had been drafted. RJS to liase with Roger Whiteman re design & production.
4. (Ref 2.2) RJS to call a meeting of the Project Sub Committee
5. (Ref 3.7) Digital Twinning. RS said LBN was visiting Knowsley he would report back as it could be a possible partner,. MM had also recommended them. Others worth considering were Salford (RL very impressed with) and Sunderland. RS would also contact Arthur Anderson for suggestions
6. (Ref 3.8) Gateway. DB to call meeting with Richard Carde. RJS to go others as available.
7. (Ref 4.1) Private sector. MM reported that IBM contact had been ill but that he would follow up.
8. (ref 5.6) Promotional strategy had been put on web site.
2. Gateway & Extranet Project Report
1. Due to the offer letter not being received from GOL until the previous week a Project Sub Committee meeting had not happened which meant it was necessary to report to the Steering Group
2. RJS presented the progress report it focused on alterations to the project and the agreed main areas of work which were organisation, infrastructure, applications & content and user development.
3. The Steering Group noted the revised outputs and timetable negotiated with GOL. Outputs needed to be completed by June 2000 and financial completion was Dec. '99
4. It was agreed that we must progress the search engine project urgently. A meeting consisting of AN, DB and RJS with others as appropriate would be called by RJS in February would agree spec. and plan of action so as to be able to make recommendation to the next SG meeting.
5. The Steering Group noted the completion of the Network audit which had covered both infrastructure, applications and content.
3. Network audit
1. NW and RJS presented the results of the network audit. The printed report that was circulated is a confidential document and not for public use as the information was given by the various network managers on the basis of this understanding.
2. One of the main outputs of the audit was construction of a complete network model of the various WANs in Newham. The model was constructed by Marconi on the Mapinfo system from information provided by the network managers, demographic data and a local map. It was noted that we needed to discuss how best this model should be kept up to date and how the info could be used in terms of the roll out of DSL and other network developments.
3. The audit had demonstrated that there was going to be a considerable increase in local connectivity over the next two years, key elements of which being the connecting of all local schools and the rolling out of NHSNet. There also appeared to be considerable opportunities for increased efficiency, savings and enhanced services.
4. Network Infrasructure
1. There are four broad options for local network development, three of which needed to be evaluated in detail prior to implementation. These are :-
1. Do nothing

The networks would develop independently, there would be no extranet development and opportunities identified in the audit would be lost

2. Extranet with no permanent linking of WANs

This depends on using the Internet to facilitate all connectivity between the WANs but to agree common security systems. This sacrifices some of the potential cost savings identified and means that wide/broadband applications are impractical. However it would facilitate development of distributed extranet applications such as the Newham Learning Grid

3. Extranet with linking of existing WANs

This envisages physical connection of the WANs and peering agreements allowing free traffic between them. It provides opportunities for cutting down the cost of external connectivity by using caching, mirror sites etc. and supports wide/broadband applications.

4. Extranet with Metropolitan Area Network

This is the most radical alternative and envisages scrapping all existing WANs and creating a fibre ring linking the four local BT exchanges. This structure would permit the wide deployment of wide/broadband links through use of DSL and may very well lead to overall cost savings and improved service.

2. RJS said that options 2, 3 and 4 could be seen as a development path in that 2. Was a basic requirement, 3. Would permit the development of applications and assessment of demand whereas he thought it impractical to move straight to 4. whatever the benefits due to the organisational realities.
3. AN pointed out analogy with railways that had different gauges, even if option 4. was not immediately practical it could be a standard to work towards. JL agreed and stressed the importance of discussing option 4. with the network managers. Ideally Newham Online would be responsible for the core infrastructure.
4. An essential first issue was the need for a Trusted Third Party recognised by all WANs in order to enable the extranet security model to be put into effect. Many benefits to this, analogous to transferable tickets between trains and buses.
5. RS mentioned that the Council was considering moving to Internet telephony as its prime means of phone connectivity. RJS asked for further info on this to be made available as it would be important to all partners.
6. Agreed that RJS & NW should meet and discuss the report with all Network Managers - their most likely concerns were going to be security, manageability and the business case and these areas should now be focused on. Subsequently a meeting of the network managers should be arranged with technical input from Marconi, A mailing list should then be created for the Managers and institutional buy in to the agreed development model should then be obtained.
7. Agreed JL to approach Peter Horn re newham.org domain.
5. Applications
1. The key extranet applications identified so far were Council & Government services, Newham Learning Grid, Newham Creative Network, Newham Health Network, Newham Young People Online and a Newham Commerce Network. There is the possibility of using the Millennium Web site as a focus for a number of cross network projects and finally there is a considerable interest in a range of community focused services such as local history, listings and exchange and mart which would be obvious candidates for Newham Recorder involvement.
2. It was agreed to focus discussion on the Newham Learning Grid and Commerce Network
3. We noted that we had encourage an institutionally lead approach to creation of the NLG and in addition it was important to encourage a non institutional and informal approach. GD said that Libraries had a role to play in this. Queried why only Beckton had full connectivity as funds were available though it was recognised that not sufficient just to put PCs in libraries there had to be support.
4. JL said that mailing lists were a good basis for building learning communities and in this context 100 groups of 20 people were a lot more valuable than 2 x 1000 person lists. We need to be able to support users in achieving this. It was recognised that mainstream support is routed through institutions and tends to require formal accreditation. This is fine but it is important to create the demand for such learning and accreditation and empowering learners in the community best achieve this. GS said that NYPO was an example of this.
5. GS suggested that we advertise for youth workers, young people, teachers and librarians interested in setting up learning networks. RS said that we were not in a position to respond to the demand that this might create.
6. It was agreed that we needed to seek funds for the NLG to complete development of the infrastructure and promote access, to support the development of real world and online networks with a learning focus and to support projects that evolve from this learning environment. The NOF funds for Community Learning Networks seems an ideal source, there was also possible match funding from the Forest Gate and Tomorrows City SRBs
7. Agreed we would organise a brainstorming session with some 20 or so people from a variety of educational institutions in the borough and representing different interests within the institutions, particularly educational practitioners and learners, to identify a possible bid. John Lock, Richard Stubbs and Gavin Sealey to lead on this. Agreed that important this is integrated within the overall NLG initiative but seen as being a clear user lead, non-institutional focus within it.
8. RJS noted that the same institutional vs. user issue needed to be taken into account in any development of a commerce network. There were many organisations supporting commerce in Newham but it was also important to directly involve the enterprises themselves.
9. RS said that 1,500 invites had been sent out to Newham based businesses regarding free connectivity offered by the Teleregion. It would be a good start to follow up those that replied as they might make an ideal starting point.
10. RL said that he was working with Business Link on a property and land database that could be very useful for businesses.
11. AN said that he would like the opportunity to arrange a demonstration of the Smartzone broadband shopping centre that could be deployed locally. RS said that he was also meeting with an organisation called TownPages which he thought was a similar product. It was important to keep our options open.
12. GS noted that he had a small amount of ERDF funding for supporting SMEs with telematics.
13. Agreed that we should call a meeting to discuss business networking. AN to call the meeting via core in liaison with RJS.
6. Business Case
1. There is a business case to be produced for a potential local network management company. Obviously this will need to draw heavily on the information obtained so far about existing networks and possible applications.

1. Responding to consultations
1. RJS reported that Oftel had asked that Newham Online respond to their consultation on Access to Bandwidth : bringing higher bandwidth services to the consumer. This was critically important to Newham Online as its main focus was the potential BT monopoly of the local loop with respect to DSL technology. The deadline for initial submissions is the 10^th March '99 and there is a subsequent period up until 24^th. March '99 for comments on others submissions.
2. Agreed that RS, RJS, RL, JL & MM will draft response.
3. RJS reported that a consultation paper had been issued on 21^st Dec '98 by the Cabinet Office's Central IT Unit titled Information Age Government. The consultation will feed into a White Paper that will be drafted in February. This paper is relevant as it envisages methods for delivery of Government information and services through the post office, local authorities and private companies. Perhaps Newham Online can contribute the concept of "joined up communities" to that of "joined up government"
4. Agreed that JL, GS, AN, RL, RJS & MM will draft response.
5. RJS to circulate URL's and set up lists for discussion.
2. Next Core Meeting
1. It was agreed that attendance at last Core meeting meant that we probably would do better organising 2 main meeting a year and putting more effort into ensuring a good attendance than running four smaller meetings which take a considerable effort but have little benefit.
2. Agree that the next core meeting should be the AGM and be held at the end of April. It should have a written report on progress, elections and presentations on some or all of the Network Audit, Newham Learning Grid, Creative Network and Commerce Network
3. Next Steering Group Meeting
1. The next Steering Meeting will be held on Tues 9^th. March a 2.00pm at Duncan House (venue subject to confirmation)
4. A.O.B
1. RJS said that there had been discussions on holding an international conference in UeL's new Docklands Campus in the latter half of 2000. UeL had agreed in principle and a bid to fund the organisation of the event could be included in a Lottery bid currently being prepared by CDF, Partnerships Online and others. The proposal so far had been that the Conference should focus on sustainable communities in the Information Society but perhaps, given earlier discussions, it would be possible to re-focus on Learning Communities. The Steering Group agreed that Newham Online should encourage this initiative.

Circulate info on LBNs plans for Internet based telephony.