Present:

Danny Budzak - LBN - Database editor
Rik Lewis - LBN - Consultant & ELLVTR
John Lock - University of East London, Thames Gateway Technology Centre
Chris McLean - Newham College of Further Education
Michael Mulquin - Newham Online Chair/UKCommunities Online
Lou O’Connell - Net and Beyond
Gavin Sealey - Newham Young People Online/Newham Youth Services
Richard Steel - LBN - Head IT
Richard Stubbs - Newham Online Co-ordinator/UK Citizens Online/CH&CTCRP

Apologies:

Kevin Victor - Net and Beyond

2.1 Membership

Agreed that the paper should be put in policy format rather than as promotional leaflet. The document should be titled "Participation in Newham Online" and not membership as the latter raised too many other issues. We noted that we needed to discuss the tension between building a mass individual "membership" and developing as a network of leading ITC using organisations. Richard Stubbs to re-circulate revised draft prior to going to Core.

2.2 Resources

Delete "such as GPT" otherwise paper accepted. Richard Stubbs asked whether people thought it appropriate to list on the web site the contributions being made by partners already. It was agreed that this was inappropriate, however Chris McLean was keen on their being some clear expectation of members contributions as it would make it easier for him to justify using College resources.

2.3 Representation

It was pointed out that it was wrong to state that Newham Online was not concerned in content in that it had a relationship with providers, both with respect to members and commissioned work, in terms of the standards of such content. There were also issues relating to content provided by users that raise concerns ranging from censorship to quality. Finally there is the issue of "political" content relating to specific issues. Richard Stubbs to re-circulate revised draft prior to going to Core.

2.4 Promotion

Agreed strategy as set out in paper first step to establish and identity and second to recruit key individuals from all local organisations that use ICT followed by large external suppliers. Danny to co-ordinate production of list, has already been in touch with Health Authority and thinks they will get involved.

We need to design logo. There is an issue of the identities of "Newham.net" which will probably is the best identity for the extranet and the gateway site, Newham Online as a local government site and Newham Online as a development group. Richard Stubbs had pointed out that it was very helpful for the Newham Online "campaign" to be able to associate its identity with the very professional Newham Council site. The Council had considered changing the name of their site to Newham Web but are happy to continue with the existing name. However the three initiatives all have different but closely related roles so it was agreed that Richard Stubbs and Danny Budzak should meet to discuss this matter in more detail.

Agreed that we should produce a leaflet for Newham Online. Richard Stubbs to circulate draft text. Richard Steel said that LBN would print leaflet and assist with design. Richard Steel said that LBN would also be prepared to produce and post letter on behalf of the partnership.

3.1 Decision making

We need to decide how we make decisions. It was clear that some of the matters we would be discussing would result in disagreement. Richard Steel thought it important that we did not allow a failure to achieve consensus stop us from progressing, perhaps aim to achieve consensus but vote when this is not possible.

3.2 Vision of how it works

We have worked up a vision of where we want to go but do not have a clear picture of how we will work together to achieve it. We also need to consider what organisations and individuals will want from Newham Online.

The Steering Group is going to have to function as a team if it is going to be able to take a leadership role within Newham Online. For this to be achieved we have got to get to know each other better. Lou suggested that we need some quality time together to sort out what we are going to do and how.

It was agreed that we should hold a meeting in May (not 1^st-10^th), date to be arranged online and to be either from 9.00 - 2.00 or 12.00-5.00. Richard Stubbs to co-ordinate and produce an suggested outline of how this time could best be spent.

Richard Stubbs outlined the reasons why Newham Online might wish to become both an Internet Service Provider and an Independent Service Provider. This development would require the establishment of a legal entity that should probably consist of the main network users possibly in partnership with BT(though might be legal problems with this) Richard Stubbs outlined the possible benefits and suggested a development strategy.

If Newham Online is to develop this project it was important that it decided why it wanted to do it. The following statement was discussed and agreed for recommendation to the next Board meeting.

Newham Online’s aims in becoming an independent and internet service provider are:-

1. To develop a broad band based extranet (virtual private network) that will support information provision, communication, collaboration and commerce.
2. To provide access that is free at the point of use to its broadband network to local people in their homes, workplace and public spaces in order to achieve maximum participation.
3. To develop online services based on the network so as to make profits that can be used to enhance the local communications infrastructure and to promote the take up of information and communication technologies by local businesses and residents.

Richard Stubbs and Richard Steel described their meeting with BT to discuss the possibility of Newham Online becoming an Independent Service Provider. It had not gone particularly well as BT is split into home and business departments and this means that they cannot relate to community based initiatives that embrace both.

Agreed that Richard Stubbs should draft a letter on behalf of Newham Online to ask for an individual to be appointed capable of discussing our requirements.

Suggestions so far included "Access", the Objective 2 bid (no news expected to mid April) the Exhibition Centre and Newham Young People Online. Agreed the meeting should cover Newham Online as an Independent Service Provider (possibly with a guest speaker), consideration of our policy proposals on promotion (and possibly other drafts if there is time) and a presentation by Gavin Sealey on Newham Young People Online.