MINUTES OF THE CARPENTERS ESTATE WIREDUP COMMUNITIES PROJECT MEETING OF MONDAY 15TH JULY 2002.

 

IN ATTENDANCE                      APOLOGIES

 

Linda Salim                    Pallavi Malhotra

Rick Smith                     (for lateness)

Leighton Hughes                Steve Tyler

Richard Steel                  Paul Whiteman

Charles Lowe (Observer)

Simon Gallimore

Carole Gilligan

Richard Stubbs

Hammad Khan

Brian Taylor

Tee Fabikun

Satnam Boll.

 

 

 

Self-Introduction was made.

 

1.    Minutes and Matters arising.

 

Copies of the minutes of the last meeting were circulated, read and adopted as the true copy of the meeting.

Seems the Director of Housing, Mr Chris Wood is very much interested on the project and promised all the support. Will likely use the “promised” £50,000 to staff Carpenters Connect.

 

 2 Technical progress & premises

 

Blick contractors are yet to give the actual number of flats that have been wired and how long their part of the job would take. Since the contract is between the council and Blick we are powerless to do anything. There is a need to put pressure on Blick. Richard Steel said it is not within his powers to do more but he will find out and maybe invite Blick for a meeting. He believes that with pressure a lot will be achieved.

Carole said that the launch rekindled the otherwise dwindling interest on the project and this is the best time to do something before the interest is lost.

 

The Internet is being installed and tested while the meeting is on.

Efforts will be made to make the Websmart video available in Libraries across the borough.

 

 

 3 Media Trust promotion, content & licences.

 

Carole reported that MT had a weekend training for 15 young people that was such a huge success that another one is being planned soon.

The responses of the residents have been overwhelming so much so that the 15 volunteers have to work on a shift basis. A lot would love to work in the edit suites.

The History group is growing strong. Had two interesting and enjoyable outings.

Carole then seized the opportunity to inform us of her imminent departure. Got another job but will try to link her new job with the Carpenters Connect. Annie will be coming back from maternity leave to take over from her.

Richard Steel said he hoped the same enthusiasm shown on the Estate is generated all over the Borough hence the invitation of Charles Lowe who is trying to build this up in the Borough.

The Mayor is also very keen on the project and also pledged his support.


 4. Launch of Carpenters Connect

 

 

 As usual Richard Stubbs had a detailed written proposals, which we went through.

Microsoft promised to supply food and drinks.  Suggestions include sourcing for sponsorship and having various Tombola like stalls.

Research on location, date and other things are yet to worked out and discussed. Which should include Key figures and Budget.

 

 5.User involvement

 

 

The suggestion is to register H2H as a limited company and would be responsible for the management of the Home2Home channel. The other responsibility would be the user group. There is likely to be a lot of overlap between the two.

 The Home2Home channel would:

v    Have legal responsibility for the contents on the channel

v    Control the h2h service interface.

v    Responsible for approving the guidelines for the service

v    Will recruit and appoint volunteers.

v    Responsible for the day-to-day management of activities.

v    Securing and managing finances related to the service.

v    Main point of liaison with other bodies wishing to provide contact, training or services for the h2h channel.

The User group on the other hand is purely voluntary.

v    Would encourage mutual support between users

v    Would seek volunteers to make videos, run on-line discussion.

v    Would give feed back about h2h through independent online discussion.

 

A function of Newham.net was also discussed in details; how it would retain the legal responsibility for Carpenters Connect plus technical development and management of the service.

 6.Content and Service

 

Richard Stubbs talked us through the handout.

v    BBC was impressed with the Estate after their visit and is willing and ready to work with us. The practicalities of a first project are being worked out.

v    MT’s production work is still going on. Will now have Carpenters Connect logo on all work being done.

v    NHS Direct is also going to try their work on the Estate first before a nation wide publicity and release.

v    Ukonline. An agreement has been made in principle. A further discussion on implementation is needed.

v    Video on Demand (commercial) There is a need to carry out various tests on the set top boxes before contacting commercial providers.

v    Websmart. Efforts are being made to have the video available on web server so that schools, colleges and libraries could access it.

 

 7.Project Management update

 

Richard Stubbs explained the various points on the handouts.

Carole wants the issue of editorial to be linked to the agreement because it is a delicate topic.

Various agreements needed as soon as possible but agreement in principle is the only thing got from the Council.

 

 

8.Training

 

The Networking class was a huge hit and will continue for another year.

A CD has been made teaching the basics – mouse, keyboard but it will need a computer to play it.

Pallavi will not mind to pay the trainer to do another one that can be used on the set top boxes but she thinks it is going to be a big problem.

 

 9.AOB

 

Brian suggested we set a date when all set top boxes will be working in homes. This way we could all work towards achieving the target.

Richard explained that the big problem was the Councils’ contractors and if that could be ratified, then there should not be any problem with target days.

 

 

Next meeting

19th August at the TMO’s hall.