The Carpenters Connect Steering Group meeting of 17^th March 2003.

Apologies

J. Defoe

P. Whiteman.

Present were:

Steve Pennant - chair

Richard Stubbs

Gary Hewitt

Linda Salim

Tee Fabikun

Simon Gallimore

Richard Overton

Roll out of set top boxes.

Richard Overton reported that he had made a lot of efforts and tried many ways to get the set top boxes out to no avail. The £10 incentive did not work and maybe the Beginners Group starting later in the day would make some impact.

Efforts are being made to get the Bengali Women’s group interested and maybe will encourage their members to get and use the set top boxes.

Other suggestions include:

• Telephoning.
• Walk about
• Stalls in the high-rise foyer.
• Survey? – Linda to send out people and part of the questions would be on set top boxes.
• Spoof video.

Finance

Richard Stubbs informed members that the account is now done but we need to pay Blick about £70k. Chris Jones has resigned and Gary is also on holidays.

Not much is left of the capital fund but then all bills have been paid. Efforts have been made in various directions to source funding. There is an ODPM meeting in Hull on funding on the 26^th March while LDA will have one on 19^th April.

Various suggestions were then made which include:

• A chat with NHS direct on languages
• Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.
• Local NRF to roll the idea to the other parts of the borough.
• SWAN is also interested in having a project like this on their Estate, but will like a quotation.

Immediate shortfalls.

MT ‘s fund will run out around May. Sure Start will like to make some videos maybe something could be got there.

Carpenters Connect still have a few pounds in the kitty but not much.

Developments- Technical

Richard Overton reported that “Free to Air” has been tested and would work on the system. Would likely be on the system by next weekend.

Games Launch is being planned. This is a very popular site visited by a lot of residents. Also planned is a training programme on how to use play station on the system.

There is a big problem of heat in the server room, which, if not seen to, might damage the system.

The solution is either to upgrade the current unit

Or

buy air condition unit.

Lots of things are being looked into – back up systems, charges, and commercial value. But the heat is making working in the room very unbearable.

Media Trust

There are problems with the edit suite as the hardware keep crashing.

The Master plan project is going on very well.

Community Channel wants to use “Living the Highlife” and “Down Carpenters Way” but will have to talk to the Council for a re-launch in April.

The Council do not wish to sign the releases for Masterplan films.

John Lock of the University of East London is to call a meeting of the University, Newham College and NewVic to discuss how these institutions could help residents with creating films. We agreed that the legal responsibility and the continuing role of the Media Trust needs to be considered.

TMO

Linda has sent off the SRB application forms with a doubled target. Richard Overton had a look at the bid to ensure that the money is not just spent on salaries.

Fund raising.

Gary Hewitt summarised the opportunities. Most of the SRB funding is for the community and £5k has been set-aside for CAT who has the list of briefing.

INTEGER

This company is very much interested in our project and would love to work with us to see if the two ideas could be married together and maybe slip the Integer project into our system. They might be invited to do a demonstration.

Due to the various holidays, the next meeting would be on 19th May and will include the current steering group and Gary Hewitt.