Minutes of the Carpenters Connect Steering Group Meeting held on 20th Dec 2004

 

Present

 

Aniekan Umoren (Chair)

 

John Defoe

Pauline Pappoe

Tee Fabikun (Minutes)

Zahida Ahmed

Michael Mulquin

Rick Smith

Richard Overton

Richard Stubbs

 

 

Apologies

 

Lorraine Cavanagh

Carmen Grimes

Jan Bless

Nicola Pritchard

 

The meeting was called to order at 1.05pm by the chair, Aniekan Umoren.

 

1.       Minutes of November meeting and matters arising

The minutes of the last meeting was adopted.

 

2.       Funding update

 

2.1 Richard Stubbs talked us through the circulated report. He opined that the TMO would likely receive a payment before Xmas.

2.2 In order to meet the deadline for payments, invoices should be sent      before the 31st Dec. Rick promised to collate this. Rick to give feedback

 

3.       Recruitment & employment issues

      3.1 Zahida Ahmed was introduced as the new H2H manager.

 3.2 Unfortunately as a result of the last meeting with the College, Zahida & Carmen would have to be employed by the TMO on a community enterprise contract instead of a housing contract. H2H would likely be able to take over their employment after June when the grant runs out.

3.3 Rick would set up a budget for H2H. – Rick Smith to give feedback

     3.4 The Steering group agreed that:

 

v    A Social Enterprise staff contract would be used for all H2H staff members.

v    There would be a contract between H2H and TMO

v    Richard Stubbs will send a draft copy of a contract to Pauline

v    Zahida ought to have an induction. Pauline volunteered to see to it.

§         Pauline to give an update

 

3.5     Recruitment/roles

 

The TMO now has the following as staff members:

v    Carmen Giles – H2H

v    Zahida Ahmed – H2H

The following as consultants

v    Rick Smith   H2H

v    Nicola Prichard      RegenTV

v    Sally Ann Duffy     - RegenTV

v    Richard Stubbs – Project Co-ordinator

v    Newham.net (Richard Overton’s employer) – Carpenters Connects

And a regular volunteer

v    George Wilkinson – H2H

v     

4.       Establishing Home 2 Home as a community enterprise

 

4.1 Rick Smith reported that but for the holidays, he would have completed work on establishing H2H but will likely incorporate by 1st Jan.

4.2 Two contracts have been won and a number of others on the pipeline.  4.3 All funding will be looked into before a decision is made on which to apply for.

 

5.       Current H2H/Carpenters Connect service issues

5.1 Richard Overton and Richard Stubbs both tried to explain that,  unfortunately Regentv and Carpenters Connect are not working well together; a lot of work and team efforts proved futile so far but it is hoped that a solution would be found soon.

 

5.2 Carpenters Connect system has also been playing up of late but RO has been working hard on it to get a few programmes running. Would be using the fibre cabling instead of laser, as there were a few problems with the laser.

5.3 Carpenters Connect will eventually be switched off in April and Regentv would take over.

 

5.4 Richard Stubbs was then mandated to write a brief report/summary of what is available, what will be switched off plus dates. Richard Stubbs to give report

 

5.5 Route map. Bullet point on services, what will be lost, what will be retained plus issues on set top boxes. –Richard Stubbs to give report

 

Various suggestions were then given on the way forward, how the system could be supported, funding for support teams, training proposals, Support proposals and detailing of faults.

 

6.       Extension of Carpenters Connect/Regentv system

 

6.1 Richard Overton reported that Carpenters Connect would be shrinking while Regentv will continue to grow until when it eventually takes over.

6.2  Abbey Road is ideal for extension as the buildings are Tower Blocks.

 

6.3  There  would be a mobile demonstration for CC& Regentv to promote the idea to the residents.

 

6.4    Aniekan to find out from Tenants Involvement Unit and report back to the meeting the situation of things. - Aniekan to give a feedback on costing and funding of the extension.

 

6.5   John Defoe also reported that a bid is in from Health and social services, which include video conferencing. This will be looked into later as it sounds very interesting.

 

7.       Estate party/service launch

 

7.1 Richard O reported that the party would take place on 21st Jan and will use it as an opportunity to give residents a route map, introduce the new team and Regentv. There will also be a prize draw.

 

7.2 TRA residents from across the road (Wise Road) would also be invited.

 

7.3 Zahida reported that she had been very busy and had been able to   organise a few filming/training sessions, which include:

-         Training the kids in Carpenters School on basic camera skills this might later include staff and parents.

-         Meet the new TMO staff.

-         C&D with Lorraine

-         Will like suggestions from everyone for other needs.

 

8.                 AOB

 

Tee said that she would be stepping down as the secretary to give someone else a chance.

 

The chair, Aniekan thanked Tee for the job, which she has  been doing since inception of the steering group.

 

The meeting was then rounded up at 2.25pm