MINUTES OF THE WUC MEETING OF 20TH OCT 2003

 

Present were:

 

Jan Bless

Nicola Pritchard

John Defoe

Linda Salim

Tee Fabikun

Rick Smith

Simon Gallimore

Paul Strauss

James Hobson

Richard Stubbs

Richard Overton

Tim Willis

 

The Chair, Tim Willis, called the meeting to order at 3.06pm.

 

Simon Gallimore’s name was corrected, after which the minutes were adopted.

 

Finance and related issues

Richard Stubbs gave a full report on funding. He explained how wages are being met by the existing SRB grant. Not known how much is left as the Council had not provided a full breakdown of charges made against the budget but hopefully this would be known by the end of the week. Funding of TMO staff salaries looks ok until November when the new SRB bid would come into effect and cover another year. The new SRB bid would also provide funds for the Media Trust’s project workers.

Other Funding

Thanks to the support by the Council, it appears we might be able to get some money from the ODPM through eInnovations fund. However for this to be likely we will need IBM, or a body of similar stature, as our partners. Meetings are being arranged to secure this support.

 

A new Home2 Home SRB bid would be submitted very soon. Meanwhile, there is a further meeting regarding the new European funding (ERDF Priority 1.2) for “Community Economic Development “ later in October.

Sustainability and deployment

Fibre ring

A meeting was held on the 14th October which makes it likely that the new council fibre ring will be linked to tower blocks. Unfortunately some difficulties have been encountered in getting the fibre over the sewer so the potential deployment and test of the IRS broadband solution at Albert Biggs and Aubrey Moore is held up. The Council would likely get in touch with us to discuss CCTV and the system.

 

Alternative technologies

An initial meeting has been held with a US based company that may possess the technologies to deliver ipTV to homes without wired connection. As this has never been tried before, the talk is for Carpenters Estate to be the testing site at minimal/no cost. The device would be on tower blocks and would require no digging of trenches. On other estates it would allow connection of low-rise properties but is hoped that it may be possible to connect houses on Carpenters.

Community enterprise

Richard Stubbs has produced draft proposals for SRB funding and ERDF funding so that Home 2 Home could be set up as a Community enterprise.

 

A general discussion then followed on how to encourage and involve local people and volunteers, the need to invite people outside the estate for their expertise and experience, and nature of legal entity that would be created.

 

It was agreed that a Community Enterprise group be set up that would meet and feedback to the steering group. Meanwhile the Media Trust would look at all the facets of the H2H concept and sustainability while Richard Stubbs would make a general presentation /write up about it.

 

Technical issues including new tech trial.

Richard Overton explained that ITV2 is now on the system and channels could be changed using the remote control.

 

The website has been modified and made easier for use. NHS videos plus some advertising is now on the front page of the website for easy access for users.

 

Meanwhile little problems did occur within the system, which are fixed as they occur. The good news is that more people are just walking in to ask for set top boxes.

 

The project is to have an increasing involvement with the C&D Centre accordingly meetings have been held with the C&D Centre’s architects on planned refurbishments including a new music centre to ensure full compatibility with the Carpenters Connect network. Work should commence in Jan, as the money must be spent by March.

Birthday Party

Richard Overton suggested that a one year anniversary of the Carpenters Connect launch be held so that it would be used as publicity stunt for those that are yet to sign up for the set top boxes. A DJ? Free beer? Some munchies?  If there is enough money, a tentative date of 28th Nov was suggested. About £1000 is needed for the event and could be met from the existing reserve for events of this type.

Home 2 Home

 

A number of new programmed filmed are now on the system.

 

Some films have been completed for the NRF but there are a few more to go.

H2H is also looking to the Arts Council for funding. A visit to Art gallery is being planned to encourage residents.

 

Twelve H2H films are to be used in the borough. Although the Football team is going on very well, Drama and mentoring are part of he suggestions from the youths on the Estate.

H2H has a full calendar with Masterplan meeting on Tuesday, Breast Awareness on wed, Ballot counting on Thursday and the Disco on Friday.

 

It was then suggested that Sam Campbell could be used for publicity in conjunction with the Council.

 

The last of the Masterplan meeting is to be filmed is scheduled for 4th Nov.

School.

Jan Bless introduced himself and would like a few things done for the school. Jan would like the kids to be involved more in the project especially on the future of the Estate. Would appreciate it if H2h could give a prior notice before coming to school so as to get everything ready for them. Gave a list of suggestions how the school could contribute and would like the IT guy in the school to work closely with the Carpenters Connect so the H2H connection could be effective.

 

The school has developed a good working relation with the College.

Viewing Video camera project at Dennison

Tomorrow’s City SRB would like in principle consent to install a video camera on the top of Dennison Point so as to give people a full view of the rail lands development. A special camera would be bought which would be installed and shown live at the station so that people could see what is going on there. High quality images would also be available on the Carpenters Connect system and across the local broadband network.

 

The Steering Group was in favour of this providing there was no risk to the privacy of residents and it was recognised that the camera would probably have to be moved at a future date to allow for redevelopment of the block.

 

Richard Stubbs noted that Newham.net was acting as consultants on this project and would ensure that the specification of the equipment complied with the concerns expressed.

Steering Group Membership.

It was agreed that Graham Pragnall should be invited to represent the Education Department and the Craft College should also be asked to to join the Steering group.

A.O.B.

Leeds Metropolitan University

The DfES funded survey is underway. A 68 question telephone interview is being conducted which some members believed was too long. Another problems is that questions are mainly based on the use of the Internet and so are not likely to capture the most important element of the Carpenters Connect service which is the local videos carried on Home 2 Home.

 

The meeting was rounded up at 4.13pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next meeting is at the usual place at 3.00pm on 17th Nov.