Minutes Of the WUC
meeting of 17th Feb 2003
Linda Salim Paul Whiteman.
Apologies
Richard Steel
Present were:
Rick Smith
John Defoe
Richard Overton
Annie Keane
Richard Stubbs
Tee Fabikun
Simon Gallimore.
Gary Hobbs (for first item)
Chris Jones (for first item)
Sorting out the wiring installations
Chris Jones explained that one of the main reasons why a lot of the flats could not be wired was because no one could gain entry.
Richard Overton then pointed out some of the problems they encountered since the installation of the set top boxes. Wrong wiring and uncompleted jobs are the main complaints.
It was then agreed that an open letter would be sent out to those at different stages of completion so that the contractor could come back to complete the job.
A list of empty properties where wiring had not been completed would be provided to Chris Jones along with contact numbers for those wanting works carried out.
Minutes and matters arising:
The minutes of the meeting was adopted. Richard Overton reported that the Games have been installed and are up and running on a test basis however there are still some technical problems to be sorted before the service could go live.
Richard Overton reported that he wanted to set up a scheme whereby letters would be sent out to those that have set top boxes to recommend a neighbour which in return would earn them a £10 voucher. This, he hopes would encourage residents to talk, use and encourage others to get and use the set top boxes. This was agreed by the Steering Group.
Richard Stubbs said that he was still working with the Council to try and identify the payments they had made for the works he had ordered. He could not balance the account yet but he was meeting with the main officer concerned for two full days later this week and intended to get in the next claim to the DfES by the end of the week. The main problem is that although there are still funds left unspent until we can be sure that we have got all the bills in it is not possible to say exactly how much. To minimise the possibility of an underpsend a list of things to be ordered has been made. All bills must be paid by the end of March to count against the project budget.
Funding Options
Annie and Tee reported that they are yet to be able to get a feedback from Yvonne Folkes of the LSC.
Richard Stubbs thought that the main hope now was support from the ODPM to help us “productivise” what we have done. A meeting with Hull and Camden was planned to put together the bid that we have been invited to submit.
GLA – will likely get something from them through a project that they are supporting but if we do it will take about 9 months before any money is received.
ISB- There is some hope. A possible project if for discussion later on in the meeting.
LDA – Rick Smith opined that we might get funding for rolling out foreign languages like Bangladesh and the training side.
Swan Housing- Would like to see a project like ours developed in Tower Hamlets and may pay for support in developing this.
Although not directly funding the Council had suggested that it might make staff available to support the project however it would need to charge and the suggestion had been made that the TMO funding for 6 months of worker time next year could be used for this. A lengthy discussion then followed on the staffing issue. In the end it was agreed that the SRB funds for staff should remain as funding for TMO employed project staff.
Technical Developments
Richard Overton reported that the PC on the TV service went on air on Friday 14th Feb. and already over 600 people have logged on.
Using a printer on the set top boxes have been cracked so users could now use a printer. Three printers were won at the launch of PC on TV, which quite a lot of people turned up for the event.
The provision of “free to air” TV channels through the system had now been sorted using a unique method developed in collaboration with Non Linear Media and its French partners.
The interactive games were now working but could not be deployed until a problem that requires the set top box to be rebooted after every use is resolved. It is hoped that G-Cluster will crack this problem by the end of the month.
Annie reported that MT is making progress with the residents and trying to involve as many people as possible. The Council have asked them to make a film on Master planners and there have been initial talks with Chelsfield plc, the company that is in charge of the railway lands development.
Half Term project for the kids is to film their “Favourite things”.
Richard Overton said that a test system will be made soon as possible. This is due to the discussions held with the Council over the True Vote. Another meeting is planned with the Hansard society before various tests could be carried out.
Bank of Scotland community Banking system –
Richard Stubbs explained about the man behind the project which is being run by Community Links in Newham. It would be appropriate to ask them if they would like a video to be made to explain the scheme and maybe this could extend to other things. As the project is a very big one, we should try to be fully involved in it.
Multi Lingual Portal- Talking heads.
Richard Stubbs explained an idea developed by Jaimin Patel from the Language shop. Rick Smith advises we start the multi lingual channel from the Health sector as it would have the backing of virtually everyone and most likely would be able to get the funding for it faster than any other ideas. The possibility of involving NHS would be looked into. But Richard Overton would have to work it out to see how the interface could work.
Rick Smith visited the school and found them very happy with the computers and all the modern gadgets they have got. MT would make another effort to involve them in the projects going on in the Estate. A local elearning foundation is up and running but the HQ is still dealing directly with the school.
Project Update
v User group to be set up the TMO could apply for a small-scale funding for the support.
v Home2Home would be having a brain storming session on what the company should be.
Filtration policy is yet to be examined. Rick Smith said that the Dfes do not have one but H2H would have to set up an individual one for the Residents.
Simon Gallimore would like to thank Richard Overton for putting all ideas into the system and making them work.
Next meeting would be
17th March 2003.