Minutes of the WUC Steering Group - 20/1/03

 

           Apologies

                                       Richard Steel
 
Present were:

Richard Overton

Paul Whiteman                                                     

Tee Fabikun

Annie Keane

Kulvir Dhanda representing Pallavi

Simon Gallimore

Richard Stubbs

Linda Salim

Rick Smith.

 

 

1.     Minutes and Matters arising

 

Self-introduction was made because of the new attendee. The minutes were then adopted.

 

2.     Finance and related issues

 

 Richard Stubbs reported that an appeal is being prepared and all points really looked into which would be submitted very soon hopefully we might be lucky this time around.

 

In spite of all combined efforts, we have not been able to get any funding.

 

Current situation: although ½ million have been kept aside, there is a lot of bills that are yet to be paid. Reconciliation of the various accounts would be done in Feb but this would affect the efforts being put into sourcing for funds.

 

3.     Roll out of set- top boxes.

 

The extra staff employed for installations were laid off before Xmas as there was not sufficient work to keep them busy. But another roll out is being planned to further promote interest and willingness to sign up for the set top boxes.

A – Launch of Games Service. This depends on resolution of an outstanding technical problem though G-Cluster are optimistic that it will soon be solved.

B – PC on TV. This can only sustain 50 people at the same time and it locks a user’s account if not shut down properly. The system will be set up so that it resets itself after 30 mins of non use.

 

There would be demonstration/competition during the launch.

 

There are still some wiring problems within the Estate while the a number of flats are yet to be wired.. Richard Overton has been trying to sort out some of the problems and group them.

 

An “Expert night” is being planned whereby IT experts would be invited to discuss and maybe set up a support network for the residents.

 

Mr Chris Jones, the Technical Project Manager would be invited to the next meeting to discuss CCTV and completion of cabling on the Estate.

 

4.     Developments – Technical.

 Richard Overton explained that everything seems to be working well so far, but email would not take attachments but it would be able to do so if accessed through PC on TV. Loads of tests have been carried out and advances made. User Accounts have also been set up.

 

NHS direct is now looking better, 126 films have been saved. Although NHS direct allows multiple selections of films to be made, the set top box system we have installed can only allow one to be chosen at a time.

 

Interactive games should be working by the end of the week but only three games have been set up so far which would allow 18 people at the same time. There is still a problem that causes to much delay for the games to be playable on our set top boxes but this is being fixed.

 

Free to Air TV should go live in Feb. for testing purposes but will not be rolled out generally until later.

 

Monitoring is very good and could even detect those that connect their pc to the system. At the moment, filtering is only on porn but could offer user filtering where the user would use a password. In depth discussion on filtering would have to be held soon as it is bringing up a number of views and reactions. The chat room is yet to be set up and at the moment we only offer Internet, basic Games and Videos.

 

5.     Development – MT

Simon Gallimore and Annie Keane gave  a joint report:

 

The screening of “Living the high life “ was a huge success. Council Officials were on hand to answer the questions from the residents. There was lots of anger as residents believed and accused the Council of not doing enough.

 

Home films have been completed and the Edit suite repaired and functioning. Some films are being planned  – Carpenters soap box where residents could give their views, one on sports and another on Regeneration and music.

 

Although there would be about £12k from Dfes, all avenues are being looked into to source funds.

 

Geoffrey Opira is a TMO staff until H2H is set up as a private body.

 

There was a petition on a CCTV or a concealed camera for a particular incident.

 

6. WUC

Rick Smith explained how far the organization of the forth-coming WUC conference is going on. About 200 people are expected. As a result of the change in Ministerial posts, the new Minister would not be present but would send a representative.

 

The programme for the two days was then read out and discussed.

 

7. Municipal journal

Sandy Shaw the writer of the article would be at the conference.

 

     8.  School

 

Paul Whiteman reported that everything is going on smoothly at the school. Suggested elearning as a way of getting sponsorship.

 

 

Next Meeting Mon 17th Feb at 3.30pm