Issues and Actions Arising from Meeting held on

Wednesday 10^th January, 2001 at 3.00pm in

Annexe 2 at Sandwell Council House, Oldbury

Graham Beaumont - Regional Telematics Co-Ordinator

Peter Thomson (Chair) - Wolverhampton MBC

Don Herbert - Coventry City Council

Andy Mabbett - Birmingham City Council

Ian Everall - Walsall MBC

Rob Swainston - Dudley MBC

Andy Nicholls - Sandwell MBC

Nigel Summers - Sandwell MBC

Brian Gambles - Birmingham City Council

Mark Wheatley - Sandwell MBC

Geoff Henderson - RG Consulting

1. Matters Arising from Meeting held on 21^st November, 2000
1. No notes of this meeting were available as the Group had not appointed a ‘minute taker’. AN offered to produce based on rough notes taken at the time.

Action – AN to produce notes of meeting held on 21/11/00

2. GB updated the Group on meetings and activities which had since occurred this meeting regarding unbundling the local loop. In summary, there was now a distinct shift towards trying to create a public authority broadband network for the region.

The AWM ICT Strategic Group held a meeting in November, 2000 which was attended by representatives from the ‘shires’ ICT group. 3 shire authorities expressed an interest which in turn led to Andy Hvass presenting to them in December. As a result of this, funding has been made available to explore options further. AWM also requested that a report of discussions be made to their Business sub-board meeting on 17/12. There was a genuine interest at that meeting to take the issue forward and GB was requested to participate in putting together a further report for presentation to the main AWM Board at the end of January.

Action – GB to circulate paper to all Group members when available

One of the stated aims of the AWM ICT strategy is to put in place a broadband network for the region and hence would ‘champion’ the idea, with one of the options being the creation of a regional ‘telco’, possibly as a Joint Venture Company (JVC). The initial aim would be to provide a robust public service network but with capacity to sell services to business at a later date.

3. The Group noted the possible impact of the above on the regional broadband network project and also the requirement for the group to continue to ‘champion’ the issue once GB had left his RTC post (see later in minutes).
2. RTC Project Update to WM Chief Executives
1. The main item for the agenda was to amend and agree the draft report circulated by GB which was to go the meeting of WM Chief Executives on 17/01. The importance of this report had been increased as GB has now accepted the post as Executive Director of the Sandwell Learning Plus project and hence would be formally relinquishing the post of RTC at the end of March. GB presented the report, with the following points arising (the references used below are to paragraphs of the update report, not to items in these minutes) :

Item 2.3 should include the URL for bidding guidance

Item 2.4 it was recognised that this needed to be pursued and GB has talked to GH about the possibility of his involvement in developing a bid.

Action – ALL to think about based on further reports to be received from GB.

Item 3.1 work with AWM needs to be reflected

Item 3.2 e-learning – need to establish links with activity in Coventry and Sandwell MBC

Item 3.4 e-democracy – the possibilities for trial projects within WM were noted. PT also raised the possible overlap with the webocracy initiative and the need for any project to be done well to succeed

Action – GB to distribute report to all Group members and ALL to respond to GB with comments / interest.

Item 3.5 the Group discussed the opportunities arising from continued involvement in the PACE project. This included the possibility of group members attending the training events in Paris. It was agreed that PT would become one of the trainees and also that WMTG should become an ‘observer’ member of Telecities so that any group member could attend meetings.

Item 3.6 GB gave an update on the WMLGA LIF project research findings. The current activities in sub-regions was noted and discussed. GB is also drafting a report for WM Chief Execs on the Telewest proposals for Digital TV.

Item 4.2 These were the activities where GB was looking to the Group to make suggestions as to how they could best be carried forward after GB gives up the role of RTC. The following was agreed :

• WMLGA ‘expert advisor’ on e-government – Walsall, Wolverhampton and Sandwell all expressed an interest in servicing this activity.

• GB to continue role on AWM ICT Strategy Group.

• Dudley to take on role within AWM ICT Steering Group with an agreement that all Group members would be circulated with reports, minutes, etc.

• GOWM project evaluation group – Dudley would also take on this role as part of the above.

• The following roles would require some ‘bought in’ consultancy resource :

• WMLGA LIF follow-up and dissemination
• The discussion web-site
• Bid writing
• Project development
• E-government support to encourage co-operation amongst LAs

Item 4.3 A more visible base may be required in the future – particularly if the post of regional e-envoy becomes a reality

Item 4.4 Could be picked up through the PEG/EIP activity with GH promoting this within LAs and helping them work with PEG/EIP toolkits

Item 4.5 The maintenance of the website could be taken on by Roger Wilson

1. The Group then discussed issues relating to the future of the RTC post and the need to maintain a link between the Chair of WMTG and the WM Chief Execs Group. It was agreed that the possibility of a secondment of an existing group member into the RTC role was unrealistic given current ‘day jobs’. It was further agreed that the post of RTC should be re-advertised and an appointment made as soon as possible.
2. The group also noted the possibility of the ‘wider WM’ authorities wanting to join the Group in the future.
3. There was also a unanimous feeling that the current name of the Group no longer reflected its activities and that the word ‘Telematics’ may actually be having a negative effect. It was agreed that Group members would give some thought to alternative and more appropriate names.

Action – ALL to consider alternatives and make suggestions to GB

4. GB agreed to incorporate the changes suggested above into the report and issue a re-draft by lunchtime on 11^th January if possible. He also emphasised that each Group member should draw the report to the attention of whoever would be attending the WM Chief Execs meeting on 17^th January.

1. Future Meetings