Issues and Actions Arising from Meeting held on

Tuesday 21^st November, 2000 at 3.00pm in

Chief Execs Conf. Room at Sandwell Council House, Oldbury

Nigel Summers (Chair) - Sandwell MBC

Graham Beaumont - Regional Telematics Co-Ordinator

Peter Thomson - Wolverhampton MBC

Don Herbert - Coventry City Council

Andy Mabbett - Birmingham City Council

Andy Nicholls - Sandwell MBC

Brian Wilcox - Sandwell MBC

Brian Gambles - Birmingham City Council

Mark Wheatley - Sandwell MBC

Geoff Henderson - RG Consulting

Ian Everall - Walsall MBC

Rob Swainston - Dudley MBC

Andy Hvass - Synetrix

Julian Anderson - Synetrix

1. Presentation from Synetrix
1. The main item for the agenda was a presentation by Andy Hvass of Synetrix on the opportunities and threats presented to Local Authorities from the unbundling of the ‘local loop’ in 2001. The presentation is available from the WMTG web site.
2. The overall aim was felt to be to create ‘a single converged broadband network’ for the region that could deliver voice, data, video-on-demand, etc. However, it was recognised that at a local authority level the most expensive element of this was the last ‘hop’ from the local exchange.
3. It would therefore be necessary to lay down an infrastructure which gets as close as possible to the point of service delivery and with the flexibility to use the most effective solution for each service.
4. In order to get into a position to exploit local loop unbundling to achieve this, there were felt to be 3 options :

• Wait and see who the major players will be
• Establish a partnership with an ‘aggressive player’
• Take advantage directly as BT will offer licences (in volume) per area / exchange. It was thought that some Local Authorities are already focussed on doing this.

1. However, a hybrid approach was also discussed. The companies mentioned in the second point above will require premises within 2-3 km of existing exchanges. In many cases, Local Authorities would own such premises and could offer space as part of a collaboration / partnership.
2. Potential players were discussed – including Kingston Communications, Norweb, Telewest and NTL. It was noted that there may also be smaller companies interested, including those involved in the mobile phones market. It was further noted that Kingston have a structured plan and are executing it faster then their competitors – and would be interested in talking to the Group.
3. The group then discussed the possibility of working with Synetrix to progress this issue. They had previous experience in designing and building broadband networks as well offering consultancy in this area. They had also invested their own time and resources in investigating new models within the market. As a result of this they had spotted that regional networks would have to be created for public services (and possibly saw the existing Libraries network within WM as way of starting this).
4. As a way forward, it was agreed to obtain a map of existing exchanges and to include options in the report to WM Chief Execs in January

GB to action

5. It was also agreed that each member local authority would examine options in their area and report back to GB.

1. Update on recent activity
1. GB gave an update on recent activity, the main points arising were :

• AWM ICT strategy would be launched on 14/12. Future funding allocations would be made based on linking to this strategy. GB distributed a paper giving the context for the strategy.

• Questionnaires and interviews had now been completed for the WMLGA LIF Case Study. It was hoped to have something useful to present by 4^th / 5^th Dec.

1. Notes of Last Meeting and Matters Arising
1. The notes of the last meeting were discussed and agreed.
2. GB reported that Birmingham City Council had undertaken a report on ‘e-government’ using the EIP toolkit. Walsall and Wolverhampton were also thinking of using this approach.

GB to progress on behalf of the Group

2. RTC Work Programme
1. GB circulated copies of his latest work programme. This was discussed, with the following matters arising :

• A report giving details of the SEALS bid was circulated.

• GB is working in Aston on a ‘Wired Communities’ bid.

• Following the last meeting of WEMPIG, GB had developed a small portal ‘demonstrator’ based on starting up a small business. In general he had found the quality of information held within the WM to be very poor.

• There is a Telecities event arranged for 6^th / 7^th Dec – a joint venture with PACE.

• GB was meeting with collegues in Birmingham to discuss opportunities for LAs within the 5^th Framework.

• A meeting with WM Chief Executives will be taking place in January, 2001 to update them on the Action Plan for WMTG and the RTC.

1. Next Meeting
1. The next meeting will take place at 3.00pm on Wednesday 10^th January, 2001 at Sandwell Council House.