Monthly Meeting Tues 4 th September 2007

Monthly Meeting, Tuesday 4th September 2007

Present:

Rich H, Woodsy, BenG, Jules, Sean K, Pete F, Sam R, Dicken, Edmund, Andy L

Apologies for absence:

Matt T, Everton, Lloyd, Mike H, Tesfaye,

Minutes of last meeting

Subject to the correction of an inaccurate date, the minutes of the last meeting were approved nem con.

Matters Arising

1. Open Source Consortium: Jules needs a postal address in order to send our subscription cheque.
2. T-shirts: BenG requested that anyone wishing to order clothing emails an order to the daily list.
3. UFI update: Ben reported that the cabinet design has still to be effected, although the designer being considered for the job is available for work.
4. Tynn Care: Jules reported that some of the outstanding funds had been received and that representatives of the organisation were not very good at keeping appointments. Rich reported that Tynn Care had called at WCC unannounced earlier in the afternoon: they want to install Windows on their system but are prepared to pay the amount still owed to Bristol Wireless.
5. Cube: Jules reported that talks of a sale seem to be a rumour. He will nevertheless keep his ear to the ground (action - Jules).

Reports

1. Finance: Jules presented copies of the profit and loss account, balance sheet and financial breakdown by project to the meeting. Copies of these would be available for inspection after the meeting. Overall our finances are looking healthy, with satisfactory income for the year to date. A couple of expenditure items deserve attention: firstly, paying the travel expenses of essential volunteers (Jim & Bails) was getting expensive and Jules would examine the benefits of purchasing season tickets (action - Jules); secondly, office telephone costs need to be monitored. Jules also reported that Rich is now in charge of managing the petty cash. As regards recouping of volunteer expenses, Sean questioned whether any funding could be obtained for these. There was some discussion about using some of our surplus funds to upgrade the kit on Twinnell House. Finally, Jules again stressed the need for the accounts to be as up-to-date as possible, particularly with the impending end of the financial year. Could all those with invoices outstanding please submit them asap.
2. Easton Cowboys Alternative World Cup feedback: In one word - brilliant! We've had invitations to visit all the countries which sent teams. In addition, Easton Cowboys were very pleased with our involvement and have invited us to the post-event party.
3. Ragged Hedge Fair feedback: A very relaxed event. We worked well with Magrec Ltd., who supplied our power from wind and solar. All told, the suite, server and satellite kit drew 450 W when all switched on. Clive of Magrec would like to showcase our work next year.
4. UFI update: Due to Sam's absence (honeymoon), there was not much to report. Since his return Sam has contacted those newly connected to the network and will visit those with problems in coming days. As part of the project Sam has purchased indoor and outdoor Meraki mesh devices. As regards Knowle West Web, concern was expressed that the kit still had not been installed, but the meeting noted that work had commenced on the boxes.
5. National Support offer: Chris Bailey is proposed offering servers with out-of-the box services (thin clients, groupware/web applications, servers and Windows filesharing) nationally to voluntary and community organisations and wondered if Bristol Wireless would be interested in covering the South West. After discussion the meeting expressed the feeling that we are interested in doing all of the services with the exception of Windows filesharing; it was felt that latter could be put out on a sub-contract. Sean mentioned the ICT Hub's new unmet needs fund, under which £50,000 could be obtained to fund one-off projects (work on the Bristol Wireless distro was mentioned as an example). Multiple bids are permitted and it was agreed Sean and Sam would liaise on ideas (action - Sean, Sam).

AOB

1. Digital Cities Conference, Cannes: A local authorities meeting is being organised for 27/28 September. Connecting Bristol/Bristol City Council will be attending and have offered 1 ticket to Bristol Wireless, although travel and subsistence would have to be paid by the BW attendee. Those interested should post their interest to the daily list.
2. Second-hand equipment: Jules reported that some 2.4 GHz industrial grade equipment had become available and he agreed to get details and photographs thereof (action - Jules).
3. Core funding: Pete F has a meeting with Stephen Hilton (BCC) next week and will take soundings re funding for 2 full-time equivalent members of staff (suggestions made by the meeting included volunteer manager, admin worker, network/technical staff and a programme manager).
4. Long-term planning: Sean expressed concern that, following Bristol's being pipped by Sunderland in the Digital Challenge, our work had changed and we currently had no 2-3 year plan. He stated Ed Mitchell knows someone who could facilitate such an exercise (for money). Sean will report back to the next meeting with fuller details (action - Sean).
5. Flat screens for lab: The feeling was expressed that flat screens (plus a general tidy-up of desks) would allow us to present a more professional appearance to the world. We could obtain a decent discount on getting flat screens if our order were piggy-backed onto the order for WCC.
6. Charitable status: Jules read out correspondence from the Inland Revenue from 2004 to Bristol Wireless and comments on it from Malcolm, our accountant. The Inland Revenue did not like the wording of some of our rules, on which a legal opinion is required and possibly amendment. The meeting agreed that the Co-operative Development Agency be contacted for assistance and advice.

Date of next meeting: Tuesday 2nd October 2007 at 6.30 pm