Agenda and draft minutes

Agenda and draft minutes

Contact: Jodie Kloss/Alan Garside 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Taryn Pearson-Rose, Hertfordshire County Council.  Kelly Privitera replaced Paul Richmond from Watford Community Housing

2.

Disclosure of interests

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

3.

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2018 to be submitted and signed.

Minutes:

The minutes for 15 January 2018 were submitted and signed.

4.

Review of objectives pdf icon PDF 255 KB

The board to receive a presentation on how objectives are being progressed.

Minutes:

The Board received a presentation from the Head of Service Transformation.

 

·       It was highlighted there were 110,000 users of the Town Centre Wi-Fi.  The board asked what use was made of information from them.

o   The Head of Service Transformation and Ms Manion explained that, through the Wi-Fi usage data it was possible to track dwell time and where people were coming from if they were using tracking on their device.  The Economic Development Officer at Watford Borough Council could monitor through-put and when the network was being accessed.  The information could be used to supplement footfall data.

o   It was explained that the Wi-Fi had been provided by a third party and there would be additional cost to have more reports on its use.

o   The Head of Service Transformation explained that the contract with the Wi-Fi provider was monitored by the Client Team at the Council and he would request further information about feedback from the supplier.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Board notes the presentation

5.

Review of the Digital Watford Seminar

The board to receive a presentation on the review of the Digital Watford Seminar.

Minutes:

The Board received a presentation from the Watford 2020 Programme Manager.

 

          Board members were asked for their feedback on the event.

o       Councillor Watkin congratulated and thanked officers for a very successful event

o       Councillor Collett thought it was good that young people had attended and there was some good feedback on Facebook afterwards.  The food and venue were good and presentations were excellent.  The whole experience from the evening was to see the room full of engaged people, and it felt like ‘Digital Watford’ had taken off.

o       Councillor Martins commented that the event helped to quantify what the Digital Watford Board was trying to do and what was happening on the ground e.g., car park sensors.  Speaking to people afterwards they were excited about Watford being at the forefront of technology.

o       Emma Doree, West Herts College, thought it was a good and positive way for young people to understand the council and technology provided a way for them to get involved.

o       Paul Quinn commented on whether it was possible for the presentation to be repeated at other venues.  Future seminars were covered as part of the last agenda item.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Board notes the presentation

6.

Partner projects

Members are invited to discuss their projects.

Minutes:

Updates were received from Digital Watford Board members on current projects.

 

          Emma Doree, West Herts College

o       There had been a number of curriculum developments in the last year as there was a significant increase in interest around IT.  Applications for courses in IT, including cyber security and gaming, had increased.  The college would be having an open day in October.  There was some linked work with primary schools. 

o       A new photocopying strategy to reduce paper had been introduced, using a system called ‘PaperCut’, which had seen a dramatic impact financially and on the amount of waste.   

o       The College’s Business Lounge had been successfully launched for people to use for meetings and events.  It was not used by staff or students but was for the local community and businesses.  This helped the college to make good business connections which may lead to student involvement in projects in the future.

o       Councillor Watkin asked for councillors to have a tour of the college IT suite.  Action – for Democratic Services Manager to arrange a tour.

 

          Maria Manion, Watford Business Improvement District (BID)

o       The BID had a business improvement grant available for businesses this year.  The idea was to encourage smaller businesses and SME’s to look at the way they trade and to make physical and technological improvements.  Unfortunately there had not been a great take up with only a few applications.  The BID team were making personal approaches to businesses and taking application forms round to encourage them to apply.  The grant was for £2,000 or 50% of the cost, whichever is lower.  It was publicised by the BID e-newsletter.  Councillor Martins suggested the Chamber of Commerce could offer the businesses some advice.

o       The BID run a Business Against Crime Scheme and Pubwatch Scheme. They were looking at linking the two schemes via Smartphones.  The retail sector wanted a radio function as well.  The BID was currently operating a pilot scheme and looking at cost profiling.  Both schemes needed to operate individually as they may be required at different times.

 

          Barry Wilson and Kelly Privitera, Watford Community Housing

o       Watford Community Housing was running pilot projects in 96 properties using different types of devices.

o       The devices would help residents to reduce their fuel bills.  One device was a fit and leave system and the other was a remote control.  Information was received from the devices regarding how it was being used and how the household were using their heating. It was also possible to receive environmental information about the building.

o       Watford Community Housing was interested in using LoRaWAN to carry data back to their offices in Clarendon Road.

 

          Paul Quinn, UTC

o       The UTC had been using ‘PaperCut’ for five years, the software gave a percentage of trees used each week.

o       The UTC was inviting partners to come and see the school, they were also providing an outreach service to primary schools to support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Update on Watford Borough Council projects

Presentation by the Head of Service Transformation and the Watford 2020 Programme Manager.

Minutes:

The Board received a presentation from the Head of Service Transformation on the following projects:

 

          Taxis and parking

o     The Head of Service Transformation explained that there were a number of challenges to be overcome as part of the proof of concept projects particularly around privacy and data protection concerns, which needed to be understood and overcome before any wider roll-out could be considered.

o     One of the applications would be to use sensors to tell residents where there was a space to park e.g., on St Albans Road, or within a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) sensors could be used to help a resident navigate to a parking space near to their house. 

o     The Board commented that this technology could be included in the infrastructure in new developments.  There was also an environmental advantage of reducing fuel consumption by cars driving around looking for a parking space.

 

 

          Footfall

o     The Head of Service Transformation explained that the council was using two sorts of counters one of which was battery operated and portable which therefore could be used very flexibly and deployed in places with no electrical power infrastructure.  Additionally the costs were significantly lower than traditional footfall counters.

o     The footfall counters had a “real–time” dashboard so the data and information could be used far more pro-actively. There was a delay of about an hour to receiving the information; however, present counters only provided information weekly.

o     There was a potential that the portable counters could be rented out as a commercial opportunity for the council

 

 

          Smart litter bins

o     The Head of Service Transformation suggested that bin sensors could be used in flats and communal bins in other areas beyond the current project for the council litter bins.

 

Councillor Hofman suggested the Board could look at establishing smart energy network.  Action – Head of Service Transformation to arrange a meeting with Councillor Hofman to discuss further.

 

RESOLVED

 

o          That the presentation be noted

o          That the actions identified be undertaken

8.

What next for Digital Watford

Members are invited to discuss their views on what next for Digital Watford.

Minutes:

The Board discussed the future of Digital Watford.  It was identified that there was a need for leadership in the Town to take up opportunities and also to look for grants and government funding in the future.  The Council or the Chamber of Commerce were in a good position to do this.  As technology was continually evolving it was necessary to keep up with new ideas and to share best practice of what was being developed elsewhere.

 

The Board commented that, in comparison to other Hertfordshire authorities, Watford was cutting edge and ahead in technological advancements e.g., Watford was one of the only towns in Hertfordshire with Town Centre Wi-Fi.  There was scope to develop projects from Watford in other areas of Hertfordshire and other local authorities would be able to learn from Watford’s experience.

 

There was an advantage for Watford to be seen as a town and local authority which was willing to take some risks as part of its innovation and would therefore attract companies wishing to carry out pilots and trials which the town could capitalise upon.

 

The Board discussed how to engage young people and get their ideas on how they would like to see Watford in the future.  A survey through a social media platform was suggested.  A future seminar was also discussed which would require input across the Digital Watford Board membership.  Action – Head of Service Transformation to meet with West Herts College on how to take this forward.

 

The Board also suggested a business event with the Chamber of Commerce and BID.  Action – Councillor Watkin to discuss ideas with the Chamber of Commerce.

 

RESOLVED

 

o          That the presentation be noted

o          That the actions identified be undertaken

 

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