diff --git a/configs/configurations/memory_usage/iocs.xml b/configs/configurations/memory_usage/iocs.xml
index c57654c..6ee3a53 100644
--- a/configs/configurations/memory_usage/iocs.xml
+++ b/configs/configurations/memory_usage/iocs.xml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" ?>
 <iocs xmlns="http://epics.isis.rl.ac.uk/schema/iocs/1.0" xmlns:ioc="http://epics.isis.rl.ac.uk/schema/iocs/1.0" xmlns:xi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XInclude">
 	<ioc autostart="true" name="COUETTE_01" remotePvPrefix="" restart="true" simlevel="recsim">
 		<macros />
@@ -99,4 +100,4 @@
 		<pvs />
 		<pvsets />
 	</ioc>
-</iocs>
\ No newline at end of file
+</iocs>
diff --git a/configs/configurations/memory_usage/meta.xml b/configs/configurations/memory_usage/meta.xml
index f22bab5..f8f0add 100644
--- a/configs/configurations/memory_usage/meta.xml
+++ b/configs/configurations/memory_usage/meta.xml
@@ -6,5 +6,6 @@
 		<edit>2019-02-04 12:15:24</edit>
 	</edits>
         <isProtected>false</isProtected>
+        <isDynamic>false</isDynamic>
 	<configuresBlockGWAndArchiver>false</configuresBlockGWAndArchiver>
 </meta>
diff --git a/test_memory_usage.py b/test_memory_usage.py
index d2d09ec..a587b2c 100644
--- a/test_memory_usage.py
+++ b/test_memory_usage.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ def setUp(self) -> None:
         # all tests that interact with anything but genie should try to load
         # a config to ensure that the configurations
         # in the tests are not broken, e.g. by a schema update
-        load_config_if_not_already_loaded(TYPICAL_CONFIG_NAME)
+        load_config_if_not_already_loaded(TYPICAL_CONFIG_NAME, timeout=360)
 
     def get_current_memory_usage(self) -> float:
         """
diff --git a/utilities/utilities.py b/utilities/utilities.py
index 49398ef..3414ac4 100644
--- a/utilities/utilities.py
+++ b/utilities/utilities.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 import timeit
 import unittest
 from time import sleep, time
-from typing import Callable
+from typing import Any, Callable, ContextManager, ParamSpec, TypeVar
 
 import six
 
@@ -27,9 +27,12 @@
 except ImportError:
     from genie_python.utilities import compress_and_hex, dehex_and_decompress
 
+P = ParamSpec("P")
+T = TypeVar("T")
+
 WAIT_FOR_SERVER_TIMEOUT = 90
-"""Number of seconds to wait for a pv to become available in the config server e.g. when it starts or 
-when it changed config"""
+"""Number of seconds to wait for a pv to become available in the
+   config server e.g. when it starts or when it changed config"""
 
 # Number of seconds to wait for the DAE settings to update
 DAE_MODE_TIMEOUT = 120
@@ -41,7 +44,7 @@
 BASE_MEMORY_USAGE = "BASE_MEMORY_USAGE"
 
 
-def parameterized_list(cases):
+def parameterized_list(cases: list[Any]) -> list[tuple[str, Any]]:
     """
     Creates a list of cases for parameterized to use to run tests.
 
@@ -68,7 +71,9 @@ def parameterized_list(cases):
     return return_list
 
 
-def load_config_if_not_already_loaded(config_name):
+def load_config_if_not_already_loaded(
+    config_name: str, timeout: int = WAIT_FOR_SERVER_TIMEOUT
+) -> None:
     """
     Load a config by name if it has not already been loaded.
 
@@ -86,7 +91,7 @@ def load_config_if_not_already_loaded(config_name):
 
     g.set_pv("CS:BLOCKSERVER:LOAD_CONFIG", value=compress_and_hex(config_name), is_local=True)
     status_was_busy = False
-    for i in range(WAIT_FOR_SERVER_TIMEOUT):
+    for i in range(timeout):
         status = get_server_status()
         if status_was_busy and status == "":
             break
@@ -103,9 +108,10 @@ def load_config_if_not_already_loaded(config_name):
         )
 
 
-def _get_config_name():
+def _get_config_name() -> str:
     """
-    Returns the current config name after waiting for up to WAIT_FOR_SERVER_TIMEOUT seconds for it to be readable
+    Returns the current config name after waiting for up to WAIT_FOR_SERVER_TIMEOUT seconds
+            for it to be readable
     Returns: the current configs name
     Raises: AssertionError if the cv can not be read
 
@@ -113,9 +119,10 @@ def _get_config_name():
     return get_config_details()["name"]
 
 
-def get_config_details():
+def get_config_details() -> dict:
     """
-    Returns the current config name after waiting for up to WAIT_FOR_SERVER_TIMEOUT seconds for it to be readable
+    Returns the current config name after waiting for up to WAIT_FOR_SERVER_TIMEOUT seconds
+            for it to be readable
     Returns: the current configs name
     Raises: AssertionError if the cv can not be read
 
@@ -136,7 +143,7 @@ def get_config_details():
     raise final_exception
 
 
-def get_server_status():
+def get_server_status() -> str | None:
     """
     Get the servers current status
 
@@ -155,7 +162,7 @@ def get_server_status():
         return None
 
 
-def set_genie_python_raises_exceptions(does_throw):
+def set_genie_python_raises_exceptions(does_throw: bool) -> None:
     """
     Set that genie python api raises exceptions instead of just logging a message
     Args:
@@ -167,7 +174,7 @@ def set_genie_python_raises_exceptions(does_throw):
     genie_api_setup._exceptions_raised = does_throw
 
 
-def setup_simulated_wiring_tables(event_data=False):
+def setup_simulated_wiring_tables(event_data: bool = False) -> None:
     """
     Configures the DAE's wiring tables and sets the DAE to simulation mode
 
@@ -206,7 +213,7 @@ def setup_simulated_wiring_tables(event_data=False):
     set_genie_python_raises_exceptions(False)
 
 
-def _wait_for_and_assert_dae_simulation_mode(mode):
+def _wait_for_and_assert_dae_simulation_mode(mode: bool) -> None:
     """
     Waits for specified DAE simulation mode in the DAE
 
@@ -232,7 +239,7 @@ def _wait_for_and_assert_dae_simulation_mode(mode):
         )
 
 
-def set_wait_for_complete_callback_dae_settings(wait):
+def set_wait_for_complete_callback_dae_settings(wait: bool) -> None:
     """Sets the wait for completion callback attribute of the DAE
 
     @param wait: Boolean value, True if you want the DAE to wait for the operation
@@ -241,13 +248,13 @@ def set_wait_for_complete_callback_dae_settings(wait):
     genie_api_setup.__api.dae.wait_for_completion_callback_dae_settings = wait
 
 
-def temporarily_kill_icp():
+def temporarily_kill_icp() -> ContextManager[None]:
     # Temporarily kills the ISIS ICP (ISIS DAE)
 
     return genie_api_setup.__api.dae.temporarily_kill_icp()
 
 
-def as_seconds(time):
+def as_seconds(time: str) -> int:
     """
     Convert a up time to seconds
     Args:
@@ -265,7 +272,7 @@ def as_seconds(time):
     return seconds
 
 
-def _start_stop_ioc_is_a_start(is_a_start, ioc_name):
+def _start_stop_ioc_is_a_start(is_a_start: bool, ioc_name: str) -> None:
     """
     Start or stop and ioc dependent on whether it "is_a_start"
     Args:
@@ -285,12 +292,13 @@ def _start_stop_ioc_is_a_start(is_a_start, ioc_name):
     wait_for_ioc_start_stop(timeout=IOCS_START_STOP_TIMEOUT, is_start=is_a_start, ioc_name=ioc_name)
 
 
-def bulk_start_ioc(ioc_list):
+def bulk_start_ioc(ioc_list: list[str]) -> tuple[list[str], list[str]]:
     """
     start a list of IOCs in bulk
     :param ioc_list: a list of the names of the IOCs to start
     :return: a list of IOCs that failed to start after IOCS_START_STOP_TIMEOUT seconds
-            and a list of any IOCs that were not present in proc serv (this should be a very rare case)
+            and a list of any IOCs that were not present in proc serv
+            (this should be a very rare case)
     """
     failed_to_start = []
     not_in_proc_serv = []
@@ -301,7 +309,8 @@ def bulk_start_ioc(ioc_list):
         except UnableToConnectToPVException:
             not_in_proc_serv.append(ioc_name)
             print(
-                f"{ioc_name} not found in proc serv, should this be added to the list of iocs to skip?"
+                f"{ioc_name} not found in proc serv, should this be added "
+                "to the list of iocs to skip?"
             )
     ioc_list = [ioc for ioc in ioc_list if ioc not in not_in_proc_serv]
     for ioc_name in ioc_list:
@@ -314,7 +323,7 @@ def bulk_start_ioc(ioc_list):
     return failed_to_start, not_in_proc_serv
 
 
-def bulk_stop_ioc(ioc_list):
+def bulk_stop_ioc(ioc_list: list[str]) -> list[str]:
     """
     Stops a list of IOCs in bulk
     :param ioc_list: a list of the names of the IOCs to stop
@@ -334,7 +343,7 @@ def bulk_stop_ioc(ioc_list):
     return failed_to_stop
 
 
-def start_ioc(ioc_name):
+def start_ioc(ioc_name: str) -> None:
     """
     Start the ioc
     Args:
@@ -346,7 +355,7 @@ def start_ioc(ioc_name):
     _start_stop_ioc_is_a_start(True, ioc_name)
 
 
-def stop_ioc(ioc_name):
+def stop_ioc(ioc_name: str) -> None:
     """
     Stop the ioc
     Args:
@@ -358,7 +367,7 @@ def stop_ioc(ioc_name):
     _start_stop_ioc_is_a_start(False, ioc_name)
 
 
-def wait_for_ioc_start_stop(timeout, is_start, ioc_name):
+def wait_for_ioc_start_stop(timeout: int, is_start: bool, ioc_name: str) -> None:
     """
     Wait for an ioc to start or stop, if timeout raise a timeout error
     Args:
@@ -382,9 +391,10 @@ def wait_for_ioc_start_stop(timeout, is_start, ioc_name):
         raise IOError(f"IOC {ioc_name} is not {'started' if is_start else 'stopped'}")
 
 
-def quick_is_ioc_down(ioc_name):
+def quick_is_ioc_down(ioc_name: str) -> bool:
     """
-    Determine if IOC is up by checking proc serv, cannot be used to make sure a PV has been started, but is
+    Determine if IOC is up by checking proc serv, cannot be used to make sure a PV
+    has been started, but is
     good enough for checks before attempting to start/stop
     :param ioc_name:  The IOC to check
     :return:  True if IOC is up; False otherwise
@@ -393,7 +403,7 @@ def quick_is_ioc_down(ioc_name):
     return running == "Shutdown"
 
 
-def is_ioc_up(ioc_name):
+def is_ioc_up(ioc_name: str) -> bool:
     """
     Determine if IOC is up by checking for the existence of its heartbeat PV
     Args:
@@ -411,7 +421,7 @@ def is_ioc_up(ioc_name):
     return heartbeat is not None
 
 
-def wait_for_iocs_to_be_up(ioc_names, seconds_to_wait):
+def wait_for_iocs_to_be_up(ioc_names: list[str], seconds_to_wait: int) -> None:
     """
     Wait for a number of iocs to be up by checking for existence of heartbeat PVs for each ioc.
 
@@ -432,11 +442,14 @@ def wait_for_iocs_to_be_up(ioc_names, seconds_to_wait):
         sleep(1)
     else:
         raise AssertionError(
-            f"IOCs: {[ioc_name for ioc_name in ioc_names if not is_ioc_up(ioc_name)]} could not be started."
+            f"IOCs: {[ioc_name for ioc_name in ioc_names if not is_ioc_up(ioc_name)]} "
+            "could not be started."
         )
 
 
-def wait_for_string_pvs_to_not_be_empty(pvs, seconds_to_wait, is_local=True):
+def wait_for_string_pvs_to_not_be_empty(
+    pvs: list[str], seconds_to_wait: int, is_local: bool = True
+) -> dict:
     """
     Wait for a number of string pvs to be non-empty and return their values.
     Raises an assertion error if at least one is not found.
@@ -469,16 +482,16 @@ def wait_for_string_pvs_to_not_be_empty(pvs, seconds_to_wait, is_local=True):
     return pv_values
 
 
-def retry_on_failure(max_times):
+def retry_on_failure(max_times: int) -> Callable[[Callable[P, T]], Callable[P, None]]:
     """
     Decorator that will retry running a test if it failed.
     :param max_times: Maximum number of times to retry running the test
     :return: the decorator
     """
 
-    def decorator(func):
+    def decorator(func: Callable[P, T]) -> Callable[P, None]:
         @six.wraps(func)
-        def wrapper(*args, **kwargs):
+        def wrapper(*args: P.args, **kwargs: P.kwargs) -> None:
             err = None
             for attempt in range(max_times):
                 try:
@@ -497,7 +510,7 @@ def wrapper(*args, **kwargs):
     return decorator
 
 
-def check_block_exists(block_name):
+def check_block_exists(block_name: str) -> bool:
     """
     Check that the given block name is in the current blocks.
 
@@ -511,10 +524,12 @@ def check_block_exists(block_name):
     return block_name in blocks
 
 
-def retry_assert(retry_limit: int, func: Callable[[], None], retry_time: float = 1.0):
+def retry_assert(retry_limit: int, func: Callable[[], None], retry_time: float = 1.0) -> None:
     """
-    Take a function (func) that makes assertions. Try to call the function and catch any AssertionErrors if raised.
-    Repeat this until either the function does not raise an AssertionError or the retry_limit is reached.
+    Take a function (func) that makes assertions. Try to call the function and
+    catch any AssertionErrors if raised.
+    Repeat this until either the function does not raise an AssertionError
+    or the retry_limit is reached.
     If the retry limit is reach reraise the last error.
 
     Args:
@@ -537,7 +552,7 @@ def retry_assert(retry_limit: int, func: Callable[[], None], retry_time: float =
         raise error
 
 
-def get_execution_time(method):
+def get_execution_time(method: Callable[[], None]) -> float:
     """
     Takes a method and calculates its execution time.
     Useful for tests that are time sensitive
@@ -556,7 +571,7 @@ def get_execution_time(method):
     return execution_time
 
 
-def assert_with_timeout(assertion: Callable, timeout: int):
+def assert_with_timeout(assertion: Callable[[], None], timeout: int) -> None:
     err = None
     for _ in range(timeout):
         try: