PAPER K

HAZ RYDE - Monthly updates - Sally Thompson, Project Manager

Heritage High Street Action Zone - Ryde

(Funded by Historic England, Ryde Town Council & Isle of Wight Council)

Lead Partner - Ryde Town Council, (ST reporting to Lisa Dyer, Town Clerk)

Project Manager: Sally Thompson, (reporting to Paul Thomas, IWC, Regeneration)

Date: 17^th August 2020

Activities since 15^th June (First date of employment - ST)

•

Ryde HAZ Steering group has met twice

•

Community Working Group has been set up and met once

•

Approach to monitoring and evaluation of project agreed - now exploring procurement options

•

Collaborative working on COVID Recovery Group

•

Development of Design Code brief is underway, and this will be adopted by both Newport & Ryde

•

Phase 1 pedestrianisation of Ryde High Street has been completed, with new signage in place

•

Charles Dimmick Heritage Arts project in progress

•

Business Case for acquisition and refurbishment of Ryde Town Hall has been commissioned

•

Introductory visit from the Diocese of Portsmouth to St Mary’s Church Ryde and tour of former

Ryde Convent site - (re future feasibility study to regenerate the whole site)

•

Steering group approval for communications budget of £5k for 2020/21 (website costs will be

shared with Newport HAZ)

•

Circulated Brief to five website developers for proposals and quotes

•

Approval from HAZ Ryde steering group for a ‘HAZ Hub’ in Ryde High Street

•

Liaison with Ryde Town Council officer’s and Councillors re HAZ Ryde

•

Site meeting at Ryde Theatre / Town Hall re Business Case for Acquisition & Future Business Model

Financial Update

•

Qtrs. 1 & 2 claims to HE will be made at the end of September

•

LD (RTC) & ST to review ‘in-kind’ support from RTC to date and invoices paid / due

•

ST and LD to set up monitoring and payment / claim process at RTC for Ryde HAZ

•

DL (Regen IWC) is supporting in setting up process flowchart, templates and monitoring forms

•

Programme Scheme reviewed and updated 10.08.20 with RLS and ST / DL

•

Request logged and approved by HE to bring forward £8k budget into 2020 for Community

Engagement from 2021 and to push back £10k each from 2020 into 2021 for Feasibility

Studies from HE and IWC

•

ST confirmed budget / support for AW and ZT with LD (RTC)

Summary Position

•

Projects are on schedule and should be on target by end of year one, possible exception being

design code, which has been impacted by delays due to COVID-19

•

Some projects yet to be reviewed (for years 2-4) due to need to prioritise those that need faster

start during year 1

•

Procurement processes are in progress for the website and expected to start soon on the

monitoring and evaluation for overall project programme (VI). (This will provide valuable

information, data and statistics about footfall and dwell time in the Ryde HAZ zone as well as how

the entry / exit points are used and supporting information about people movements in Union

Street / Interchange -details tbc)

Project Status

Overall

Time

Budget

Resources

Issues

Risks

Heritage High Street Action Zone - Ryde

(7) Shop Front Scheme - Design Code and other publicity materials and activities

Activities in the last month

• Process agreed with Ryde SG

• Discussions with Lee Byrne and Jo Murray-Smith regarding brief

• Draft brief produced by MG and circulated among project team for comment

• Initial discussions with procurement officer

Summary Position

Project is behind schedule, but with some scope to catch up by end of year 1, subject to procurement

timescales and ability of contractors to deliver in time. Some slippage may be necessary to avoid

compromising the end result. This will become clearer in the next month or so.

Project Status

Overall

Time

Budget

Resources

Issues

Risks

Green

Current

Green

Amber

Green

Risk Comments

Heritage High Street Action Zone - Ryde

(8) Building Feasibility Studies

Ryde Town Hall / Theatre and St. Mary’s former Convent School

Activities in the last month

1. Ryde Town Hall / Theatre: Business Case commissioned with Regen Co; budget approved by

SG. Initial site visit arranged for 14^th August. Facilitated and attended introductory meetings

between Regen Co & RTC. Introduced Steve Pearce from Regen Co to Lee Byrne at IWC and

Rob Lloyd-Stewart at HE.

2. Exploratory meeting at St. Mary’s Church, with site tour of former Convent School including

Diocese of Portsmouth, ST & ZT. ST to facilitate establishment of Community Action Group and

Planning Group. Feasibility Study to be commissioned by April 2021

3. Review of Scheme Profile Budgets for Ryde HAZ means there is £20k grant from HE for

Feasibility Studies / Business Cases in this financial year, with a further £25k in 2021

Summary Position

Ryde Town Hall / Theatre:

•

Previous feasibility study needs refreshing - hence Business Case instruction to explore

sustainable commercial uses for the benefit of Ryde and local community

•

The Business Case will be supported by a further report to be commissioned by RTC, which will

make recommendations as to most suitable company structure for proposed acquisition of the

Town Hall / Theatre - such as a Trust or CIC

•

The Business Case will be available for any potential purchaser to review

•

IWC has instructed owner of Ryde Theatre to make the building safe and secure

•

Owner has instructed structural survey of the building and boarded up some of the windows

•

Valuation is still ‘in progress’ and has not been finalised at this stage

•

Aim is to bring Ryde Town Hall / Theatre into sustainable community use via purchase by a

newco entity (tbc) or another buyer / organisation

St Mary’s Church / Former Convent School:

•

St. Mary’s Church requires further conservation work and is seeking additional funding to

support this. The Church is listed and has received previous recognition from HE.

•

Former School Gym and Church accommodation is in a dilapidated state and requires

sympathetic regeneration, in line with listed status - ideas muted around a possible ‘boutique

hotel’ and new community space to be shared by the Parish & local residents / community

groups etc (with café and parking facilities)

•

Potential for mixed housing scheme on former convent school site. Parish would like to retain

‘ownership’ of 2-3 houses, to be rented out, so that the monthly income could support St.

Mary’s Church ongoing. The priority is the sustainability of St. Mary’s Church.

•

“Could a deal be done with Council, for overall control of the regen’ site, via public loan

scheme? i.e. Parish would consider a sensible offer from local authority for the convent school

site.”

•

Planning permission granted previously is now expired and proposed scheme deemed

unsuitable. Hence overall review / feasibility on required for whole site.

•

‘Planning Group’ and Community Action Group to be established to explore potential in advance

of new planning application, with the aim of mitigating obstacles and gaining community buy-in

•

Diocese of Portsmouth has another Church in Seafield Road, Seaview, value, approx. £350k.

They would like to sell this property for residential development so that some of the proceeds

could be contributed to the planning process for the Convent School. (Previously prevented to

explore options for ‘community use’ but no interest to date, hence potential to develop the

Seafield Road site to support Convent opportunity.)

•

The plan is to establish the groups, work up some ideas and options, then commission

feasibility study to commence at the start of new financial year 2021

Project Status

Overall

Time

Budget

Resources

Issues

Risks

Green

Current

Green

Risk Comments

Heritage High Street Action Zone - Ryde

(9) Community Engagement

Activities in the last month

1. Charles Dimmick Heritage Arts Project:

Ryde’s first HSHAZ community engagement project has been inspired by nineteenth century plantsman

and Ryde Councillor, Charles Dimmick who lived and worked in the High Street and immediate vicinity.

Dimmick’s first business was situated at 147 High Street, the current site of youth organisation Network

Ryde, where he sold seeds and later flower and vegetable plants grown in glasshouses situated to the

rear of the building. Dimmick is also notable for his writings on the Irish Potato Famine.

The project, led by artists Teresa Grimaldi and Sarah Vardy, is using art and horticulture to engage young

people and the wider community with their local heritage. To date, the group have explored growing

from seed and cuttings, creating flower stencils to cheer the social distancing dots in Ryde High Street

and making animations from the shadows of wire weeds! From the 8^th August they’ll be taking over the

windows of the Aspire Hub, recreating Dimmick’s shop and showcasing the work they’ve been producing

as it progresses. The project will culminate in a flower and plant market on August Bank Holiday Monday.

More information on Charles Dimmick can be found on the Ryde Social Heritage Group website:

https://rshg.org.uk/history-of-ryde/charles-dimmick/

Follow the project on Instagram: @hazproject2020

2. Established the Ryde HAZ Community Engagement Group and held inaugural meeting with

sector leads, on 29.07.2020. This group will meet three times per year and oversee strategic

input / project ideas and engage directly re communications between stakeholders and

community groups / networks in and around Ryde to further support and promote Ryde HAZ

over the four-year programme period

3. Communications budget approved by SG for 2020

•

Worked with Newport HAZ on brief for website

•

Prepared brief for website and circulated to five providers for proposals and quotes by

17^th August, with aim of creating the website by mid to end September 2020

•

Assessed social media needs. ZT overseeing Facebook / Instagram accounts

•

Submitted press release for the Beacon re Charles Dimmick Project

•

Prepared brief for proposed information video re Ryde HAZ - to be updated and

circulated by end of w/c 17.08.2020

•

Liaised with HE re Communications toolkit for Ryde HAZ

4. ZT working on ‘Look up, Look Down’ project to support future Design Code and Public Realm

projects - further details to follow in Aug / Sept reports

5. AW facilitating the Cultural Consortium and overseeing the pilot project planned for December,

together with overall grant application to HE for increased funds to further support Ryde HAZ

through heritage art projects, carnivals, festivals and events, which will be delivered by

community stakeholders

6. Approval given by SG and RTC to establish a ‘HAZ Hub’ in Ryde. 19 High Street, Ryde has

been identified as the initial ‘pop up’ unit where HAZ will promote projects, consult with

stakeholders, exhibit displays and information etc. AW liaising with LD at RTC re agreement for

insurance payments to be covered, as agreed at SG. ZT preparing a plan to share with

community stakeholders re set up and use of unit / promotion of projects etc.

Summary Position

• Great progress in Ryde on community engagement, due to the head-start gained by working

with part-time project officers, Abi Wheeler and Zoe Thompson, who were instrumental in

establishing Ryde HAZ in association with Ryde Town Council, after the successful bid

application to Historic England

Project Status

Overall

Time

Budget

Resources

Issues

Risks

Green

Current

Green

Risk Comments

NOTES OF HIGH STREET HERITAGE ACTION ZONE INTERIM STEERING GROUP

HELD ON THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2020 AT 12.00 MIDDAY

HELD REMOTLEY VIA THE ‘ZOOM’ VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY

Present:

Cllr Phil Jordan (RTC), Jon Baker (RTC), Lisa Dyer (RTC), Rob Lloyd-

Sweet (HE), Zoey Thompson (RBS) Chris Turvey (RTC), and Abi

Wheeler (RS)

9/20

HSHAZ STEERING GROUP AND FUTURE ARRANGMENTS OF PROJECT

OFFICERS

The meeting was convened to confirm the arrangements that needed to be put in

place with regard to the recruiting of both Zoe Thompson and Abi Wheeler as Interim

HSAZ Project Officers who were appointed to oversee the management and

scheduling of the HSAZ Project before a full time officer was appointed later in the

year. Funding for their positions would be met a quarter by the Isle of Wight Council

(IWC), a quarter by Ryde Town Council (RTC) and the remainder by Historic England

(HE).

One of the first areas that required attention was the instigation of a Public

Engagement Plan. This was necessary in order to evaluate how best to actively

involve the public.

Another area that required focus was the Shop Front Feasibility Study, where a

revision of the high street’s buildings would be undertaken to evaluate which shops,

businesses and areas of public realm needed investment most to improve their visual

impact and attract more interest from residents and visitors alike.

It was important that members of the public should be encouraged to become

involved in this and it was suggested that areas of the media as well as RTC website

and Facebook page could be utilised to promote their engagement. This would enable

the work to be open and transparent.

Ryde Arts Groups should also be involved in starting a Community Arts Project to

bring on board local children via schools. This could look at local historical figures,

who would be celebrated by means of a project that would leave a long lasting legacy.

A similar initiative in Ramsgate was cited were 800 porcelain tiles inspired by 19th

century architect and Ramsgate resident Augustus Pugin were installed at the town’s

‘Kent Step’. Two local schools provided the children and the Pugin Society provided

the relevant tutelage behind the project.

A similar assignment could be undertaken in the Anglesea Street Square adjacent to

the Co-Op Supermarket where laser cut stain glass windows integrated with plants

and flora could be erected to celebrate local 19^th century botanist William Arnold

Bromfield who spent much of his life residing in Ryde.

Another local figure mentioned was Countess Lavinia Spencer who started up the

Islands first free school at Vectis Hall, was also a famous 18^th / 19^th artist and who

which Spencer Road is named after.

Should any project require planning permission the relevant planning officers at the

Isle of Wight Council would also need to be involved.

The group also discussed the requirement of holding a Risk Register / Log which

would look at all projects and evaluate and mitigate any areas of risk to RTC. Trevor

Nicholas at Aspire held a similar document and he should be contacted for further

advice. Abi and Zoe would look at launching this as a priority.

On the issue of the Shop Front Design a discussion took place around possible

collaboration with Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council, although it was

noted that any decisions needed to be in the best interest of Ryde and what was best

for the town. However, it was considered to be a good idea to involve the whole of

the Islands public in compiling a portfolio of photographs of good shop front examples

where specific designs from the Island as a whole could be used (although they must

be relevant to Ryde). This would involve local residents getting out and taking such

pictures and sharing them (but ensuring that Covid 19 restrictions were observed).

There would also need to be a system in place where those taking such photographs

would be happy for them to be shared on a platform such as ‘Flickr’.

It was also noted that any financial contribution from a shop owner would be 20

percent with the remaining 80 percent split between RTC and HE. However, it would

need to be financially viable and not go into deficit. Properties with residential

accommodation would also need to be identified and prioritised.

Funding of up to £20,000 could be agreed by the Steering Group, anything over that

amount would need to be considered by HE, although it was acknowledged that most

schemes should fall well below £20,000.

On the issue of all background information around the HSAZ bid itself, both Interim

Project Officers would be given access to a shared folder which would contain all

relevant documents. It was also noted that both officers would be provided with an

RTC Email address in order to be able to communicate and interact with all relevant

bodies. On the issue of wider sharing of information, a ‘Drop Box’ could also be set

up to allow all members of the Steering Group and Stakeholder Group to be able to

access all documents at any time.

Four areas were identified as being in need of instigation:

• Public Engagement Plan - To identify how and best to involve members of the

public.

• Community Arts Project - Look at commencing by engaging online. Look at

utilising a Virtual Youth Club (as suggested by the Mayor)

• Risk Register / Log - To analyse all projects and identify any areas of risk that

need to be mitigated against.

• Shop Front Design Feasibility Study - Survey and identify which shops can be

brought back into use and at what cost.

With regard to the main Steering Group itself, a membership needed to be confirmed.

Those who must sit on it would be the two Interim Project Officers, two members from

Ryde Town Council and two representatives from the Isle of Wight Council.

Contributions would be included from both Ryde Business Association and Ryde Arts.

On the matter of the groups Terms of Reference, this would need to be drawn up as

soon as possible and emailed around to the Group for consideration. It would need

to be no more than one page and reflect what was best for Ryde. Lisa would look to

see if the previous RTC Clerks had started this before they left the Council in

December 2019.

The Group was keen to start things as soon as possible and take advantage of the

funding from HE, but also be mindful of the current Covid 19 restrictions.

Grants that were also available to start utilising should also be looked into and HE

would assist in looking at helping out the Heritage Centre.

Moving forward, the appointment of a permanent Project Officer to take over from Abi

and Zoe would take around six months, although there may some delay of a further

three months to this. It was however noted that funding was in place and HE would

encourage RTC to start utilising it as soon as possible.

All projects would need to be agreed by the Steering Group and then reported back

to Ryde Town Council.

With regard to the Stakeholder Group, which would include a wider body of the T

towns representatives, this would need to be up and running within six months.

10/20

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting would be held on Wednesday, 29 April 2020 at a time

to be determined.

NOTES OF RYDE HIGH STREET HERITAGE ACTION ZONE STEERING GROUP

MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, 29 APRIL 2020 AT 12.00 MIDDAY

VIA THE ‘ZOOM’ VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY

Present:

Cllr Phil Jordan (RTC - Chair), Chris Ashman (IWC), Jon Baker (RTC),

Marion Brinton (HE), Lisa Dyer (RTC), Rob Lloyd-Sweet (HE), Cllr

Malcolm Ross (RTC), Zoey Thompson (RBS) Chris Turvey (RTC), and

Abi Wheeler (RA)

11/20

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

All present welcomed Marion Brinton from Historic England (HE), Chris Ashman,

Director of Regeneration for the Isle of Wight Council (IWC) and Cllr Malcolm Ross

of Ryde Town Council (RTC).

12/20

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

The Group were of the opinion that RTC should lead the Steering Group for the

first year and the role of Chair would then be rotated to other representatives

thereafter. Cllr Phil Jordan was nominated, and the Group agreed to his position

as Chairman of the Ryde HSHAZ Steering Group.

DECISION

That Cllr Jordan is elected as Chairman of the Ryde HSHAZ Steering Group and

that the role of Chairman would be on a rotating basis with representatives of RTC

taking the role of Chair for the first 12 months.

Cllr Jordan thereupon took the Chair for the rest of the meeting.

13/20

ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

Cllr Ross was nominated, and the Group agreed to his position as Vice Chair to

the Ryde HSHAZ Steering Group.

DECISION

That Cllr Malcom Ross is elected as Vic Chairman of the Ryde HSHAZ Steering

Group.

14/20

APOLOGIES

No apologies were received as all members of the group were present.

A - 1

15/20

NOTES OF LAST MEETING - UPDATES / ACTIONS

The notes from the meeting held remotely via the ZOOM Facility were reviewed

and the following required amending:

• Final paragraph, page one - Interim Project officers would instigate the

Community Arts Project, therefore reference to Ryde Arts should be

removed.

• First paragraph, page two - the name of the 19^th Century Horticulturalist

who would be the subject of the Community Arts Project was Charles

Dimmick.

The following updates was also noted:

• With regard to the HE Grant, The Heritage Centre situated in the Victoria

Arcade would be applying within the week and all other relevant Heritage

bodies including the IW Bus Museum have been made aware.

• The Group was also advised that the full time Project Officer had now been

appointed, subject to the usual checks. After these had been verified, this

would be confirmed to all relevant parties. The starting date of the

appointment was 16 June 2020

DECISION

That subject to the amendments being made, the notes to the meeting held on 16

April 2020 were agreed.

16/20

AGREEMENT OF PROPOSED TERMS OF REFERENCE

The proposed Terms of Reference was circulated to all members of the group

ahead of the meeting.

The Group held a discussion around various areas of responsibility and how

specific the terms should be. Providing that all projects adhered to the Delivery

Plan, HE would support their progression.

With regard to financial boundaries, all contractual arrangements would need to

adhere to all relevant RTC and IWC regulations. It was also proposed and agreed

that the Steering Group should have the delegated authority to approve up to

£20,000 and ensure that all approved spend by the group would be in consultation

with RTC to ensure that the public were kept fully informed of where any money

was being spent.

It was also agreed that such delegated authority would be applicable at all times

and not just during the Covid 19 social restrictions.

The Chair commented on the need for the terms to be as flexible as possible in

order for the Steering Group to have the capacity to progress the HSHAZ projects

quickly and effectively.

A - 2

DECISION

Following discussion the group agreed to make the following amendment to the

Terms of Reference:

• Page two - the final paragraph be changed from:

Special Measures During Covid - 19 Emergency

Delegated powers to be awarded to the steering group for any single project

with a total value of less than £25,000.

To:

Financial Responsibility

Delegated powers to be awarded to the steering group for any single project

with a total value of less than £20,000.

17/20

FORMATION OF STAKEHOLDERS GROUP

The Group considered the formation of the forthcoming Stake Holders Group that

would complement the process of progressing the HSHAZ projects.

It was acknowledged that there were many interested parties from many various

areas such as youth facilities, heritage and arts groups, businesses and

environment groups. The Interim Project Officers would therefore create a

Community Representative Group were one person from each area would be

selected and when applicable sit on the Stake Holders Group. This would avoid a

very large membership sitting at any one time. Those selected could also have a

stand-in to sit on the Stake Holder Group should they be unavailable, to ensure

there was always a representative on the group. Various delegates would only

need to attend a meeting if there was relevant business within their remit to

discuss. Feedback could then be fed back to their own groups on how things were

developing.

The membership of the Stake Holder Group would also evolve over time with new

groups being involved as and when other projects needed to be discussed and

progressed.

Island Roads would also be a key member of the group as a contracted partner

and the Project Officer(s) would be expected to liaise with them as and when

required.

Both Interim Project Officers would create a list of all the various representatives

from the groups with contact details, which would be available to all in the secured

shared HSHAZ folder on RTC’s main drive.

Arrangements would also be made to ensure that the folder would be made

available to the Steering Group’s Chair and Vice Chair.

A - 3

18/20

UPDATE FROM INTERIM PROJECT OFFICERS

The Interim Project Officers provided updates on the work carried out since the

last meeting.

The issuing of the dedicated RTC email addresses and the access to the shared

HSHAZ Folder for the Project Officers have been addressed and both officers were

now working on how best to promote the HSHAZ Projects online.

Social media platforms such as RTC’s Facebook and Twitter sites as well as the

main website, could be utilised with a specific HSHAZ brand and also encourage

public engagement and communication as well promote the potential of the

HSHAZ funding. All areas of this would be maintained and updated by the Project

Officers.

There would also need to be a wider public awareness initiative with notice boards

utilised as well shop fronts such as Aspire and Network Ryde.

With regard to the Shop Front Design Project a request for photographs by

members of the public had been put out and there had so far been six responses.

Using digital media and the public, an audit of Ryde’s High Street shop fronts could

then be carried out, highlighting the positive and negative aspects and thus raise

areas of discussion in order to establish the best way to improve the appearance

of the High Street.

With regard to the Community Engagement Plan, a good start had been made and

objectives were being worked on via a Community Engagement Statement which

would take into account the objectives of the Ryde Place Plan.

19/20

POSSIBLE SCOPE OF WORK DURING COVID 19 EMERGENCY

The outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic has meant RTC has had to face some

very difficult challenges with staff members either working from home full time or a

few working very hard in the main office, co-ordinating the Coronavirus Community

Hub where a significant number of volunteers had been organised in assisting

vulnerable residents. This has however led to resources being substantially

stretched for the foreseeable future.

The issue of the pedestrianisation of the High Street was raised and how Covid 19

restrictions were affecting its progress. It was noted that Island Roads were

operating, but on a much reduced scale with officers working from home and only

emergency works being carried out around the Island. Signage for the zone had

however been made and was ready to be erected. Prior to Covid 19 lockdown, this

was expected to be in place by the end of March 2020.

The pedestrianisation road closure Traffic Order had also been approved by the

IWC’s relevant Cabinet Member in December 2019, so its implementation could in

theory be carried out, but with Covid 19 restrictions in place, this was causing some

doubt as to exactly when. RTC’s Planning Clerk would contact the relevant officers

at Island Roads and seek clarification on when the work can commence.

A - 4

HSHAZ project work that has been carried during Covid 19 restrictions included

the initiation of the Community Arts Project with Ryde Social Heritage Group and

the Ryde Historic Society being approached with a view to obtaining some digitised

street maps to identify specific areas relevant to the work of Charles Dimmick as

well as acquiring seeds for planting by children which can then be documented by

them.

A contact at Osborne House, where Mr Dimmick tended the gardens and supplied

plants and flora from his nursery business during Victorian times would also be

established to make plans for any future involvement with children.

Following Covid 19 lockdown restrictions being lifted, children could then become

more involved with the instigation of the laser cut grills and plant project at the

square in Anglesea Street. Locations such as Aspire and Network Ryde could also

be utilised to exhibit the children’s work.

20/20

HERITAGE HIGH STREET - NEXT STEPS

As mentioned previously in the meeting, the appointment of the permanent Project

Manager had been made via an online interviewing process. The appointment

would be conveyed to all councillors of RTC once all the usual checking

procedures had taken place and all other candidates were made aware of the

decision. An induction process would then be prepared by the IWC which would

include the new officer meeting all members of the Steering Group and RTC.

A draft Memorandum of Understanding had also been prepared and was ready to

be circulated to all relevant parties by the IWC’s Director of Regeneration.

With regard to the appointments of the two Interim Project Officers, all members of

RTC had been advised of their positions via the Mayors newsletters and various

emails.

21/20

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the finalised brief for the Community Arts Project required

Steering Group approval as quickly as possible.

DECISION

It was therefore suggested and agreed that this could be facilitated via a group

email exchange. In order to do this, a dedicated RTC email group would be created

and the relevant proposal would be emailed around for final approval by the

HSHAZ Steering Group.

The date of the next full meeting would be held on Wednesday, 20 May 2020 at

12 midday and held via the Zoom video meeting facility.

A - 5

PAPER A

NOTES OF RYDE HIGH STREET HERITAGE ACTION ZONE STEERING GROUP

MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 20 MAY 2020 AT 2.00PM

VIA THE ‘ZOOM’ VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY

Present:

Cllr Phil Jordan (RTC - Chair), Jon Baker (RTC), Rob Lloyd-Sweet (HE),

Cllr Malcolm Ross (RTC), Paul Thomas (IWC), Zoey Thompson (RBS)

Chris Turvey (RTC), and Abi Wheeler (RA)

22/20

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

All present welcomed Paul Thomas from the Isle of Wight Council (IWC) who would

be taking over from Chris Ashman in the long term as the IWC’s representative

and provide support with regard to the HSHAZ Projects.

23/20

APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Chris Ashman (IWC) and Marion Brinton (HE)

24/20

NOTES OF LAST MEETING - UPDATES / ACTIONS

The notes from the previous meeting held remotely via the ZOOM Facility on 29

April 2020 were reviewed and agreed:

DECISION

That the notes to the meeting held on 29 April 2020 were agreed.

With regard to Cllrs Jordan and Ross being provided with access to the shared

HSAZ folder on the Town Councils internal server, there had been a delay owing

some IT issues. This would be resolved as a matter of urgency.

ACTION - Chris and Jon to contact PC Consultants and ensure access is

granted.

25/20

UPDATE FROM INTERIM PROJECT OFFICERS

The Group received updates on progress made from the two Project Officers:

Confirmation of the Community Project Brief

The Charles Dimmick (Art and Horticulture) project brief was submitted to the

Group for formal approval.

A - 1

The project looked to meet two objectives of the HSAZ, Objective

7 -

Community Engagement Plan (primary objective) and 4 - Civic Pride and

Heritage Awareness (secondary objective).

The group noted with interest that the subject of the project, Charles Dimmick,

grew up in 147 High Street and the involvement of Ryde’s young people along

with Network Ryde being based there now was a good selling point.

Most of the costings were based on the aluminium panels being of a standard

size of 3 x 2mm 2.5m x 1.25m and an artist being commissioned for a period

of 16 days at £250 per day. The total cost of the project would be within the

Groups spending limits, being in the region of £8800. There should however

be some costings for marketing the tender also included.

Any work with regard to fixings of panels to the wall at the rear of Anglesea

Square would need to be done after consultation with the IWC’s Principal

Conservation Officer in order to ensure there was no violation of regulations.

If that were to be the case then the panels could be free standing or affixed to

benches. Artists could also be employed as couples who would provide back

up for one another as and when required.

The IWC’s Director of Regeneration should also be involved in seeing any

applications for the tender, which would be done as an opened invitation via

local press and relevant publications.

Subject to the marketing costs being confirmed, the Group was happy to

approve the project.

DECISION - Community Project Brief (Charles Dimmick

- Art and

Horticulture Project is approved)

ACTION - Abi to expedite project and report back on progress as and

when required.

ii.

Consider Pedestrian Zone Project to Action (Inspired by 'look up, look down'

project Croydon).

The group discussed ideas on how to address the High Street

Pedestrianisation Zone. One area of inspiration was the Ground Art works for

Croydon Council carried out in 2018. Whilst they were designs to highlight road

safety measures, such designs could be used in a similar way to encourage

social distancing during the Covid 19 Pandemic in a more sympathetic way to

the standard designs.

Local artists could be involved as well as the towns young people and the

message of Ryde being a welcoming place that was ready for reopening for

business should be adopted. Street furniture was also discussed with planters

of various designs and colours. Cycle racks also need to be placed in more

prominent places to encourage cyclists into town to use its shops and

businesses.

Any plans should also include consultation with the public as well Ryde

Business Association and Island Roads.

A - 2

ACTION - Zoe to put together a Project Brief and map to identify areas to

be addressed and circulate to the Group for consideration.

iii.

Placemaking:

An overview on a method of working on some of the larger elements of the

HSAZ Project was provided with a Bristol based scheme called Future Perfect

supplying ideas and inspiration for a similar venture in Ryde.

Future Perfect is a programme of public art commissions for a residential area

in south Bristol and was commissioned by Bristol City Council and funded

through a Neighbourhood Partnership. The programme was part of a large-

scale regeneration scheme spearheaded by the Council to lessen any effects

caused by development.

One element of the project was a patterned path (Nils Norman’s Path) that was

made of coloured tiles providing improved access for pedestrians and

wheelchair users. Such a venture could fit well with the Pedestrianisation of

the High Street and could involve linking Minghella Square and Anglesea

Street Square near the Co-Op supermarket.

The Future Perfect curator had been approached and costings of around £10k

had been suggested. Again, involvement from the local community would be

encouraged. It was also suggested that involving artists from off the Island may

be an option in order to generate different ideas.

ACTION - Abi and Zoe to put together a brief and circulate for

consideration.

iv.

Cultural Consortium Pilot fund.

The Covid 19 crises has had a significant impact on Ryde, with many events

being abandoned, however grant funding of £10K was still a possibility.

Now that Ryde Carnival had been cancelled for 2020, it and Shade Makers

had been approached with a view to holding a ‘static carnival’, where Ryde

shops and businesses in the main High Street could be transformed into

having illuminated displays in their front windows for people to enjoy whilst

walking through the town.

Business and shop owners would be encouraged to be involved and the spirit

of Ryde Carnival season could be retained in some way, whilst social

distancing measures remained in place.

Ryde Carnival had already indicated that they would be happy to do research

on the idea and provide assistance along with Shademakers and any progress

can be reported back to a future meeting.

The Chair stated that providing the funding could be secured, the project could

begin.

ACTION - Abi and Zowie to report back on progress at the next meeting.

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26/20

STAKEHOLDERS GROUP - UPDATE ON STATUS

The Group was advised that this was progressing and all relevant contact details

were being collated and added to the list. It was however important that access to

the folder be made available to both RTC Councillors in order for them to be able

to view any progress.

Any documents within the folder could also be emailed to the IWC’s Director of

Neighbourhoods if required.

27/20

HERITAGE HIGH STREET - NEXT STEPS

It was suggested that the IWC’s Principal Conservation Officer be invited to the

next HSAZ Steering Group meeting in order to advise on potential planning and

regulatory implications with regard to the Shop Front Design project (and any other

HSHAZ Projects).

ACTION - Chris to invite Lee Byrne to the next HSHAZ SG Meeting

It was noted that the Newport HSAZ was up and running and was subject to a

Supplementary Planning Document, although the IWC’s Assistant Director of

Regeneration was confident that there would be no major issues with either town

and that the IWC recognised the importance of getting shops up and running again.

The Group acknowledged that there was some healthy rivalry between Ryde Town

Council and Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council , but it was important

that both established good communications for their own benefit in order to deliver

the HSAZ successfully.

There had been some contributions from members of the public with regard to the

Shop Front Design providing photographs and HE would be sharing these with

architects for their comments. Ryde’s HSAZ Project Officers would liaise with

Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council’s counterpart in order to share

information and obtain ideas. There also needed to be some discussion with

CycleWight and the IWC in order to take into account any cycle way issues.

ACTION - Zoe to contact Martin Gibson (Newport HSAZ) and report back on

any progress and Malcolm to contact Will Ainslie (CycleWight) and Kayleigh

Richter (IWC) with regard to cycle ways.

With regard to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), this still needed

expediting as a matter of urgency. The MoU had been drafted and it now needed

to be signed.

28/20

IMPLICATIONS OF COVID 19 MEASURES

The Covid 19 pandemic was continuing to present challenges for the HSAZ

projects and the town as a whole and it was important that any changes to

regulations were communicated to RTC from the IWC so any projects can be

properly planned and implemented with social distancing being taken into account.

The IWC was looking to put a Covid 19 Task Force together to address issues and

it was important that RTC had input into any plans and developments. The Task

A - 4

Force was likely to be set up in the next week or so and RTC should be made

aware of any plans to address social distancing as soon as they can.

The Project Officers would provide a list of what was required urgently so projects

could be progressed and the town would be ready Post Covid. Union Street

Pavement widening would be one area that needed to be addressed with

temporary barriers and the removal of some car parking spaces as well as the

main High Street. Any parking restrictions would need to be made in conjunction

the IWC with relevant Temporary Parking Orders (TRO’s) raised.

ACTION - Zoe to compile aspirational list to identify safe spaces and send

to IWC in order to assist with raising TRO’s.

29/20

PEDESTRIANISATION OF HIGH STREET STATUS

The Chair advised the Group that RTC was still experiencing a lot of problems with

Island Roads with regard to the pedestrianisation of the High Street between

Garfield Road and Star Street.

The traffic order was approved via an IWC Cabinet Member delegated decision at

the start of the year and relevant signage had been purchased. However, the

Cabinet Member was for some reason requesting more evidence in order to

proceed with the matter and has stated that the job needed to be on the IWC

Scheme of Highways Works. This was not acceptable to RTC and it would continue

to argue the case for urgency until a satisfactory conclusion was reached.

In order for any Covid 19 restrictions to be put in place, the High Street needed to

be free of any parked or moving vehicles (other than emergency and deliveries).

The Police had also expressed their concerns that social distancing in this part of

town was very problematic as things stood.

The Group agreed that the need for the pedestrianisation of the High Street was

even more crucial in light of the current climate.

ACTION - Chris and Phil to continue to push for the works to be carried out

as a matter of urgency with any progress reported back as soon as possible.

30/20

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting would be held on 24 June 2020 at 2.00pm via the

Zoom video meeting facility.

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PAPER A

NOTES OF RYDE HIGH STREET HERITAGE ACTION ZONE STEERING GROUP

MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 24 JUNE 2020 AT 2.00PM

VIA THE ‘ZOOM’ VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY

Present:

Cllr Phil Jordan (RTC - Chair), Jon Baker (RTC), Marion Brinton (HE), Lee Byrne

(IWC), Mike Fitt (RS), Ann Pearson (RS), Rob Lloyd-Sweet (HE), Cllr Malcolm

Ross (RTC), Paul Thomas (IWC), Zoey Thompson (RTC) Chris Turvey (RTC),

and Abi Wheeler (RTC)

32/20

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

All present welcomed Lee Byrne from the Isle of Wight Council (IWC) and Ann

Pearson and Mike Fitt from Ryde Society who would be involved in discussions

around the forming of the HSHAZ Stakeholder Group.

33/20

APOLOGIES

None

34/20

NOTES OF LAST MEETING - UPDATES / ACTIONS

The notes from the previous meeting held remotely via the ZOOM Facility on 20 May

2020 were reviewed and agreed:

DECISION

That the notes to the meeting held on 20 May 2020 were agreed.

With regard to the action around PC Consultants and ensure access is granted to

relevant councillors and the newly appointed HSHAZ Project Manager, this had been

addressed and new hardware had been issued to the HSHAZ Manager.

The action relating to the Chair and Planning Clerk pushing for the works on the

pedestrianisation of the lower high street to be carried out as a matter of urgency was

still a cause of great frustration. Island Roads (IR) had advised through the IWC that

this had been delayed due to their involvement in putting Covid 19 measures in place

around the Islands main towns.

The Chair however reminded the IWC’s Assistant Director of Regeneration that the

pedestrianisation was an integral part of the town’s compliance with Covid guidelines

and that without the prohibition of vehicles entering and parking, such fulfilment of

these measures would be very difficult to enforce.

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It was also noted that as of 4 July 2020, the Cinema and Bingo complex in Star Street

would re-open and patrons who had used the Upper High Street to park their vehicles

would need to be made aware from the outset that this was no longer possible and

therefore be given sufficient time to find alternative arrangements from the outset.

The IWC’s Assistant Director of Regeneration would be provided with all the details

around the delay and chase for the matter to be made a high priority and concluded

as a matter of urgency.

ACTION - Chris Turvey to provide Paul Thomas with details and Paul to ensure that

the matter is prioritised and concluded.

35/20

STAKEHOLDER GROUP MEMBERSHIP

There was a large number of local interested parties and organisations within Ryde

that were very keen to provide opinions and input on the HSHAZ Project and be

involved in its progress throughout.

The HSAZ Project Officers advised that a Ryde HSHAZ Community Stakeholder

Forum would be established, meeting three times a year with identified members that

represent each of the stakeholder groups. The role of the forum would be consultancy

and decision-making board, feeding into the Ryde HSHAZ project.

Each representative would communicate information between the HSHAZ Steering

Group and their representative groups.

The Community Stakeholder Forum would comprise of at least one member from

each of the following groups:

• Youth

• Community services

• Community Accessibility

• Environment (built)

• Environment (natural)

• Business

• Heritage & Skills

• Arts

A document that set out the process was compiled by the Project Officers and would

be sent to all members of the Steering Group following the meeting.

The newly appointed HSHAZ Project Manager advised that she had a lot of

experience in setting up such groups and advised that there was a good foundation

to move forward in establishing the forum.

ACTION - Zoe to send Community Stakeholder Forum proposals document to all

Two members of Ryde Society (RS), a key stakeholder, were invited to the Steering

Group meeting in order to clarify their involvement in the HSHAZ Project as well as

assess and appraise their qualities and seek their advice on what they could offer the

HSAZ initiative.

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RS advised that there were two areas in which they felt they had particular strengths

in. One was Heritage and Planning issues and the other being around ecological

matters such as greening key areas of the Town.

Mike Fitt had been involved in many areas of green initiatives across the country with

a wealth of experience involved in London Parks at Director level. His London in

Bloom involvement had been a key aspect on the now well established Ryde in Bloom

event. He had also been involved in establishing a group of volunteers during the

Covid 19 pandemic to plant flowers around the town and keep it looking attractive

and welcoming. Moving forward he was looking to set up a Greening Forum in order

to develop further greening plans and projects for the town which would complement

the HSHAZ Project.

Both members of RS agreed that there was no more clarity on their role and was

looking forward to being involved in the Stakeholder Group.

It was noted that whilst there would be scheduled Forum Meetings, there may also

be a need to set up sub Action Groups from time to time in order to address and focus

on expediting specific projects.

36/20

UPDATE FROM INTERIM PROJECT OFFICERS

The Group was advised that the agreed Charles Dimmick (Art and Horticulture)

Community Project was progressing well. An artist with a good background had been

commissioned following an advertising process in the local media and had met with

Network Ryde. The Virtual Youth Club had been utilised to engage with children and

Ryde Academy had also been contacted with vulnerable children being involved. In

total there were 20-24 children from Ryde Academy, eight from Network Ryde and

three home tutored all involved in the project.

Contract finalising would be concluded soon and there needed to be clarity in how

contract and project costs would be paid. The IWC had previously stated that they

would be willing to offer their accountancy services and any invoices would need to

be sent to them. There were a number of project materials that needed to be ordered,

all fairly minor in cost, but integral to the project progressing and these needed to be

paid promptly. The IWC Assistant Director of Regeneration agreed that this needed

to be looked at but did state that in light of the current economic climate, speed could

not be guaranteed. IWC Accountants were in the process of analysing all areas of

spend in order to identify savings in light of any Covid 19 impact.

The Chair expressed some concerns around any possible impact of Covid and

advised that Steering Group that a delegation of RTC officers and councillors would

be meeting online with the Leader of the IWC in order to discuss a range of matters,

one being HSHAZ funding. Any outcomes would be reported back to the next

Steering Group meeting.

With regard to the Memorandum of Understanding, it was noted that this still needed

signing and signatures needed to be from RTC and the IWC.

At the conclusion of the debate, the HE Places Advisor (SE England) advised that

each project needed to be measured for its success with questions set at the start

asking what outcomes are expected and at its conclusion, where they met

satisfactorily.

A - 3

37/20

HERITAGE HIGH STREET - NEXT STEPS

The HSHAZ Project Manager had been sent the spreadsheet on spend and Shop

Front Design Code was highlighted as a priority.

The IWC’s Principal Conservation Officer advised that with regard to any regulatory

matters, he was very happy to advise on what was and was not permitted with regard

to any alterations to buildings as well as any other areas of HSHAZ project work and

would attend any relevant future meetings in order to feed into the process as well as

answer questions and address any concerns.

It was suggested that the HSHAZ Project manager could liaise with the IWC’s

Principal Conservation Officer on a regular basis in order to address any enforcement

and regulatory issues.

ACTION - Sally Thompson to liaise with Lee Byrne as and when required.

The HSHAZ Project Officers advised that the photographic study of shop front design

was in the process of being initiated and would pose little if any cost. A project brief

would be emailed around to members of the Steering Group for formal approval.

ACTION - Zoe to send project brief to Members of Steering Group for approval.

38/20

COVID 19 SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES / PEDESTRIANISATION UPDATE

Following the first set of Covid Social Distancing measures being implemented in the

Upper High Street, he IWC had sent its plans for Union Street to RTC which in turn

had been sent to all RTC Councillors for comment.

All those that had responded had expressed their disapproval at the complete

removal of parking to allow for wider walkways for pedestrians. There was a strong

feeling that such measures would be highly damaging to the businesses within the

street.

It was however noted that in light of the latest government measures to reduce social

distancing from two to one meter, the proposals for Union Street were likely to be

reviewed in and amended accordingly.

There was however some concern that the Esplanade, in particular east of the bus

station had not been addressed. This had been an area of particular concern owing

to some anti-social behaviour encouraged by many drinking alcohol as a result of the

pop up take away bars.

39/20

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting would be held on 22 July 2020 at 2.00pm via the Zoom

video meeting facility.

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