PAPER H
MINUTES OF RYDE TOWN COUNCIL’S ACQUISITION AND COMMERCIAL
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 24TH JUNE VIA ZOOM
MEETING FACILITY
Present:
Cllr Phil Jordan (Chair), Cllr Adrian Axford, Diana Conyers, Cllr Lilley,
Cllr Karen Lucioni, Cllr Malcolm Ross
In Attendance: Jon Baker, Liz Dutton, Chris Turvey
1/20
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Gareth Hughes (Responsible Financial Officer).
2/20
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no interests declared at this stage
3/20
REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
There were none.
4/20
ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
Cllr Lilley proposed Cllr Jordan for Chairman and this was seconded by Cllr
Conyers. Cllr Lucioni proposed Cllr Ross for Vice-Chairman and this was
seconded by Cllr Lilley. There being no further nominations it was
RESOLVED:
That Cllr Jordan be elected as Chairman and Cllr Ross be elected
as Vice-Chairman.
5/20
TERMS OF REFERENCE
It was noted this was a seperate committee (not a sub-committee of Finance) and
as such recommendations would be made direct to Full Council. It was recognised
that the committee would work closely with other committees especially Finance.
It was suggested that the terms of reference be reviewed alongside the review of
terms of reference of all committees to make the terms of reference clearer and
improve synergy between the standing committees. It was also suggested and
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agreed that as Cllr Jordan was a member of the informal chairs group meetings as
he was the Chairman of the Finance Committee, that Cllr Ross as Vice Chair of
should represent this Committee.
RESOLVED:
That the terms of reference be agreed and for these to form part of
the review of Terms of Reference for all Committees.
6/20
ST. THOMAS’S CHURCH PROPOSAL
The Chairman introduced the report. He believed that the property could be
purchased with a loan repayable over 25 years at an approximate cost of £12,000
a year plus some one off expenditure in fees etc. This would protect the building
from future development and bring it back into community use. The necessary
Social distancing measuring brought about by COVID 19 had sharply brought
home the need for further space both for office staff at Lind Street and in particular
Network Ryde. The site had large spaces in which council committee meetings
and youth work could be undertaken with social distancing in mind.
In owning the building in a central location would make savings on the current rent
from the Lind Street office and those at 147. It was noted that the area and the
nearby St Thomas Square were included in the Place Plan and as such grant
funding opportunities were likely.
It was recognised there were some potential issues including heating the building
(currently electric which was costly) as well as a number of restrictive covenants
on the land being in place.
RESOLVED:
That the necessary due diligence be carried out with a view to
purchase the property and to come back to the next meeting with a
report giving full details a Full Council meeting to be held if
necessary.
7/20
RYDE TOWN HALL /THEATRE UPDATE
Gully Howard had been commissioned to undertake a valuation and a condition
report which was still awaited. It was recognised that a condition survey would also
be necessary. An updated feasibility study would need to be undertaken and grant
funding from Historic England may be possible for this. It was suggested that the
new HAZ Project Officer may be able to assist in this. It was also suggested that
the model adopted by Shanklin Theatre could be investigated and it was requested
that the Clerk obtain a copy of their constitution to assist.
8/20
RYDE UNITE COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY
The ideas from other local councils who had formed CIC’s and social enterprises
were discussed and it was agreed to move forward with the idea that a formation
of a CIC be investigated. This would be a limited company with the Town Council
being a shareholder and then directors from local community organisations would
then be able to join and work would be delivered by these organisations.
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