14/20 MEMBERS QUESTION TIME

Michael Lilley suggested that Full Council consider the possible acquisition of St John’s

Park (situated between East Hill and West Hill Road) from the original trustees at its

next meeting.

15/20 RATIFICATION OF DECISIONS

- KICKSTART SCHEME AND

NOMINATION OF ST. THOMAS’S HERITAGE CENTRE TO BECOME A

COMMUNITY VALUE ASSET

(A) KICKSTART SCHEME

A decision for the Town Council to apply to the DWP to be an area

representative for the Kickstart Scheme and for this to be delivered in

conjunction with Network Ryde was ratified. It had also been agreed that if

accepted, the Administrator at Network Ryde be employed to Project

Manage the delivery of the Kickstart programme (these costs would be

covered by the grant from DWP)

A update was received an interest had been expressed in 18 placements

to date. There had also been communication with IWC who was working in

partnership with the Chamber of Commerce regarding the scheme.

RESOLVED:

That the decision to apply to become an area representative for the

Kickstart scheme be ratified as outlined above.

(B) NOMINATION OF ST THOMAS’S HERITAGE CENTRE TO BECOME

A COMMUNITY VALUE ASSET

A letter had been sent to IWC to nomination St Thomas’s Heritage Centre

to become an asset of community value which outlined the reasons why it

was considered this should be the case.

RESOLVED:

That the decision to request that St Thomas’s Heritage Centre to

become an asset of community value be ratified

16/20 ARCHITECTUARAL HERITAGE FUND GRANT APPLICATION

A grant application for £15,000 had been made by the Town Council to the Architectural

Heritage Fund for a project viability study for St Thomas’s Church the outcome of which

would be known by mid-December. It was agreed that a copy of the application be sent

to members of the committee for information.

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RESOLVED:

That an application for the grant made to the Architectural Heritage Fund be

agreed.

17/20 VECTIS HALL

Members were informed that the property was being auctioned on 2 November which

raised the question of whether the Town Council should bid on it with the intention of

purchasing the property to bring it back into community use. The Clerk advised that a

10% deposit would be needed upfront with completion required to take place within

20 days. With the auction taking place early November this would not give sufficient

time to undertake all the necessary research and due diligence.

The Chairman suggested that the building could be purchased through a Public Works

Board loan and payments were likely to be in the region on £2-3,000 per year. The

Chairman stated that IWC had indicated their willingness to work with the Town

Council and were able to commit the services of the Council’s architect. Funds for a

viability study, could be obtained through the Architectural Heritage Fund up to the

value of £15,000. There was also a possibility of further funding available to bring the

building back into use. However it was noted that in applying to the AHF for funding,

there was a possibility that projects where a AHF grant be required may comprise the

successful outcome of other bids as support was unlikely to be given for more than a

couple of projects in area.

After discussion it was agreed not to bid for the property at auction. If it did not sell the

Town Council could approach the owner to explain the Town Council’s interest in the

property. In the meantime an application could be made to have the building listed as

Community Asset as it has been previously mentioned on the Heritage England

website as an important historical building in Ryde. It was also suggested that the

building be discussed by the HSHAZ Steering Group and that a Friends of Vectis Hall

Group could be established to keep the local community involved.

RESOLVED:

To apply to register Vectis Hall as an Asset of Community Value

ii)

To make contact with the owner to inform him of the Town Council’s

intention

iii)

To request inclusion of Vectis Hall on the HAZ Steering Group agenda

iv)

Investigate the setting up of a ‘Friends of Vectis Hall’

18/20 RYDE TOWN HALL/THEATRE UPDATE

The Chairman informed the meeting that the computer aided design drawings would

be ready by the end of November. It was anticipated that the owner would grant the

Town Council a 3-year lease at a peppercorn rent with an option to buy together with

a licence to occupy. This would increase the possible funding opportunities available.

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The Clerk advised that the company drawing up business plans for the Town Council

should be informed of this latest development. The Chairman agreed to obtain a letter

from the owner setting out these terms and then the proposal could be considered by

Full Council.

19/20 RYDE HARBOUR

It was reported that the business case had been well received by IWC and that a

delegated decision for a transfer from April 2021 was awaited. A transitional period for

a handover had yet to be established. The Clerk agreed to chase the matter.

20/20 SKATEBOARD PARK

The Clerk confirmed that a meeting was taking place with IWC later in the week with

a view to renewing the lease. It was recognised that the wooden structure on the

seafront may not be the best place to site a skateboard park given the high

maintenance costs. Concerns were expressed over only renewing the lease for a short

period of time as this could limited future funding opportunities. The Clerk agreed to

speak with IWC and report back and for the item to be placed on the agenda for the

next full council meeting.

21/20 ST. THOMAS’S CHURCH

A brief update was given - the church commissioners had been approached regarding

the restrictive convents relating to the future use of the property and were in agreement

of the plans in principle. Any costs relating to the change of the restrictive covenants

would be at the Town Council’s own cost.

22/20 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED:

THAT the next meeting of the Acquisition and Commercial Management

Committee will be held on 14 January 2021 at 2pm via Zoom

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