PAPER G
MINUTES OF THE NETWORK RYDE MANAGEMENT COMITTEE
MEETING HELD ON 3rd MARCH 2021 VIA ZOOM MEETING
COMMENCING AT 7PM.
Present:
Henry Adams, Malcolm Ross, Sue Lyons
In Attendance:
Elizabeth Gough (Administrator and notes), Becky
Swan (Youth Services Manager)
Also Present:
Steve Hull, Claire Steen (Barnardo’s), Lili-Mae Lane
and Sarah Wetherington (Young People
representatvies)
___________________________________________________________
01/21
WELCOME & APOLOGIES
Apologies were received in advance from Cllr Michael Lilley, and Cllr
Adrian Axford. We were also advised in advance that Claire Steen
(Barnardo’s) will arrive late to the meeting.
02/21
DECLARATION OF INTEREST
No interests were declared.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Network Ryde Steering Group
meeting held on 9 December 2020 be approved as a true and accurate
record of the meeting and signed by the Chair.
03/21
YOUTH WORK MANAGER REPORT
The Youth Services Manager circulated her report prior to the meeting
which included the following key points:
a) Network Ryde has not been able to reopen fully due to the restrictions
of the lockdown. A blended offer of 1-2-1 sessions, both at 147 and
the allotment and the virtual youth club has been running instead.
b) The youth workers have continued to support Aspire with the
prescription and food parcel deliveries.
c) Jo has done an artist’s impression drawing of the allotment, and a
greenhouse has been constructed. There has been some further
funding received that will cover some of the staff costs, as well as
additional equipment. A grand opening of the allotment is being
G - 1
planned and will take into account any government restrictions that
may be in place at the time.
d)
We are currently waiting for verification of completion of 5 young
peoples Young Health Champions qualification. When confirmation
has been received, arrangements for doorstep awards will be made.
e)
Duke of Edinburgh participants who completed their Bronze and Silver
Awards have not been able to have a formal ceremony to receive their
awards, but we arranged a doorstep award for them. The young
people who are currently working towards their awards have mostly
finished all sections except the expeditions, which will be conducted
once the lockdown allows. We have a small number of young people
sign up to do the Gold Award.
f)
The Kickstart scheme is now live, and we have 6 placements on offer
at the job centre, with more to follow. There have been some issues
with the set up of the scheme - none of which have been the fault of
RTC/Network Ryde. There are further amendments to how the
scheme can accessed.
g)
The Network Ryde website is now active. Network Ryde policies will
be uploaded to the site once agreed.
h)
A couple of projects are still ongoing.
04/21
DATA REPORTING
The Youth Services Manager circulated her data report prior to the
meeting. There were no questions arising from this report.
05/21
POLICIES
The Youth Services Manager circulated some policies and documents
prior to the meeting for agreement:
a) Anti-bullying Policy
b) COVID-19 Policy
c) Emergency Plan for offsite visits
d) Safeguarding Policy
e) Social Media Policy for Staff
f) Volunteer Commitment Document
g) Volunteer Policy
h) Volunteer Role Description
It was RESOLVED that these documents were approved for circulation,
subject to applicable policies being amended to reflect they are to be read
alongside the relevant Ryde Town Council Policy.
The Youth Services Manager advised that she will add a glossary of
terms to the documents.
It was RESOLVED that these policies will be reviewed in 1 year.
G - 2
06/21
PREMISES
The purchase of St Thomas’s has been completed.
The Youth Services Manager has met with some of the young people at
the new site, and they have put forward some suggestions on how they
envisage the site being used.
The heritage of the site is being looked into, as some aspects may need to
remain, whilst other areas may just need covering to protect it.
An architect is being arranged and it has been requested that the young
people’s views be taken into account.
No timescales have been given for when the renovations are completed.
Some councillors have requested to visit the site. The Youth Services
Manager will arrange suitable times.
The Young Peoples Representatives were thanked for their attendance
and left the meeting at 20:05pm.
07/21
FINANCE
It has been confirmed that Network Ryde will receive a refund for the
Business Rates incurred at 147 High Street due to the pandemic. It was
RESOLVED that this money is to be ringfenced to be carried forward into
the next financial year and to be put towards the refurbishment of St
Thomas’s.
The Youth Services Manager will be putting in a further application for
funding from the Violence Reduction Unit to cover a full year of allotment
sessions, which will include staff costs and specialist sessions for the
young people to learn more skills.
Network Ryde is expected to receive the same budget for the next
financial year.
A decision was made to defer an application to the IWC Short Breaks for
funding until a consultation has been done with young people and the
Short Breaks team on the service they would like us to offer.
08/21
STAFFING
The 12-hour post was recruited and started; however, the role did not
align to their other commitments as well as had hoped and has therefore
submitted his resignation. This post will be postponed until later in the
year.
The Session Lead is currently on maternity leave and is expected to return
in September. A review of her contracted hours has been requested, and
G - 3
the Youth Services Manager will consider this request alongside the
service needs.
09/21
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Claire Steen requested access to the young people for a focus group. The
Youth Services Manager will follow up with this request.
Steve Hull requested a ‘Meet the Management Committee’ section on the
Network Ryde website. This will be considered in June following the
election process.
10/21
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The date for the next meeting is Wednesday 9th June at 7pm, in person
unless restrictions are still imposed, whereby the meeting will therefore be
held online.
G - 4