PAPER A

ANNUAL MEETING OF RYDE RESIDENTS

NOTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 19 APRIL 2021 AT 6.00PM


OWING TO NATIONAL COVID 19 SOCIAL DISTANCING RESTICTIONS STILL BEING IN PLACE THIS MEETING WAS HELD ONLINE VIA THE ZOOM VIDEO CONFERENCE MEETING FACILITY AND STREAMED LIVE VIA YOUTUBE



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1/21 PRE-ELECTION REGULATIONS


Owing to the upcoming local elections scheduled to be held on 6 May 2021, elected members of Ryde Town Council were reminded of their obligation to observe the pre- election period (Purdah) regulations. It was therefore important to recognise that the annual meeting was specifically convened to update Ryde residents on the events and activities within the town during the previous 12 months and was not a forum for any debate.


2/21

APOLOGIES


Apologies were received from Cllr Henry Adams and Cllr Nancy Farrell.


3/21 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST


None declared.


4/21 REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS


None requested.


5/21 MINUTES TO THE PREVIOUS ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH OF RYDE TOWN RESIDENTS.


The notes to the previous meeting held on 22 May 2019 were agreed.


6/21 MAYORS ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE TOWN


The Mayor of Ryde presented his annual report which is appended to these notes as Appendix 1.


7/21 NETWORK RYDE ANNUAL REPORT


The Youth Work Manager presented a video report of the past years activities which saw the Covid 19 pandemic present several challenges for the service. These included launching a Virtual Youth Club which provided many activities for the towns young people to get involved with.


The Duke of Edinburgh Awards continued to run and there were some testimonials from some of the recipients provided.

The Youth Workers of Network Ryde also assisted in the important running of the Covid Response Team which helped vulnerable residents in the Town in obtaining medication and vital food supplies. A Covid Awareness Poster Competition was also organised where young people designed posters which were placed throughout the town, and which was supported by the local Police.


Well-being sessions were also initiated which helped address anxieties and pressures experienced by many young residents during the pandemic.


A flower market was also set up in Minghella Square which raised £359 toward the Network Ryde Allotment Project and an allotment in Quarry Road was acquired to provide further activities.


Christmas Lanterns were also created for the “Merry and Bright” event as well as a Christmas Card competition for the mayor’s charity.


St Thomas’s Church was finally acquired with the medium term aim of moving Network Ryde into the building, providing a new and exciting home for the services and for the towns young people to visit.


8/21 PRESENTATIONS ON COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS


  1. Ryde Community Hub – Covid 19 Response


    The Chief Executive of Aspire Ryde presented a video that provided an overview of the Covid 19 Response Hub which was set up to assist the towns vulnerable residents who needed to isolate during the pandemic.


    Such assistance was provided by members of staff from Ryde Town Council, Network Ryde, Aspire and many local volunteers who helped deliver essential supplies such as prescribed medications and food and drink. Prepared meals were also delivered as well as any emergency household items.


    One to one support and befriending services were also initiated to help tackle the growing problems of Mental Health.


    Various local agencies including housing associations, church groups, food banks and partners in the local authorities were all given grateful thanks by Aspire in responding so well to an unprecedented crisis.


  2. High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ)


    The HSHAZ Project Manager provided a PowerPoint presentation on the progress of the initiative over the previous 12 months and is appended to these notes as Appendix 2.


    The aim of the project was to capitalise on the potential of Ryde High Street’s heritage buildings, history, and location to regenerate the High Street HAZ area and create a dynamic civic space with a retail, leisure, and cultural offer that all residents and visitors can enjoy.


    Achievements of the HSHAZ to date had been:

  3. Gift to Nature and Greening Ryde


    A PowerPoint presentation on the Greening Ryde project was provided by local resident Mike Fitt OBE and is appended to these notes as Appendix 3.


    Projects that had already started were highlighted such as Ryde Esplanade Railway Station (Community Rail Partnership), Ryde in Bloom, Vernon Square Conservation Society, Play Lane Millennium Green, and various Ryde schools.


    Inspired by these and other examples of ‘Community Greening’ in Ryde, an informal working party of volunteers had been organised to consider a future ‘Greening Ryde’ initiative with plans in development.


    9/21 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FROM RYDE TOWN COUNCIL


    Ryde Town Council wished to acknowledge the following regarding partnership working within the Town:



All the above have helped towards the health, well-being, and economy of Ryde.


The mayor also gave special thanks to those that had helped with the Covid 19 response during the previous 12 months. These included members of Ryde Town Council staff, Network Ryde Staff, and those of Aspire, as well as the numerous volunteers of Ryde who had given up their valuable time to assist those most in need during the pandemic.


APPENDICES ATTACHED



There were opportunities throughout the event for members of the public to engage with the Town Council and all the other stakeholders / partner exhibitors as well as be able to ask questions.


The mayor thanked all members of staff who had organised the event and to all partners, stakeholders and members of the public who had attended.


04/22 DATE OF 2023 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING


The date for the next meeting / event would be identified in the Spring of 2023 and communicated to all in due course.


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