PAPER G


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TERMS OF REFERENCE

COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS


CONTENTS

DEFINITIONS 3

FINANCE AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES COMMITTEE 4

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE PLACE NEIGHBOURHOOD & PLANNING COMMITTEE 8

PERSONNEL PANEL 12

FOR THE NETWORK RYDE SUB- COMMITTEE 15

COMMUNITY PROJECTS TASK FORCE 17

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE GRANTS SUB COMMITTEE 18

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE RYDE HIGH STREET HERITAGE ACTION ZONE STEERING GROUP 21

TERMS OF REFERENCE RYDE MARINA MANAGEMENT GROUP 24

TERMS OF REFERENCE RYDE TOWN HALL WORKING GROUP 25

TERMS OF REFERENCE – COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE 26

RYDE PLACE PLAN WORKING GROUP TERMS OF REFERENCE 31

YOUTH COUNCIL WORKING GROUP 31

PUBLIC REALM WORKING GROUP 33

ALLOTMENTS LIAISON GROUP 35


DEFINITIONS

Committee, Sub-Committee, Working Party*.

(*Working Party incorporates - Task Force, Task and Finish Group).


Standing Committees

  1. Agenda is published on noticeboard and on website 3 working days before the meeting.

  2. Agenda is sent to all members but only those on the Committee are required to attend.

  3. All meetings held in public except for those dealing with confidential matters (Personnel Panel).

  4. Minutes taken, circulated and published.

  5. Able to appoint Sub-committees and Working Parties.

  6. Have delegated authority to act within their defined Terms of Reference.

  7. Reporting to – Full Council

  8. Membership – elected Councillors only.

  9. Council Officers in attendance.

    Sub-Committees

    1. Agenda sent to all members (only those on the Sub-committee need to attend).

    2. Notes taken and publicly available on request.

    3. Officers have delegated authority to act on behalf of the committee within the defined terms of Terms of Reference.

    4. Ability to appoint Working Parties if required.

    5. Reporting to – Parent Committee

    6. Membership – elected Councillors only

    7. Council Officers in attendance.

    Working Parties, Task Force, Task and Finish Groups

    1. Informal meetings, agenda produced if required.

    2. Notes/actions produced if required.

    3. Officers have delegated authority to act on behalf of the Working Party within the defined Terms of Reference.

    4. Membership – elected Councillors and members of the public by invitation.

    5. Recommendations made to parent committee or sub- committee for decision.

    6. Council Officers in attendance if required.

    Forum/Liaison/ User Groups

    1. Consultative Group – representatives

    2. Agendas produced if required.

    3. Notes/Actions produced if required.

    4. Elected members, representatives from organisations and members of the public.

    5. Council Officers in attendance if required..


      TERMS OF REFERENCE


      FINANCE AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES COMMITTEE


      1. Objective

        To manage the Council’s financial resources and to debate and recommend strategy and action on policy and operational matters concerned with the Council’s finances, financial controls, management of budgets, contracts, and investments.

      2. Membership

        The committee shall comprise of 9 members in total.


        • 7 members to be elected at the Annual Meeting of the Town Council.

        • 2 ex-officio members: the Mayor and Deputy Mayor


      3. Chair

        1. To be elected annually at the Annual Meeting of the Town Council.


        2. In the event of the Chair resigning mid-term, an interim Chair will be elected at the next meeting of Finance Committee and shall hold office until their resignation or until the next Annual Meeting of the Town.

      4. Vice Chair

        To be elected annually at the first committee meeting following the Annual meeting of the Town Council or at the first meeting following the resignation of the Vice- Chair.

      5. Quorum

        The quorum of the committee shall be 4 Town Council members.


      6. In attendance

        The RFO and/or a delegated member of staff may be requested to attend any meeting.


      7. Meetings

        Meetings will usually be held on a bi-monthly basis, with a schedule of dates to be agreed by Full Council. (Meeting dates will normally be a Tuesday but may differ.)

      8. Public participation

        Meetings are normally open to the public in accordance with the Council’s standing orders.


      9. Minutes

  10. Accountability and Scope

    The Committee has delegated powers to act on behalf of the Council in relation to the defined Terms of Reference only; any recommendations outside the Committee’s Terms of Reference shall be made to Full Council.

  11. Delegated Authority

  12. Delegation to Officers


The Finance Committee’s Terms of Reference are to be reviewed annually at the Council’s Annual General Meeting.


TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE PLACE, NEIGHBOURHOOD & PLANNING COMMITTEE

  1. Objective:


    The committee will lead on and manage all planning and neighbourhood activities (including regeneration and environment matters). Including, but not limited to, responding to planning and licensing applications as a statutory consultee, leading on planning and infrastructure related policies on behalf of the Council.

  2. Membership


    The committee shall comprise a maximum of nine (9) members, including seven

    (7) members elected at the Annual Meeting of the Town Council, the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor (as ex officio). It is preferable but not essential that all wards be represented in the membership.

  3. Chair/Vice Chair


    The Chair shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of the Town Council. The Vice- Chair shall be elected annually at the first committee meeting following the Annual Meeting of the Town Council.

  4. Quorum


    The quorum of the committee shall be 4 Town Council members.


  5. In attendance


    The Place, Neighbourhood and Planning Officer (or appointed deputy) and another delegated member of staff should attend any meeting.


  6. Meetings


    Meetings shall normally be held every three (3) weeks, in accordance with a schedule to be agreed at the Annual Meeting of the Town Council. Additional meeting can be called to consider major planning applications.


    The Place, Neighbourhood and Planning Officer shall ‘call’ the meeting and summon members to attend in accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders no later than three (3) clear working days prior to the scheduled date of the meeting. The three (3) clear days should not include the day of publishing the papers or the day of the meeting.


  7. Public Participation


    Meetings are normally open to the public in accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders although the exclusion of public and press can be agreed should it be deemed to be in the Town Councils best interest.


  8. Minutes


    Minutes of all meetings will be recorded by an Officer and circulated to all members of the committee and to Full Council members.


    All resolutions and recommendations made to Full Council shall be recorded in the minutes of the appropriate meeting.


  9. Accountability and Scope


    The Committee has delegated authority to act on behalf of the Council in relation to the defined Terms of Reference only; any recommendations outside of the committee’s Terms of Reference shall be made to Full Council.


  10. Delegated Authority



  1. Delegated Authority Officers:



The Place, Neighbourhood and Planning Committee’s Terms of Reference are to be reviewed annually at the Council’s Annual General Meeting.


TERMS OF REFERENCE PERSONNEL PANEL


  1. Overview


    The Personnel Panel is entrusted by Ryde Town Council and has delegated authority (subject to section 7) to take actions, as and when appropriate, to ensure compliance with the employment rights of its employees and to deal with all matters related to the Council's Human Resources.


    1. Function and Purpose of the Personnel Panel


      • To effectively manage and resolve any issues that occur involving the Council’s employees and their ability to effectively carry out their duties.

      • To review the staffing needs and levels required by the Council.

      • To annually review staff salaries and make recommendations to the Finance Committee to inform the budget setting process.

      • To appoint the Town Clerk, as prescribed in paragraph 2.

      • To approve in an emergency the appointment of temporary/ locum/agency staff where appropriate.

      • To oversee and approve the Council’s training plan.

      • To ensure employees have appropriate appraisals.

      • To ensure that every employee has a concise job description.

      • To handle disciplinary and grievance issues related to the Town Clerk, subject to the provisions in section 3 below.

      • To ensure that disciplinary and grievance issues related to other employees are handled properly.

      • To review and monitor the Council’s HR support and to make recommendations to Full Council regarding the procurement of any HR service.


  2. Recruitment


    In the case of the recruitment of the Town Clerk, the Personnel Panel shall:



    1. Delegated Authority to Clerk


      • The Town Clerk shall be responsible for the recruitment of other roles as agreed and approved in the staffing structure approved by the panel.

      • To appoint temporary or seasonal staff as required to cover sickness, maternity, seasonal variations or if the need arises.


  3. Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures


    The Personnel Panel shall ensure that the Council:


  4. Composition of the Panel



  5. Personnel Panel Meetings



    Issues may arise whereby the panel have to meet to take actions in the best interests of an employee and/or RTC without recourse to the Full Town Council.


  6. Quorum

    The Quorum is set at 3 panel members.


  7. Reporting to Full Council



  8. Limitations



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  1. Objective

    TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE NETWORK RYDE SUB- COMMITTEE

  2. Membership of Committee

  3. Meeting Frequency

  4. Quorum

    4 members of the sub-committee.


  5. Accountability and Scope

    The Sub-Committee has delegated powers to act on behalf of the Council in relation to the defined Terms of Reference only; any recommendations outside the Sub-Committee’s Terms of Reference shall be made to the Personnel Panel or Full Council (whichever is appropriate).

  6. Delegated Authority

  7. Delegated Authority to Officers Youth Work Manager


The Network Ryde Sub Committee Terms of Reference are to be reviewed annually by the Personnel Panel.


TERMS OF REFERENCE COMMUNITY PROJECTS TASK FORCE


THE WORKING PARTY HAS THE REMIT TO:


  1. Objective

    The Community Projects Task Force should be a ‘hands on’ dynamic and active

    group directly working on the proposals, development and delivery of the Council’s new projects.


    The Finance and Community Resources Committee empowers the Task Force to develop solutions and put into place operational plans, delivering actions relating to many of the Town Council’s new and developing projects.


    All projects and project plans should have the regard for the following:


  2. Membership

    5 members of the Town Council not including the Mayor and Deputy mayor (Ex- Officio).


    Non – Voting Members. Members of the Public, experts and other Council members, maybe asked to attend at the invitation of the working group.


  3. Chair

    To be elected annually by the working group at the first meeting following the Council’s annual meeting in May.


  4. Meetings/ Quorum

    The working group will set the dates and times of meetings. Hybrid and virtual meetings are permitted.


    3 voting members


  5. Notes

    RTC Officers will be in attendance to take notes. Draft notes will be made available to members of the working group within 14 days of the meeting and passed to the Finance and Community Resources Committee for noting.


  6. Delegated Authority


In consultation with the Clerk the working Group is permitted to commission experts, surveys and consultants up to the value of £2,500 per annum to assist with project development.

The Working should consider the Town Councils Contract Standing Orders in relation to procurement with any contract award.


The working Group will also continue to be mindful of the need to:


  1. Bring any recommendations to a future Finance and Community resources meeting for consideration.


  2. Consider and assess the budgetary implications of all recommendations as part of the budget setting process.


    TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE GRANTS SUB COMMITTEE


    1. Objectives

      1. To determine in an already agreed budget, marketing and community grants to a maximum of £5,000 for any one organisation in any financial year. To recommend grant awards in excess of £5,000 to Finance Committee for approval.

      2. To receive and consider evaluation/impact reports from organisations who have received grant funding and to recommend to Finance if further funding should be awarded and to feed this into the budget discussions for the following financial year.

      3. To manage any Grant applications made by the Town Council to external funders if not under the remit of an existing committee.

      4. To agree Ward Allocations up to the value of £250.


    2. Membership:


      The committee shall comprise 5 members in total.


      • 3 members to be elected at the at the Annual Full Council Meeting.

      • 2 ex-officio members: the Mayor and Deputy Mayor


    3. Chair

      1. To be elected annually by the Finance Committee.

    4. Quorum

      The quorum of the committee shall be 3 Town Council members.


    5. In attendance

      A member of staff will be requested to attend any meeting.


    6. Meetings

      Meetings will be held at least once a year with additional ,meetings called if required, If requested by the Chairman.

    7. Public participation


      Grant applicants may be asked to attend to present their application or answer questions.


    8. Notes


      Notes of all meetings will be recorded by an Officer and circulated.

    9. Accountability and Scope

      The Committee has delegated powers to act on behalf of the Council in relation to the defined Terms of Reference only; any recommendations outside the Committee’s Terms of Reference shall be made to the Finance and Community Resources Committee.

    10. Delegated Authority

      The Finance and Community Resources delegates authority to the Grants Sub- Committee to undertake the following within the scope of its allocated budget:


      • To award marketing and community grants to a maximum of £5,000 for any one organisation in any financial year.


      • To delegate to an officer in consultation with the Chairman of the Grants Sub-Committee smaller grants of up to and including £500 and this would be reported to the Committee at its next meeting


      • To consider and scrutinise completion/evaluation reports from organisations following a community or marketing grant being awarded.


      • To consider from time to time anything else in relation to the grants process delegated to it by the Finance Committee.


      • To manage Grant applications made by the Town Council to external funders if they are not managed by another committee.


    11. Delegated Authority to Officers

Applications made by Officers under delegated authority shall be reported at the next Grants Subcommittee meeting.

The Grant Sub-Committee’s Terms of Reference are to be reviewed annually by the Finance and Community Resources Committee.

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TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE RYDE HIGH STREET HERITAGE ACTION ZONE STEERING GROUP


  1. Purpose and responsibilities


    The HSHAZ Steering Group exists to oversee the development, implementation and delivery of the High Street Heritage Action Zone HSHAZ programme and will have operational oversight of all schemes within the HSHAZ programme over four years, monitoring and ensuring project delivery on timescales, quality and cost.


  2. Responsibilities

  3. Decisions

    The group will make decisions on the operational running of the project management of the HSHAZ according to the programme plan and escalate any areas of the plan which need to be changed or amended due to changing priorities.


    Formal decisions required of RTC will be referred through their governance structure via the Clerk.


  4. Decisions and action will be required on:



  5. Membership and chairing Directorate/Organisation Position Ryde Town Council Town Clerk Ryde Town Council Planning Clerk Ryde Town Council Councillor

    RTC Ryde IWC Member

    Chair IW Council Regeneration Director IW Council Officer


    Historic England Representative

    Historic England Representative Town Council Councillor RTC Ryde Town Council Admin Support IWC/RTC

    Project Manager

    The chair will be agreed by the steering group at their first full meeting and will represent the group at events and other meetings.


    The group will consult with additional partners and Isle of Wight Council services to ensure that the programme delivers the schemes effectively.


    Additional officers should be made available as required by agenda.


    A councillor or a non-councillor with voting rights who has a disclosable pecuniary interest or another interest as set out in the Council’s Code of Conduct in a matter being considered at a meeting is subject to statutory limitations or restrictions under the code on his right to participate and vote on that matter.


  6. Governance

    The HSHAZ Steering Group will report to Ryde Town Council. The Project Manager will also provide reports to Isle of Wight Council Regeneration Officers Board, the Ryde Regeneration Working Group, the Stakeholder Group (formed within 6 months) and community wide stakeholders.


  7. Procurement/ Finances

    To ensure compliance with procurement practices RTC’s procurement regulations should be followed.


    In accordance with transparency and procurement regulations any Steering Group member wishing to bid for any contracts or services provided by the HSAZ should declare an interest and withdraw from the decision making process.


    Decisions on HSAZ funding, expenditure and virements between budget headings are to be made by the principle funders only.


    The Council must seek Historic England’s prior written approval for revisions to the Programme Design, except where changes to the proposed works set out in the Programme Design are below a threshold of £50,000.”

  8. Meetings

    Meetings will be monthly in the initial establishment phase of the project, moving to Bi-monthly as implementation progresses and/or as Steering Group require. In the interim communication will be via email and phone as required.


  9. Quorum

    For the meeting to quorate the following members of the board shall be in attendance:

  10. Financial Responsibility


    Delegated powers to be awarded to the Steering Group for any single project with a total value of less than £25,000.


    Delegated authority awarded to the Project Officer to award contracts outlined in the project plan up to the value of £5,000 in consultation with the Chair of the Steering Group. Any awards made under delegated authority should be reported to the next Steering Group meeting.


  11. Review

It is recommended that these Terms of Reference be reviewed at least annually.



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RYDE MARINA MANAGEMENT GROUP


  1. Objectives

    THE WORKING GROUP HAS THE REMIT TO:


  2. Membership


    8 members not including the Mayor and Deputy mayor (Ex- Officio).


  3. Delegated Authority


    1. To enlist expert advice and request specialist reports within the allocated budget from the Acquisitions Reports/Surveys budget line.


    2. To have oversight for the Marina Business Plan and make any amendments that the Working Group deem necessary to ensure viability of the project. All amendments should be reported to the next meeting of Full Council.


  4. Quorum

    The quorum of the working group is 3 working group members.


  5. Meetings

Meetings will be held twice a year or when required to suit the needs of the business.


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RYDE TOWN HALL WORKING GROUP



  1. Objectives


    THE WORKING GROUP HAS THE REMIT TO:


    The Town Council empowers the working group to negotiate terms on behalf of the Council who will report back appropriately and prior to contract exchange and completion. The agreed purchase price is £600,000.


    1. To enter into arrangements to agree terms for the acquisition and full ownership of Ryde Town Hall.

    2. To negotiate with the current owners to a maximum purchase price of £600,000.

    3. To explore possible uses for the theatre.

    4. To investigate grant funding and crowd funding opportunities.

    5. The Working Group shall appoint a Chairman at its first meeting


  2. Membership



  3. Delegated Authority

    1. To enlist expert advice and request specialist reports up to the value of

      £2,500 to be taken within budget from the Acquisitions Reports/Surveys budget line. Any reports required over the cost of £2,500 will need approval from the Finance and Community resources Committee.


    2. Any recommendations arising should be reported directly to the Finance and Community resources Committee and referred to Full Council for decision.


TERMS OF REFERENCE – COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE


  1. Objective


  2. Membership of Management Sub-Committee

  3. Chair

  4. Meeting Frequency

  5. Quorum

  6. Accountability and Scope


  7. Delegated Authority



These Terms of Reference will be reviewed annually.


ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL MANAGED GROUP TERMS OF REFERENCE - REVISIONS SEPTEMBER 2020

RYDE REGENERATION WORKING GROUP


  1. Purpose of Group

    The Ryde Regeneration Working Group is born out of a need to communicate and co- ordinate the efforts of the public, private and community sectors in Ryde to improve the economic, social and environmental condition of the town.

    The launch of an Island regeneration programme with an emphasis on “area regeneration” , the formation of a new Island planning strategy, the publication of a town “ position statement” and the increased business and community engagement this has stimulated demands a forum within which priorities can be discussed and determined, collective skills and resources can mobilised and above all, agreed Methods of communication with the businesses and community of the town can be developed and serviced with common messaging agreed by members of the working group.

  2. Membership

    Membership will keep under collective review to ensure the group is representative of the interests of a cross section of the business and resident community and civil society in the town.

    Initial membership will be drawn from the following:


  3. Objectives

    The group's objectives relate to its main purpose to co-ordinate and communicate progress towards improving economic, social and environmental wellbeing in Ryde.

    Visioning – development of shared vision for the town as a whole and specific areas within it contributing to the overall vision. This would involve a critique of any existing or previous vision documentation followed by a work strand to review and update if agreed that work was required.


    Action plan – development of a shared action plan containing regeneration projects linked to the vision, addressing evidenced needs from qualitative and quantitative data and ideally attracting practical and/or financial support from the member organisations. Project board- Acting as project board for Ryde regeneration projects where requested to do by project sponsors.


    Funding bid development and support – provide advice and support to member organisations and local groups in developing bids for funding.

    Communication plan and resourcing – develop and collectively resource a shared communications plan to ensure all registered stakeholders and the wider population are informed and have an opportunity to become involved in the Ryde regeneration action plan. Review and monitoring - to provide a review and monitoring function for projects and the overall plan.


  4. Governance

    Main working group to meet bi monthly and consider regeneration project development, progress, proposals, resourcing – agreed projects attract group sponsorship and lead organisations commit to update the group in return for attracting support.

    Draft minutes will be raised and circulated to the 8 committee members within 10 working days and returned with any amendments within 10 working days.


    Individual members undertake to not to publish their own unauthorised minutes or promote their personal views of the issues or process via social media or other methods whilst the working group is active. The chair may seek removal of a member doing so. Notes to council and civic groups need to be authorised by the Chair and Chris Ashman before circulating.

    Individual members undertake not to disclose to any third Group information discussed/shared during meetings when the group has been expressly requested not to. No casual observers are allowed at the RRWG meetings and will be politely asked to leave. Committee Members will reply to enquiries on related matters from fellow committee members with 10 working days.


    Invited guest speakers to leave the meetings after presenting their agenda item - unless agreed by the meeting.

    In the event a committee member is unable to attend a nominated representative from their organisation may attend. Each group to have at least one agreed deputy.

    Continued absence by any member may result in a request for removal from the working group and a replacement nominated.

    Members undertake to behave in a polite and seemly manner at all times during meetings, whether held face to face or remotely.

    The meetings will be recorded and these recordings will form the basis of the Minutes and transcribed by the rotating secretariat. They will be an accurate representation of the meeting.


    The Terms of Reference will be reviewed annually.


    Members to update on individual organisations responses to requests for support and resources for project implementation.

    Project groups with defined project management leads to be sponsored by the RRWG and receive bi-monthly reports.

    RRWG retain the right to withdraw sponsorship status should projects not maintain agreed timelines and direction.

    Chair rotates between member organisations every 12 months and this group also provides the vice chair. The secretariat support alternates every 6 months between IOWC and Ryde Town council.

  5. Members Responsibilities

Members should at all times have regard to the purpose of the working group.


Members should be kept fully updated by email between bi-monthly meetings of any significant meetings undertaken by committee members relating to projects on the watch list. Any information provided by or to members that is commercially sensitive or for other good reason confidential will be treated as such by all members.

It will be taken as read that the 8 core committee members contributions to the working group fairly represent the views of their parent organisations, rather than their own personal views or interests.


Approved by RRWG Committee - 14th September 2020. Amended 21 July 2021


RYDE PLACE PLAN & REGENERATION SUB COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE


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Function of Working Group:


The purpose of the Ryde Place Plan and Regeneration Sub-Committee is, in partnership with relevant consultants, to add specific detail by way of appendices to the Ryde Place Plan. Details to include, but not exclusively, the following:


  1. Identify areas/elements within the plan that would benefit from more thorough and targeted detail.

  2. Rank these areas/elements in terms of their priority/importance with respect to delivery of the Place Plan.

  3. Prepare the required detail, in partnership with relevant consultants and in line with the priorities list, for addition to the Place Plan as Appendices.

  4. Review the existing Place Plan with regards to changes in planning legislation and other time affected factors.

  5. Identify the correct organisation / body responsible for each element outlined in the appendices.

  6. Identify any funding streams which may be available to support the delivery of the plan.


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    Membership:

    The Working Group membership (indicating voting rights) is as follows:



Other participants may be added, or invited to attend specific meetings, as and when necessary. The quorum required for the Sub Committee to make decisions is four.


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Meetings:

Meetings will be held as and when required. The date of the next meeting will be determined at the end of each meeting. The Chair and Vice Chair will be elected at the first meeting of the council year.



  1. Objectives

    YOUTH COUNCIL WORKING GROUP TERMS OF REFERENCE


  2. Membership

    A maximum of 7 Ryde Town Councillors with additional support, as and when required, from members of the public (specifically children and young people), Network Ryde staff, RTC officers, representatives of stakeholder groups/organisations or representatives from other town and parish councils.


  3. Chair/Vice Chair

    Chair to be elected at the commencement of the first meeting.


  4. Quorum

    No less than 2 Council Members but a minimum of 3 Committee members are required to attend to qualify as quorate.


  5. Meetings

Quarterly or as otherwise agreed by group members.


PUBLIC REALM WORKING GROUP


  1. Objectives

    1. To consider opportunities to improve Public Realm elements owned or controlled by Ryde Town Council.


    2. To consider opportunities to improve Public Realm elements owned by others, either alone or through partnership agreements with the land owner.


    3. To consider opportunities to improve, expand and enhance the greening areas within Ryde.


    4. To consult with stakeholders and local residents regarding proposals for Public Realm improvements and to seek cooperative working with residents once a scheme is agreed.


    5. To explore possible avenues for generating external finance opportunities for various public realm and greening projects.


    6. To negotiate on behalf of Ryde Town Council with relevant agencies involved in the decision-making process.


      The working Group will also be mindful of the need to:


      1. Bring any recommendations to a Planning, Place and Neighbourhood Committee meeting for consideration.


      2. Consider and assess the budgetary implications of all recommendations as part of the budget setting process.


      3. Consider the Town Councils Contract Standing Orders in relation to procurement in any recommendations going forward.


  2. Membership

    A maximum of 4 Ryde Town Councillors and 2 members of the public with additional support, as and when required, from the ward Councillors for the relevant ward.


  3. Election of Chair

    Chair to be elected at the commencement of each meeting. The committee should endeavour to circulate the position of chair amongst the members where ever possible.


  4. Quorum

    No less than 2 Ryde Town Councillors but a minimum of 3 Committee members are required to attend to qualify as quorate.


  5. Parent Committee

    Planning, Place and Neighbourhood Committee.


  6. Meeting Frequency

Quarterly or as otherwise agreed by the committee members.


ALLOTMENTS LIAISON GROUP TERMS OF REFERENCE


  1. Purpose and Objectives:


    1. To support the effective management of all allotment sites in Ryde, for which Ryde Town Council has responsibility.


    2. To provide a forum for the for the sharing of information between allotment users and the Town Council to help ensure good practice and the effective day to day management of all the allotment sites in Ryde, including the overseeing and development of tenancy agreements and the various rules and regulations of the sites.


    3. Consultation on any development of policies and procedures and any required capital expenditure in order to inform budget discussions by Town Councillors.


    4. To ensure high standards of dignity and respect, free from all types of discrimination, victimisation and harassment whilst recognising, respecting, and valuing differences.


    5. To liaise with the Town Council to support more sustainable allotment gardening, biodiversity, and climate change.


    6. To share good practice on environmental issues with all plot holders.


  2. Membership:

    1. One Ward Councillor from each of the wards containing allotment sites. (Appley and Elmfield, Monkton Mead, Haylands and Swanmore, Ryde West).


    2. Two representatives from each site, to be elected by the users of the five allotment sites.


    3. Two Ryde Town Council Officers with responsibility for allotments.


    4. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor as ex-officio.


      Representatives from outside the Liaison Group can be invited to attend a meeting if external input is required.


  3. Meetings:


    1. Meetings will be held biannually.


    2. An agenda should be sent to all members of the Liaison Group at least three working days ahead of a meeting.


    3. A Town Councillor or Officer of the Town Council will chair the Liaison Group. The Chair will be agreed at the first meeting.


    4. The lead officer will be required to make a report following the meeting which highlights any agreed recommendations that will need to be taken to the relevant public facing committee and / or Full Council.


    5. The quorum of the Liaison Group will be a third of the membership.


  4. Rules for Electing Site Representatives For Allotments:


    1. Eligibility: Only current allotment holders are eligible to run for the position of site representative.


    2. Nomination Process: Allotment holders who wish to run for the position of site representative must submit their nominations within a specified timeframe. Nominations should include the candidate's name, contact information, and a brief statement outlining their intentions if elected.


    3. All nominations for the position of site representative must be seconded by a current allotment holder.


    4. Voting Process: Each eligible allotment holder should be provided with a single vote. The Council may choose to conduct the election through an in-person voting session, mail-in ballots, or electronic voting, depending on the feasibility and preferences of the allotment community.


    5. Vote Counting and Results: Once the voting period is over, the votes should be counted in a transparent manner. The candidates with the highest number of votes should be declared the winners and elected as the site representatives.


    6. Term Duration: Two years. After which a new election should be held to select a representative for the subsequent term.



    7. Transparency and Communication: The site representatives should maintain open lines of communication between Council and the allotment community. The representative should regularly update the allotment holders about important matters, decisions, and ongoing activities related to the allotments.