The Isle of Wight Council is seeking applications to join the new Ryde Town Board which will lead the transformation of Ryde through the development of a long-term plan for the town and an investment of £20 million over 10 years. The Council is currently seeking applications from local businesspeople for several key Board roles, including an independent Chair and Deputy Chair. Applications are also sought for other Board Member roles; including from individuals with a focus on High Streets, Heritage and Regeneration and Community representation in particular. Ryde is one of 55 towns to benefit from national Levelling Up investment, as part of a long-term plan for towns. Each town will have a new Town Board made up of local community leaders and employers, and the Chair will act as a champion for the town, ensuring the Town Board is community-led and effective at targeting investment that help build a better future for local people. Councillor Phil Jordan, Leader of Isle of Wight Council, said:
“A long-term plan with such significant national investment provides an unprecedented opportunity to build a bright and prosperous future for Ryde. “This is an exciting opening for an inspirational individual to chair the Ryde Town Board, leading the direction which will transform Ryde into a town of aspiration and achievement, one that embraces new technology and sustainability, and with a strong sense of community and local pride.”
The Ryde Town Board will work closely with local people on investment priorities which will deliver change and steer the long-term vision for Ryde. The newly established Town Board will be the decision-making body responsible for leading the development and delivery of the plan across the broad themes of safety and security; high streets, heritage and regeneration; and transport and connectivity. The Isle of Wight Council is seeking to establish the Ryde Town Board as soon as possible and is seeking applications for a minimum of four positions on the Board including:
- Ryde Town Board Chair
- Ryde Town Board Deputy Chair
- At least 2 Board Member roles – with a focus on High Streets, Heritage and Regeneration and Community representation in particular
Applications to all positions are welcomed until 1st March 2024. Interviews for the Chair position will take place on 8th March. Applicants to other board positions will receive the outcome of shortlisting the week of 18th March. Full role profiles, application packs and details of how to apply for each position are available at https://solentpartners.com/about-us/vacancies/
Interesting that they don’t say how much it pays. I’ll consider applying if they’re offering 40 – 50k.
Seems to be the going rate for bureaucratic employment by cash strapped councils funded by the ever milked rate payers.
These are voluntary roles on a board and will only be paid expenses.
Yeah it’s amazing how many people comment without reading it all
The regeneration of Ryde should be in the hands of the council, elected by the people who can throw them out if they don’t think they are doing a good job. Instead we will have appointed committee of the local good and great, the well connected, accountable to whom, exactly ? And they call this “community led” ! The slow death of Island democracy.
And why is this the first we have heard of this, less than three weeks before the cut off date for applications ? Because they don’t want the likes of us. The people who they will appoint had their forms in ages ago.
Could the short notice be something to do with the grant only having been announced recently? I think so.
Illogical. If the grant was only just announced, push the deadline for applications forward to the end of March or mid April.
I wonder if the EX Councillor Wayne Whittle will be heavily involved in this?
Why, he is busy running his Cafe.
Why is a new board even necessary? Surely the existing town council should be overseeing this. More wasted money.
Probably to get people who have the necessary skills to fulfill the role. With respect, the council don’t possess them. I think it is a sensible idea.
They have the IOW expert on spending money Councillor Jordan.
That argument applies to all council/government activity. Why have elections at all ? The Town Board will make decisions about priorities, they won’t be laying bricks or doing architects drawings. And decisions about priorities lie with elected councillors, even if we don’t think much of the ones we’ve got. We can always get others !
Worringly with such large sums who are the experts who will decide how it is spent , more inportantly, where are the accountants, commercial experts in leading such projects, or have they already beem carved up by friends of friends, you cannot just give huge sums of tax payers money to well intentioned but ultimately unqualified peope, it is a recipe for disaster.
Sadly, the money will be squandered as usual but I’m not seeing any suggestions on here about how the money might be spent on something beneficial to most people in Ryde. Maybe they don’t need anything and they should give the money back if that is the case.
Why do they need anyone else they have Mr Jordan who knows how to spend other people’s money he does not need help from anyone. This is a ploy for Ride town council to opt out of any responsibility.
That’s how they work. The old Town Hall project has been handed over to a “trust”, Appley Tower has been handed over to a couple of local organisations to take forward, etc…
They want business people. Says it all really. Business self-serving business.
Who do you suggest they should recruit? Perhaps you would prefer binmen, shop workers, drug dealers, or the great unwashed. They are trying to recruit people with ideas that will help the town. The main business of the town is tourism, so an exciting attraction would be the best option.
But the reality will be utterly depressing. Maybe get the funny handshake brigade to replace some pavements for a few million. Put up some pointless plaques and murals for a few more million. Gold plated toilets for the unnecessary new offices.
Another waste of money
The Council employ too much unnesseccary clutter
many of which are still working from home.
If you can work from home, you are not needed.
Reduce the workforce and reduce our Council tax.
Come on Mr Jordan start streamlining
The Isle of Shite will be gone in between 10 years time.