Dear Residents and Friends,

December 2022 Update

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Festive Season and thank you for all your support. This email newsletter and update just highlights the latest news in relation to Ryde Appley and Elmfield and Ryde generally.

Please do regularly plug into my website: www.michaellilley.uk as I do regularly post what I have been up to.

West Acre Park

See West Acre Park Planning Application Update | Michael Lilley and West Acre Park planning application stalled due to concerns over impact on Solent waders and migrating birds (onthewight.com) for my latest update and my latest statement. The current position is the application has been referred back to IWC Planning Committee and now the earliest time for this to happen is 30^th January 2023. The Developer and Natural England have as yet not resolved Natural England’s concerns about the issue of houses being built on Solent Waders and Migration birds feeding grounds. As consent cannot be issued until this matter is resolved and the resolution is agreed by IWC Planning Committee, residents’ lawyers cannot apply for Judicial Review. Please see Save Westridge Farm Campaign (crowdjustice.com) – Funds are still being sought to continue the fight and a very strong case continues to be developed. I wish to thank all those residents that are leading on this. A report by planning officers as yet has not been written but it has been confirmed to me that only I as IWC ward councillor will be able to speak when it comes back to committee which I will do. If approved (it may not be) then consent will be issued and then residents’ lawyers will have 6 weeks to file to the court requesting Judicial Review. My latest statement on my website clearly states my feelings about the case.

Appley Tower

See Isle of Wight council leader holds key to Appley Tower’s refurbishment (onthewight.com) – Appley Tower project is progressing and the lease and planning permission has been approved by IW Council along with the funding from Heritage Lottery. The project is led by Natural Enterprise (charity) and they will be submitting a press release in January 2023 with all the details and when restoration will start. This has taken nearly 4 years (held up by Covid19) but it is now going to happen. Natural Enterprise holds approximately about £8000 for Appley Park projects from a grant from Southern Water and it is planned to hold a meeting in early 2023 at the Rowing Club for all Appley Park stakeholders and Ryde Town Council to decide and agree how this money is spent.

Pennyfeathers

The Pennyfeathers reserved matters report due to go IWC Planning Committee has yet to be finalised and now will go to committee in January/February but is very fluid.

Great Preston Road

Island Roads have told me Great Preston Road is going to be resurfaced in early 2023 (January/February) and letters to residents will be going out. I will let you know when I have more details.

Tom was elected! Our Ryde candidate wins seat on Ryde Town Council (onthewight.com)

Tom Hanley is the new Ryde Appley and Elmfield Ryde Town Councilllor and joins me and Cllr Jenna Sabine. Tom won by 416 votes to 124 votes. Your can contact Tom on tom.hanley@rydetowncouncil.gov.uk  and Jenna on jenna.sabine@rydetowncouncil.gov.uk  I wish to thank all residents who supported Tom. Tom, Jenna and I work closely together to make sure residents in the Ward get support. We are part of the Our Ryde group of Independent councillors on Ryde Town Council which includes Cllrs Phil Jordan, Richard May, Jo Elliott, Georgie Carter, and Simon Cooke. Tom is already attending RTC meetings and getting actively involved in current ward issues.

Cost of Living Support and Warm Space at St. John’s Church Hall

There is now a network of warm spaces and cost-of-living support https://www.rydetowncouncil.gov.uk/support-during-the-cost-of-living-crisis

Ryde Library operates a daily (Mon-Saturday excluding Thursday) a Warm Space drop-in and on Wednesday there is a Ryde Town Councillor surgery. I am doing one on 14^th December from 5-6.30pm ( a different RTC councillor every week.

Every Thursday at St. John’s Church Hall, High Park Road from 2pm-5pm there is a warm space and support for local residents finding it difficult through the Winter. Please go along and support the team and get support yourself if needed.

For more information contact: Alison Pearce (Ryde Community Development Worker) on Alison.pearce@rydetowncouncil.gov.uk

Oakfield School Community Pantry

Oakfield Community Pantry has opened at the heart of Oakfield Primary School, in Ryde to serve an area of significant disadvantage and poverty within the local community. The pantry aims to provide essential and vital support to help those struggling financially with food and hygiene products. Our Community hub and Pantry is open to the whole community, and members can spend £5 to receive £15 worth of food, however due to the demand and need this often nearly £40 worth of food. It is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday – 3pm-430pm For further information contact pantry@oakfieldcepri.iow.sch.uk

Plans and Future of St. John’s Church and Church Hall – Meeting on 28^th January 2023

Portsmouth Diocese (CE) have been working with community architects and St. John’s parish/congregation on developing a plan for the future of the church especially into a community hub/centre. There is a meeting in January and all residents who are interested are welcome.

Contact stjohnschurchryde@gmail.com for further information

Supporting Local Community and Voluntary Sector Projects

I am currently supporting the Veterans Hub The Veterans Hub Isle of Wight CIC (veteranshubiow.co.uk) on the High Street and there new project to open a Veterans Hotel and Bar on the Esplanade. I have been raising funds for a Men’s Mental Health project, Men Only IW ‘Good Old Days’ evening raises £700 for charity, with Mayor performing as Danny La Rue (onthewight.com) and development of Tidal Family Support Welcome to Tidal Family Support  on Rink Road. I am working with others on developing a Ryde Area Community Development Trust (Charity) so small community projects around the town can be developed.

Newsletter planned for early January 2023

My aim has always to develop my newsletter into a Ryde Appley and Elmfield community newsletter and I am planning with Tom and Jenna for the first edition to be out in early January. If you have any ideas/contributions please contact me.

St. Thomas’s, Network Ryde and Support for Young People in the Town

There will be some good news in early 2023 about the development of Ryde’s new Youth Centre (St. Thomas’s Church). Network Ryde  Network Ryde | Youth Cafe has gone from strength to strength and I was overjoyed to attend the annual awards for 30 young people who attained Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards. https://onthewight.com/young-people-recognised-with-bronze-and-silver-duke-of-edinburghs-awards/

Merry and Bright – Friday 16^th December 2022 – 4pm till late in Ryde Town Centre –

Merry and Bright event returns for 2022 – Ryde Town Council – Do come along?

Next Ward Meeting – Thursday 5^th January 2023 at St. John’s Church Hall, High Park Road

Please contact me on Michael.lilley@iow.gov.uk if you have any questions or reply to this email but in the meantime please have a wonderful Xmas and Festive season.

Best wishes

Michael

Cllr Michael Lilley – Ryde Appley and Elmfield