FELIXSTOWE FORWARD COASTAL COMMUNITY TEAM ECONOMIC PLAN

March 2017

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Contents

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Page Title 3 Introduction 14 CCT Plan 19 Delivering the Plan 21 Communications 23 Logistics 25 Town Improvement Plan Appendix 1 Achievements in Year 1 and 2. Year 3 Work in progress.

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Introduction

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1. Name of CCT: Forward

2. Contact details

Helen Greengrass Felixstowe Forward Town Hall, Undercliff Road, Felixstowe, IP11 2AG 01394 444576 Mobile 07717 150993 [email protected] www.felixstoweforward.org.uk

3. CCT Membership

Felixstowe Forward Sponsor Group membership (Terms of Reference available upon request)

Suffolk County Council Cllr Graham Newman County Council Cllr Nick Barber Alison Wheatland Localities and Partnerships Officer District Cllr Geoff Holdcroft Deputy Leader of the Council, Council Cabinet Member, Resources Suffolk Coastal District Cllr Andy Smith Cabinet Member, Economic Council Development and Coastal Management Suffolk Coastal District Paul Wood Head of Service, Economic Council Development & Regeneration Felixstowe Town Council Cllr Doreen Savage Felixstowe Town Council Cllr Steve Gallant Felixstowe Town Council Ash Tadjrishi Town Clerk Community Action Suffolk Christine Abraham Director of Community Services Felixstowe Chamber of Trade David Button Chair and Commerce Felixstowe Forward Helen Greengrass Change Director Paul S Davey Head of Corporate Affairs

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Business and Enterprise Sub Group

Working in partnership with the Felixstowe Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Tourism Sub Group

Art on the Prom Stephen Wyatt Voluntary Organisation Barber Auctions Nick Barber Owner Felixstowe Forward Helen Greengrass Change Director Felixstowe Forward Stephen Rampley Events Coordinator Felixstowe Forward Clare Baker Change Coordinator Felixstowe Town Council Ash Tadjrishi Town Clerk Felixstowe Town Council Cllr Doreen Savage Manning Amusements Charles Manning Owner Pierrots Mark Barham Owner Spa Pavilion Ray Anderson Owner The Orwell Hotel Jo Ferris Manager Suffolk County Council Cllr Graham Newman

Community Sub Group

Churches Together Sue Hockinhull Community Action Suffolk Christine Abraham Director Community Services Felixstowe Forward Helen Greengrass Change Director Hope Trust Paul Taylor Level 2 Shez Southernwood Project Manager Suffolk County Council Alison Wheatland Business Development Manager

Business and Enterprise Sub group

Close working relationship with

Felixstowe Chamber of Trade and commerce Emerging Town Centre Partnership

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Tourism Subgroup

Landguard Felixstowe Partnership Forward Team Sponsor Group

Community Business & Subgroup Enterprise Subgroup

3.1 CCT Stakeholders

The key stakeholders are the three sponsoring authorities – Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council and Felixstowe Town Council. However, Felixstowe Forward has sought to engage with a wide range of business and community organisations since its inception in April 2015. The first engagement event held in July 2015 attracted over 126 local people from business, tourism providers and voluntary organisations. Since then the engagement event has become part of the annual calendar with a repeat in 2016 and an event planned for July 2017.

In general Felixstowe Forward seeks to engage with:

Major Employers from the Ports and Logistics sector Town Traders Tourism providers (local attractions, hotels etc) Voluntary organisations representing the wider community

A detailed list of over 600 interested parties is maintained and Felixstowe Forward is continually building relationships to ensure it can be truly representative of the town. In 2017 this has extended to over 800 organisations.

Since 2015 Felixstowe Forward has developed a close working relationship with stakeholders and has an active working relationship with:

East Suffolk Business Association Network

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East Suffolk Partnership Felixstowe Events Organisations Felixstowe Ambitions Network (young people) Felixstowe and District Task Meeting (Policing) Felixstowe Dementia Action Alliance Felixstowe Town Centre Partnership Felixstowe Travel watch Felixstowe Youth Forum Green Print Forum Local Authority Liaison Committee (Port of Felixstowe) Landguard Partnership Suffolk Coast Destination Management Organisation Suffolk Coastal Norse (maintenance) Vibrant Economy Task group Line Group East (Rail Partnership)

These relationships ensure the Coastal community Team is connected and can have an overview of all that is happening in the Town.

4. Accountable Body

Suffolk Coastal District Council East Suffolk House, Station Road, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1RT Telephone: 01394 383789

Contact: Paul Wood, Head of Service, Economic Development and Regeneration Cllr Andy Smith Cabinet Member: Economic Development & Coastal Management

5. Local Area

Felixstowe is located on the Suffolk coast, facing the North Sea between the estuaries of the Rivers Stour and Orwell to the south and the to the north. Felixstowe is well connected despite its Peninsula location. It is 15 miles from the county town of and 100 miles from . The A14 provides the main road route to local centres of population. The Felixstowe

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Branch Line is a part of the Greater Anglia rail network.

Felixstowe became a fashionable resort in the 1880’s. The town has a population of c.29,000 and is the largest of six towns within the Suffolk Coastal District. The Port of Felixstowe ( https://www.portoffelixstowe.co.uk/ ) is the busiest and largest container port in the UK.

Felixstowe’s greatest attraction is its five mile coastline with long beaches, wide sea views and an extensive promenade. The Seafront Gardens are a Grade II Registered Garden of Special Historic Interest and have been recently restored (project funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and Suffolk Coastal District Council). The enviable coastal location generates a unique climate with record hours of sunshine and minimal rainfall and cloud cover.

Both the North Felixstowe and South Felixstowe beaches meet the Marine Conservation Society highest recommended standard for excellent water quality. The standards for rating are derived from the European Bathing Water Directive which assesses the water quality of popular beaches, known as designated bathing waters, with the aim of ensuring public health and protecting the environment. For further information visit: http://www.goodbeachguide.co.uk/

Felixstowe is known to have a significant concentration of Victorian and Edwardian architecture in and around the town. The Landguard Peninsula is located at the southerly most point of the town of Felixstowe. Visitors can explore the rich military and maritime heritage of the Grade I listed , Felixstowe’s local history museum as well as the vegetated shingle habitat of the SSSI designated Landguard Nature Reserve, with its rare plants, migrating birds and military history. For more information visit http://www.discoverlandguard.org.uk/

Between 1804 and 1812 eight Martello Towers were built on the Felixstowe shores to repel Napoleonic invasion. Four of these towers can still be seen along Felixstowe’s coastline today. A fifth tower 'R' is incorporated into the fabric of the former Bartlet Hospital, which has been converted into new housing. Tower 'P' in Martello Park has recently been restored. For more information visit: http://www.touchingthetide.org.uk/our-projects/virtual-reality-martello-tower/

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In 2012 the final phase of the central Felixstowe coast protection work was completed. The scheme safeguards nearly 1,500 homes from coastal erosion, as well as local businesses, beaches, recreational gardens and key facilities.

Felixstowe’s town centre is located on the sea cliff above the seafront resort and has a mixture of retail units and offices. The Town centre benefits from a Shared Space Scheme (£2m) designed to improve Felixstowe for residents, businesses and visitors. A new public space at The Triangle provides a central meeting point and a venue for local community organisations to fund raise, raise awareness and showcase talent.

The iconic Spa Pavilion has recently reopened following refurbishment and a change of ownership once again providing an arts and entertainment venue for the town.

There is continued evidence of increased investment in the town:

Two new restaurants have opened. opened early in 2016. The Orwell Hotel has announced a four year refurbishment programme.

In the town Felixstowe has seen an emerging concentration of independent vintage, retro, boutique, and arts and crafts shops around the Orwell Road area.

Martello Park emerged from proposals to regenerate an area of derelict land along the south seafront of Felixstowe by means of a residential and leisure redevelopment. 127 new homes were built around the Martello P historic tower and zoned landscaping provided play and picnic areas. This area has completely transformed the South Beach area.

Along the Northern beach The Bartlet Development, and the McCarthy and Stone apartments provide additional residential properties for retirement living.

6. Community Demographics

At the 2011 census the age pyramid shows a higher than average proportion of men and women aged 55+ living in Felixstowe. The commonest age group is 60‐64 year olds. The number of people of retirement age is likely to increase markedly in

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coming years (with the associated challenge of supporting more people living with one or more long term health conditions, such as dementia). There is a lower than average number of people of working age, particularly 20‐39 year olds.

In 2011, 96.1% of the population of Felixstowe Coastal were white and there were 753 people of black or minority ethnic origin in Felixstowe.

The IMD 2010 shows that deprivation levels in Felixstowe Coastal are varied, with parts of the division among the least deprived 20% nationally, but others in the worst 40%. Of the thirteen Lower Super Output Areas (LSOA), five are ranked in the 20% least deprived in the country but four are in the second most deprived quintile.

Life expectancy is lower than both the Suffolk Coastal and Suffolk average at 81.9 years for women and 79 for men respectively. There are specific health challenges, including a high rate of deaths from cardiovascular disease and more people (than the average) living with a limiting long term illness or disability. More people in Felixstowe provide unpaid care for others.

Crime levels are relatively high, with a rate of 59 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents in 2012 – just above the Suffolk average (54 crimes) and some way above the Suffolk Coastal average (37 crimes). ‘Other theft’ is the most common crime but criminal damage, violent crimes and vehicle crime numbers are also high.

7. Local economy

The economy of Felixstowe is dominated by the Port of Felixstowe, employing 2,700 people directly and a further 10,000 jobs in related industries in the wider area. Port- related developments and Port of Felixstowe Logistics Park will create hundreds more job opportunities in the town. This growth represents a major inward investment success for Suffolk with hundreds of millions of pounds invested by Hutchison Ports and others.

The other significant sources of employment are hospitality and tourism and public services, each of which faces significant challenges. Hospitality occupations are amongst the lowest paid nationally.

There are 1,565 businesses in the Felixstowe area1 (New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership “Slingshot” database for businesses with an IP11 postcode). More than 1,200 of these have 10 or fewer employees.

1 New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership ‘Slingshot’ database for businesses with an IP11 database 9

Felixstowe has an ageing population and this has an impact on the local economy through a decline in the working age population (aged 16-64) from 14,300 in 2008 to 13,300 in 2014 (Data is for Town of Felixstowe parish). In particular the number of people in their 20s and 30s is well below the and England national rates. This has implications for business growth as there are fewer people locally possessing new qualifications or seeking entry level positions. Unemployment is low – Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants ranged in Felixstowe’s 5 wards from 0.2 to 0.9% (Great Britain rate of 1.5%) – and the economic activity rate is generally around the national average (ONS data from NOMIS).

The current local labour force does not therefore have the capacity to serve a fast expanding ports and logistics sector; the results are likely to include further growth in commuting from the Ipswich area(which has a different population profile), increased pressure on local housing supply, and/or an increased churn in the town’s labour market with staff moving to jobs with more attractive pay and conditions.

Further information from Suffolk Observatory Parish Profile http://www.suffolkobservatory.info/

A Visitor Economic Impact carried out in 2013 estimated the value of the visitor economy in Felixstowe to be £48.9m.2 A repeat study in 2016 confirmed this has grown to £55m.

In 2016/17 the impact of Brexit is of concern: A major development planned by Uniserve has been put on hold and The Port of Felixstowe remain concerned about the impact of Brexit. Clearly for a town heavily reliant on the Port and logistics for employment any downturn would be a challenge..

8. Related Initiatives

8.1 Felixstowe Peninsula Area Action Plan This document will consider where the homes, businesses and community facilities envisaged in the Core Strategy should be built. Currently, the document is being developed. Felixstowe Forward has supported the consultation process and over 500 responses are now being considered. The Development Plan Document was adopted by Suffolk Coastal District Council in January 2017. For further information: http://www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourdistrict/planning/policy/local- plan/felixstowe-area-action-plan/

8.2 Links with Deben Peninsula Coastal Community Team (and )

2 Using the Impact Model 10

Felixstowe Forward is working closely with the neighbouring Deben Peninsula Coastal Community Team. Geographically each is separated by the River Deben. However: an ongoing, but intermittent, ferry service operates across the river providing a vital link to both communities. Felixstowe had developed new visitor marketing materials in 2017 all of which show the link across to the Deben peninsula.

All four Suffolk coastal teams – Felixstowe, Deben. and Lowestoft - are keen to learn from one another and to share good practice and have agreed to hold regular meetings in 2017.

8.3 Port of Felixstowe Expansion Felixstowe is one of the UK’s largest and busiest container port, handling over 40% of the UK’s container traffic. The port employs over 2,700 people directly with 30,000 jobs dependant on the Port in total. Felixstowe has already undergone significant development with additional quayside created and a brand new railhead. The Branch Line remains the top priority

nationally for Network Rail’s Strategic Freight Aerial view of the Port of Felixstowe by John Fielding Network budget. Capacity is expected to grow by an additional million containers by

2025 and further infrastructure improvements are being developed that will enable it to handle the latest mega-vessels (the number of which is set to increase rapidly). With overall UK container traffic likely to grow steadily, there are opportunities for further growth through diversifying Felixstowe’s bulk-breaking and post-processing capabilities. Felixstowe is on the premier Asia/EU route dedicated to unitised deep sea traffic and aspires to EU hub status.

The Port of Felixstowe is likely to be impacted by Brexit. .

8.4 Port of Felixstowe Logistics Park The first phase of a 1.4 million square foot logistics park at the Port of Felixstowe received planning permission in December 2015. The approval covers the first four warehouses to be built to provide nearly 1 million square feet of

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storage space with the largest being 360,000 square feet.

8.5 Felixstowe Seafront Gardens Total £4.8 million

The Grade II Felixstowe Seafront Gardens which extend for nearly 1km along the promenade have recently been restored with joint funding from Heritage Lottery Fund and Suffolk Coastal District Council. The project build completed in December 2015. A ten year maintenance plan, detailed activity and management plan will ensure that these gardens continue to be a jewel in the crown along the Suffolk coast. The Gardens have enjoyed a full season in 2016 and have been a significant factor in a resurgence of interest in the town.

8.6 Martello Park – South Seafront Rejuvenation Approx £1.4m Martello Park emerged from proposals to regenerate an open area of ground (17.5 acres) in Felixstowe by means of a mixed leisure and residential development. The regeneration of the South Seafront was based around aims to create a sense of place and harness the historic Martello ‘P’ Tower and its surrounding and to reengage the south seafront as part of the wider Felixstowe coastal tourism. Consultation with the public will commence early in 2016 as to the future use of the Martello ‘P’ Tower.

8.7 Landguard Fort The Landguard Partnership aims to pull together the heritage assets on the Landguard Peninsula in Felixstowe including Landguard Fort, the Nature Reserve and Felixstowe Museum and develop a cohesive and focused year round heritage attraction with an

improved tourism offer. Funding bids are being developed to conserve and enhance the assets further, alongside the improvements already delivered by the Port of Felixstowe as part of a Section 106 agreement.

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8.9 Boating Lake Work has concluded and the old Boating lake site is now an event space on the seafront that will also serve as additional car parking when not required for events.

There are a number of new events planned for the area in 2017.

8.10 PierHead Development is privately owned. Felixstowe Forward is working with the owners and Council officers to support a redevelopment of the PierHead building. Work commenced in September 2016 and is due to complete in August 2017..

8.11 Related Economic developments:

Premier Inn new build, opened February 2016.

Uniserve: In March 2015 Uniserve were granted planning permission for a 40 metre high x 47,664 sq m warehouse at the port of Felixstowe. Uniserve have designed a totally unique facility, spanning across four floors providing over 140,000 sq m of warehouse space and over 150,000 pallet spaces. These facilities will be geared to rapid cross dock, e-fulfilment, garments, drinks, food stuffs, chilled and frozen products, furniture, pharmaceuticals, electronics and high valued products. This project has been scaled back as a result of Brexit.

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CCT Plan ______

9 Ambition

Felixstowe Forward will work with a wide range of partners, including businesses and community groups, to identify the town’s key challenges and bring in improvements.

Felixstowe Forward underpins this vision and aims to work with a wide range of partners, including businesses and community groups, to tackle the town’s key challenges and deliver improvement to make Felixstowe a great place to live, work and visit.

Felixstowe Forward seeks to: 1) Oversee the development and delivery of further economic growth in Felixstowe to build upon its reputation as a dynamic and prosperous town, attracting inward investment to continue to enhance the town’s infrastructure; 2) Seek and support new developments and projects within the town that contribute to the vitality of the town and wellbeing of residents; 3) Promote Felixstowe as a high quality destination for residents and visitors, developing the tourism offer by working with hotel and tourist attraction providers; 4) Preserving and promoting the heritage of the town; 5) Support and develop an enterprise and entrepreneurship culture within Felixstowe, supporting coordinated and targeted marketing of the facilities, events and opportunities within the town; and, 6) Supporting and contributing to the skills, education and employability of young people.

Following an engagement event in July 2015 a Town Improvement Plan has been introduced. This was revised in July 2016. It is included in Appendix 1.

Felixstowe Forward underpins and supports wider strategic plans including:

East Suffolk Business Plan, 2015-2023, to ‘maintain and sustainably improve the quality of life for everyone growing up in, living in, working in and visiting East Suffolk. http://www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourcouncil/businessplan/vision/

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East Suffolk Means Business 2015-2023

‘Maintain and sustainably improve the quality of life for everyone growing up in, living in, working in and visiting East Suffolk’

Three key pillars: Enabling Communities Economic growth Financial Self Sufficiency

http://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/assets/Your-Council/East-Suffolk-Business-Plan.PDF

East Suffolk Growth Plan 2014-2025 The East Suffolk Growth Plan lays out proposals to build more prosperity in the area, including creating 900 new enterprises and 10,000 extra jobs in East Suffolk. Priority growth sectors relevant to Felixstowe: Ports and Logistics, Tourism and ICT

The following explains how the Felixstowe Town Improvement Plan interprets the wider strategic aims and objectives:

•'No Stone Unturned in Pursuit of growth' •The Rt Hon Lord Heseltine of Thernford CH

•Strategic Economic Plan • New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership

•Suffolk Growth Strategy • Suffolk Growth Group

•East Suffolk Growth Plan 2014-2025 • East Suffolk Growth Group

•East Suffolk Business Plan 2015-2023

•Felixstowe Town Improvement Plan •Felixstowe Pensinula Area Action Plan

• Felixstowe Community, voluntary Sector, Businesses and Tourist Providers

10. Needs of the community

The Improvement Plan is based on detailed workshops held in July 2015 and July 2016 which looked at three key areas:

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1. Business and Enterprise 2. Tourism 3. Community

The Town Improvement Plan captures the priorities that emerged from this initial stakeholder event. In addition, the Felixstowe Forward Change Director has held public meetings and presented to a wide range of businesses and organisations since July to ensure these priorities reflect the needs of the Town. Felixstowe Forward has sought the voice of young people and has worked with students from the Felixstowe Academy. The Change Director regularly attends the Town Council Youth Forum.

11. SWOT Analysis

Strengths Weaknesses 5 miles coastal location and extensive Reliance on Ports and Logistics sector for promenade jobs Growing tourism economy Lack of benchmarking the town centre: Not knowing our town centre Climate Fragmented business groups Heritage assets (Grade II Gardens, Grade Sea Road and Undercliff road area is run I Landguard Fort) down and gives a poor image of the town Broad events calendar provided by Inadequate rail capacity (particularly on voluntary organisations Felixstowe branch) Excellent sea connections to global Poor conference facilities markets Proximity to London Shared Space scheme does not link to the Seafront Identified as a growth location Poor visitor information Facilities for young people Skills shortage Ageing population and demands upon services Opportunities Threats Development of ICT innovation park at Maintaining the port’s status in light of Heath and Greater Ipswich competition from London gateway, making Felixstowe desirable place to live Southampton and European Ports Growth of the Town centre Coastal flood risk (independent shops) Grow and develop the tourism offer and Pressure on local services from ageing extend the out of season offer population Continued investment in growth and infrastructure projects Opportunities for further Port growth Shortage of land availability for offices, through diversification of Felixstowe’s warehousing, container storage and lorry bulk-breaking and post processing parking

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capabilities

12. Data

2011: Suffolk’s Local Economic Assessment https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/assets/suffolk.gov.uk/Business/Business%20Services/Ec onomic%20development/Final%20Assessment.pdf

2011: Census Information about Coastal towns in Suffolk http://www.ons.gov.uk

2013: Felixstowe Visitor Economy – baseline report that profiles visitors, visitor experience and satisfaction levels, understand the makeup of the local tourism industry and quantify the volume and value of tourism to the local economy as well as the related employment levels. The total estimated value of tourism to Felixstowe in 2013 was £48.9million; the sector was believed to sustain 908 actual jobs. Following the Seafront Gardens restoration project a repeat of this survey has been commissioned for 2016.

2013-2023; The Suffolk Coast Tourism Strategy Economic impact assessment to present the overall value of tourism to the economy http://www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org/assets/Projects-- Partnerships/BALANCE/TourismStrategy.pdf

2015 Felixstowe Events: A study of twelve events in Felixstowe in 2015 and their economic impact (available upon request)

2015: Felixstowe Seafront Visitor Survey (live on line survey, 170 responses to date) https://www.surveymonkey.net/summary/PD_2FGE4KgNiaqR1FjCkgPtA_2FZAiekhQ YwgPcZn_2Fb3_2FOk_3D

2015: Town Centre Benchmarking report, Felixstowe Forward (available on request)

2015: Public Health Profile www.localhealth.org

2015: Community Mapping Exercise/s. Felixstowe Forward (available on request) Mapping exercise in 2015 revealed 249 community organisations.

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Delivering the Plan ______

13 Key projects and/or bodies of work Included in Appendix A Town Improvement Plan

14 Short Term Goals and Actions ref Town Improvement Plan App A 15 Performance Measures ref Town Improvement Plan App A 16 Medium term goals/actions ref Town Improvement Plan App A 17 Performance measures ref Town Improvement Plan App A

18 Long term goals and actions Felixstowe Forward is a three year initiative which is due to cease on 31 March 2018. Whilst it has not considered long term goals and actions it has identified key aspirational targets within its Improvement Plan. Ref to Appendix A.

It will continue to underpin the longer term strategic aims of :  East Suffolk Plan, 2015-2023 East Suffolk Means Business  East Suffolk Growth Plan 2014-2025  Enabling Communities Strategy

19 Barriers

Culture Change:

Felixstowe Forward underpins the Suffolk Coastal District Council vision for Enabling Communities believing that together we can improve services, build resilient communities and make life better for everyone. With this in mind it seeks to work more closely with communities and the ‘champions’ within each community, who put their time and energy into making things better. We want to enable the Felixstowe community to be more resilient. This means making it easy for communities to do the things that they most want to do – rather than doing things ‘to’ or ‘for’ them.

Without the input of the local community, Felixstowe Forward’s aims and objective may not be realised. The Town Improvement Plan relies on key stakeholders, including the community in its broadest sense, becoming actively involved.

Resources

Like most communities there is always far more to be done than funding and resources can deliver. The identification of priorities has helped focus attention but

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resources remain limited. Resources are identified within the Town Improvement plan Appendix A.

Time Constraints

The Town Improvement plan is based on a three year life cycle. The town is rapidly changing, suggesting that the need for a core team within the town will remain vital to its success. A long term aspirational plan should be considered.

20 Resources

The three sponsoring authorities are committed to resourcing the small Felixstowe Forward team with a ring fenced budget of £75,000. This provides for accommodation at the Town Hall in Felixstowe and staffing:

1 FT Change Director 1 PT Marketing and Events Coordinator In addition an apprentice has been provided for from corporate funds from Suffolk Coastal District Council

The Landguard Partnership Project Manager (FT) is also employed within the Felixstowe Forward team with resource provided by the Port of Felixstowe.

The success of the Coastal Community team relies heavily on the involvement of volunteers from local business, tourist providers and from within the community.

Please refer to the Town Improvement Plan which gives more information on resources.

21 Costs - ref Town Improvement Plan App A

22 Value of the plan to the local economy

The value of Felixstowe Forward as a Coastal Community Team is that it puts in place the building blocks to support local economic growth. This growth can then be seen in the context of the wider economic growth plans of the East Suffolk Growth Plan, and the East Suffolk Business Plan.

23 Funding - ref Town Improvement Plan App A

24 Maximising resources and costs - ref Town Improvement Plan App A

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Communications

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25 Consultation

An Engagement Event; ‘Taking the Town Forward’ was held on 17 July 2015, attended by 126 people representing local businesses and organisations. See Appendix 2 for full report. As a result a Town Improvement Plan was introduced.

Consultation has continued through its stakeholders and partnership organisations listed in 3.1, presentations and one to one meetings.

The engagement event has become an annual event for the town and a pilot ‘open for season’ event was held in 2017 to prepare the town for the tourist season.

It is also planning a combined visitor survey throughout 2017.

26 Informing partners

Landguard Partnership

Wider Stakeholder Partners Community Sub group inc DCLG and CCA Felixstowe Forward

Business and Sponsor Enterprise Group Subgroup

Tourism Subgroup

27 Communication with community

Felixstowe Forward:

Website* www.felixstoweforward.org.uk Twitter @felixstowe4ward

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Newsletter Quarterly SCDC Coastline magazine FTC Monthly newsletter

* The Felixstowe Forward website is embedded within the Suffolk Coastal District Council website.

Visit Felixstowe, Great Days by the Sea:

Website www.visitfelixstowe.co.uk,

Twitter @visitfelixstowe (3,117 followers) Facebook Page Visit felixstowe (2,992 followers)

The website is currently being updated. Google analytics are used to monitor users, page views, and new visitors.

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CCT Logistics

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28 Management of the Team

The Felixstowe Forward team is based at the Town Hall, Undercliff Road, Felixstowe. It occupies a prime seafront location and is hosted by Felixstowe Town Council. As such it is central to the town and benefits from close links with the Town Council.

The Felixstowe Forward Change Director meets regularly with the wider Economic Development and Regeneration team at Suffolk Coastal District Council and has regular monthly meetings with the Head of Service. This helps connect the initiative to the wider strategic aims of both Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Coastal District Council.

The Felixstowe Forward Change Director meets informally with the Town Clerk bi- monthly. This is a mutually beneficial meeting to ensure both are working in close partnership. Felixstowe Forward presents reports to full Town Council meetings.

The Change Director is also a member of project working groups, project boards, community groups, and executive committees ensuring Felixstowe Forward is representative of the community. It also works with the other CCT’s in the area and other place-based initiatives as a support for learning and good practice.

The Felixstowe Forward team meets monthly to review progress.

29 Support Structure

Two Councillors from each sponsoring authority (Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council, Felixstowe Town Council) and officers from each are represented on the Sponsor group. This ensures a close working relationship and is invaluable for the success of the initiative.

Support can be further drawn from officer support from a number of teams – visitor services, planning, communications, finance, funding, active communities etc.

The Change Director invested a significant amount of time networking in the first six months of Felixstowe Forward. This has ensured the support of the community in driving forward the economic plan.

30 Costs – refer to Town Improvement Plan Appendix A

31 Sustainability

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Felixstowe Forward is a place based initiative. At its core is the aspirational aim of enabling the community to do more for itself. A number of initiatives detailed in the Town Improvement Plan (eg Business Improvement District and the setting up of a Community Interest Company to deliver more visitor services) demonstrate a commitment to future sustainability.

32 Areas of Specific Interest

Felixstowe Forward would benefit from:

 The opportunity to visit another CCT to share best practice  Measuring impact  Network and/or working groups on tourism, piers, heritage, marketing

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Felixstowe Forward Coastal Community Team 2016-2018 Town Improvement Plan – Progress and achievements

Town Improvement Plan Objectives 1. Oversee the development and delivery of further economic growth in Felixstowe to build upon its reputation as a dynamic and prosperous town, attracting inward investment to continue to enhance the town’s infrastructure.

1.1 Establish sub group to Establish Business and Enterprise Effective and identified Year 1 Achievements support this work stream sub group (B&E) business and enterprise  Building relationship with key stakeholders group and partnership  Economic Plan written for CCT engagement Year 2 Achievements  Emerging Town Centre Partnership to represent retailers interests Year 3 Work in progress  Continue to strengthen Town Centre relationships in support of a Business Improvement District 1.2 Support the  Single portal for Felixstowe Effective portal and Year 1 Achievements – none. (Town critical of Chamber and lack of representation.) development of the local businesses, traders, retailers database of contacts in Year 2 Achievements Chamber of Commerce Felixstowe  Town Centre Partnership emerging (see above) Year 3 Work in progress Increased Chamber  Work with the newly elected Chair to strengthen Chamber and increase membership membership  Strengthen relationship with Suffolk Chamber in support of a Business Improvement District

1.3 Explore Business Business Improvement District Inward investment Year 2 Achievements Improvement District  Feasibility work progressing on a BID (BID) Year 3 Work in progress  Progress BID

1.4 Maximising Town Annual Audit of Town Centre and Enabling the High Year 1 Achievements Centre and Town Seafront businesses, annual Street to do more for  Completed benchmarking exercise Developments benchmarking (footfall etc), themselves Year 2 Achievements annual use of Triangle  Comparison benchmarking exercise

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Statistical  Completed business confidence survey measurements and  Piloted successful Christmas campaign 2016 comparison data  Felixstowe named in the top 5 Great British High Streets in the ‘Rising Star’ award. Year 3 Work in progress  Christmas campaign 2017 with improved signage and lights  Comparison benchmarking and business confidence survey 1.5 Maintain prestige Ensure Suffolk Coastal Norse Visual enhancement of Ongoing quarterly resort meetings with key stakeholders areas to a high standard maintenance is completed to the town contract expectations especially in gateway approaches and prestige areas during visitor season

2. Seek and support new developments and projects within the town that contribute to the vitality of the town and wellbeing of residents.

2.1 Establish sub group to Establish Community Sub Effective and identified Year 1 Achievements support this work stream Group/s (Comm) community sub group  Building relationship with key stakeholders and partnership Year 2 Achievements engagement  Sub group established Year 3 Work in progress  Work stream agreed 2.2 Better Information Establish InfoLink as community Infolink annual stats Year 3 Work in progress for Residents (and where portal measurement  Town Community calendar and webpage in partnership with Felixstowe Town Council applicable Visitors) on Improved awareness of and with InfoLink provider. what is going on in Improve listings and links of what community events and Felixstowe is on with Press partners, Visit activities Felixstowe, FTC and Library

2.3 Enable the voluntary Hold three annual community Enabling the Year 1 Achievements sector to find new ways themed seminars to explore community  Community workshop July 2015 of strengthening collaboration, better use of Year 2 Achievements relationships between resources etc  Community workshop July 2016 different sectors who (eg Health and Wellbeing,  Felixstowe Dementia Action Alliance: Felixstowe a dementia friendly community. have a role to play in the Volunteering, Adult and Social Oversee delivery plan vitality of the town care)  Volunteer Bible completed for Library  Volunteer Suffolk launched locally

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 Cycling on the prom consultation and subsequent temporary lifting of byelaw Year 3 Work in progress  Community workshop July 2017  Timebanking initiative launched and piloted  Build Felixstowe volunteering capacity and numbers of volunteers 3. Promote Felixstowe as a high quality destination town for residents and visitors developing the tourism offer by working with hotel and tourist attraction providers

3.1 Establish sub group to Establish Tourism sub group (TG) Effective and identified Year 1 Achievements support this work stream tourism sub group and  Sub group established with ongoing workstream partnership Year 2 Achievements engagement  Sub group established with ongoing workstream Year 3 Work in progress  Continue to meet and deliver workstream priorities 3.2 Review Review website/s VF and SFG and Increased awareness of Year 2 Achievements www.visitfelixstowe.co.u associated social media Felixstowe  Merged Seafront Gardens website in to Visit Felixstowe to maximise brand awareness k to be THE single source  Transferred host domain of information and Statistical analysis  Ongoing monitoring of website google analytics, social media etc in place branding for visitors to  Felixstowe 2017 season opening event the town Year 3 Work in progress  Refresh and review website (tablet optimisation, update branding etc)

 Ongoing monitoring  Felixstowe 2018 season opening event

Promote branding and improve Improved visitor Year 2 Achievements tourist information available to experience  2 Visit Felixstowe Beach Hut tourist information huts opened visitors within the town  34 active volunteers recruited  Welcome Host training for volunteers completed  2017 materials - Visitor Map Pads, DL flyer, bedroom browsers, walking trail app produced and launched  Noticeboards and visitor information updated monthly Year 3 Work in progress  2017 Campaign roll out across Suffolk, S Norfolk, N Essex  Trial of Beach Hut in Martello Park  Visitor Survey 2017  Accessibility guide 3.3 Develop coherent Agree campaign headlines and Improved visitor Year 1 Achievements

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seasonal marketing key events and develop a experience  Annual promotions calendar completed with key campaigns identified and regular campaign for Felixstowe seasonal tourism offer press releases.  Increased (and positive) press coverage. Increase visitor event Hold three additional Year 2 Achievements programmes events  Annual promotions calendar completed with key campaigns identified and regular press releases  Increased positive press coverage  Planning of new events Year 3 Work in progress  Annual promotions calendar completed with key campaigns identified and regular press releases  Expand events programme  Suffolk Armed Forces weekend – oversee event

3.4 Review all gateway Felixstowe resort ready Annual programme of Year 1 Achievements signage, noticeboards monitoring and  Audit of Noticeboards. and information taking Review, audit, improve existing maintaining Year 2 Achievements into account integrated provision noticeboards  Visit Felixstowe Town welcome sign transport  Town Maps produced Town map  Re-routing of bus to sea front Year 3 Work in progress  Refurbish existing noticeboards and review provision

3.5 Protect the Natural Coastal Management against Increased awareness of Ongoing quarterly resort meetings with key stakeholders and partners Environment flooding and erosion and land Coastal Management reclamation – ongoing relationship and support for Service Plan

Landguard Reserve Management Protection of Site Year 2 Achievements Plan 2015  Landguard Reserve management Plan reviewed and completed. 4. Preserving and promoting the heritage of the Town 4.1 Support ongoing Working with partners to realise Project Plans and briefs Felixstowe Seafront Gardens major projects: the full potential of: Year 1 Achievements  Seafront gardens Successful completion  All 8 Gardens fully restored and open

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 Landguard Fort of projects  Activity Plan written Year 2 Achievements  Inward Investment  Completed activity Plan and sign off by HLF  Boating Lake  Completed evaluation report and sign off by HLF  Pier Development Partnership  Green Flag and Green heritage award secured  Spa Pavilion engagement  National, regional and local award recognition And other projects as they Year 3 Work in progress develop Enabling the  Continue to support the work of the Friends of the Seafront gardens community Landguard Fort and Landguard Nature Reserve Working with Landguard Partnership to oversee delivery plan

Martello P Tower Year 3 Work in progress  Working in collaboration with Suffolk Coastal District Council on options appraisal

Boating Lake Year 2 Achievements  Area re-developed in to an Events Area Year 3 Work in progress  Promote new events area

PierHead Development Year 2 Achievements  Work commenced Year 3 Work in progress  Completion due August 2017

Spa Pavilion Year 1 Achievements  Spa Pavilion re-opened to the Public

5. Support and develop an enterprise and entrepreneurship culture within Felixstowe, supporting coordinated and targeted marketing of the facilities, events and opportunities within the town

5.1 Coordination of major Explore setting up of a CIC or Enabling the Year 2 Achievements

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Felixstowe Events similar to bring together community  Visit Felixstowe CIC registered and incorporated Felixstowe Carnival, Art on the  Business case written Prom, etc Year 3 Work in progress  Continue to progress relationship with Members and enable the CIC to be fully functioning.

6. Supporting and contributing to the skills education and employability of young people 6.1 School Summit Hold a School summit to agree a Improved awareness of Year 1 Achievements program to support Felixstowe local career  Consulting with Youth Forum Academy and local primary opportunities and  Workshops and case studies Year 1 Event and Tourism students University of Suffolk schools in providing information employability skills  Workshops with Academy students and guidance to young people for Year 2 Achievements future careers  Consulting with Youth Forum  Workshops and case studies Year 1 Event and Tourism students University of Suffolk  Workshops with Academy students Year 3 Work in progress  Consulting with Youth Forum  Workshops and case studies Year 1 Event and Tourism students University of Suffolk  Workshops with Academy students  Closer working relationship with Felixstowe Ambitions Network

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