PENZANCE TOWN COUNCIL Annual Report 2017-18

PENZANCE Town Council

Annual Report 2017/2018 c. Greg Martin/The Cornishman

Penzance Town Council 2017-18

Highlights of the Year

by Cllr Dick Cliffe (Mayor of Penzance)

A New Council new responsibilities have seen an increase in Plastic Free Penzance The Local Government elections of 4 May 17 staff which has necessitated a move to new The Town Council resolved in December to produced a new, more representative Town offices in Penlee Park in July. sign up for ‘Plastic Free Penzance’. In doing Council with 12 (60%) new faces. The influx so Penzance became the first town in the UK of new councillors has added vitality and new ‘Safer Penzance’ to make such a pledge and attracted a great ideas at a time when the Council’s role is There was a disturbing increase in anti-social deal of national and international media being transformed by the devolution of behaviour in Penzance Town Centre during attention. The Council congratulates Surfers services from Council. the summer of 2017. The Town Council Against Sewage and their local organiser, worked with local Cornwall Councillors and Rachel Yates, for the success of the More Devolution business leaders to find a solution. The result campaign. In May 17 Jubilee Pool was devolved to was Cornwall Council’s ‘Safer Penzance’ Jubilee Pool Penzance Ltd, a community led initiative and changes to local policing Cultural charity. The Town Council has provided priorities. The Town Council extended its The Town Council supported the Town’s substantial financial support to this new public space CCTV coverage and supported cultural offering through Penlee Gallery and enterprise. The EU funded geothermal Penzance BID in creating a new ShopWatch / its financial support of the Penlee Park Open energy development project currently Pub Watch digital radio network. Councillors Air Theatre and the . It has underway offers an exciting future for the created a ‘Social Action Fund’ when supported other events through its minor Pool. The priorities for devolution in 2018/9 budgeting for 2018/9 so that the Council grants scheme. The Mayor and Councillors are Morrab Gardens, could take a more proactive role on pressing supported visits from the Mayor of Alexandra Play social issues during 2018/9. Concarneau (France), a party from Cuxhaven Park, Foxes Lane (Germany) and a party of school musicians () and Regeneration from Bendigo (Australia) during 2017. the Princess May The Town Council supports the Penzance Recreation Regeneration Partnership, a body that helps Looking ahead, the successful delivery of the Ground. The Penzance speak with one voice on economic Penzance Neighbourhood Plan, endorsed by Council’s regeneration matters. Investment in the local electorate at a referendum, is a Penzance Harbour is a priority and the priority during 2018 because Penzance needs Council has provided £30,000 towards the up more influence over its built environment in front development costs of a £5 million the future than it has had in the past. The Coastal Communities Fund bid to regenerate Council is otherwise well placed, after several the Wet Dock. At a more mundane level the years of transformation, to improve the Council has commissioned an independent range and quality of services for the public. review of the safety of Trereife crossroads

given the impasse over improvements to this dangerous junction. PENZANCE TOWN COUNCIL | ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 2

How the Council Works

Penzance Town Council operates at the most local level of government with 20 councillors elected for a term of four years. These councillors work for the town and the surrounding areas in a voluntary capacity and are supported by a small team of paid officers headed by the Town Clerk. As well as Penzance, the Town Council also represents and the villages of Mousehole, Heamoor and Gulval.

The Council meets six times a year to take major decisions and oversee all activities of the Town These committees are supported by specialised once they have been approved at the following Council. The Council appoints four committees sub-committees and working groups. Councillors Council meeting. They are available on the Town from its membership - Finance & General are also appointed to serve on local outside Council website. Purposes, Leisure & Amenities, and organisations. Planning. The first three of these meet on a six The Calendar of Meetings for the Year is on the weekly cycle. The Planning Committee meets The press and public are welcome to attend all Town Council’s website and notice board. Please approximately every three weeks to fulfil the committee and full Council meetings and the contact Hester Hunt, Town Clerk for any Council’s role as a statutory consultee on all public may put questions or comment on any information regarding Council meetings. planning applications. Agendas are issued 5 days matter on the agenda in public forums at the before meetings and are posted on a public notice beginning of these meetings. The minutes for board and on the Council’s website. committee and Council meetings are published

What Our Committees Do

Finance and General Purposes Leisure and Amenities Committee Committee The Town Council reviews its budgets each The Leisure and Amenities Committee is year in December to agree a revised budget responsible for the maintenance and for the current year and a forward budget for management of a number of Town Council the next 3 financial years. The most assets. These assets range from open space significant change within the 2017/18 budget and public amenity sites to the delivery of was the provision of funding in readiness for key public services across the parish. Whilst devolution of services from Cornwall Council the work of the committee is varied and including the Jubilee Pool, which challenging, the Leisure and Amenities subsequently has become a Community Committee has a direct ability to positively The Mayor congratulated influence and affect a number of the “public children from Alverton School Benefit Society. Each committee of the facing” responsibilities of the Town Council. on the No Smoking posters Council is charged with monitoring their which they created for display budgets with a whole Council review being in the children’s play area in undertaken by the Finance and General Penlee Park. Purposes Committee.

PENZANCE TOWN COUNCIL | ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 3

Planning Committee Penzance Town Council is a consultee on all Penlee House Committee planning applications submitted to Cornwall Penlee House Gallery & Museum goes from Council (the Local Planning Authority). The strength to strength. As well as delivering applications are considered in accordance five new exhibitions this year, the Gallery with the guidelines set out in the National welcomed 31,000 people of all ages, Planning Policy Framework. Over the past including new ‘stay and play’ sessions for year, the Planning Committee has met on 15 babies and their carers. Notably, it was occasions and considered 321 planning recognised at the 2017 Cornwall Tourism applications. Among the many applications Awards for its popular summer exhibition, reviewed, the Planning Committee was ‘: Father of the Newlyn pleased to support the application for a School’ and followed this up with a 2018 Historic Penlee House Gallery replacement heliport at Eastern Green, Cornwall Heritage Award for Best Audience . specialises in the unique cultural following the demise of helicopter services to Initiative for its excellent work with visually heritage of West Cornwall. the Isles of Scilly in 2012. impaired people

Being a Councillor Penzance Race for Life

So what does being a Town which play a key part in driving us; parking, Councillor actually involve? We investing in the high street and cleaning up Penzance by focusing on social issues such as asked the youngest member of the rough sleeping have been mine. Council, Cllr Will Elliott , to describe his first year on the Town Council. Other than attending Council meetings, I sit on both the Planning and Leisure & Since being elected in May 2017, being a Amenities Committees, acting as the Vice- member of Penzance Town Council has been Chairman of L&A - and these committees all both a valuable learning experience and an play important roles in the day-to-day immense pleasure. running of the town. Councillors can choose which committees and bodies to sit on once The Mayor was delighted to attend the relaunch of To have the opportunity to represent my a year and this helps guide our decisions and the Penzance Race for Life in February. Photo: constituents and neighbours in Penzance experience - personally, being very involved with Amy Salmon, Cancer Research UK’s Cornwall Central, as well as working towards making in social issues as well as public service and and event manager and Volunteer and resolutions which benefit the whole of faculties, sitting on L&A has helped me play a cancer survivor, Corinne Gerrard. Penzance parish, is something of a dream for part in making choices towards benefiting New Council Offices me - and to be a voice for the people of the town; such as park and public toilet Penzance influencing positive change, is an policy. We also sit on various 'outside bodies' honour. associated with the council, of which I sit on several - such as the Police Liaison Group and As councillors we are expected to hold the Penzance Street Pastors. ourselves to the seven principles of public life; Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Our role as councillors is to be leaders in the Accountability, Openness, Honesty, and community, to be people you can turn to if Leadership - and these you have an issue, knowing that we will be principles drive our there to help. Our job is to listen to you and decisions as we aim to to do whatever we can to find a solution both influence policy which works for you, that is why we stood for made at County Hall in election - to help make a difference. But it's a , and make our own two-way street, we need your voice to add to Last August the Town Council relocated offices to individual choices in and strengthen our own, to really get things this former agricultural building within Penlee committees, as well as done and to bring about change. If you're not Park. This is to accommodate an increase in staff meet with constituents happy with what's going on, or if you have required to meet the ongoing devolution of and others outside any suggestions to make - speak to your local services from Cornwall Council to the Town of Council. Of councillor. We're here to help. Council. It also includes the St Piran Meeting course, we all have Room for committee and other meetings. our own interests PENZANCE TOWN COUNCIL | ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 4

Our Services

tree adjacent to Market House. The number of improvements to the service have light delivery requires the been implemented over the last twelve development of strong working relationships months. More robust cleaning and inspection with residents, businesses and contractors regimes have been implemented and these within the Parish. Grants are also provided to have been supported by both Penzance other areas within the parish to support their Town Council staff and local contractors Christmas light displays. committed to achieving an improved service delivery to both residents and visitors to the Grants area. The Town Council agreed to renew its annual commitment to offer grant support to Community Toilet Scheme Pengarth Day Centre, Welcome West Penzance Town Council took the decision to Cornwall Centre, Penzance Street Pastors, enhance the delivery of their Public Toilet Penzance Community Flora Group, several programme by being one of the first Town twinning organisations and a range of annual Councils to implement a “Community Toilet festivals held in Mousehole, Newlyn and Scheme”. The scheme involves incentivising Penzance. It also provided one off funding local businesses to open their doors and for community groups to support the facilities to members of the public. delivery of local projects including GOFA, Community Toilets aim to provide safe, clean Allotments Morrab Library and Cruse Bereavement. In facilities to residents and visitors to the area The Town Council manages approximately total, the Town Council awarded £36,797. and have received very positive feedback. 200 allotment sites across the parish. The scheme has grown in size over the last 12 Improvements in site management have led Penlee Park months and now includes eight local to a significant reduction in the number of Penzance Town Council’s Leisure and businesses spread throughout Penzance and people on the waiting lists across many of Amenities Team are based in Penlee Park Newlyn. For full details of participating the sites and an increase in standards across which is well-used by a number of different businesses, visit the Town Council website. all areas. Whilst waiting lists still exist across user groups. Penlee Park contains a wide and all sites under the management of the Town diverse number of elements, including a well- Wherrytown Skatepark Council, this demand serves to demonstrate used play park, open spaces, formal planting, Working closely with Kerbs Skateboard the importance and value that allotment wild planting, tennis courts and a memorial Association, the Council manages and tenancy holds for many residents within the garden. Significant work has been carried out maintains the Wherrytown Skatepark. The parish. across 2017/18 to update and improve a skatepark is very well used by residents and number of the planting areas within the park visitors carrying out a number of “skate Penlee Car Park and we look forward to developing these inspired” sports. The cleanliness and upkeep Penlee Car Park continues to be one of the even further in the future. of the facility is credit to the Kerbs most well used car parks within the parish. Association who promote ownership and The competitive pricing introduced by the responsibility amongst the park users to Town Council affords many people who work ensure that their facility remains in as good a in Penzance the opportunity to park near the condition as possible. town centre. The pricing structure continues to offer good value all day parking to support CCTV shops and businesses within Penzance. In The Council owns and maintains sixteen high addition, the car park also serves Penlee definition CCTV cameras throughout Park, Penlee House Gallery, the Town Penzance Town as part of a partnership Council offices and Penzance Tennis Club. A programme with 8 other local town councils. robust maintenance plan for 2017 has led to The Town Council contributes to the significant improvements in the drainage centralised monitoring of this system from across the car park and a programme of line the control centre in Tolvaddon which helps marking refurbishment has also recently Public Toilets to link and support the emergency services in been introduced. the resolution of issues. Four of the sixteen Following devolution of this public service by cameras have been progressed in 2018 as Cornwall Council, and to ensure their Penzance Christmas Lights part of an expansion of the scheme to help to continued operation, Penzance Town Council Penzance Town Council is responsible for the support Devon and Cornwall Police tackle now operates six public toilets throughout hire and maintenance of the suspended some of the areas of the parish periodically the Parish. Whilst delivery of this frontline Christmas lights throughout Penzance and affected by crime and anti-social behaviour the provision and lighting of the Christmas public service is particularly challenging, a

Penlee Open Air Theatre

PENZANCE TOWN COUNCIL | ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 5

Projects We Support

In 2017, the Jubilee Pool won the People’s Choice Award from the Institute of Civil The Town Council gives financial Engineers, celebrating the most popular UK support to community organisations civil engineering projects, seeing off through both a small grants fund and competition from 11 other fantastic projects across the UK. a strategic grant partnership programme for larger projects. The first stage of exciting plans to heat a Here’s a brief snapshot of some of section of Jubilee Pool using geothermal the strategic partners we support. energy has begun. Drilling of a 1.4km deep . geothermal well has started which will At its peak around 5,000 people visit the enable visitors to enjoy bathing in waters of town to view the spectacular costumes around 35°C in a section of the pool. It will associated with the tradition of "guise become the first facility of its kind in the dancing”. The Charity also operates the country to be heated using geothermal largest online resource for information on energy. Cornish Culture www.cornishculture.co.uk which has now attracted over a million Montol visitors since its launch. (Simon Reed, The Cornish Culture Association is a Director) registered charity whose purpose is to promote Cornish Culture for the benefit of Mousehole Harbour Lights the community. We run a number of events a We are Mousehole Harbour Lights and we year across Cornwall. The following are build, install and operate a variety of lighting based in Penzance: Guldize (the Cornish displays in and around the village of Harvest Festival), Allantide, (The Cornish Mousehole at Christmas and during the version of ), Montol (a large one summer. Our work benefits the entire day event that has revived many of the community as it attracts a great deal of Golowan customs once practised in Cornwall around national publicity and brings upwards of six Golowan Festival CIC will plan, organise and Christmas), Candlemas (an event based on a thousand visitors to the area at Christmas. deliver the 2018 Golowan Festival - a rent collection custom at Godolphin House in We are engaged in a programme of community arts festival celebrating early February) and Penzance May Horns converting our displays from incandescent and the Feast of St John, as it (the custom of blowing loud horns on May lamps to LED in order to reduce our carbon did in 2016 & 2017. Golowan is a major Day throughout the town). footprint by a by a factor of 10 and the fixture in the summer calendar for Penzance Strategic Grant is assisting us in accelerating We also run education events, school and the community of West Cornwall. It also that work. (Peter Taylor, Chairman) attracts residents and tourists from across workshops, exhibitions and much more. We Cornwall. A press release in The Cornishman have two key musical projects, The Raffidy National Trust Welcome 22/02/18 was titled 'Successful team aims for Dumitz Band and the Montol singers who Centre perform at events across the Duchy. festival joy again' and quoted a Town Council We provide information of all sorts regarding representative as expressing 'every Penzance and the surrounding area seven confidence in the (Golowan Festival) CIC days a week in the summer and six days a team’s ability to deliver an enjoyable festival week for the rest of the year. We benefit safely and efficiently’. (Linda McKechnie, visitors and locals alike as a friendly and Director) efficient point of reference for all things Jubilee Pool Penzance. What we don’t know we find out. This jewel in Penzance’s crown is owned and The Visitor Centre has had an exceptionally operated by Jubilee Pool Penzance Ltd, a busy year. We are now not only providing Community Benefit Society trading as visitor information but also are the first point Friends of Jubilee Pool. The CBS are of contact for First bus enquiries and supported by Penzance Town Council and National Express Coaches. For 2018 we are Cornwall Council. Following the storm also going to be supporting and supplying damage sustained in 2014, extensive repair From 2018, the charity will receive £1,500 a the Rotary shop with Visitor Information as and restoration work was undertaken, with they become a town centre information support from regional bodies including year from the Town Council towards the operation costs of our largest event, Montol. point. We are looking at doing the same in a Penzance Town Council and The Friends of more limited way with the Jubilee Pool Jubilee Pool. Work was completed in May Over the last 10 years, the has become an important contributor to the (Nick Hood, Membership & Visitor Welcome 2016 and over 40,000 visitors passed through Manager) the turnstiles during the 2017 season. town’s winter economy and it’s cultural life. PENZANCE TOWN COUNCIL | ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 6

Newlyn Fish Festival the town and were for a number of years the NEWS IN BRIEF The organisers of Newlyn Fish Festival have only planting undertaken in Penzance town announced the introduction of a fallow year centre. Free Parking in 2018 to enable them to develop the This year after the erection of our summer in Penzance popular annual fundraiser for the display we intend, with help from Cormac The Mayor and Fishermen’s Mission into an even more with whom we are in discussions at the Council worked with Cornwall Council to dynamic celebration of the sea, Cornish moment, to tackle some of the other negotiate free parking in Cornwall Council seafood and Cornwall’s proud fishing neglected areas in the town such as Abbey car parks in the town centre after 4pm. heritage in 2019. Slip and St Anthony's Gardens. Last Year Penzance Flora were awarded a silver gilt Keeping Penzance in the Swim medal by the RHS Britain in bloom judges. (Paul Shaw, Chair) Sea Salts & Sail Festival Sea Salts and Sail is a festival which takes place every two years in Mousehole. Its aim is to help preserve the identity of Mousehole as a working fishing village and to celebrate its maritime history. Please visit www.seasalts.co.uk for more information. Penlee Park Open Air Theatre The open air theatre is located in the park in Penzance Town Council has allocated the heart of Penzance. Our season runs from £114,000 this year to support the May to September presenting both maintenance and operation of the Jubilee professional and amateur theatre, opera, Pool and enable 20% discount on season children’s events, comedy and music from tickets for local residents. both national and local touring companies. The 2018 season is our 70th Anniversary Our Town, Our Festival season and in 2018 we are now a plastic-free venue. (Dave Hunter, Director) Pengarth Day Centre Pengarth promotes health, wellbeing and Sea Salts and Sail provides an array of prevention of decline in older people. This activities for local families, visitors to the year we provided therapies, activities and area and maritime enthusiasts. And there’s nutritious hot meals to over 500 individuals no entry fee. Scores of historic vessels of our local community. We also work with assemble in and around the picturesque other professionals in supporting people to harbour to celebrate Cornwall’s rich maritime live well - preventing isolation and heritage. This unique event recreates the depression. We are celebrating our 50th year sights, sounds and smells of a bygone era The Council have granted £21,000 to support of serving our community and are grateful when Tom Bawcock and his famous Golowan this year, which brings tens of for our network of local support. (Sharon Mousehole Cat would have fished these thousands of people into the town centre. Mitchell, Director) waters. Making a Safer Town Centre This year’s festival will be held in July 2018 from the 13th to the 15th, hosting a wide range of local entertainment. Many of the boats that will be in attendance are the last in a handful of authentic examples of their kind. The dedicated crews brave ‘the gaps’, skilfully guiding their vessels through the narrow opening of the 500 year old granite harbour entrance. Some, seen as the elite of Penzance Community Flora classic sailing, manage this without engines, The Council has given £25,000 towards the Group just as Mousehole’s forefathers would have Safer Penzance initiative, to improve safety done on a daily basis, hundreds of years ago. in the town centre and address underlying Penzance Flora was set up in response to (Louise Bradley) issues of drug and alcohol abuse, rough County Council cut backs about 7 years ago. sleeping and homelessness in the town. The group, by way of the Town Council grant and donations from Rotary and payment by Causewayhead traders, supply hanging basket and planters to Causewayhead, Chapel St, the hospital, fire station and Pengarth Centre. The benefits are acknowledged by residents and visitors to PENZANCE TOWN COUNCIL | ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 7

Your Councillors

Promenade Ward Central Penzance Ward Councillor Tracey Halliday Councillor Nicole Broadhurst 19a Tolver Place, Penzance, TR18 2AD Granny Allens, Trythall, Penzance, TR20 8YA [email protected] [email protected] 07919 303787 01736 350434

Councillor Dick Cliffe (Mayor ) Councillor Will Elliott Treleigh, Bay View Villas, Penzance, TR18 4HU 30 Penare Road, Penzance, TR18 3AG [email protected] [email protected] 01736 361287 07969842956

Councillor Nigel Waller Councillor Simon Reed Bosuns Locker Cottage, 4 Dock Lane, Penzance, TR18 4AS 42 St Clare Flats, Penzance, TR18 2PR [email protected] [email protected] 01736 366746 / 07702 125766 01736 351923

Councillor Nigel Pengelly Councillor Penny Young 8 Landeryon Gardens, Penzance, TR18 4JN 7 Regent Square, Penzance, TR18 4BG [email protected] [email protected] 01736 874694 01736 330254 / 07921120775

East Penzance Ward Newlyn and Mousehole Ward Councillor Alana Bates Councillor Dennis Axford 1 Chy-an-Mor, Penzance TR20 8HW 9 Quillet Road, Newlyn, Penzance, TR18 5QR [email protected] [email protected] 07530 428246 01736 366685

Councillor Stephen Cordel Councillor Nigel Davis 15 St Warren Street, Penzance, TR18 2DW 5 Forbes Close, Penzance, TR18 5EU [email protected] [email protected] 07765 153721 07554618706

Councillor Jonathan How Councillor John Lambourn Wood Carvers Cottage, Lescudjack Road, Penzance, Glenway House, 4 Glenway, Adit Lane, Newlyn, TR18 3AD TR18 5 DY [email protected] [email protected] 07846 658193 01736 366868

Councillor Neil Roach Councillor Sue Bosworth Willowbank, Castle Horneck Road, Penzance, TR18 4TY Mortimore House, Old Paul Hill, Newlyn, TR18 5BX [email protected] [email protected] 07866 922605 07973 555509

Heamoor Ward Gulval Ward Councillor Jack Dixon Councillor Roy Mann 26 Lannoweth Road, Penzance, TR18 3AB Little Chysauster, Newmill, Penzance, TR20 8XA [email protected] [email protected] 01736 364350 01736 351134

Councillor Karen Baker 8 Mounts Bay Road, Alverton, Penzance, TR18 4QP [email protected] 07518 824654

Councillor Bonnie Jackson 11 Mounts Bay Road, Alverton, Penzance, TR18 4QR [email protected] 01736 361768 / 07818 828524

PENZANCE TOWN COUNCIL | ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 8

Money Matters Your Council Staff

The bulk of the Town Council’s income comes from the Precept, which is a levy within your council tax. The rest of our revenue is made up from a range of sources including grants and income-generating activities. Here’s a snapshot of where it comes from and how we will be spending it this year. Where the money came from this year

Town Clerk : Hester Hunt

Support Services Manager/RFO : Paula Smith Senior Administration Officer : Teresa Fogarty Finance & Administration Officer : Melanie Doig Administration & Mayor’s Secretary : Jackie Stone Leisure & Amenities Manager : Ben Brosgall Leisure & Amenities Officer : Amy Simons Enforcement Officer : Mike Arnold Head Gardener : Andy Gregory Gardener / Groundsman : Tristan Trenwith

Assistant Gardener : Sean Shepherd

….and how the money will be spent Maintenance Officer : Vacant Director, Penlee House : Louise O’Connell Assistant Director/Curator : Katie Herbert Education & Outreach Officer : Zoe Burkett Technical Officer : Richard Nesham Visitor Services/ Security Officer : David Trevivian Administration Officer : Sandra Paternotte Retail Manager : Victoria Reid Retail Assistant : Dorothy Best

Penzance Town Council

Penlee Centre, Penlee Park, Penzance TR18 4HE 01736 365219 [email protected] www.penzancetowncouncil.co.uk