Council Elections 2021

P r o s p e c t i v e c a n d i d a t e s p a c k Contents

Our History ...... 2 2021 Elections ...... 2 Town Mayor & Deputy Town Mayor ...... 3 Committee Structure ...... 3 Our Services & Assets ...... 4 Devolution ...... 5 Council Staff ...... 6 Frequently Asked Questions ...... 7 Further useful links ...... 9

W W W . P E N Z A N C E - T C . G O V . U K 1 P E N Z A N C E C O U N C I L Our History 2021 Elections

In the upcoming elections on 6th May, all seats across the Parish will be contested.

Following the Electoral Review in 2019, the ward boundaries of the Parish have changed to:

Penzance Promenade (6 seats) East (6 seats) Newlyn & Mousehole (5 seats) Heamoor & Gulval (3 seats)

You can view the new ward boundaries on Council’s interactive map

The elected Council will then serve until the first week of May 2025 (a 4 year term of office).

Penzance Coat of Arms

After local government re-organisation in 1974 and the demise of Penzance Council and the West Rural District Council, the Charter, civic regalia and traditions of the town were maintained by the Penzance Charter Trustees until the formation of Penzance Town Council in 1980.

The Council, at that time, comprised 15 members serving 5 wards in the Parish area of Penzance, which includes Newlyn, Mousehole, Paul, Gulval and Heamoor.

The Council changed to 20 members in May 1999, with increased representation in the more heavily populated South, North and East Wards. Map of the Parish of Penzance

W W W . P E N Z A N C E - T C . G O V . U K 2 P E N Z A N C E C O U N C I L Town Mayor & Committee Deputy Town structure

Mayor There is an Informal Meeting of the Council to agree the membership of the 4 Standing At its Annual Meeting held in May, Penzance Committees (new Councillors are asked Council elects the Town Mayor (Chair of the which 2 they would be interested in sitting Council) and the Deputy Town Mayor at a on), the timetable of meetings for the formal ceremony usually held in St. John’s forthcoming municipal year and Hall, Penzance. representation on a number of outside bodies. The Town Mayor is elected annually, but often, by tradition, serves for a 2 year term of office. Standing Committees

The Town Mayor, assisted by the Deputy The Council has 4 standing Committees: Town Mayor and 2 Civic Deputies, carries out the civic functions role on behalf of the Town Finance & General Purposes Council and, in any given year, can be Leisure & Amenities involved in between 300 to 400 engagements Planning both in the Parish and further afield. Penlee House

The Committees meet once every 2 months, except for the Planning Committee who meet every 3 weeks to consult on planning applications by Cornwall Council. Full Council

The Full Council meets 6 times per year and the minutes of each Committee meeting are submitted to the Full Council to be noted.

The conduct of members is controlled through the National Code of Conduct and the conduct of meetings through the Council’s Standing Orders - these are the written rules of a local Council. They are used to confirm a Council's internal Mayoral chain of Penzance featuring the Old Common Seal organisational, administrative and of the town procurement procedures and procedural matters for meetings.

W W W . P E N Z A N C E - T C . G O V . U K 3 P E N Z A N C E C O U N C I L Our Services & Assets Services & Assets

The Council operates a number of services Wherrytown Skateboard Plaza across the Parish as well as owning and Penzance AFC (clubhouse and pitch) maintaining a number of assets: 8 allotment sites (approx 200 individual plots) Penlee House Museum & Gallery 6 public toilets Penlee Park Community Toilet Scheme Penlee Open Air Theatre War Memorials (maintenance) Penlee Coach House Penlee Centre More information can be found on our Wellfields Car Park website.

Services we do not provide

There are many statutory services that are still provided by Cornwall Council including:

Benefits Housing Council Tax Planning Enforcement Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour Road Maintenance & Parking Issues Environmental issues, e.g. fly-tipping, S t r e e t L i g h t i n g street cleaning Recycling, Rubbish & Waste Food Hygiene & Safety Licensing

W W W . P E N Z A N C E - T C . G O V . U K 4 P E N Z A N C E C O U N C I L Devolution

Devolution is a wonderful opportunity for partnership working.

It enables our community to have more control and investment in the town and its assets.

This is an exciting time to join Penzance Council - we are expanding our operational scope and structure to effectively manage the assets and facilities being devolved from Cornwall Council.

In 2016, Penzance Council took over Alexandra Play Park responsibility for 6 public toilets within Penzance: Steps have already been taken to put funding in place for the next phase of projects so that Wherrytown work can begin as soon as the handover from Alexandra Playpark Cornwall Council happens. South Pier Tourist Information Centre The next planned phase will include us taking Penalverne on the management of: Princess May Recreation Ground Alexandra Play Park and the nearby We are now planning to take on several new tennis courts assets so they can be improved for everyone Princess May Recreation Ground to enjoy. Foxes Lane Play Park in Mousehole

Alexandra Road Tennis Courts Princess May Recreation Ground

W W W . P E N Z A N C E - T C . G O V . U K 5 P E N Z A N C E C O U N C I L Council Staff

Penlee Centre Penlee House

The administrative centre for Penzance Penlee House Gallery & Museum is owned Council is the Penlee Centre, Penlee Park, and operated by Penzance Council. Penzance, which is headed by the Town Clerk. Penlee House achieves visitor numbers of 35,000 to 40,000 per year and the staff are supported by volunteers from the Friends of Support Services Team Penlee House which has a membership of over 1,000. Support Services Manager & Responsible Finance Officer Senior Administration Officer Penlee House Team Finance & Administration Officer Communications Officer Director Administration Officer/Mayor's Secretary Deputy Director/Curator (part-time) Education & Outreach Officer Technical Officer Leisure & Amenities Team Visitor Services Officer Administrator (part-time) Leisure & Amenities Manager Retail Manager (part-time) Operations Officer 2 x Retail Assistants (part-time) Facilities Officer Digital Apprentice Community & Environmental Officer

The Orangery Café, situated at Penlee House, operates on a franchise basis and Penlee Park provides annual income to Penlee House in support of its operation. Penlee Park is maintained by a small team of gardeners who are part of the wider Leisure & Amenities Team:

Head Gardener Gardener/Groundsman Assistant Gardener Maintenance

W W W . P E N Z A N C E - T C . G O V . U K 6 P E N Z A N C E C O U N C I L Frequently Asked Questions

What can my local Is becoming a Councillor Council do? worthwhile?

The powers of a Town Council are wide and Being a local Councillor can be a rewarding varied. experience; here are some views from our current Councillors: Town Councils exists as the most localised form of government and are there to serve "I decided that if you aren't happy with and represent the parish or town and their things, or if you want something changed residents and electors. about the way your community is run, then one way of helping to change things Allotments is to put your hat in the ring and run for Open Spaces election!" Playing Fields Parking "Some of us go to the pub after Council Public Toilets meetings - it is not all grind!" Special Projects War Memorial maintenance "Enabling change for the better is what makes being a Councillor so rewarding!" These are just some of the areas where your town council can act to improve the town, its "If there's even a part of you curious amenities and support to local people. about putting your name forward then I would say go for it!" Town Councils also play a major role in local consultation: Who can stand as a County consultation on waste, tourism, Councillor? education and transport Consultation on planning in your Parish, You can stand to be a local Councillor if you local plans for your area, provision of are: services within your district and Parish Government consultation on legislation At least 18 which might affect the future of your A British, Commonwealth, or European village, town, county, region or country. Citizen Forming local policy – neighbourhood Registered as a local elector or have plans and emergency plans. lived, worked or owned a property in the parish for at least a year.

W W W . P E N Z A N C E - T C . G O V . U K 7 P E N Z A N C E C O U N C I L What's involved in being If I am elected contd... a Councillor? What would my time The Town Council normally meets once every commitment be? 2 months and may also hold additional It will depend on the extent of your meetings to discuss particular issues. involvement and what role you choose to take in the work of the Council. You will need to attend regularly and be To give you an idea of the current meetings prepared to give time to being a Councillor. schedule visit our meetings page on our website. You will be asked to complete a public Register of Interests published on the Cornwall Council website, and to abide by What initial help will be given? the local council’s Code of Conduct. Penzance Council is supported by a full-time Town Clerk who is very You will be asked to keep an open mind and knowledgeable in Council procedures and take part in decision making for your area always ready to advise new Councillors. including spending money for local services and facilities. Will I receive any form of training? So how do I get elected? All new Councillors are offered a full suite of induction training courses to help you get to Local Council elections will be held on 6th grips with Council procedures. May 2021. Further information, including links to the nomination papers will be Training, seminars and courses are also available from our website. organised throughout the year.

To find out more about what's involved in Will I receive any other being a Councillor, contact the Cornwall support? Association of Local Councils: Support is also available from the Cornwall Association of Local Councils (CALC). Tel: 01872 272648 Email: [email protected] Web: www.cornwallalc.org.uk

If I am elected... Still have a question?

Can I afford it? Contact us: Costs for approved travel and Tel: 01736 363405 subsistence outside of the Parish can be reimbursed. Email: [email protected]

W W W . P E N Z A N C E - T C . G O V . U K 8 Further useful links:

National Association of Local Councils

The Seven Principals of Public Life Penlee Centre Penlee Park Local Government Association: The Penzance Councillor's Role TR18 4HE The Electoral Commission: Guidance for candidates standing for election Tel: 01736 363405 Parish and Town Councils in Cornwall Email: [email protected] Cornwall Council: Interactive map of Web: www.penzance-tc.gov.uk parish wards and boundaries

Cornwall Code of Conduct for City, Community, Parish and Town Councils

Published March 2021

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