Evesham Town Council

Annual Report 2015/16

Welcome to Town Council’s Annual Report for Town Mayor’s 2015/16

Report

2015/2016 On taking office last May, I was overwhelmed with the emails, telephone calls and card from so many people congratulating me, it made me ever more determined to be a good ambassador for the Town Council and the community I represent.

The Town Plan, although many parts is described by some as a wish list, nevertheless it is our wish list and is now beginning to show signs that we are moving in the right direction. The Town Plan Committee includes non-councillors, and I agree with my predecessor (Cllr C Homer) when he said “it proves our desire to work with all parties and shows we recognise the contribution the can have and do make in our town”.

We are still gasping for breath over the South Development plan and it’s effect that it will put on the infrastructure of our town following implementation. But we must face up to the fact that the SWDP is a reality and will be implemented, this does not mean that we should ignore and not to continue to raise our concerns and campaign for the well being of our community now and in the future.

We are being faced with an increase in traffic flow, so I was pleased Councillor Fred Kaler to learn that Worcestershire County Council have put aside £100,000 Mayor of Evesham for a traffic survey to be carried out in our town. This also meets one of the priorities of the Town Plan.

Volunteers in our community, just where would we be without them? A splendid example is the Evesham Area Community First Responder who are a voluntary organisation who respond to medical and trauma emergencies in and around Evesham along with its surrounding communities. The volunteers are trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (WMAS) and respond to emergency calls tasked by WMAS Emergency Operations Control Centre. First Responders are trained to a high standard and to a national recognised qualification. As Mayor, it has been a privilege to be invited to events organised by many of our local clubs, societies, churches and schools, and it never ceases to amaze me just how fortunate we are to have to have so many people here in Evesham and it’s Hinterland who are willing to give so freely of their time for the benefit of the local community.

My wife and I fulfilled and upheld all of the traditional ceremonies in Evesham and the surrounding area, as well as attending ceremonies functions, opening all manner of new enterprise, supported many charitable events both financially and in personal attendance and have sometimes felt it might be easier to sleep with my coat and chain on!

We have 24 councillors, a number are quite new and they bring different skills and expertise to the role. I know from my experience of working and walking around town, that your councillors are readily available to serve their community.

/cont...

As Mayor of Evesham, I perform my role with consent from my fellow councillors and from the Town Clerk and the staff, I would like to take Town Mayor’s this opportunity to thank them for their support and guidance, and finally thank you to everyone I have met during the last months, it has Report been an honour and I have enjoyed myself immensely.

2015/16 Last but not least sincere thanks to the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Alan Booth /cont... who has stepped in for me on many occasion, and kept me on the straight and narrow with the advice and encouragement in carrying out my role as Mayor of Evesham

Cllr Fred Kaler

Mayor of Evesham

EVESHAM TOWN

COUNCIL

Introduction to the Town Council

Evesham Town Council is at the first tier of local government providing services for the people of Evesham with an operating budget of approximately £500,000. The Council is made up of 24 elected councillors representing five wards, and a small team of officers led by the Town Clerk.

The Town Council is responsible for three allotment Mr Stuart Carter sites, three cemeteries, two closed church yards, Town Clerk Christmas lights, the Charter Market, Evesham Town Hall (first floor), Bonfire/Firework event, floral Evesham and the Almonry Museum and Tourist Information Centre. The Town Council is also a statutory consultee on many issues including planning and acts as a trustee to the Samuel Wallace Smedley Office Staff Trust.

The Council also provide financial support for various Carol Chambers festivals in Evesham as well as other projects such as Keeley Palmer the Town Plan. The Town Council distributes grants to various local organisations; application forms are Almonry Museum & TIC available form our website.

Staff The Town Mayor, a position that has existed in the town since it was awarded its Charter in 1604, chairs Ashleigh Jayes (Manager) council meetings. All Council and committee meetings Adele Webb are held at the Town Hall and are open to the public to Claire Costello attend. Agendas and Minutes can be downloaded from the Evesham Town Council Website. Philip Logan Jayne Flaxman [email protected] www.eveshamtowncouncil.gov.uk Ground Staff Twitter: @EveshamTC www.facebook.com/eveshamtowncouncil Richard Osbourne www.mayorofevesham.co.uk Anthony Keithley www.almonryevesham.org/ Phone: 01386 443322 David Haynes Christopher Dowling Keith Fitzgerald (seasonal) Tiers of Local Government in Evesham Tiers of Local In Evesham, there are three tiers of local government, all with different responsibilities and duties. Government Evesham Town Council is at the first tier, the grass routes of local in Evesham democracy.

The three authorities in Evesham are:

Worcestershire County Council (WCC) WCC is responsible for services across the whole of the county, including: education transport and highways planning social care libraries waste management trading standards

Wychavon District Council (WDC):

WDC covers a smaller area ( district) than WCC and is responsible for services including: rubbish collection recycling Council Tax collection housing planning applications

Evesham Town Council We operate at the grass roots level and only cover the Parish of Evesham.

We are responsible for and provide a number of services such as: allotments (3 sites) public clocks bus shelters The Almonry Museum and Tourist Information Centre grants to help local organisations grants for local festivals consultation on planning cemeteries (3 sites) closed churchyards (2 sites) Evesham Town Hall (first floor) The War Memorial Town Plan Christmas Lights

Council Tax

Evesham Town Council constitutes the smallest proportion of your council tax bill. The average Band D property will pay £50.81 per year for the Town Council services. This is the second year in five that the charge to residents has increased.

Evesham Town Council receives no funding from central government, nor does it receive income from business rates. The Town Council is purely funded by he Council Tax levy, and through income generated from its assets. Your Councillors (all Councillors are summonsed to the Town Council Meetings)

Avon Ward Cllr R S W Jones 11 Woodland Piece Abbey Lane (Abbey Lane Court, Abbot Walters Court) Evesham Abbey Road WR11 1BJ Abbot Chrytons Place Albert Road e: [email protected] Avon Street (Brick Kiln Place, Magpie Court) Member of Planning & Estates & Town Plan Committees Bewdley Lane Bewdley Street (Bewdley Court, Brewery Court, Court- lands, Haines Place, Rowlands Court, Sinclair Court) Boat Lane Briar Close (Burlingham Court, Terrill Court) Cllr Mrs Diana Raphael Brick Kiln Street (Hopkiln Gardens) 19 Boar Lane Coxlea Close Evesham Edward Street Ferry View WR11 4BP George Street e: [email protected] Henry Fowler Close, Henry Street, High Street (Yates Court) Huxleys Way Cllr Mrs Jenny Johnson Littleworth Street (Tredwells Court), Littleworth Walk 94 Albert Road Merstow Green (The Old School House) Evesham Merstow Place (Meade Court) Queens Road, Rudge Road, Shepherds Pool Worcestershire WR11 4LA St Lawrence Road, Temple Mews, Vine Street (Vine e: [email protected] Mews) Member of the Planning & Estates, Wallace House West Street, William Crescent Management Committees

Bengeworth Ward Cllr Alan Booth (Deputy Mayor) 19 Littleworth Street Abbey Gardens, Evesham Abbey Gate, WR11 4AW Abbey Mews e: [email protected] Abbey Road Member of all Committees and Chairman of Planning & Allardene Badsey Lane Estates Committees Badsey Road Bridge Street (Monks Walk) Broadway Road (Hill Crest, Longdon Hill) Burford Gardens, Burford Road Cllr Michael Elliman Burlingham Avenue 4 Brick Kiln Street Castle Street (Banner Court, Nailers Row) Evesham Cedarwood Gardens, Cestrum Crescent, Cestrum Walk, Church Street (Gardners Square, Cravens WR11 2AA Court)), Clyde Avenue, Common Road, Conwy Drive e: [email protected] Conduit Hill (Pinder Heights), Cornflour Drive Member of Planning & Estates, Finance & General Coronation Street, Cowl Street Purposes Committees Deacle Place Drakes Lea Elm Road, Elmside Cllr Mark Goodge Freesia Close Cllr Alan Booth 8 Elm Road Glencoe Road Evesham Harvey Road, Hyacinth Close Chairman Worcs Kings Road (Philipscote, The Old School) Knowle Hill WR11 3DL Leys Walk, Lichfield Avenue, Lily Walk e: [email protected] Lime Street (Masons Court) Member of Finance & General Purposes, Leys Walk Lock View Town Plan Lower Leys (Goodwin Gardens) Cllr Norbert Tucker Market Place, Marigold Close Medway Road 63 Elm Road Mill Bank (The Old Mill), Mill Street Monks Walk Evesham Montfort Street, Mortimers Quay, Mount Road WR11 3DR New Street North Road e: [email protected] Northwick Road Member of Personnel Committee Oat Street Offenham Road Port Street Robins Meadow, Robins Corner, Robins Cllr Mrs Rebecca Whiting Meadow Robins Walk, Rosebank Shannon Way, Shor Street, Solent PlaceSwan Lane 4 Masters Close Tamar Place Evesham The Leys, Worcs Tyne Drive WR11 1EL Vine Street, Viburnum Walk, Violet Walk Wards Close e: [email protected] Waterside Member of Finance & General Purpose, Personnel Wesley Cottages, Wisteria Drive Committees Your Councillors

Cllr Miss Emma Haynes Great Hampton 48 Bredon View Hampton Ward Evesham WR11 2AG e: [email protected] Member of Planning & Estates, Town Plan Committees Alexandra Road Basson Court, Berryfield Road, Blossomfield Close Bredon Crescent, Brookside Cllr Mrs Frances Smith Charlton Close, Chestnut Close, Church Road Clarks Hill Rise (Hampton House) The Orchard Evendene Road Malinshill Road John Martin Square Evesham Highfield Road, Hillside Close, Hylton Road John Martins Square, Kent Close WR11 2QG Lilac Close, Lunns Gardens e: [email protected] Malinshill Road, Martin Avenue, Marymans Road Member of Finance & General Purposes Committee, Maycroft, Meadows End, Merrybrook Personnel Committees (Chair) Merrybrook Heights Mill Road New Road Parklands, Peewit Road Cllr John Smith OBE Pershore Road (Churchill Court) The Orchard Red Lane, Rosemary Close, Ryden Lane Malinshill Road School Road (Lynwood Close, Old School Court) St Andrew Road Evesham Summerfield Gardens WR11 2QG The Pool, Workman Road e: [email protected] Member of Finance & General Purposes Committee Little Hampton Cllr Mrs Sue Amor Ward 62 Kings Road Evesham WR11 3BS Andrews Drive e: [email protected] Battleton Road Blackberry Way Member of Planning & Estates Committee, Wallace House Bluebell Way Management Committees Celandine Way Cheltenham Road (Orchard Walk) Coldicott Gardens Cllr Alistair Barlow Columbine Grove The Royal Oak Cornmill Road 5 Vine Street Fairfield Place Fairfield Road (1-84) Eveham WR11 4RE Goodwood Close e: [email protected] Hamilton Road Member of Planning and Estates Committee, Wallace Hemmingway Honeysuckle Close House Management Committees Isbourne Crescent Jasmine Walk Kempton Close Cllr Robert Bowers Larkspur Drive The Evesham Greengrocer Lavender Walk 3b Bridge Street Lingfield Road Pershore Road Evesham WR11 4RR Robina Close E: [email protected] St Catherines Road Member of Wallace House Management Committee St Davids Drive St Georges Close St James Drive St Margarets Road Cllr Fred Kaler—Mayor St Patricks Close 53 Columbine Grove St Philips Drive St Wulstans Close Evesham St Johns Close Worcs WR11 3LR St Lukes Close E: fred,[email protected] St Marks Close St Matthews Close Member of all Committees St Michaels Close St Pauls Close Salisbury Drive Cllr Robert Raphael Sandown Road Hampton Ferry House The Heathers Hampton The Link Thistledown Evesham Waterside (Fountain Court, Fountain Gardens) WR11 2PR E: [email protected] Member of Finance & General Purposes Committee, Wallace House Management Committees(Chair)

Your Councillors

Cllr Jim Bulman 12 Broadway Road South Ward Evesham

Alder Grove, Almond Close, Anne Crescent Worcs Ash Grove, Aspen Close WR11 1BH Barnards Close, Battleton Road, E: [email protected] Bayly Close Member of Finance & General Purposes, Personnel Beach Close, Birch Avenue, Blackthorn Close Committees Broadway Road (Longdon Hill) Burma Close, Butterfly Crescent Cllr Mrs Lynne Jakeman Cavendish Place, Charles Close Church Street (Barley Orchard Court) 11 Manor Close Cherry Close , Badsey Coopers Lane (Fairwater Gardens) Evesham Cypress Close Davies Road, Digby Road, WR11 7HH Donney Brook e: [email protected] Durcott Gardens, Durcott Road Member of Wallace House Management Committee Elizabeth Road, Fairfield Road (86-156) Fairwater Close, Falkland Road Fielden Close, Forest Gate Foster Road, Four Pools Lane Cllr Ken Barclay Four Pools Road 42 Burford Gardens Foxglove Close Evesham WR11 3AJ Hawthorn Road, Hazel Avenue Holly Close, e: [email protected] Holmwood Gardens Member of Personnel Committee Laburnum Drive, Larch Road Laurel Avenue, Linden Close Lindsey Avenue, Longdon Hill Maple Close, Mansion Gardens Masters Close, Mayfair Oaktree Close, Overbrook, Cllr Mrs Marlene Sale Owletts End 3 Harvington Mews Poplar Close Alcester Road Porter Road Harvington, Evesham Priors Walk Rowan Close E: [email protected] Saxonbury, Simons Way Member of Planning & Estates and Personnel Committees Spinney Grove St Peters Close Sycamore Avenue Cllr Charlie Homer Thorn Lea 8 River House Trinity Close Waterside Common Road Watsons Lane, Willow Road, Evesham Windmeres WR11 4QY Wood End, Woodland Piece, Woodlands Yew Tree Close e: [email protected] Member Finance & General Purposes & Town Plan Committees

Twyford Ward No Cllr Patrick Boyd Image Wren Cottage A46 Evesham Bypass, Abbotswood 8 Glebe Road Balmoral Close, Blayneys Lane Available Cambria Road, Collinsfield Common Road – River House Evesham WR12 7JB Common Road – Vale House Member of Planning & Estates Committee Croft Road De La Bere Close Goodalls Grove Cllr Mrs Jo Sandalls Greenhill, Greenhill Gardens Greenhill Park Road, Greenhill Terrace 4 Homesmith House High Street St Mary’s Road Lanesfield Park, Leicester Grove Evesham Prince Edwards Close, Prince Henrys Close Princess Road, Rightons Court WR11 4EH Rynal Place (Conduit House) e: [email protected] Rynal Place (Willmott House) Member of the Wallace House Management Committee Rynal Place (Tarrys Row) Rynal Street Cllr Colin Tether Sandringham Close Simon de Montfort Drive 14 Cambria Road St Mary’s Road (Homesmith House) Evesham Swan Lane, Tarry’s Row WR11 4QD The Hodges, The Squires Victoria Avenue, E: [email protected] Windsor Road Member of Planning & Estates, Personnel Committees Worcester Road (Daniel House, William House) Planning and Estates Committee (P & E) Annual Report 2015/16 Planning and The past Civic year as seen a change in the Council Estates Committee Committee structure. One of these changes saw the Planning committee join with the former Property committee to form the Planning and Estate committee. A Meetings held every 3 weeks much smaller unit than the former set up which made for more input from local members. on a Monday at 5.30pm in the Council Chamber The majority of the work load is taken up by the planning element. A total of 135 planning applications were considered the by the committee in this municipal year. We were pleased to approve applications from EON to improve the insulation of homes in Evesham.

The past year we have had the SWDP inspectors report on proposed modifications to this plan to contend with. The committee put together a great report objecting to the increase in the housing allocation at Abbey Road. Whilst we were unable to get the allocation at Abbey Road removed altogether, we along with everybody else who responded to the consultation did succeed in stopping the proposed increase.

Cllr Alan Booth The P&E committee are responsible for not just planning but other aspects such as traffic orders, consultations, and Chairman matters affecting the Council’s estates like the Town Hall, Cemeteries and Bus Shelters.

During the past year we have successfully installed new efficient gas central heating in the Town Hall and adjoining areas. This project was partly funded by a grant from Severn Waste Fund and Evesham Town Council would like to thank them for their contribution.

New signage at Waterside Cemetery has been installed to make it easier for people visiting the cemetery find their way around. In All Saints Churchyard, extensive work has been undertaken to pollard the trees. Pollarding is a necessary process in order to improve the health of the trees for years to come.

Following on from the success of the Saturday and Christmas Markets, we are trialling a new Tuesday Market to see if we can increase the footfall in the town. A review will take place in September 2016.

Another project financially supported by the planning committee was the installation of a notice board in proximity to the statue of EOF which explains the story of the swinesherd EOF after whom the town is named. Hopefully this will be of information to locals and visitors to the town.

In 2015 we were consulted by a developer regarding street naming in Hampton. After discussion we felt it be appropriate to honour those from Hampton who lost their lives in the two World Wars. The street names will also bear the crest of the regiment in which these soldiers fought.

As Chairman I wish to thank fellow councillors of the Committee Some of which are new to the Council. For there support throughout the year. Also to Mrs Chambers for her help as Clerk to the Committee. Cllr Alan Booth

Chairman & Deputy Mayor Town Plan Town Plan Committee 2015/16

Committee The Town Plan Delivery Committee is a new addition to the council's structure. The Town Plan was formally adopted by Meetings held every 2 Evesham Town Council last year, and the Town Plan Delivery months Committee was created to oversee the process of ensuring that the goals and aspirations of the Town Plan become reality.

Unlike the other town council committees, the Town Plan Delivery Committee includes co-opted members of the public as well as Evesham town councillors. This is in keeping with the Town Plan itself, which is a community document rather than merely a council document.

The Town Plan is a long term document, and not every aspiration it contains can be accomplished immediately. With that in mind, the Town Plan Delivery Committee has focussed initially on prioritising the various issues and setting up working groups to address them

The working groups, like the committee itself, contain both Cllr Mark Goodge councillors and members of the public. Local businesses and Chairman voluntary groups are also represented. Where appropriate, the working groups also draw on the resources of officers from both Wychavon District Council and Worcestershire County Council as well as Evesham Town Council. This cross-authority cooperation has already proven very fruitful.

The three working groups currently in operation are: Transport, litter and street cleanliness, and marketing and signage. All of these have already made significant progress. The transport group is focussing primarily on cycling and public transport, while the signage group is working on updating the town's tourist signs and tourism maps. The anti-litter group has developed the "Litter Free Evesham" campaign which has been launched in conjunction with Wychavon District Council.

By its nature, the Town Plan Delivery Committee will always be evolving to focus on different priorities at different times. So if any- one is interested in being part of a working group, then get in touch!

Cllr Mark Goodge

Chairman Finance & General Purpose Committee Annual Finance and General Report 2015/16

Purposes Committee The Finance and General Purposes Committee was Meetings held every 2 established in this fiscal year. Its remit is to monitor Council's budgets, investments. It also took on the months responsibilities of the previous Promotion Committee and now distributes funding for local festivals and vents. Similarly, the committee is also responsible for distribution small grants to local charities, groups and organisations. This makes this committee very interesting and a rewarding committee to sit on.

In 2015/16 the Council gave over £15,000 to local festivals and events to help make them happen. The Vintage Festival, the River Festival and the Festival of Brass were just a few of the events supported. Each brings its own unique atmosphere and helps make Evesham a great place to be at the weekends. By far the biggest event that the Town Council supported was the Battle of Evesham Festival, to which we gave Cllr Charlie Homer £20,000. The Town Council’s support for this wonderful Chairman event was crucial to making it happen, and the investment was well worth it as the town enjoyed two amazing days. The event itself attracted thousands of people, and credit needs to go to all those involved.

The Council gave out £16,000 to local organisations and charities, among those supported included the Evesham Citizens Advise Bureau (£4,500), Evesham Volunteer Centre (£4,500) and the Sea Cadets (£300). It is especially satisfying to see what difference this money can make to these organisations.

Setting a budget this year has been difficult. The Council receives no funding from business rates or from central government, however, decisions made by the government still have implications at our level. We want to continue to implement the Town Plan and to invest in our services such as the Almonry, where we continue forward with ambitious plans to restore the building and enhance the presentation of the exhibits. We have put up our element of Council tax for only the second time in 2 years this coming year, despite this we are still one of the cheapest Town and Parishes in the area. It is always a challenge as we want to do the best for the town whilst keeping the cost to a minimum.

I would like to thank my fellow Councillors and the officers for their support and guidance through the inaugural year of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Councillor Charlie Homer

Chair of the Finance & General Purposes Committee Almonry Museum and Tourist Information The Almonry Museum Centre Annual Report 2015/16 & Tourist Information 2015/16 was an interim year for the Almonry. The previous Centre manager vacated her post in May and was not replaced until October. During this period the staff at the Almonry worked together to ensure the smooth running of the Almonry, making sure it stayed open and available to the public. It was a busy year for Evesham as a whole with the hugely successful Battle of Evesham Festival in August along with the regular festivals and events throughout the town and Vale. The Town Plan continues to inform developments at the Almonry with staff taking an active role in planning and delivery of various events and activities.

Arts Centre The popularity of the Arts Centre continues to grow with the Almonry acting as the Box Office. Again the Arts Centre has brought big names to Evesham with shows from comedians such as Jo Brand, the popular entertainer Paul Daniels and the ever popular pantomime.

The Great Big Almonry Project The Project was put on hold during this year during the absence of a manager. During 2016-17 it is hoped to pick up the project and to start raising awareness and fundrais- ing activities to re-launch this exciting project.

February Museum Closure The Almonry Museum was closed throughout February while staff and a dedicated band of volunteers took part in a deep clean of the museum. What started as a small project grew beyond expectation. Members of the Vale of Evesham Historical Society with other volunteers vacuumed, dusted and cleaned collections and rooms. Objects were researched and repacked in museum quality boxes and stored for future use in exhibitions, displays and research.

Visitor breakdown April 2015-Feb 2016 Total visitors – 11,456 Telephone enquiries – 2,586 Personal enquiries – 5,274 Income Admissions: Apr 15 – Feb 16 £6034 (down £1300 on previ- ous year) *Missing figures for March 2016, also the Museum was closed during February including Half Term holiday, must take into account the summer period when the Almonry was understaffed.

Miss Ashleigh Jayes

Manager Wallace House Community Centre Annual Report 2015/16 Wallace House The Town Council acts as Trustees to the Samuel Wallace Community Centre Smedley Trust.

Oat Street Wallace House Community Centre began in 1946 when Evesham Samuel Wallace Smedley set up a Trust Fund for the people of Evesham to be used for a facility for recrea- tional, social, educational and sporting opportunities, with particular emphasis on young people. The present Community Centre was opened in 1969 by W.V Smedley, son of the original founder. We offer a wide range of activities for people from 6 months to our senior Citizens Group.

Wallace House Community Centre over the last year has launched a campaign to raise the profile and star a regeneration programme. The open day held in October was a great success and Michael Smedley the grandson of the Samuel Wallace Smedley attended and gave a speech on his grandfather and the legacies he had left, disappointed in the poor widows and external appearance, one of the other Smedley Trust has given a substantial grant to have the widows replaced and the frontage improved. Other grants have been secured enabling some refurbishing to start such as replacement of the toilets. and carpeting the coffee bar area. The Centre has seen a difficult time over the last year but is at present picking up with many new groups starting.

The youth provision within the centre has always been positive and continues to be. The youth club was successful in securing funding from the Round Table to undertake a few trips out. The You Turn project remains active and the young people have been successful in gaining national qualifications through the Open College Network.

The youth cafe open access sessions have been busy and young people have written and published a cook book which they plan to sell to raise funds for new activities.

Mrs Lynda Huggan

Manager