Penzance Council Annual Report 2020/2021

PENZANCE COUNCIL

Annual Report 2020/2021

Penzance Council Annual Report 2020/2021

Our response to Covid-19 • • •

Our staff teams have continued to work throughout the Coronavirus pandemic to keep Council operations and services running for our residents.

Unfortunately, many events had to be cancelled or postponed due to the virus this year but we were able to act quickly to support local initiatives that were set up to help everyone during the three national lockdowns.

We are continuing to work closely with Cornwall Council to provide support to the vulnerable members of our community as lockdown restrictions are gradually lifted.

Social Action Fund

Case Study: Trelya

Pengarth Day Centre Citizens Advice Bureau St Petroc’s - Breadline

We awarded funding to Trelya to help support children and families living in Penzance East.

Trelya is a registered charity that has been working to support children and families in Penzance for over 15 years.

Our Social Action Fund was set up to help address social issues affecting the Parish – including anti-social behaviour, rough sleeping, street drinking and drug abuse.

We have provided £17,492 in emergency grants to organisations and groups who helped our community throughout the Coronavirus pandemic and made additional funds available in November 2020.

The following organisations were awarded grants: • Cornwall Refuge Trust • Food for Families • Trelya • Growing Links • Solomon Browne Memorial Hall • YMCA Cornwall • Whole Again Communities • Penlee Cluster 1

PENZANCE COUNCIL

Annual Report 2020/2021

Based on Treneere Estate, they connect with children and families through existing relationships in the community and a variety of services including mentoring and an 'Outstanding' Ofsted registered nursery.

five or six. Without the studio equipment, I wouldn’t have been on air and the station would have struggled to get presenters keeping our service going.”

Following emergency funding from Penzance Council, Trelya was able to respond to the immediate needs of local children, young people and families including: • •

Case Study: Fisherman’s Mission The Fishermen’s Mission reaches out to both active and retired fishermen by providing practical, spiritual, and financial support – as well as a vital emergency response service.

deliveries of food boxes activity packs including music, art and sports

Following a successful application, we awarded The Fishermen’s Mission a grant of £1000

“Having somewhere to go when I really need something has made a very real difference for me and the kids.”

This funding enabled them to: • •

Case Study: Coast FM Coast FM broadcasts seven days a week and covers community issues, culture, and specialist music programmes.

During the first lockdown in 2020, they provided updates throughout the week, including information about the local support available, mental health assistance, and food deliveries.

•

The station also focused on helping to lessen the feeling of isolation felt by many local residents. They are ‘run by the community, for the community’.

Following a successful application, we awarded Coast FM a grant of £972.

Deliver welfare support to families Support families through a wide range of advice and financial support: • Universal Credit applications • Applying for rent/ mortgage holidays • Home schooling • Referrals to counselling • Advice on grant applications Work on a jointly funded project with Fishing Animateur in Newlyn to provide names of those who they assessed were in need for regular hot fresh cooked meals

“The Mission made me feel that there were options and strategies available to make this all less stressful.”

This funding enabled them to: • •

Buy new equipment for the station’s volunteers to broadcast from home Rebuild their outdoor broadcasting kit to cover local events in the future (subject to Covid restrictions)

More information about our grant funding can be found on our website: Grants - Penzance Council (penzancetc.gov.uk)

“The home studio set up made it possible to go from one or two shows a week to as many as

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PENZANCE COUNCIL

Annual Report 2020/2021

Highlights of the Year Climate Emergency Strategy

Prom refurbishment

We are very proud to be one of the first local councils in the country to adopt a Climate Emergency Plan. We are committed to leading the fight against climate change in Penzance and will continue to work with our partners, local residents and visitors to deliver our ambitious plans.

The Promenade is one of the jewels in the crown of Penzance and we are delighted that this much-needed restoration is finally taking place so residents and visitors can enjoy it for years to come. The £1.4 million scheme is now nearing completion, with many people already making the most of this fantastic public space.

Most recently, we granted £8,500 to Sustainable Penzance to design an online portal and a set of Community Toolkits to help households, businesses, and schools become more environmentally sustainable. A Personal Action Plan and Penzance Council information leaflet was mailed to every household in the parish.

(Photo: Shaena Mills)

As part of this work, we contributed £65,800 to ensure that new flagpoles, benches, and pebble seats were included as part of the project.

Commitment to better community engagement As a council we know how important it is to be visible and accountable to the local community that we serve.

Sustainable Penzance – Personal Action Plan

As a Council, we also sit on the working group for the Healthy Streets PZ Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to reduce traffic and pollution levels in the town centre and create a better environment for all.

This year we have adopted a new Community Engagement Policy to help make it easier for local people and businesses to have a conversation with us.

Funding Bids The Town Deal Board has submitted the Penzance Town Investment Plan to the Government, bidding for up to £25m to support economic regeneration and clean growth.

This is another great opportunity for the town on top of the recently won £10.4m from the Future High Street's Fund. The Government sets the terms and the money has to go towards "significant and potentially transformational capital projects" so it cannot be used to make piecemeal improvements.

You can read the full Investment Plan on the Love Penzance website.

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PENZANCE COUNCIL

Annual Report 2020/2021

In July 2020 our new website was launched!

The new site provides an online one-stop-shop for everyone to find out what the Council is all about including: meeting information; services; the projects we are currently working on; funding and employment opportunities; and up-to-date Council news. Visit our website today!

We would like to thank the Deputy Town Crier, Penzance Royal British Legion, West Cornwall Light Infantry Association and Penzance Silver Band who took part in the town’s first virtual act of remembrance.

Alongside the website, our Facebook page was launched to help engage with our residents on social media. Since launching in July 2020, we have built an audience of over 700 followers and have had over 6,000 engagements with our page content.

The Mayor of Penzance joined the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall and representatives of Armed Forces charities to lay a wreath on the 04:58 GWR train to Paddington.

We also had the opportunity to take part in the ‘Poppies to Paddington’ event on Remembrance Day itself.

Wreaths were carried to London from across the country on nine train services, stopping off at more than 60 stations. On arrival in Paddington Station, the wreaths were placed at the station’s own war memorial on Platform 1 in time for the Remembrance Day service at 11 o’clock.

Currently, all Full Council meetings are streamed live on Facebook to encourage more of our residents to get involved in the work of the Council and local initiatives. We regularly post about local funding and job opportunities, community support, meetings information and local events. If you are not already following us visit our page to sign up!

Socially Distanced / Virtual Remembrance Services Due to Covid-19 restrictions, VJ Day 75, HMS Penzance, and Remembrance Sunday were unable to take place as usual this year with public services and civic processions.

Poppy wreaths making their way to London by train on Remembrance Day 2020 (Photo: Great Western Railway)

VJ Day 75 commemorations at Penzance Cenotaph – Aug 2020

VJ Day 75 commemorations were able to take place on a small scale in August 2020 when restrictions allowed people to meet outdoors. It formed part of an international programme of virtual and socially distanced events commemorate the anniversary.

With some forward planning we were able to prerecord a Remembrance Sunday service in advance and stream it online for everyone to take part on the day.

Penzance Council poppy wreath laid at the Penzance Cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday 2020

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PENZANCE COUNCIL

Annual Report 2020/2021

How the Council works Penzance Council operates at the most local level of government with twenty Councillors elected for a term of four years. These Councillors work for the town and the surrounding areas and are supported by a small team of paid officers headed by the Town Clerk.

We also have the following working groups: • • • • •

As well as Penzance, the Council also represents the distinct communities of Newlyn, Mousehole, Paul, Heamoor, Eastern Green, and Gulval.

Councillors are also appointed to represent the Council on local outside organisations.

The full Council meets at least six times a year to take major decisions and oversee activities of the Council.

The Full Council will also consider recommendations from its four standing Committees: • • • •

Coach House Refurbishment Communications Strategy Devolution Public Toilets Youth Services

Agendas for all meetings are issued six days before the meeting is due to take place and are posted on our public noticeboards and on the Council’s website.

Finance and General Purposes Leisure and Amenities Penlee House Planning

The press and public are welcome to attend Committee and full Council meetings and have the opportunity to put questions, or comment, on agenda items at the beginning of the proceedings.

The first three of these Committees meets on an eightweekly cycle. The Planning Committee meets approximately every three weeks to fulfil the Council’s role as a statutory consultee on all planning applications.

The minutes for Committee and Council meetings are published once they have been approved and can be viewed on our website at: www.penzancetc.gov.uk/meetings

The Committees are also supported by a specialised Climate Emergency Sub-Committee.

The Calendar of Meetings for the year is also on the Council’s website and notice board. Please contact Hester Hunt, Town Clerk for any information regarding Council meetings by emailing: info@penzance-tc.gov.uk.

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PENZANCE COUNCIL

Annual Report 2020/2021

What our Committees do Projects this year include:

Finance & General Purposes Committee The Committee has responsibility for overseeing the financial affairs of Penzance Council and all aspects of Corporate Governance.

• •

The Committee also considers small grant applications for community groups and strategic grants for larger schemes; this year, a total of £96,312 was granted to 12 organisations.

• • • •

Devolution Assessments & Survey Reports for improvement works Introduction of a non-chemical weeding programme CCTV expansion Town & Promenade Banner projects Improvements at Penlee Park Maintenance of our public toilets

Penlee House Committee The Committee deals with all matters relating to the management of Penlee House Gallery & Museum. The Committee establishes service policies, approves programmes of work, monitors performance and takes decisions in respect of those matters detailed in the approved budget.

This has been a very difficult year, mostly due to Covid, and setting a budget has been a long and arduous task. As different scenarios appeared, such as national lockdowns, we had to adapt to them. We have had numerous forecasts for future income and expenditure, but these have had to be adjusted as new restrictions were brought in by central government.

Another impact has been the withdrawal of the Council Support Grant by central government and we have had to make allowances for future years.

Over the past year the Committee has approved policies and procedures relating to Health & Safety and has initiated an independent review of the service as well as supporting the increase in remote community access during the pandemic.

We re-directed our Social Action Fund to provide emergency funding to organisations to help our local residents during the national lockdowns.

As it stands at the moment, we are increasing our budget which will have an impact of £5.89 a year on an average Band D property but this leaves us in a secure position for future years.

Planning Committee Penzance Council is a consultee for all Penzance Parish planning applications and the Planning Committee meets at regular three-weekly intervals on a Wednesday evening.

Leisure & Amenities Committee The Committee is responsible for the maintenance and management of Penzance Council assets.

Over the past year the Committee has commented on over 241 planning applications. There has been a noticeable trend for converting former commercial and business premises into residential properties, for example, the conversion of St Paul’s Old School into 9 residential units.

These assets range from open spaces and public toilets, to buildings owned or managed by the Council and the delivery of key public services across the Parish.

Whilst the work of the committee is varied and challenging, the Leisure and Amenities Committee has a direct ability to positively influence and affect the “public facing” responsibilities of Penzance Council.

The Committee was also pleased to support the ongoing project for converting Polwithen House (formerly Bolitho School) into a residential care hub.

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PENZANCE COUNCIL

Annual Report 2020/2021

A more unusual application was for the installation of wave monitoring equipment on the promenade submitted by the National Oceanography Centre and Plymouth University.

When reviewing every application, the Committee is aware of the impact development may have on the environment and members actively support and promote sustainable building practices and the inclusion of ‘green’ energy in line with the goals of the Council’s adopted Climate Emergency Action Plan.

Devolution •

We are continuing to work closely with Cornwall Council and local communities to take over the running of local services. This will enable the community to have more control and investment in the town and its assets.

• •

Alexandra Play Park and the nearby tennis courts Princess May Recreation Ground Foxes Lane Play Park in Mousehole

We took over the management of 6 public toilets across Penzance in 2016 to ensure these facilities would remain open for people to use. Since then, we have invested £50,000 to improve the facilities and have employed local cleaning contractors to maintain them.

We are also continuing to help subsidise Jubilee Pool – in the last year we awarded them £61,400.

Alexandra Road Tennis Courts

Alexandra Playpark

We are now planning to take on several new assets so they can be improved for everyone to enjoy. Steps have already been taken to put funding in place for the next phase of projects so that work can begin as soon as the handover from Cornwall Council happens.

The next planned phase will include us taking on the management of: Princess May Recreation Ground

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PENZANCE COUNCIL

Annual Report 2020/2021

Our Services We provide a range of services to the local community and the large number of tourists who visit the town every year.

Allotments We manage approximately 200 allotment plots across 8 sites in the Parish. In the last year we’ve seen a big increase in the number of people contacting us to have their name added to the waiting list.

Plots are only available to people who live in the Parish area of Penzance. Due to their popularity, there is a long waiting list – to reduce waiting times we will often split plots in two when they become available for new tenants.

Following interest from the public this year, a group will be set up to review the decoration of the tree for Christmas 2021.

Our teams continue to work hard to maintain standards and make improvements across all of our sites

We also provided grants to Newlyn and Gulval to support their Christmas Light displays and the Methodist Chapel’s Christmas Tree in Heamoor.

Wellfields Car Park We are responsible for the management of Wellfields Car Park (next to Penlee Park). It provides good value long-stay parking for people working in and visiting Penzance: the current price for a 24-hour ticket is £2.50 (subject to annual review). The car park has 141 spaces, including 4 spaces for Blue Badge Holders

Penlee House Gallery & Museum Penlee House Gallery & Museum is a unique cultural venue, open to the whole community, with an important collection of paintings by the internationallyrenowned Newlyn School and Lamorna artists, as well as a large collection of artefacts celebrating the archaeological and social history of West Cornwall.

We also operate a Quarterly Parking Permit to provide further cost savings to those who use the car park regularly. You can find out more information on our website. (All income from the car park is used to maintain the car park itself)

Penlee House has maintained a strong programme of community engagement during the Covid-19 lockdowns including: working with local foodbanks to distribute 100 free boxes filled with art materials for children; developing Arts & Health workshops for adults that can be delivered online; and continuing work with Carefree Cornwall to develop a Culture Card for young people living in care and care leavers.

Grants We operate a small grants scheme to help community groups and the voluntary sector to deliver initiatives and provide funding for things like fairs and events, our local Farmers' Market and talented members of sporting associations.

As well as small grants, we also provide sums of over £500 as match-funding for larger schemes.

In the last year we provided a total of £96,312 in small and strategic grants to 12 organisations including: Coast FM, Jubilee Pool, Good Old Furniture Available (GOFA), and Music at St. Mary’s.

Penzance Christmas Lights We are responsible for the hire, installation, and maintenance of the suspended Christmas lights throughout Penzance and the sourcing and lighting of the Christmas tree next to the Market House. We would like to thank Penzance BID, local businesses, and residents in Penzance for their continued support which made the lights in town possible.

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PENZANCE COUNCIL

Annual Report 2020/2021

The Gallery’s social media has encouraged followers to get creative as part of the Penlee Inspired Online challenges, where weekly creative challenges were set, and the responses were shared in an online exhibition.

Community Toilet Scheme We were one of the first local councils to introduce a ‘Community Toilet Scheme’ which sees local businesses encouraged to open their doors and facilities to members of the public. Businesses across Penzance, Newlyn, Heamoor, and Gulval are part of the scheme. Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and the added pressure on local businesses, membership of the scheme has been frozen for 2021.

The main exhibition for the year was Newlyn School Interiors, which borrowed key works by Stanhope Forbes and Frank Bramley, which had not been seen in Cornwall for several years. Other exhibitions are planned for 2021, once the coronavirus restrictions are lifted. Admission is free for residents in the Penzance Council area. Please just bring along proof of address to receive your pass.

Penlee Park Our Leisure and Amenities Team are based in Penlee Park – a popular public garden in the heart of the town.

The park offers a range of open spaces and wooded areas to explore, with the addition of a sensory garden and a Memorial Garden for quiet contemplation. The park is also home to Penlee Open Air Theatre, tennis courts, an accessible playpark and a Memorial Chapel.

Wherrytown Skateboard Plaza Working closely with Kerbs Skateboard Association, we manage and maintain the Wherrytown Skateboard Plaza. The Plaza is open to all abilities of bikers, skaters and scooters all year round.

The cleanliness and upkeep of the facility is credit to the Kerbs Association who promote ownership and responsibility amongst users to ensure it remains in good condition.

Over the past year a new fence has been installed between the park and Penzance Football Club to help improve security. A new hedgehog house has been added and wildflower planting is also being trialled throughout the park to encourage more wildlife and pollinating insects like bees.

Photo: Matt Chivers

An earmarked reserve for the Plaza was established in 2020 to help fund future improvement projects with the support of Kerbs Association.

New recycling bins are also due to be installed as part of our Climate Emergency Action Plan.

CCTV Protecting public spaces and making our residents feel safe is one of our key priorities. We own and maintain 17 CCTV cameras throughout the town as part of a partnership programme with nine other local town councils. We also contribute to the costs of carrying out the centralised monitoring of this system from the control centre in Tolvaddon which helps to link and support the emergency services in the resolution of issues.

Public Toilets We took over the operation of six public toilets from Cornwall Council in 2016. Over the past 12 months we introduced enhanced cleaning to ensure that the facilities could remain open during the Coronavirus pandemic.

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PENZANCE COUNCIL

Annual Report 2020/2021

Projects we supported We give financial support to community organisations through a small grants fund and a strategic grant partnership programme for larger projects which benefit our parish.

Newlyn and Gulval Christmas Lights As well as organising the Penzance Christmas Lights, we helped to fund the voluntary groups that organised the Christmas lights in Newlyn and Gulval for Christmas 2020; between them, we awarded £8,400 in total.

Here’s a brief snapshot of some of the strategic partners we supported this year:

St Piran In Penwith A voluntary, non-profit making group, the St Piran in Penwith Committee was set up 15 years ago with the aim of encouraging young people to have an interest in Cornish culture – through song, music and dance. Our grant allowed the group to continue its St Piran Celebrations online this year due to Covid lockdown measures.

Newlyn’s upcycled Christmas Tree (Photo: Rachel and John De Rienzo)

Jubilee Pool School children dancing in the 2020 St Piran's Furry Dance (Photo: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)

The Pool is operated by Jubilee Pool Penzance Ltd, a Community Benefit Society (CBS), trading as Friends of Jubilee Pool. The CBS are supported by Penzance Council and Cornwall Council. Our grant contributes towards winter maintenance costs and the reduced entry fee for residents in the parish - this year we awarded a total of £61,400.

A virtual furry dance, Cornish sing-a-long, Trelawney shout, children's art competition and other activities were all hosted online.

We hope next year can see a return of school children dancing in the streets and people coming together in person to celebrate our patron saint.

Pengarth Day Centre Pengarth Day Centre was forced to close to clients in March 2020, following government Coronavirus guidelines. We awarded Pengarth a grant of £2,500.

This funding enabled them to: • Deliver over 10,000 Meals on Wheels • Make thousands of welfare check phone calls to their most vulnerable clients • Fit protective Perspex shields in two vehicles

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PENZANCE COUNCIL

Annual Report 2020/2021

Penzance Community Flora Group Set up in 2011, Penzance Community Flora Group, is comprised entirely of volunteers and looks after many of the town’s hanging baskets, planters, and flower beds.

We provide financial support to the group and have previously helped with watering. This year our Gardening Team have delivered a town-wide watering programme so the Flora Group can grow plants and look after weeding, tidying and planting in various locations around the town.

The volunteers also plant up the tiered planters on Causewayhead and hanging baskets for other retail outlets around the town.

Throughout the past year, the group has been busy improving the flowerbeds around St John’s Hall, Abbey Basin and St Anthony’s Gardens. The group received a well-deserved Certificate of Recognition from the Prestigious RHS Britain in Bloom and are looking to reenter the competition next year.

Members of Penzance Community Flora Group

News in Brief Local Council Award

Earth Protector Town

We were delighted to receive the Quality Award from the National Association for Local Councils (NALC).

In January 2021, we became an Earth Protector Town – a global collaborative movement of towns to protect the earth!

The award is part of the Local Council Award scheme which was set up in 2014 to celebrate the successes of the very best local councils.

As a Council we have committed to collaborate and cooperate with communities, other local government bodies, businesses, and other organisations to protect land, wildlife, air soil and water.

The award confirms that our Council operates a good practise in governance, community engagement and council improvement.

Penzance is one of only five Earth Protector Towns in the UK!

To achieve this award, we have demonstrated that we meet the minimum required standards for the Foundation Award. In addition, we have shown that we go above and beyond our legal obligations, effectively lead the communities in our parish, and are continuously seeking opportunities to improve and develop even further.

Find out more about the Stop Ecocide campaign.

We are now working towards the Quality Gold Award.

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PENZANCE COUNCIL

Annual Report 2020/2021

Your Councillors Penzance Central Ward

Penzance Promenade Ward Councillor Dick Cliffe: Dick.Cliffe@penzance-tc.gov.uk 01736 361287

Councillor Nicole Broadhurst (Mayor): Nicole.Broadhurst@penzance-tc.gov.uk 01736 3504343

Councillor Nigel Waller: Nigel.Waller@penzance-tc.gov.uk 01736 366746 / 07702 125766

Councillor Will Elliott: Will.Elliott@penzance-tc.gov.uk 07969842956

Councillor Nigel Pengelly Nigel.Pengelly@penzance-tc.gov.uk 01736 874694

Councillor Penny Young (Deputy Mayor): Penny.Young@penzance-tc.gov.uk 01736 330254 / 07921120775

Councillor Vacancy

Councillor Ben Thomas Ben.Thomas@penzance-tc.gov.uk 07539 287170

Newlyn and Mousehole Ward

Penzance East Ward Councillor Jim McKenna: Jim.McKenna@penzance-tc.gov.uk 07764 347910

Councillor Dennis Axford: Dennis.Axford@penzance-tc.gov.uk 01736 366685

Councillor Stephen Cordel: Steve.Cordel@penzance-tc.gov.uk 07765 153721

Councillor Nigel Davis: Nigel.Davis@penzance-tc.gov.uk 07554618706

Councillor Jonathan How: Jonathan.How@penzance-tc.gov.uk 07846 658193

Councillor John Lambourn John.Lambourn@penzance-tc.gov.uk 01736 366868

Councillor Caroline White: Caroline.White@penzance-tc.gov.uk 01736 331216

Councillor Sue Bosworth Sue.Bosworth@penzance-tc.gov.uk 07973 555509

Gulval Ward

Heamoor Ward

Councillor Roy Mann: Roy.Mann@penzance-tc.gov.uk 01736 351134

Councillor Jack Dixon: Jack.Dixon@penzance-tc.gov.uk 01736 364350 Councillor Karen Baker Karen.Baker@penzance-tc.gov.uk 07518 824654 Councillor Bonnie Jackson: Bonnie.Jackson@penzance-tc.gov.uk 01736 361768 / 07818 828524 12

PENZANCE COUNCIL

Annual Report 2020/2021

Money Matters The bulk of the 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.

The 2020/21 income and expenditure budget has been reviewed as a result of Covid-19 and will be kept under review throughout the year but here is a snapshot of where it comes from and how we will be spending it this year.

2020/2021 Budgeted Income 0.28% 3.59% 0.74%

0.26%

1.68%

5.66%

5.37% 4.30%

78.14%

Precept

Council Tax Support Grant

Penlee House Car Park

Rental Income

Grants from outside bodies

Penlee House

Public Toilets

Allotments

Miscelleanous

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PENZANCE COUNCIL

Annual Report 2020/2021

2020/2021 Budgeted Expenditure 2.32% 1.20% 2.78% 3.06%

1.72% 2.35%

0.57%

1.51% 26.40% 16.21% 8.91%

1.11% 0.37% 1.29%

8.34% 12.68%

6.22%

1.55%

1.43%

Penlee House

Contribution to Reserves

Public & Community Toilets

Grants to Community Projects

Administration & Governance

Neighbourhood Plan

Climate Emergency

Equipment & Leases

Surveys

Weed Control

Penlee Park, Allotments & Open Spaces

Penlee Car Park

Civic Office

Social Issues & ASB Case Worker Support

CCTV

Golowan & Flags Project

Facilities Management

Christmas Lighting

Miscelleanous

Contact us: Penzance Council, Penlee Centre, Penlee Park, Penzance, TR18 4HE T: 01736 363405 | E: info@penzance-tc.gov.uk | W: www.penzance-tc.gov.uk

© Penzance Council

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