Penzance Council Annual Report 2022/2023

Annual Report 2022/23

Mousehole Harbour: Benjamin Elliott -Unsplash

Foreword

We are pleased to present the Penzance Council Annual Report for 2022/23.

This report outlines the work of your council over the past year and highlights our support for local community groups and initiatives.

As part of our Strategic Plan, over the past year Penzance Council has been working towards making our parish community a better place to work and grow, as well as delivering quality local services for local people.

This report provides an overview of our work and accomplishments, including progress on key projects, grant funding to local groups, and a directory of our services and civic & ceremonial events. It also provides information about how your money has been spent over the last year and our agreed budget and plans for the upcoming financial year 2023/24.

We value the feedback of our residents and community groups so encourage you to read this report and provide us with any thoughts or suggestions for how we can better serve all the communities of our parish, which encompasses Penzance, Newlyn, Mousehole, Heamoor, Gulval and Eastern Green.

Our Vision

To maintain and enhance our community for the well-being and prosperity of present and future generations

Our Mission

To make the community (of Penzance Council) a better place to live, work and grow.

How your Council works

Penzance Council operates at the most local level of government across Penzance, Newlyn, Mousehole, Paul, Heamoor, Gulval & Eastern Green

Councillors

We have twenty elected, unpaid Councillors. They represent the four wards in the Penzance Parish:

� Heamoor & Gulval

� Newlyn & Mousehole

� Penzance East

� Penzance Promenade

Councillors are elected to represent your views, address your concerns, and make decisions on the future of your town and village communities.

They also represent you on outside committees, partnerships, and community groups such as Penzance BID, Plastic Free Penzance, Safer Penzance, Town Twinning Associations, Penzance Neighbourhood Plan, the Penzance Town Deal Board, Newlyn Archive Group, and the Penwith 50+ Forum

All Councillors are elected by YOU – residents of the parish!

The Council

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:

� Finance and General Purposes

� Leisure and Amenities

� Penlee House

� Planning

We also have two Sub-Committees: Climate Emergency and Social-Action.

During the past year the Council also established the following working groups:

� Devolution Working Group

� Youth Services Working Group

� Coach House Refurbishment Working Group

� Penlee House Independent Review Task & Finish Group

� Football Club Working Group

� Banners Task & Finish Group

� Craft Huts Task & Finish Group

� Grant Policy Review Task & Finish Group

� Public Toilet Working Group

� Housing Crisis Working Group

� Heamoor Field Task & Finish Group

� Chywoone Hill/Newlyn Bridge Traffic Congestion & Pedestrian Safety Task & Finish Group

Meetings

Agendas are published three clear working days before a meeting is due to take place. They are posted on our public noticeboards, on our website and on our Facebook page

The press and public are welcome to attend all Committee and Full Council meetings and have the opportunity to ask questions or comment on agenda items at the beginning of the meeting.

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

The Calendar of Meetings for the year is also available to view on the Council’s website and on the main noticeboard opposite St John’s Hall.

Please contact the council’s Democratic Services Officer, for any information regarding Council meetings by emailing: info@penzance-tc.gov.uk

From left to right: Town Clerk, Mace Bearer, The Mayor, Mace Bearer, Town Crier, Town Crier’s Consort

Your Councillors

Penzance East Ward

Councillor Joan Beveridge

Email: joan.beveridge@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 07488 317209

Councillor Melville Durrant

Email: melville.durrant@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 07980 141001

Councillor Jonathan How (Mayor)

Email: jonathan.how@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 07846 658193

Councillor Zach Lawlor

Email: zach.lawlor@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 07565 647120

Councillor Jan Power

Email: jan.power@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 07977 212254

Councillor Ben Thomas

Email: ben.thomas@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 07539 287170

Heamoor & Gulval Ward

Councillor Bonnie Jackson

Email: bonnie.jackson@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 01736 361768 / 07818 828524

Councillor Stephen Reynolds

Email: stephen.reynolds@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 07917 868470

Councillor Richard Sorrell

Email: richard.sorrell@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 07979 514618

Penzance Promenade Ward

Councillor Nicole Broadhurst

Email: nicole.broadhurst@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 01736 350434 / 07935 127875

Councillor Simon Elliott

Email: simon.elliott@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 07956 719956

Councillor Will Elliott (Deputy Mayor)

Email: will.elliott@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 07969 842956

Councillor Jim McKenna

Email: cllr.jim.mckenna@cornwall.gov.uk

Tel: 07764 347910

Councillor Nigel Pengelly

Email: nigel.pengelly@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 07811 154439

Councillor Penny Young

Email: penny.young@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 07921 120775

Newlyn & Mousehole Ward

Councillor Dennis Axford

Email: dennis.axford@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 01736 366685 / 07790 448448

Councillor Sue Bosworth

Email: sue.bosworth@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 07973 555509

Councillor Rob Crago

Email: rob.crago@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 07896 300302

Councillor Nigel Davis

Email: nigel.davis@penzance-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 07554 618706

Councillor Thalia Marrington

Email: cllr.thalia.marrington@cornwall.gov.uk

Tel: 07702 704004

The Mayoral Chain of Penzance

Committees

Finance & General Purposes

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

The Committee also considers grant applications from local community groups and charities; this year, a total of £164,399 was granted to 21 local organisations.

As with the previous two years, the Coronavirus Pandemic has continued to have an impact on the Council’s finances, and this year we have the added challenge of soaring energy bills and rising inflation which is making our essential services even more expensive to deliver.

Setting a budget has been a long and difficult task as the Council has to balance being able to deliver services with the current cost of living crisis which is affecting everyone.

We are increasing our budget for next year which will mean an increase of £53.55 a year for an average Band D property (or an extra £4.46 per month)

£164,399 of grant funding was awarded to 21 local organisations this year

Committees

Penlee House

The Penlee House Committee deals with all matters relating to the management of Penlee House Gallery & Museum.

Penlee House is a unique cultural venue, at the heart of the whole community, with an important collection of paintings by the internationally-renowned Newlyn School and Lamorna artists, as well as a large collection of artefacts celebrating the archaeological and social history of West Cornwall.

The Penlee House Committee establishes service policies, approves programmes of work, monitors performance, and takes decisions in respect of those matters detailed in the approved budget.

Over the past year, the Committee has continued to approve the implementation of actions from the 2021 independent review of Penlee House. This has included developing fundraising and commercial strategies, and co-opting specialist advisors to the Penlee House Committee.

The last year’s highlights

A highlight of this year was the Penlee Inspired exhibition -a crowd-sourced exhibition, open to everyone. Submission to the exhibition was open to all ages and abilities, from beginners to professional artists, and work could be in any medium, including creative writing. The only brief was that the works submitted were inspired by the Penlee House collections and exhibitions.

Artist-led workshops helped to get members of the public inspired and we had our biggest response ever, with school children, students, care home residents and professional artists all entering! Artist-led partnerships with Camborne Deaf Church, Morrab Surgery Social Prescribing Group, The John Daniel Centre and Humphry Davy School led to some great submissions and the range of work was phenomenal, with paintings, drawings and animation alongside poetry and creative writing. It was a challenge to decide which artworks would be included, with the Gallery showing more artworks than ever before in this exhibition!

Another highlight was The Museum of Carefree, an exhibition celebrating the work of Carefree Cornwall The exhibition was curated by and featured artwork created by care-experienced young people. It was a thought provoking and uplifting exhibition, celebrating over four years of partnership working between Penlee House, artist Emma Saffy Wilson, Cornish Museums and charity Carefree Cornwall.

Tim Treagust -inspired by Lamorna Birch's 'In Our Old World Valley' (part of the Penlee Inspired exhibition 2022)

Penlee House Gallery & Museum entrance

Committees

Leisure & Amenities

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

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 whole 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.

Major projects this year:

� Christmas Light display and tree in town

� Promenade and Town Banner/Flag Projects

� Introducing electric Council vehicles

� New accessible junior play equipment at Penlee Play Park

The new equipment includes:

� 5 new towers

� Climbing walls

� Wheelchair accessible slide

� Sensory Panels

� Net bridge

� Clatter bridge

We have also installed two additional picnic benches following requests for more seating from parents and park users!

The new play park builds on similar active play that we introduced during the refurbishment of Alexandra Play Park, whilst also aiming to provide a distinctly different play space.

Penlee Play Park -Brand new Junior Section

The work on our brand new junior play equipment was completed in September 2022. The new inclusive play equipment, which is accessible to children who are wheelchair users or who use other mobility aids, has proved incredibly popular, and the park has been very well used since the equipment was installed.

View of the accessible walkways at the

Committees

Planning

Statutory Consultee

Penzance Council is a statutory consultee for all Penzance Parish planning applications.

This means that Cornwall Council, who make the final decisions on all applications, are legally required to consult with Penzance Council before a decision is made on applications within the Parish.

The Planning Committee makes comments on applications based on submitted plans, public comments on proposals, and reports provided by other departments and outside bodies where appropriate eg. the Strategic Historic Environment Service, the Environment Agency and Historic England.

Penzance Council does not make the final decision on planning applications – these are made by Cornwall Council.

Our Meetings

Our Planning Committee meets on a Wednesday evening once every three weeks. They meet to discuss planning applications submitted within the Penzance Parish (this includes Newlyn, Mousehole, Paul, Heamoor, Gulval, and Eastern Green).

Meeting agendas, and a list of planning applications to be considered, are published three clear working days in advance. They are posted on our public noticeboards, on our website and on our Facebook page

All members of the public are welcome to attend – you have the opportunity to comment on specific planning applications at the start of the meeting.

Overview of the last year

Over the past year, the Committee has commented on just over 300 planning applications. There has been a noticeable trend for extensions and alterations of existing residential properties.

The Committee held an extraordinary meeting in the Newlyn Centre to consider as application for twenty-nine affordable dwellings with a mix of bungalows, flats and two and two -and three-bedroom houses on land adjacent to Chywoone Farm, Newlyn.

A larger application was for the proposed erection of 320 dwellings on land at Trannack Farm, Penzance and the demolition of an existing agricultural building.

Another extraordinary meeting was held at St John’s Hall to consider this application which was well attended by members of the public. After considering the application, and hearing from local residents, the Committee unanimously voted to object to the proposed development at Trannack Farm.

Local residents at the extraordinary Planning Committee meeting to consider the Trannack Farm development

How money was spent last year

Including, but not limited to: Community

• Jubilee Pool Grant

• ASB Caseworker

• 17 CCTV Cameras

• 7 Public Toilets

• 13 Community Toilets

£329,946

Including, but not limited to: & Heritage Arts, Culture

• Penlee House

• Golowan Grant

• Christmas Lights

• Town banners & Prom Flags

• Civic events

£685,960

Grants

• General Grants

• Social Action Grants

• Youth Activities

£88,899

Parks, Play & Open Spaces

Including, but not limited to:

• Penlee Park

• Alexandra Play Park & Tennis Courts

• Heamoor Old School Field

• Foxes Lane Play Park, Mousehole

• Wherrytown Skatepark

• Pavement weeding

• Allotments

• War Memorials

£517,090

Humphry Davy Statue, Penzance -Image: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live

Grant funding

We are committed to helping community organisations who work to help local people in the Parish of Penzance -to achieve this, we provide grant funding.

Priority is given to Penzance-based organisations. However, the Council will consider grants to organisations not based in Penzance where they can show they are directly working with, or on behalf of, Penzance Parish residents.

More information on how to apply for a grant can be found on our website: www.penzance-tc.gov.uk/grants

£164,399 of grant funding awarded

Our Services

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

Alexandra Play Park & Tennis Courts

Penzance Council took on Alexandra Play Park & Tennis Courts from Cornwall Council in the summer of 2021 and have carried out a full refurbishment of both. We continue to build on the site improvements -this year significant work has been undertaken around the planting areas and around the benches to create a lawned area for people to use. Additional play equipment has also been installed to further enhance the space.

Allotments

We currently manage approximately 200 allotment plots across 8 sites in the Parish.

Plots are available to anyone who lives in the Parish area of Penzance (proof of residency required). Due to their popularity, there is a long waiting list – when a plot becomes available, we will split it in two where we can to help reduce the waiting times.

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

Community Safety CCTV

Protecting public spaces and making our residents feel safe is very important to us.

We own and maintain 19 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.

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Caseworker

We took decisive action to secure the future of the town’s ASB Caseworker after Cornwall Council reported it was unable to continue to provide the same level of funding for the post (in 2019?)– we now cover 80% of the costs for the post.

Safer Penzance

Under the umbrella of Safer Cornwall, we work in partnership with Safer Penzance to tackle the impacts of crime, alcohol, drugs and anti-social behaviour in our community.

CCTV Cameras

Our Services

Christmas Lights

We are responsible for the hire, installation, and maintenance of the suspended Christmas lights throughout Penzance town centre 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 make the lights in town possible each year. We also provided grants to Mousehole Harbour Lights, Tredavoe Chapel, Heamoor CIO and Gulval to support their Christmas Light displays this year!

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 internationally-renowned Newlyn School and Lamorna artists, as well as a large collection of artefacts celebrating the archaeological and social history of West Cornwall.

Admission is free for everyone who lives within the Parish of Penzance. Please 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 an accessible play park, sensory garden and a Memorial Garden for quiet contemplation. The park is also home to Penlee Open Air Theatre and Penzance Tennis Club

In 2022 our park was once again awarded 5 stars in the Britain in Bloom Pride in Parks Award -this is all down the hard work of our dedicated gardening team!

The 2022 Christmas Tree in front of the Humphry Davy Statue & Market House

Our Services

Toilets

Public Toilets

We now operate 7 Public Toilets across the Parish of Penzance. We continue to receive regular positive feedback regarding the cleanliness and condition of the facilities that we provide.

We’ve recently made improvements to upgrade the hand washing facilities which significantly reduces our water consumption.

You can find out more about the public toilets, where they are and their opening times on our website: www.penzance-tc.gov.uk/public-toilets

Community Toilet Scheme

We were one of the first local councils to introduce a ‘Community Toilet Scheme’ to boost our existing public toilet services. The scheme provides funding which enables local businesses to open their toilet facilities to members of the public to use free of charge.

13 businesses across Penzance, Newlyn, Heamoor, and Gulval are currently part of our scheme. All the businesses taking part receive funding from us to offer this service so you don’t need to spend a penny!

Look out for the sign at participating businesses!

Wellfields Car Park

We own and manage 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.

We also operate a Quarterly Parking Permit Scheme to provide further cost savings to those who use the car park regularly. All income from the car park is used to maintain the car park itself.You can find out more information on our website: www.penzancetc.gov.uk/wellfields-car-park

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 a credit to the Kerbs Association who promote ownership and responsibility amongst users to ensure it remains in good condition.

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

Skateboard -Image: Lukas-Bato -Unsplash

Penzance Community Toilet Scheme participating business sign

Our Services

Foxes Lane Play Park

We took on Foxes Lane Play Park in Mousehole from Cornwall Council in 2021 and have since carried out a refurbishment project to improve the facilities for families in the village.

We have installed a brand new perimeter fence and all the equipment and play surfaces have been deep cleaned and revamped.

The planting has also been revised with the aim of providing a more open and welcoming space for the community to use.

Heamoor Old School Field

Penzance Council owns and manages the Old School Field in Heamoor (located next to the former primary school on Madron Road).

Over the last few years we have carried out lots of improvement works to make the field an accessible community space for all residents to enjoy. We have installed a community noticeboard, kindly handmade by a local resident, to keep everyone updated on news and events happening in the village.

We also have a brilliant group of local volunteers known as the HGVs (the Heamoor Garden Volunteers) who help us to maintain the flower beds at the field!

Members of the HGVs at Heamoor Old School Field

Foxes Lane Play Park, Mousehole

Our Services

Penzance Jewish Cemetery

Penzance Council look after the Grade II listed Penzance Jewish Cemetery, located between Leskinnick Terrace and Mount Street.

It was established in 1740 and is one of the bestpreserved eighteenth century Jewish cemeteries in the UK, outside of London.

We also work closely with Penlee House Gallery & Museum staff who supervise maintenance works to ensure the site’s heritage is protected.

Memorial maintenance

We look after 6 memorials across the parish, including:

• Eileen McGrigor Memorial, Newlyn

• Fisherman Memorial, Newlyn Green

• Humphry Davy Statue, Market Jew Street

• Mousehole War Memorial

• Newlyn War Memorial

• Penzance War Memorial, Battery Rocks

Pavement Weeding

Our Leisure & Amenities Team carry out weeding on over 100km of pavements across the whole parish!

As part of our Climate Emergency Action Plan, we do not use any chemicals and the weeding is done using electric powered tools.

Fisherman Memorial, Newlyn Green

Penzance Jewish Cemetery

Penzance Coat of Arms

Events

We organise a wide range of civic and ceremonial events within the community each year

May 2022

Mayor Choosing & Community Awards

June 2022

Platinum Jubilee Celebrations for HM The Queen

Our collaborative events included:

Proclamation Cries by the Town Crier in Penzance, Newlyn and Mousehole

5 beacon lightings across the Parish:

St Mary’s Church, Penzance

Humphry Davy School

Jubilee Pool

Newlyn Harbour

Mousehole Harbour

A Platinum Communi-tea Party in Morrab Gardens with free cream teas and performances by local community groups & schools

St John’s Feast Parade

We worked closely with Golowan organise the civic parade and church service for St -

John’s Feast. St John is the patron saint of Penzance and has been incorporated into the Golowan Festival since its revival in 1991.

We are the festival’s Lead Partner and provide grant funding each year to ensure the whole festival remains on the calendar of Penzance events!

From left to right: Sid Reed (retiring Mace Bearer), Elliott Furse (Young Citizen of the Year 2022), Richard Eddy (father of Neil Eddy -Citizen of the Year 2022), Emma-Leigh Stubbins (Special Recognition Award), Cllr Jonathan How (Mayor of Penzance), Oscar Simmons (Humphry Davy Prize Winner 2022), Seb Dash (Mayor’s Sea Cadet 2022), Oliver Hall (Mayor’s Air Cadet

Image: Humphry Davy School

The former Duke & Duchess of Cornwall greet residents on Duck Street, Mousehole

The former Duke of Cornwall greets the crowds at Mousehole Harbour

The Mayor of Penzance judging

Winning design by Jacey Gardiner -Gulval School

Looking forward

The 2023/24 budget

At the Full Council meeting held on Monday 16 January 2023, Councillors agreed a budget for 2023/34 and set out plans to spend over £2 million in the parish from 1 April 2023.

The past two financial years have been difficult for everyone; the cost of living crisis, the rise in inflation, and increase in utility costs made setting next year's budget especially challenging and required an increase in the precept.

Community

Including, but not limited to:

• Jubilee Pool

• ASB Caseworker

• 17 CCTV Cameras

• 7 Public Toilets

• 13 Community Toilets

• Centenary Hall purchase

• Pz AFC grandstand roof replacement

£482,510

estimated

& Heritage Arts, Culture

Including, but not limited to:

• Penlee House

• Golowan

• Christmas Lights

• Town banners

• Civic events

£848,099

estimated

Financial pressures will continue next year but the new budget will enable Penzance Council to maintain and deliver important local services like public toilets, parks and open spaces, cultural events, and support local initiatives like the assisted purchase of Centenary Hall for the benefit of the whole community.

All the money residents pay to Penzance Council is spent within the parish across: Penzance, Newlyn, Mousehole, Paul, Heamoor, Gulval, and Eastern Green.

Grants

• General Grants

• Social Action Grants

• Climate Emergency Grants

• Youth Work & Activities

£68,000

Parks, Play

Including, but not limited to: & Open Spaces

• Penlee Park

• Alexandra Play & Tennis Courts

• Heamoor Old School Field

• Foxes Lane Park, Mousehole

• Wherrytown Skatepark

• 200 allotment plots (approx)

£694,567

estimated

Penzance Council's element of residents' Council Tax Bill from 1 April 2023 is:

Looking forward

Penlee House

May 2023 -Lamorna Colony Pioneers Exhibition

This major exhibition will explore the small group of artists who were drawn to Lamorna at the beginning of the twentieth century, including Laura Knight, Harold Knight, Lamorna Birch and Alfred Munnings.

Family Activities

We will be continuing with our regular Baby and Parent and Pre-School sessions, and weekly Saturday activities which provide fun and educational activities for children and families.

Leisure & Amenities

New Electric Vehicles

Penzance Council will be switching to all-electric vehicles for its Leisure & Amenities Team this year.

We have already had the UK’s first ever road-registered Etesia ET Lander delivered which you may have seen our teams getting to grips with out and about in the parish!

The ET Lander is 100% electric powered and will be used for a variety of open spaces tasks, including park and play area maintenance, allotment management, and supporting the town wide watering programme. It will also be used to transport the team around the parish for our weed treatment programme.

Community Events

7

May 2023 -Pz Coronation Celebration

We are pleased to announce it will be hosting a ‘Coronation Celebration’ on Sunday 7 May in Morrab Gardens from 11am – 3pm which will form part of the Coronation Big Lunch taking place across the country.

Organised in partnership with Pengarth Day Centre and featuring live music performances from Penzance Silver Band, Dawn Chorus & Levow an Bys, and Penzance Choral Society. The Penzance Coronation Celebration will provide something for everyone to celebrate this historic occasion!

12 June

2023 -Pz Armed Forces Flag Relay Event

Penzance Council, in partnership with Cornwall Council and the Armed Forces Community, are hosting a community event to show support for Armed Forces personnel, past and present. The event is free to all and will take place at St John’s Hall at 11am.

Devolution

Princess May Recreation Ground

Penzance Council has committed to the devolved transfer of ownership and management of Princess May Recreation Ground from Cornwall Council. We will be working in partnership with Princess May Rec CIC to develop plans for the future management of the site and undertaking a community consultation to develop a Recreation Ground Improvement Plan.

Developing an Open Spaces Strategy

During the coming year we will be developing an Open Spaces Strategy to determine our priority sites, projects, and future investment across the Parish.