St. Anne’s on the SeaTown Council

annual report 2018 - 19

Chairman's report Councillor Details 2018/19

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Name Ward Address Phone Number

Tony Ford Ashton 6 Dover Road, FY8 3HN

713885

Graeme Neale Ashton Care of West Lodge

07802727374

Central 15 Sabden Place, FY8 3QH

713839

Stanley Trudgill Central 267 Clifton Drive South, FY8 1HW

07711 259295

Cheryl Little Fairhaven 32 The Boulevard, FY8 1EH

711722

Vince Settle Heyhouses 11 Admiral Close, FY8 2TH

712586

Viv Willder Heyhouses 20 Pilling Avenue, FY8 3QG

07731 516340

Christine Akeroyd Kilnhouse Care of West Lodge

Karen Henshaw Kilnhouse 58 Headroomgate Road, FY8 3BG

713204

David O'Rourke Park

Angela Jacques St Leonard’s 46 All Saints Rd, FY8 1PL

724381

Carol Lanyon St Leonard’s 79 St Leonards Rd East, FY8 2HD

712090

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Ed Nash

25 Waddington Avenue, FY8 3QB

07554 672424

I was delighted to be asked to serve a second term as Mayor for St. Anne's on the Sea. It has been an honour and a privilege to represent the Town through 2018-19. My chosen charity was Home-Start Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre and we raised £700 through the course of the year. Howard and I thoroughly enjoyed raising awareness of St. Anne's and meeting so many people dedicated determined individuals. Councillor Tony Ford provided true support as Deputy Town Mayor.

Through the year we have attended and supported events held by Lytham St Annes Islamic Society, Richard Peck House, Royal Air Force Association, Scouts, Lytham St Annes Choral Society, Blackburn Cathedral, St. Anne's Hebrew Congregation, the Fire Brigade, Lancashire Author Association, St Anne's Musical Production of 'Top Hat' at Lowther Pavilion, King David's High School Manchester, AKS, St. Anne's Carnival, Opening of Anatolia Sea View Restaurant, opening of Moments Cafe & Hub, presented certificates at the St. Anne's in Bloom Awards, welcomed the visiting group from Caudry, the ordination of Father Edwards at St. Anne's Parish Church, the Mayor of Fylde's Civic Service and the Rotary club.

I hosted a Town Mayor Civic Sunday event, International Kite Festival reception, Suffragette Afternoon Tea and dressed up for the Victorian Christmas.

The Mayoral Carol Service at St Margaret's Church in December 2018 was enjoyed by everyone including the Brownies, Cubs, Guides, Scouts, Junior Church (who read the lessons). In addition, the Fylde Light Orchestra, Wedgwood Singers and children from Heyhouses School all added to the evening.

My last engagement would be the installation of a Peace Pole at AKS on Monday 13th May – as a follow-on to the Peace Gathering which they hosted in November 2017.

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contact details CHAIRMANS REPORT

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West Lodge5 St. Georges Road

St. Anne's on the Sea FY8 2AE

Phone: 01253 781124

St. Anne’s on the Sea Town Council

Staff Details

Town Clerk; Sally TaylorEmail: townclerk@stannesonthesea-tc.gov.uk

Deputy Town Clerk: Sarah Dunn Email: dtc@stannesonthesea-tc.gov.uk

Town Enterprise and Promotions Officer: Darrel Treece-Birch Email: tepo@stanneonthesea-tc.gov.uk

Responsible Financial Officer: John Nightingale Email: rfo@stannesonthesea-tc.gov.uk

Opening Hours (Drop in times)

MON TUE - THU - FRI 10am - 2pm

Email: info@stannesonthesea-tc.gov.uk

www.stannesonthesea-tc.gov.uk Facebook.co.uk/stannesonthesea

Twitter.com/stannesonseaTC

The office is closed to the public on Wednesdays

• Long service awards tobusinesses in 2018/109:

• Gavin’s Barbers– 22 years,Granville Auto Centre – 25years

• Tiggi’s – 35 years• Whiteside Taxis– 138 years• CTC Computers – 24 years• Shaw & Wright Garage -

51 years• Atlas Takeaway - 24 years• Peking Express – 22 years• Eden (Gift Shop) - 21 years• Alexandria Pharmacy –33

years• The Dilraj – 24 years• Emily Laws School of

Acting - 25 years

• 1st Choice DomesticAppliances – 25 years

• The Hair Shop-BarnettsHairdressers – 34 years

• Apple Bikes - 36 years• Steve Willder Roofer -

22 years• P & L Edwards Butchers

- 26 years• Hadfields - 43 years• K & B Autos - 39 years

As a mark of respect to Town Councillor Christine Akeroyd, who sadly passed away on the 13th March, the mayor led a minute’s silence at the Full Council meeting on the 16th April 2019.

It will be a very different Town Council after the elections as several Councillors are stepping down; on behalf of all the residents I would like to send a “Thank you” to the Councillors for their efforts over many years. I wish the new Council every success.

Town Mayor 2017-19 Karen Henshaw

Finance

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CHRISTMAS LIGHTS INFRASTRUCTURE

a) That the Town Councilbudget for 2019 -2020 be approved.b) To levy a Precept of£217,537

(Two Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty-Seven Pounds) for the Financial Year 2019 – 2020.c) That £10,000 be taken out ofTown Council reserves and allocated into the Town Council Budget for 2019 - 2020.

Precept 2019/20

The Chairman detailed that the budget had been discussed by the Council Budget Setting Group, the suggested figures and notes had been circulated to all Councillors for their comments. The attached budget has been amended to include these comments. The Mayor advised that there was no Council Tax Support Grant payable from Fylde Council for 2019/2020.The Council determined an increase of £0.81 per year, 3.9%; reducing the increase by using £10,000 out of Council reserves. This would equate to a Band D Council Taxpayer paying £21.56 per year, which is an increase of £0.015 pence per week.

Budget 2019/20

Staffing £150471 Premises £13530 Admin £5121 Democracy £4900 Civic £1245 Community £31750 Publicity £6690 Blundell Rd £580 Environment £13250 Less Reserves -£10000 TOTAL £217,537

Community Spend 18/19Christmas Lights £20652 Victorian Xmas £2845 SOAG £1000St. Anne's Carnival £1500 St. Anne's in Bloom £1900St. Anne's Kite Fest £9526 St. Anne's Music Fest £1000Bunting £2141Int. Food Fest £4976 South Fylde CRP £1000 Veterans 4 Fylde £1000 LSA Twinning £1000 RNLI £307Arts Society Fylde £100 Misc Events £54 Projects £6379

TOTAL £55380

The Town Council took over ownership and management of the Christmas Lights in November 2014.

The Town Council has updated features to use LED lamps, making a substantial saving on the cost of electricity used.

In 2014 the scheme was extended into Wood Street, Park Road and Orchard Road. In 2015 the lights were extended into Garden Street and part of St. Georges Road. In 2016 new fairy lights on the lampposts were replaced with features in Wood Street, Orchard Road and Park Road. A festoon was added to part of the square display on both sides of St. Anne’s Road West. In 2017 the Town Council extended the Christmas Light display within the town centre including Lighting up all three ‘living trees’ within the beds opposite the car parks. The Town Council also paid for and project managed the infrastructure to all the new columns.The Town Council has now extended the lights from the original 22 column features in 2014 to 54 column features, six lit ‘living trees’ and installation of a festoon on both sides of the square. In addition, Fylde Council undertook improvements for all 5 domes which resulted in all the domes being lit for the first time in six years.

For the size of the town, St. Anne’s punches well above its weight in terms of festive lights. We will continue to ensure that our lights are the envy of other local towns, whilst also maintaining best value for the Council Taxpayer.

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MISC ST. ANNE'S ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP

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Neighbourhood PlanSt. Anne’s Neighbourhood Plan, made on the 24th May 2017, protects 25 parks and open spaces across the town from housing development, including Ashton Gardens, Blackpool Road North Playing Field and Mellings Wood until 2031. Other benefits of the Plan include additional planning criteria for the conversion of flats and Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs), additional tree planting, improved gateways to the town entrances, supporting Blackpool Airport from non-airport related development, green infrastructure and improved transport links.The Neighbourhood Plan Delivery Committee has been created to ensure the projects within the Plan are delivered. The Town Council Planning Committee is considering planning applications in line with the Plan policies.Gateway plantersThe Town Council is managing four large planters at the town’s gateways. The planters are part of the aspirations of Neighbourhood Plan and would be a permanent feature with year-round planting in the future, all delivered by the Town Council.BuntingThe Town Clerk has worked actively with Lancashire County Council representatives who have agreed that bunting could be installed on metal lampposts, but not spanning roads or road junctions. Victoria HotelWith the previous 5-year Asset of Community Value term expiring, the Town Council re-applied, succeeding in obtaining new ACV status.St. Anne’s LibraryThe library was re-opened on the 4th March 2019 after extensive specialist repairs to building work. Throughout its period of closure, the Town Council maintained pressure on Lancashire County Council to ensure that the library was re-opened and not closed permanently.

S.T.E.P. Annual Report SummaryThe year began with an extraordinary board meeting following the departure of the Chairman and Deputy whose opposing views resulted in their respective resignations. The agreed stance internally at STEP was to appoint Cllr Ed Nash as temporary Chairman and Aileen Ames as Deputy. It was also agreed to drop pursuing Theme group sub-meetings, re-position Darrel as manager not simply facilitator, to reduce board meetings to bi-monthly, to reduce public meetings to 2 a year, making public meetings less informal and more weighted to networking. It was also discussed to potentially dissolve the Coastal Community Team label as no financial aid comes from the MHCLG (Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government).In June the first new style public meeting was conducted at The Lindum to mixed responses. Some stating that they wouldn’t attend again. The notion of a Business Improvement District was prematurely shared before any draft recommendations or briefings had taken place.In July the town saw several new stores opening combatting the perception of a retail exodus. Darrel completed a draft proposal for a BID project under the instruction of SATC. STEP fairly inactive with minor involvement in local festivals activity with the exception of useful social media promotion. August saw the Gin Festival & Food Festival attract large numbers however these events were no longer run by STEP but by SATC & Cuffe/Lacey respectively. The Kite Festival was a major draw to the town. STEP members played vital roles in the

The year began with an extraordinary board meeting following the departure of the Chairman and Deputy. The agreed stance internally at STEP was to appoint Cllr Ed Nash as temporary Chairman and Aileen Ames as Deputy. It was also agreed to drop pursuing Theme group sub-meetings, re-position Darrel as manager not simply facilitator, to reduce board meetings to bi-monthly, to reduce public meetings to 2 a year, making public meetings less informal and more weighted to networking.In June the first public meeting was conducted at The Lindum to mixed responses. In July the town saw several new store openings. Darrel completed a draft proposal for a BID project under the instruction of SATC.In September Darrel put forward a House of Lords Select Committee Call for Evidence regarding the regeneration of seaside Towns. A note of success was achieved with the approved submission for £980,000 for Access Fylde Coast. A combined application from a large partnership including the 3 Borough Councils, St. Anne’s Town Council with Darrel representing both Town and all the Coastal Community Teams. October saw a successful STEP events meeting take place with a grant analysis workshop promised for 2019.In November Darrel met with Allan Oldfield with a STEP update and to discuss BID. Fylde's position is nothing can be dealt with until post-elections May 2019. The new year began with the Events Group Grant Workshop meeting cancelled and replaced by Public session. In February STEP held an emotive and much debated public meeting at The Lindum.Colin Ballard was appointed as STEP Chairman. A grant was also awarded by LCC Parish Champion. Sarah Dunn & Darrel also obtained clarification on the use of the high street Blue Domes. In April 2019 STEP facilitated and ran a very successful Clean Up campaign with vital help from SATC/FBC/Rangers/In Bloom. Over 50 volunteers took part.

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Allotments

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Shepherd Road Allotments has 150+ plots, of differing sizes, ranging from 100 to 300sqm. Rent is based on the size of the plot and ranges from £15 to £45 per annum. Additional costs include subscription to the NSALG (National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners) – visit www.nsalg.org.uk for membership benefits. A one-off deposit of £25 is also required. A copy of the tenancy agreement is available on the Town Council website: http://www.stannesonthesea-tc.gov.uk. The site is managed by tenants through the Shepherd Road Allotment Society with support from the Town Council.

Both sites seek positive engagement with neighbours and community groups. At Blundell Road Just Good Friends maintain a plot, St. Anne’s in Bloom have a storage area and have grown some of their flowers in the polytunnel. Shepherd Road held its annual Open Day and has connections to multiple community groups including Community Link and Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School.Both sites were awarded 'Outstanding' in the It's Your Neighbourhood' award competition. Shepherd for the 4th consecutive year and Blundell for the 7th year running.

Councillor ChangesCouncillor Rebecca Meadowcroft resigned from her position as a Town Councillor on the 10th April 2018. The former Councillor thanked all the Town Council Councillors and Officers for all their advice and support and applauded the organisation for all the fantastic work that they delivered. Councillor David O'Rourke was successfully co-opted onto the Council on the 17th July 2018 stating 'I hope towards improving the local environment, including the parks and other green spaces as well as supporting business growth; and ensure a vibrant and successful town centre'.Sadly on the 13th March 2019 Town Councillor, 2011-12 Town Mayor and 2016-17 Mayor of the Borough of Fylde Christine Akeroyd died peacefully at home at the age of 78. St. Anne's Town Mayor Karen Henshaw, said: “Christine and I worked very well together for our community and she will be missed by all the members and staff of the Town Council.”

Pot HolesPoor road conditions were a safety concern for local residents. The Town Clerk was instructed by the Council to write formally to the Chief Executive and Leader of Lancashire County Council to express concerns over the delayed repairs. A response from LCC was received.It was discussed and agreed that Town Councillors could report both highway faults and the condition of the roads directly to the Deputy Town Clerk. The Deputy Town Clerk volunteered to collate these responses and forward directly to Lancashire County Council.

GDPRThe Town Council is fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation.

Toilet TwinningThe Town Council was awarded a ‘Toilet Twinning Town’’ certificate on behalf of Lytham St Annes for toilet provision in Bukoli, Geita, Tanzania.

MISC

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Allotments

North West in Bloom AwardsSt. Anne’s on the Sea - Large Coastal Resort – Gold Award and overall Category Winner to receive the North West in Bloom Trophy.Friends of St Annes Station – Outstanding, Shepherd Road Allotments – Outstanding, Blundell Road Allotments– Outstanding, Poplar Court – Outstanding.St Annes Dunes Project – Outstanding, Braxfield Court - Best Residential Accommodation display in the North West, Ashton Gardens won Gold in the Best Parks Category.

Blundell Road Allotments has 30 small plots. Rent is £10 per annum. NSALG fee is £3.00. The site is managed by tenants through the Blundell Road Allotment Committee with support from the Town Council and Lengthsman Lee Ramage.

The Town Council maintains a waiting list for plots on both sites. To be eligible for tenancy an individual must live in the parish of St. Anne’s on the Sea. The wait for both sites is approximately 1 year. Both sites operate at full capacity.

It should be noted that water rates increased dramatically in 2018 possibly as a result of the drought. Usage would continue to be monitored in 2019.

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SILENT SOLDIERS

Silent soldier silhouettesFirst World War – 100th anniversary commemoration. On 31st October 2018 at 2pm, the Mayor unveiled the new memorial benches in Ashton Gardens, a Town Council project. The service attended by pupils from St Thomas’ school also featured the unveiling of the 3 Silent Soldiers at the entrance to Ashton Gardens by the Town Council Office. Additionally, the Mayor had attended and unveiled the Silent Soldier silhouettes at St Anne’s on the Sea Station on 31st October 2018. The 6 soldiers, all with their feet surrounded by plants and artificial poppies were sited around the station and had been received positively.The Mayor visited St Thomas School on 2nd November 2018 to present Queens Medals to the 37 pupils who attended the memorial benches unveiling.

Town CrierThe Mayor nominated Town Crier Colin Ballard for a High Sheriff award. Colin received the award at County Hall with the Mayor in attendance. On Friday March 22nd, the Mayor hosted a Farewell party for Colin at her house and he was presented with a beautiful engraved decanter and glasses as a present from the Town Council on his retirement as Town Crier.

Colin Ballard with Christine Akeroyd

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EVENTS EVENTS

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For 2018 the St. Anne's Lights Switch On Event joined forces with the Victorian Weekend. On the 1st and 2nd of December local business, local churches, volunteers and Town Council came together to present a Victorian Christmas. The NAAFI Cafe provided a Town Mayor reception. Performers on stage all weekend included local acting and dance schools, Lowther Pavilion panto, Mayfield school choir and many others.

This year the Town Mayor's Christmas Carol Service took place at The Parish Church of St. Margaret of Antioch on the 7th December.

Events were once again considered a key strategy in developing the profile of St. Anne's on the Sea. The Town Council was delighted to host or support through grants the following events:

Supporters of Ashton Gardens Brass in the Grass Concerts, St. Anne's International Food Festival, St. Anne's Carnival, St. Anne's Music and Arts Festival, International Kite Festival, Victorian Christmas Lights Switch On and the Town Mayor's Carol Service.

On July 6th, 7th and 8th Carnival spirits once again reached St. Annes. Thousands flocked to the Town for a full schedule of events from live music to the parade and of course the dog agility.The Town Council gave a £1500 grant to support the event and two members of staff volunteered to help.

The International Kite Festival as usual was a spectacular hit. Town Mayor Henshaw welcomed event participants and organisers, in particular, the Al-Farsi Kite Flying Team, to the town on the 31st August, 1st and 2nd September. Town Council employee Darrel Treece-Birch provided an eclectic soundscape of music on the Friday evening.

The Music and Arts Festival – 27-29th July 2018 held in Ashton Gardens. The free event was part funded by a £1000 grant from the Town Council.

St. Anne's International Food Festival was entirely organised and managed by Town Council staff. Once again food demonstrations, food market and entertainment came from all culinary quarters of St. Anne's on the Sea. A fantastic 12th August.