Annual Report 2012 - Folkestone Town · PDF fileBank and Investment Interest 531 1,150 ......

ANNUAL REPORT

2011/12

1

FOLKESTONE TOWN COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 1 APRIL 2011 – 31 MARCH 2012 SUPPORTING AND PROMOTING THE TOWN AND ITS RESIDENTS

Picture courtesy of Vic Seymour

Sue Wallace

Town Mayor of Folkestone 2011-2012

As my term in office finishes, it is time for me to reflect on the past year and what has been

achieved, as with previous years, we have supported many events with our Town Grants

Scheme and continued to support the Town Centre Management Team and tourism through

Discover Folkestone and visit Kent, our Ward Grants have also enabled many local groups,

clubs and organisations to achieve a variety of things in the wards benefitting the people who

live there.

I have met and spoken with many local people who have lived here most of their lives and

their perception of Folkestone Town Council has improved over the years since its inception.

It is very pleasing to know that I, along with Past Mayors, may have contributed to this.

People have seen benefits in sports, cultural and youth activities available in the Town.

Although sadly we have seen some businesses closing due to the continuing monetary

situation, I have attended the opening of a few new businesses in Folkestone over the

past couple of months which is a positive sign.

In January a new memorial was placed in the Garden of Remembrance in memory of those

who died in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.

I am also delighted that a Registry Service has been retained in Folkestone by utilising the

Mayor’s Parlour, within which several weddings have already taken place.

The purchase of the Old Town Hall has now given the Folkestone Town Council a

permanent home in the heart of the Town.

The Council is hopeful that there will be various services that can be accessed from there.

Our aims and objectives within the Town Plan are ongoing, looking with confidence to the

future and the continued development of Folkestone Town Council.

Sue Wallace

2

FINANCIAL/MONEY MATTERS

2011/12

Income and Expenditure Account

For the Period ended 31 March 2012

2011/12 2010/11

INCOME £ £

Precept on District Council 493,880 494,020

Bank and Investment Interest 531 1,150

Allotments 5,232 5,184

Rental Receipts 74,610 0

Other 1,556 1,616

575,809 501,970

EXPENDITURE

Employees/Administration 196,193 239,346

Democratic Costs 15,249 368

Civic and Ceremonial 20,743 23,988

Premises 58,311 19,424

Services 204,462 178,459

Fees 12,660 9,024

507,618 470,609

GENERAL FUND

Balance as at 1 April 48,924 73,566

Add: Total Income 575,809 501,970

Deduct: Total Expenditure 507,618 470,609

117,115 104,927

Transfer (to)/from Reserves and Provisions:

Property Reserve (£32,589)

Ward Grants Reserve (£7,917)

Town Grants Reserve £3,231

Armed Forces’ Day Reserve £159

Provision for Outstanding Invoices (£1,265)

Provision for Salt Bins (£350)

Provision for PWRR Freedom March (£4,600) (43,331) (56,003)

General Reserve Balance at 31 March 73,784 48,924

PRECEPT 2011/12

THE 2011/12 TOWN COUNCIL TAX

Household Band A B C D E F G H

£ per annum 21.61 25.21 28.81 32.42 39.62 46.83 54.03 64.84

Pence per week 41.4 48.4 55.3 62.2 76.0 89.8 103.6 124.4

3

Balance Sheet

as at 31 March 2012 Fixed Assets 2011/12 2010/11

£ £ £ £

Freehold Land and Buildings 700,000 0

Vehicles and Equipment 49,820 50,100

Community Assets 268,841 1,018,661 261,562 311,662

1,018,661 311,662

Current Assets

Sundry Debtors 173 386

HM Revenue & Customs - VAT 2,838 98,647

Prepayments 2,500 2,500

Prepayment for Office Building 0 475,140

Current Bank Account 46,738 (40,561)

Gratuities Bank Account 0 0

Petty Cash 500 500

Short Term Investments 200,000 252,749 400,000 936,612

Current Liabilities

Sundry Creditors 0 0

Accruals 50,525 50,525 20,276 20,276

Net Current Assets 202,224 916,336

Long Term Liabilities

PWLB Outstanding Loan for Office Building 484,899 484,899 500,000 500,000

Total Assets Less Current Liabilities 735,986 727,998

Represented by:

Fixed Asset Restatement Account 1,018,661 311,662

Gratuities Fund (484,899) 0

Capital Receipts Reserve 12,000 12,000

Earmarked Reserves:-

New Services Reserve 9,951 105,966

Property Reserve 57,449 175,030

Animal Memorial Fund 270 0

Ward Grants Reserve 7,917 0

Town Grants Reserve 3,090 7,270

FTC Elections Reserve 0 19,000

Armed Forces’ Day Reserve 5,464 4,891

Provisions:-

Signs & Notice Boards 3,222 11,889

Contingency 8,538 16,882

Salt Bins 350 0

Flowerbeds 6,098 6,098

Anti-Litter Campaign 2,000 2,000

Litter Bins 2,286 2,286

Allotments (Barking, etc) 1,000 1,000

Benches 1,600 1,600

Normandy Veterans’ Event 4,600 0

PWRR Freedom March 120 280

Outstanding Invoices 2,485 1,220

General Reserve 73,784 48,924

735,986 727,998

4

FUTURE EVENTS AND NOTES FOR YOUR DIARY

Garden of Remembrance Crosses

War Memorial

August 2012

Wed 15 - V J Day, Garden of Remembrance September 2012 Sun 9 - Battle of Britain Sunday Service, Holy Trinity Church Sat 15 - Battle of Britain Wreath Laying, The Leas Memorial October 2012 Sun 21 - Trafalgar Day November 2012 Sun 4 - Dedication of Garden of Remembrance Sat 10 - Machine Gun Corps Memorial Sun 11 - Remembrance Sunday, the War Memorial, The Leas January 2013 Sun 27 - Holocaust Day

5

THE TOWN COUNCIL’S MISSION

.

THE TOWN COUNCIL’S MISSION The theme for this review and our mission for the future is: “To revitalise our town of Folkestone, restore civic pride and regenerate a community spirit.” We aim to do this by:

• Improving the appearance and quality of the environment in which we live

• Encouraging a greater participation in the governance of our town by all sectors of society

• Working in partnership with Shepway District Council, Kent County Council and other organisations to improve the public services in the town

• Working in partnership with the business and leisure communities to improve the experience of our visitors and thereby encourage the growth of tourism

• Supporting the work of community groups and voluntary organisations with grant aid and co-ordinating their activities to improve the social fabric of our community

• Working in partnership with Shepway District Council’s Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership to reduce the level of crime and anti-social behaviour in the town and encouraging the socially excluded back into the fold

• Sustain the principals of “Quality Council” status, following re-accreditation in December 2010

• Seeking eligibility as a ‘General Power of Competence Council’ in 2012

6

COMMITTEE STRUCTURES 2012/13

The Council’s decision making process operates through a Committee structure:

In all, some 50 Council/Committee meetings were held during the year, together with a wide range of working group meetings.

COUNCIL

18 MEMBERS

COMMUNITY

SERVICES

COMMITTEE

9 MEMBERS

FINANCE AND

GENERAL

PURPOSES

COMMITTEE

9 MEMBERS

PLANNING

COMMITTEE

9 MEMBERS

PERSONNEL

SUB-

COMMITTEE

6 MEMBERS

TOWN HALL

COMMITTEE

7 MEMBERS

7

COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2012/13 Committee meetings are open to the public, who are encouraged to attend and raise questions.

Planning Committee

(Thursdays)

Community Services Committee (Tuesdays)

Finance and General

Purposes Committee Personnel Sub-

Committee (before FC)

Full Council

April 2012

12,26

19

10 (Provisional Town

Meeting)

May 2012

10,24

Friday 11 (Annual Council

Meeting) Civic Centre

June 2012

7,21

12

14

July 2012

5, 19

12

12

August 2012

2,16,30

7

9

September 2012

13, 27

20

20

October 2012

11,25

2

18

November 2012

8,22

27

15

15

December 2012

6,20

13 (Budget)

January 2013

3,7,31

8

10 (Precept Meeting)

February 2013

14,28

21

March 2013

14,28

5

21

21

April 2013

11,25

18

9 (Provisional Town

Meeting)

8

Community Services Committee

Telephone Box at the Harbour

Allotments

Once again this year our limited budget has been carefully monitored and put to good use and causes. We have

supported many local initiatives and festivals in order to promote the Town and aid its move to become a more

healthy and vibrant place to live, work and visit.

Included in these is financial assistance for the following:

• Christmas lights and living nativity in the Town Centre

• Folkestone Hockey & Kwik Cricket training

• Support for Inshore Rescue with regard to training & equipment

• Brown tourism & directional signs have been sited

Folkestone Town Council was happy to report the purchase of the Old Town Hall. Over the past 4 years it has

been a wish of the Heritage Working Group, for the town to have its own museum, included in the

redevelopment of the OTH is the possibility of achieving this dream.

A recent survey by Councillors for salt/grit bins to be sited in strategic areas in good time for next winter was

completed and discussed with KCC highways, it was agreed that six bins be purchased in the first instance.

Large capacity litter bins were also sourced for the seafront area.

We continue to fund flower beds and trees to ensure they are looking their best in all seasons. Allotments rules

have been reviewed and there still remains a long waiting list. Two new benches have been purchased and sited

at the Canterbury Road recreation ground.

A new Armed Forces Working Group was set up, which will support areas of military interest that are not

currently represented.

The Town Crier remains a colourful and popular quarterly newsletter which covers activities of the Town

throughout the year.

Councillor Ann Berry

Chairman

Committee Membership 2011/12: Councillors Ann Berry, Anthony Dunning, Peter Gane, Susan Wallace, Emily

Arnold, Paul Marsh, Pat West, Roger West and Lee Walker.

9

Finance and General Purposes Committee

Band of the Brigade of Gurkha’s

Flower Bed by the Road of Remembrance

The Finance and General Purposes Committee consists of 9 Town Councillors, and meets every eight weeks or

so.

The Committee is responsible for all financial, legal and administrative matters; and in particular the preparation

and regular monitoring of the budget; which is approved by the Full Council at its’ meeting in January of each

year.

In the last financial year the Council’s major project has been the purchase of the Old Town Hall, which was

partly funded by a long term loan, and partly from reserves put aside for that purpose.

The Committee is also responsible for the Town and Ward Grants program from which funds totaling over

£60,000 are available.

The full list of Town and Ward Grants made in 2011/12 is published in this report and via the Council’s website.

Grant application forms and criteria guidance are available online and from the Town Council Office.

The Committee also continued to give financial support to the Folkestone Town Centre Management and

Discover Folkestone.

Councillor Paul Marsh

Chairman

Committee Membership 2011/12: Councillors Tristan Allen, George Bunting, John Collier, Paul Marsh, Alan

North, Martin Salmon, Richard Theobald, Richard Wallace, and Rodica Wheeler.

10

Personnel Sub-Committee

Local children using new play equipment

Armed Forces Day

During the Municipal year 2011-2012, the Sub Committee has met four times to consider a number of issues

relating to staff. Following the Local Elections in May 2011, Councillor Bunting was re-elected as Chairman

and Councillor Copping as Vice Chairman.

The Annual Report on staff sickness was presented to the July meeting and the Committee was pleased to note

the excellent record by staff.

As a Council, we value highly the services of all our staff. However, due to Government restrictions on pay to

public servants, we were not able to award them a pay increase.

Arrangement for the closure of the office over the Christmas and New Year period were agreed.

Consideration was given to taking on an “Apprentice” and agreed. The Council hope to fill this post in late

summer 2012.

The Council has looked at the possibility, in consultation with KCC, of employing a Heritage Officer.

The Town Council is pleased to support the Internship Programme run by the Folkestone School for Girls and in

this respect welcomed a pupil from the school on Wednesdays from September to March.

Other matters discussed during the year included the provision of ID Cards for elected members and staff, also

uniforms for staff.

We would like to conclude by thanking the Town Clerk, Jennifer Childs for her excellent leadership and support

during the year and also to other members of staff for their continued support and help during the year.

Councillor George Bunting

Chairman

Sub Committee members 2011/12: Councillors Emily Arnold, George Bunting, Brian Copping, Anthony

Dunning, Pat West and Roger West.

11

Planning Committee

St Marys and St Eanswythes Church

St Marys and St Eanswythes Graveyard

The Planning Committee meet fortnightly to avoid any application getting through without being reviewed by the

Town Council Recently it has decided not only to forward it’s comments to the Shepway Development Control

Committee as before, but also to put them on the UK Planning and Shepway website under each application

where significant comments have been made. If you feel unhappy about a planning application always look to see

if the Town Council is already objecting and contact us. Better still contact us before we meet, or come to the

Thursday meetings.

Last year the Committee and others fought successfully for the transfer to the community of St Mary’s playing

fields in Shorncliffe Road as part of the Convent redevelopment in Ravenlea Road, but the transfer can only

happen when the Convent itself is developed. Since then it has influenced things less dramatically by, for

example, getting the proposed redevelopment of Park Farm Primary School with 130 houses amended to reduce

the overlooking of Lynwood and to retain more landscaping, or even getting an application for a car parking space

in Canterbury Road refused because of its unpleasant effect on a basement flat. A development of 20 units next to

the Sports Centre in Radnor Park Avenue which FTC felt was far too dense was reduced to 13!

On the wider stage the Planning Committee has put in representations on the Shepway Local Development

Framework. These firstly support retention of the garden squares of Folkestone and secondly protection of the

special semi-rural character of Coolinge Lane, where we objected unsuccessfully during the year to unsuitable

development over the border into Sandgate. Thirdly the Committee made representations for as much as possible

of Ingles Manor and Wyevale Garden Centre, already earmarked for housing and offices, to be saved as a green

lung and a local facility. We continue to put forward specific comments and objections to the development of the

Shorncliffe Barracks site with over a thousand dwellings e.g. that Horn Street Bridge must be totally transformed

first.

The Planning Committee took the first of the many initiatives by Folkestone Town Council to oppose firstly the

removal of pedestrian railings by Kent County Council, which amazingly is still going ahead pending someone

getting hurt or killed, and secondly to oppose the original scheme for parking charges in Folkestone town centre.

The latter campaign where FTC has tried to be thoughtful, detailed and constructive, had started from a position

of powerless pessimism to reach a position of some hope, as it seems certain as I write that the scheme will at

least be watered down to preserve more free parking in the town centre.

Councillor Richard Wallace

Chairman

Committee Members 2011/12: Councillors Tristan Allen, Ann Berry, John Collier, Alan North, Richard

Theobald, Sue Wallace, Richard Wallace, Brian Copping and Lee Walker.

12

STAFFING STRUCTURE 2012/13

During the year the Council appointed well qualified staff to match its approved establishment

Town

Clerk

Community

Development

Officer

(P/T)

Secretary/

Administrative

Assistant

(P/T)

Finance

Officer

Town

Sergeant

Corporate

Support

Officer

(P/T)

13

NEWS IN BRIEF

Old Town Hall

Flower Planter funded by Folkestone Town Council

As we look back on 2011/12

Undoubtedly, the most significant event of the year was sourcing our permanent home following

the successful purchase of the freehold of the Old Town Hall, and after several months of

negotiations with the head lease holder in relation to the building dilapidations, the Town Council

moves into 2012/13 with funding to commence a program of repairs and redevelopments to restore

this Grade II listed building to its former glory, ensuring it is fully accessible and regains its

position as the heart of community and civic life within the town centre.

As a Quality Council, officers have continued to demonstrate that the Town Council deserves its

place in the top 2% of the country’s 9000 local Councils, and I would like to take this opportunity

to thank them all for their dedication, professionalism and team spirit; they are all a real credit to

Council.

Negotiations remained on-going with Shepway District and Kent County Council’s with regard to

the devolution of services such as Folkestone Parks & Pleasure Grounds and the re-housing of the

Folkestone Museum Collection.

The Town Council also continued to support both through partnerships with SDC & KCC and

independently, more services for the town, such as:

- Ornamental flowerbeds and planters (SDC = £28,000)

- Replacement litter bins (SDC = £8,000)

- Tree Planting (KCC = £5,000)

- Various Youth Sports (£12,600)

- Maintenance of Town Clocks (£1,000)

The Town Council’s very successful financial grants system used to stage local key events such as

the Charivari Day, Skabour Festival and the Multicultural Festival continues to go from strength to

strength ensuring the town becomes known as an exciting vibrant festival destination.

The Christmas activities which included extra funding for the new Christmas lighting, decorations

and living nativity, were a real delight and really improved the annual festivities for the Town.

Jennifer Childs

Town Clerk

14

GRANTS AWARDED 2011/12 – Total £116,063.74

ORGANISATION PURPOSE AWARD

Folkestone Town Centre Management Town Centre Manager Support £20,000.00

Folkestone Sports Centre Payment 2 of 5 for Disabled Ramp & Renovations £12,000.00

Folkestone Town Centre Management Discover Folkestone, Hythe & Romney Marsh £10,000.00

Kent County Council Museum £10,000.00

Folkestone Town Centre Management Multi-Cultural Festival £8,500.00

Folkestone Town Centre Management Christmas Lighting £8,000.00

Strange Cargo Charivari Day 2012 £6,000.00

Creative Foundation Book Festival - Schools Gala £5,000.00

Folkestone Churches Winter Shelter Winter shelter project £5,000.00

Folkestone Fringe Festival CIC Skabour Festival 2012 £5,000.00

Harbour Ward Residents Association Raised beds in Harbour Ward £3,000.00

Shepway District Council Oyster roundabout in Pine Way play area £2,495.00

Strange Cargo Arts exhibition £1,500.00

Folkestone Lions Club Boxing Day Dip £1,500.00

Folkestone/Etaples Friendship Link Youth Remembrance Ceremonies in Etaples £1,250.00

East Folkestone Ecumenical Partnership Various Regeneration Projects £1,100.00

Intimations Dance Theatre Easter Holiday Club for 8-12 yrs £1,060.00

Folkestone Harbour Festival Folkestone Harbour Festival £1,000.00

Folkestone Arts Collective Zig Zag Gig £1,000.00

Folkestone Arts Collective Art on the Leas £971.00

Folkestone Sports Centre Trust 2012 Big Picture £800.00

Step Short Folkestone LTD Office equipment for the TIC £750.00

Grand Old Timer Rally Prizes and plaques £750.00

Folkestone Independent Traders Association Website development £750.00

Folkestone Invicta Youth Youth activities £600.00

Folkestone Salvation Army Youth Expansion of the Youth Work Centre £550.00

Folkestone People's History Centre Portable building at the villa dig £500.00

Coolinge Community Club Storage shed and bicycles £500.00

Church Street Project Sandcastle Competition (Judges Fee) £500.00

The Bradstone Association A mural for Bradstone Road £500.00

15

ORGANISATION PURPOSE AWARD

Folkestone Salvation Army Youth Various projects for young people £500.00

Folkestone Art Trust Art Exhibitions £500.00

Go Folkestone Community Gardening Project £500.00

Kent County Council Highways Tree £462.74

St Martin's Church of England Primary School Hindu Festival Celebration £450.00

Kent Highways Salt Bin at Grimston Avenue £350.00

Tyson Road Residents' Association Children's Christmas Party £300.00

11th Folkestone Scout Group Renovation of training room £300.00

Folkestone Carnival Association Regalia for Jayne Riches £250.00

Folkestone Carnival Association Regalia for Veronica Harrison £250.00

Folkestone Carnival Association Regalia for Millie Hoe £250.00

Church Street Project Sandcastle Competition £200.00

Phillip Road Party Team Street Party £200.00

Intimations Dance Theatre Website development £200.00

Folkestone Cricket Club Cricket training for Harry Goodman £140.00

Folkestone Cricket Club Cricket training for Steven Whitby £140.00

Folkestone Cricket Club Cricket training for Max Turbutt £140.00

Folkestone Cricket Club Cricket training for Oliver Ludlam £140.00

Folkestone Cricket Club Cricket training for Gregory Kennedy £140.00

Niamh Gallagher - The Life Foundation Charity trip to Romania £75.00

GRANTS AWARDED 2011/12 – Total £116,063.74

16

OFFICER CONTACTS

Jennifer Childs

Town Clerk

Tel: 01303 257946

Email: [email protected]

Ian Bishop

Town Sergeant

Tel: As above


Phil Cross

Finance Officer

Tel: As above


Georgina Wilson

Secretary/Administrative Assistant

Tel: As above


Toni Brenchley

Corporate Support Officer

Tel: As above


Liz Timmins

Community Development Officer

Tel: As above


17

KNOW YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLOR

Tristan Allen

(Conservative) Flat 6, 20 Marten Road

Folkestone

CT20 2JR

Ward: Park

Telephone: 01303 275557


Anthony Dunning

(Conservative) 323 Canterbury road, Densole

Folkestone

CT18 7BB

Ward: East

Telephone: 01303 894769


Emily Arnold

(Conservative) 1 Palmtree Cottage,

Wingmore

CT4 6LP

Ward: Harvey Central

Telephone: 01227 831510


Peter Gane

(Conservative) 142 Shaftesbury Avenue

Cheriton

CT19 4LX

Ward: Cheriton

Telephone: 01303 276652


Ann Berry

(Conservative) 35 Birkdale Drive

Folkestone

CT19 5LP

Ward: Park

Telephone: 01303 278644


Paul Marsh

(People First) 65 Linden Crescent

Folkestone

CT19 5SB

Ward: Foord

Telephone: 01303 250427


George Bunting

(Conservative) 4 Southmead Close

Folkestone

CT19 5LH

Ward: Harvey West

Telephone: c/o 01303 257946

Alan North

(Conservative) 7 Walton Manor Close

Folkestone

CT19 5QG

Ward: East

Telephone: 07835948117


John Collier

(Conservative) 3 Blenheim Place

Folkestone

CT20 3RJ

Ward: Morehall

Telephone: 01303 255779


Martin Salmon

(Conservative) 43 Links Way

Folkestone

CT19 5LS

Ward: Park

Telephone: 01303 270480


Brian Copping

(People First)

79 Dolphins Road

Folkestone

CT19 5QD

Ward: Foord

Telephone: 01303 253538


Richard Theobald

(Conservative) Prospect House

7 Cliff Road

Folkestone

CT20 2JD

Ward: Harvey Central

Telephone: 01303 211481

Email:[email protected]

18

KNOW YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLOR

Lee Walker

(Liberal Democrat) 31 Burrow Road

Folkestone

CT19 6DH

Ward: Harbour

Telephone: 01303 773146


Rodica Wheeler

(Conservative) Flat 4, 3 Grimston Avenue

Folkestone

CT20 2QE

Ward: Harvey West

Telephone: 01303 220433


Sue Wallace

(Conservative) 33 Penfold Road

Folkestone

CT19 6DG

Ward: Harbour

Telephone: 01303 226775


Patricia West

(Conservative) 9 Fairfax Close

Folkestone

CT20 3SL

Ward: Cheriton

Telephone: 01303 227343


Richard Wallace

(Conservative) 4 Beachborough Road

Folkestone

CT19 4AB

Ward: Morehall

Telephone: 01303 277567

Email:[email protected]

Roger West

(Conservative) 9 Fairfax Close

Folkestone

CT20 3SL

Ward: Cheriton

Telephone: 01303 227343


Annual Report 2012 - Folkestone Town · PDF fileBank and Investment Interest 531 1,150 ......

Documents

Transcript of Annual Report 2012 - Folkestone Town · PDF fileBank and Investment Interest 531 1,150 ......