Seaford Annual Town Meeting

About the Annual Town Meeting

Each year the Town Council facilitates an Annual Town Meeting (also known as the Town Forum). This is a public meeting, not a Town Council meeting, and is a chance for members of the public to ask any questions of the Council and receive updates on the Council’s activities over the previous year.

The event also usually includes presentations from charities and organisations that have received financial grants from the Town Council; giving an insight into how the money has been spent and the benefit this has brought to the town. The Mayor of Seaford will also present the annual Mayor’s Awards, which are given to members of the community or organisations that have worked hard for the benefit of the town or have overcome great barriers. The prestigious Don Mabey Award is also presented; an award first bestowed in 2014 in memory of the late Don Mabey MBE and his services for Seaford. The Don Mabey Award is given to selected residents of the Seaford community for outstanding services to the town of Seaford.

2024 Town Forum

Seaford Town Council hosted another well-attended Town Forum on Tuesday 30th April at Cross Way Church.
The Mayor of Seaford and the Town Clerk) and attendees at the Town Forum 2024
(Image One: The Mayor of Seaford, Olivia Honeyman and the Town Clerk, Adam Chugg)

On arrival, Rhapsody Artist Development showcased their outstanding talents and gave members of the public an up-beat and positive start to the evening.

The Town Council, community groups, and members of the public reflected on the 2023–2024 year and discussed future projects in the town, including: East Sussex County Council’s parking review; Lewes District Council’s Local Plan; 80th year celebration of D-Day; Seaford Town Council’s 25th Anniversary; South Hill Barn development; and working with young people.

Recipients of the Town Council’s Large Grants in 2023 – 2024 were invited to present to the community how grant funds had been spent. Presentations were heard from:
Citizens Advice Bureau – Click to download PowerPoint presentation – Citizens Advice Bureau Presentation
Teddy Treats Children’s Charity – Click to download PowerPoint presentation – Teddy Treats Presentation
St James’ Trust – Verbal presentation
Cradle Hill P.T.F.A – Click to download PowerPoint presentation – Cradle Hill Presentation
Cuckmere Community Bus Ltd – Verbal presentation
Friends of Bishopstone Station – Click to download PowerPoint presentation – Friends of Bishopstone Station Presentation
GIA (Gardening in Action) CIC – Click to download PowerPoint presentation – GIA Presentation
Havens Community Hub – Click to download PowerPoint presentation – Havens Community Hub Presentation
Mercread Youth Centre – Verbal presentation
Seaford Bonfire Society – Click to download PowerPoint presentation – Seaford Bonfire Society Presentation
Care for the Carers – Click to download PowerPoint presentation – Care for the Carers Presentation
The Youth Counselling Project – Verbal presentation
Waves (Seaford) – Click to download PowerPoint presentation – Waves (Seaford) Presentation

The Mayor and Young Mayor of Seaford for 2023–2024 then took the opportunity to celebrate those in the community providing exceptional support and services to people in and around Seaford. The 2023–2024 Young Mayor’s Award went to Roger Daws and Mary Sims from Seaford Youth Forum for their continued commitment to young people in the town.

(Image Two: Centre, Young Mayor of Seaford 2023–2024, Nia Waite, Awardees, Left Roger Daws and Right Mary Sims)

The following Mayor of Seaford’s 2023-2024 awards were presented:
Coastal Environment Champion – Fran Charlton for her tireless work for Plastic Free Seaford and organisation of monthly beach cleans.
Community Charity Champion – Dan Ori for his commitment to the strengthening of community gardening in Seaford, moreover his invaluable support to local organisations and community groups.
Sporting Achievement Award – Lamin Faal for his hard work in highlighting disability football in Seaford to a wider audience and recognition of his achievement in receiving the BBC Sports Personality Unsung Hero South East award.
Sporting Achievement Award – Darren Evans for his extraordinary fundraising for WOLO and his eco-campaigning for sustainable running.
The Don Mabey Award – Gemma McFarlane for tirelessly raising funds, awareness and providing opportunities for The Mercread Youth Centre to keep this valuable community asset running and many other voluntary achievements and support she delivers in the community.

(Image Three: Left, Mayor of Seaford. Right, Coastal Environment Champion, Fran Charlton)
(Image Four: Left, Mayor of Seaford. Right, Community Charity Champion, Dan Ori)

Lamin Faal receiving his award from The Mayor of Seaford. Darren Evans receiving his award from The Mayor of Seaford.

(Image Five) (Image Six)
(Image Five: Left, Mayor of Seaford. Right, Sporting Achievement Awardee, Lamin Faal)
(Image Six: Left, Mayor of Seaford. Right, Sporting Achievement Awardee, Darren Evans)

Gemma McFarlane receiving her award from The Mayor of Seaford.
(Image Seven: Right, Mayor of Seaford. Left, Don Mabey Awardee Gemma McFarlane)