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 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.

The 2024 Town Forum will be held on 30th April 2024. Further Town Forum 2024 details to follow nearer the time. 

2023 Annual Town Forum

A room filled with people sat on chairs and listening to two people sat on a top table.

The 2023 Annual Town Meeting was held on Tuesday 23rd May 2023 at Crossway Church, Clinton Place, Seaford. It was an opportunity to hear from the Town Clerk Adam Chugg, on key updates and priorities for the year ahead and a chance for questions to be asked – the full presentation can be found here – Town Clerk Town Forum Presentation. The agenda from this meeting can be found here.

The draft minutes of the meeting can be found here Draft Minutes of Seaford Town Forum 2023

Large Grant Recipients

Presentations were given from the groups that received large grants from the Town Council in 2022 – 2023:

Seaford Musical Theatre
Currently stage three shows throughout the year which range from large musicals, smaller musicals, pantomimes and showcases. All of this takes place The Barn Theatre. The large grant received was used to repair/replace the defective flat roof part of the building. They gave a verbal presentation which can be heard on the Town Council’s YouTube video of the meeting, click here.

Citizens Advice Bureau
Help local people either directly, through face-to-face, telephone and email advice or indirectly through our self-help page. The large grant received was used towards running costs to enable it to provide its services in Seaford. Chief Executive, Sarah Archer gave a presentation using the following reports – CAB Report 1CAB Report 2

Seaford Bonfire Society
The Society is open to anyone to join. 260 members of all ages, some active some supporters, the Society also provides support to other community events. The large grant was used to assist with the cost of medical emergency professionals along with the costs towards the event security. They gave a PowerPoint presentation which can be downloaded here – Seaford Bonfire Presentation 2023

The Youth Counselling Project
Provides vital support to young people suffering from a range of conditions including anxiety, eating disorders and self-harming. The large grant was used to provide sessions of wellbeing support and mental health interventions. Each child received 10 face to face sessions with relevant qualified therapists. They gave a verbal presentation which can be heard on the Town Council’s YouTube video of the meeting, click here.

St James’ Trust
Supporting Seaford residents and the wider community, offering a broad range of facilities and hosting a varied collection of clubs and groups. The large grant was used to help fund the use of a minibus. They gave a verbal presentation which can be heard on the Town Council’s YouTube video of the meeting.

St Wilfrid’s Hospice
In Seaford 260 patients were looked after – many cared for at home – nurses and therapists go out and visit people to provide palliative care at home. The large grant was used towards the cost of running its fleet of cars which are used to visit patients in Seaford. They gave a PowerPoint presentation which can be downloaded here – St Wilfrid’s Trust 2023

Cuckmere Buses
Seven buses serving Seaford estates – providing local residents with lots of shopping trips to town. They gave a PowerPoint presentation which can be downloaded here – Cuckmere Buses Presentation 2023

Unfortunately Teddy Treats and Down Syndrome Development Trust were unable to make the 2023 Town Forum, however their presentations can be found here – Down Syndrome Development Trust Presentation 2023 and Teddy Treats Presentation 2023

The Mayor’s Awards 2022/23 were awarded to:

Friend’s of Blatchington Pond – Jean Cash Environment Award
For their work in caring for the Pond and surrounding wildlife.

Two people holding a glass award with a banner in the background which read "Working Together for Seaford"

Miriam Thundercliffe (pictured above with the Mayor of Seaford) – Coastal Environment Champion
For promoting environmental awareness with initiatives such as renaturing of Seaford verges.

Three people holding a glass award with a banner in the background which read "Working Together for Seaford"

Dadventure (Pictured above with the Mayor of Seaford) – Sporting Achievement Award
For rowing an incredible 3000 miles across the Atlantic, raising money for Prostate Cancer UK and the Wolo Foundation.

Two people holding a glass award with a banner in the background which read "Working Together for Seaford"

Gemma McFarlane (pictured above with the Mayor of Seaford) – Seaford Town Hero
For initiatives such as Sharing Skills CIC, the Repair Café, and the Pre-Loved Uniform Exchange.

Three people holding a glass award with a banner in the background which read "Working Together for Seaford"

Youth Counselling Project (pictured above with the Mayor of Seaford) – Community Charity Champion
For the work that it does to help young people in the town who need mental health support.

The Don Mabey Award 2022/23
The Don Mabey Award was introduced in 2014 in memory of Don Mabey MBE, a Freeman of the Town and known to many for the significant work he did for the town and our organisations.

This prestigious Award for 2022/23 was received by Miranda Bearns-Lowles (pictured below with the Mayor of Seaford) for delivering outstanding events for the town including street markets, and this year’s Coronation Festival.

Two people holding a glass award with a banner in the background which read "Working Together for Seaford"

Young Mayor’s Award 2022/23:

The 2022 – 2023 Young Mayor, Erin Franklin, presented her Young Mayor’s Award to Amelia Woodgate (pictured below with the 2022-23 Young Mayor), a volunteer at Seaford Down Syndrome and Special Needs Group. Amelia has volunteered with the Group at Saturday Drop-in’s for a while now. She gives up her time to support not only her sister Charlotte, but also the other children who come. She arrives early and stays throughout the session and assists with pack-away.

Two people holding a glass award with a banner in the background which read "Working Together for Seaford"

Congratulations to all 2022/23 Award recipients and thank you for all your continued hard work for our community.

Past Town Forums

2022 Annual Town Meeting – Minutes DRAFT

2021 Annual Town Meeting – Minutes DRAFT

2020 Annual Town Meeting – Cancelled due to Covid Restrictions – 2020 Virtual Presentations can be viewed here.

2019 Annual Town Meeting – Minutes DRAFT

2018 Annual Town Meeting – Minutes

2017 Annual Town Meeting – Minutes

2016 Annual Town Meeting – Minutes

2015 Annual Town Meeting – Minutes

2014 Annual Town Meeting – Minutes

2013 Annual Town Meeting – Minutes

2012 Annual Town Meeting – Minutes