issue 72 - Epsom and Ewell · Epsom Common Day Sunday 29 July Following a community fundraising...

issue 72

Borough

keeping you informed

Managing your parks

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Contact us Introducing your new Mayor 2018-19

visit our website www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk

‘like’ our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EpsomEwellBC

follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/EpsomEwellBC

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Mayor of Epsom & Ewell 2018-19, Councillor Neil Dallen being ‘weighed in’.

Neil Dallen

I am deeply honoured to have been chosen as your Mayor for the year and I’m looking forward to meeting as many of you as I can whilst fulfilling my mayoral duties.

I am passionate about our community and if my presence could support your organisation’s objectives I am happy to take part by giving short talks, presenting certificates, starting or opening an event or simply supporting whatever you are doing.

As Mayor I believe that I have two main duties:

• firstly to support as much community activity as possible, visiting clubs, schools, homes

and anywhere else that will have me,

• secondly to support my three chosen charities, giving them opportunities to raise much needed funds and also to help them raise their profile.

All three charities have a strong presence within the borough, they are:

• Girlguiding UK (Epsom Division)

• Epsom and Ewell Talking Newspapers

• Work Stress Solutions (WSS)

We have already organised a number of fund raising events and hopefully everyone will be able to come along and enjoy at least one of these. For more information see e-Borough Insight and/or go to www.mayorscharitiesepsom.org.uk

One amusing item my charity committee suggested to do was to revive the practice of ‘weighing in’ the Mayor and holding a sweepstake to see how much weight I either lost or gained during my mayoral year. The weighing in has taken place up at the racecourse, with thanks to the Jockey Club and What’s on in Epsom who helped organised it. The picture shows the event!

My theme for the year is hope and I aim to give hope to many youth and disadvantaged individuals and organisations in the borough during my year.

Councillor

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Borough Insight is published by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council for residents and delivered free of charge to households in the borough.

If you have any queries on its contents please contact The Editor, Borough Insight, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, Town Hall, The Parade, Epsom, Surrey KT18 5BY.

Tel: 01372 732000

Email: [email protected]

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Borough Insight is printed on paper from sustainable sources. Please read and recycle this copy.

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Frontline are proud to be working in partnership with Epsom & Ewell Borough Council.

e-Borough Insight

For the latest events, community information and lots more delivered straight to your inbox each month, subscribe to e-Borough Insight at insight.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/subscribe

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Council meetings July - October 2018

All meetings are held at the Town Hall, Epsom and start at 7.30pm unless otherwise stated. Meetings may be cancelled or additional meetings arranged as necessary. To view the full year’s calendar of meetings, download agendas or review minutes of previous meetings visit www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk

Agenda papers are available online to download five clear working days before a meeting and are accessible via the mod.gov app.

For further information please contact Democratic Services on 01372 732000 or email [email protected], quoting the Committee or matter you are interested in - we are always happy to help.

Epsom & Ewell Local Committee (Surrey County Council) meeting: Date: Monday 10 September 2018Time: 7pmVenue: Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell KT17 1UF

Please note the date and venue could be subject to change. Visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/epsomandewell for more details and confirmation of the venue, or contact Nicola Morris on 020 8541 9437 or email [email protected] Follow on Twitter @EpsomLC

July 2018

10 Licensing and Planning Policy Committee

17 Council

19 Planning Committee

26 Strategy and Resources Committee

August 2018

No meeting

September 2018


11 Financial Policy Panel

17 Epsom and Walton Downs Consultative Committee (6pm)

20 Licensing and Planning Policy Committee

25 Strategy and Resources Committee

October 2018


8 Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators (6pm)

9 Community and Wellbeing Committee

23 Environment Committee

29 Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee (10am at Nonsuch Mansion House)

Our main key priorities which form part of our four year Corporate Plan are:

Our key priorities 2016 - 2020

These key priorities are backed up with measurable targets for each of the four years which are published on our website.

Relevant articles within this issue have the above key priorities mentioned so you can identify how we are working towards achieving these targets.

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Keeping our borough clean and green

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Supporting our community

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Managing our resources

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Supporting businesses and our local economy

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Democracy

Bourne Hall Museum History walksThis summer the museum is running its summer walks programme multiple times on different times and on different days.

Ashley Road CemeteryEpsom’s cemetery opened in the Victorian era, with Mrs Beeton’s mother the first person to be officially interred in 1871, but the first burial was much earlier. Discover monuments to people ranging from war heroes to jockeys to politicians and learn why Epsom’s war memorial is situated here rather than in the town centre.

Epsom Common and Spa Discover the ancient village of Stamford and the surrounding area of Epsom Common. Hear how the Common folk made a living and used the Common from brick making to laundry work. Visit the spot where Epsom salts were discovered and hear how Epsom became the place to be and to be seen. Discover how the humble salts started the world’s greatest flat horse race and a battle! Discover Epsom’s lost windmill and racecourse and its Roman past and learn how the Common played an important part in WW2.

Epsom’s oldest roadExplore Epsom’s ancient heart. Originally the centre of Epsom village, it became one of the finest addresses in town. Discover

the oldest surviving residential building and the site of Epsom’s own brewery. See the parish church, mentioned in the Domesday Book and the grand houses once inhabited by Epsom’s lords and ladies. Learn about Epsom’s educational past at the old Technical Institute building and the importance of the fire station in WW2.

Chalk Lane to World’s EndThis is a fascinating part of old Epsom visited by kings. Discover Highgate House and its resident ghost together with other grand houses including Maidstone House and Woodcote House. See The Durdans, home to both a prime minister and a lady obsessed with gypsies and discover pubs past and present and the impact that both World Wars had on this tranquil part of town.

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WalkWalk

Walks cost £5 per person and comprise small groups so must be pre-booked. To book contact David Brooks at Bourne Hall Museum, email: [email protected] phone: 0208 394 1734 or visit What’s On at www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk

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Nonsuch ParkA guided walk around the park exploring the history of the beautiful landscape. See where the original palace once stood and how it dominated the local area. From the ruins of the banqueting hall, hear stories of luxurious palaces, ambitious royalty, lost churches and lingering ghosts. Listen to tales of battles and how a Queen once came to tea.

South Street and Dorking RoadFrom Pepys to Constable, from Lord Rosebery to the Rolling Stones, find out about people who are associated with Beccon Soales Lane (as it was once known). Discover the secrets of the Workhouse and Poor House. Learn about mansions at the Clock House, the Hylands, House and Woodcote Hall - and vanished public houses including the splendours of the New Inn.

Horton and the Manor Hospital Uncover the medieval landscape of Horton and the long-forgotten moated manor house and ancient

barn. See how the landscape was affected by the Victorian policy of keeping patients with mental illnesses out of sight and how the mental hospitals changed Epsom forever. Hear how important the Manor Hospital was in WW1 and how the nursing staff dealt with a V1 in the Second. See where the last defence line to defend London was built against German invasion.

Horrible EwellOur most popular history walk, re-run by demand! Discover Ewell’s dark past and the tales that some would rather forget. Learn about exploding gunpowder mills and tread in the footsteps of the body-snatchers. Hear stories of witches, tragic coach crashes and folk who won’t stay dead!

Epsom DownsDiscover the history of the various grandstands and what part the Downs have played in wartime, from the English Civil War to the Battle of Britain. The racecourse and the Downs were saved by the actions of one man during WW2, learn who and how. Hear tales of the Derby, Gypsies, pubs and ghosts!


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After dark bat walk Saturday, 8 September

£5 per adult, £2.50 per child

Meet at dusk to find out more about the lives of these fascinating flying mammals that live on Epsom Common. Bring a head torch/torch and wrap up warm! Sorry, no dogs allowed on this walk. This is a popular event so early booking advised - 01372 732000. Meet at the Stew Pond car park off Christchurch Road (B280).

Round the Borough Hike Saturday, 8 September

The popular 20 mile challenge is a circular route around a mostly ‘green corridor’ through the borough, starting and finishing in Horton Country Park. There’s no rush; take your time to enjoy the lush surroundings, stopping off at local hostelries or coffee shops. As well as the signs, the maps and the smartphone apps, for the day, the route is fully marshalled so you can’t get lost!

Walk more...

Free

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Dear diaryEwell Village fareSaturday 14 July

The annual event takes place around the village and is based in the grounds of Ewell Castle School. Arena events include Ewell St Mary’s Morris Men, the Southern Golden Retriever Dog Display Team, the Paladins of Chivalry and much more. There will also be a variety of sideshows and stalls including a baking competition, pony rides, bouncy castle and Punch and Judy. Hot and cold lunches, a BBQ, a beer tent, soft drinks, cakes and ice

Epsom Common DaySunday 29 July

Following a community fundraising drive, Epsom Common Day is back for 2018 as part of the Epsom Spa 400 anniversary.

Epsom Common is enjoyed by walkers, runners, cyclists and horse-riders alike. There is an abundance of wildlife across the 176 hectare local nature reserve, so there’s no better place to host a unique fun day rooted in the woodlands and its wildlife.

There will be live music, stalls and family attractions on Stamford Green as well as a scavenger hunt on the Common. Guaranteed to be fun for all ages, from young explorers who want to learn more about animals and their habitats, to adults who fancy giving woodturning a go!

And with the Epsom Common Club and two family friendly pubs, The Cricketers and The Jolly Coopers, a stone’s throw away from the event, there will be plenty of opportunity to relax afterwards!

Summer activitiesWe’re putting the finishing touches to our summer holidays listing of activities taking place in and around the borough for the under 18’s. The guide is stuffed full and will be available to download from our website

www.espsom-ewell.gov.uk/summeractivities

Epsom Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival Saturday 6 – Sunday 14 October www.epsommentalhealthweek.org.uk

Coming soon…Nonsuch Park Awareness Day - Sunday 9 September

Stay up to date with What’s On throughout the year at www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @EpsomEwellBC

cream will ensure your appetites will be sated!

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Epsom Playhouse, Ashley Avenue, Epsom, KT18 5AL Box Office: 01372 742555 / 742227 www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk

Summer is upon us, as is the wonderful, diverse world of summer theatre. At the Epsom Playhouse, there’s drama, song and stagecraft.

The Singular Exploits of Sherlock HolmesWednesday 18 July

The world famous consulting detective is coming to Epsom this month!

Conan Doyle’s first story about the exploits of Sherlock Homes was published in 1887. Holmes was instantly popular and the author penned a further 55 short stories and four novels. However, the stories of Holmes were to continue after the author’s demise. Such is the affection for the literary detective, his partner in detection Dr John Watson and his arch nemesis, James Moriarty, that they have subsequently appeared in new adventures in books, in film, within computer games and on television.

While millennials will be more familiar with the modern interpretations from Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller, others will consider Jeremy Brett or Basil Rathbone the quintessential Sherlock Homes.

Now actor Jonathan Goodwin joins the canon, playing the great sleuth in a critically acclaimed stage play. The show features the great detective recounting highlights

of his crime-busting career. It includes autobiographical snippets concerning his life and times, the adversaries he has faced and mysteries he has solved. There’s a touch of audience participation and an obvious real understanding and affection for the character.

This is a new approach to a well-loved subject and your decision to go and see it should be elementary…

Lee Mead - The Anniversary TourSunday 29 July

Unbelievably, it is ten years since Lee Mead won the BBC Saturday night prime time casting show Any Dream Will Do, to take the lead in a West End production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

In the decade, Lee has managed to successfully

combine music with stage and screen with roles in Holby City and

Casualty, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Legally Blonde,

Wicked, West End Men, Phantom of the Opera and of course his iconic starring role in Joseph, along with live music tours and albums.

Now to mark the last ten years,

Lee has released a new album and is undertaking a celebratory tour, featuring musical highlights from the last decade.

Summer schoolEduStage teach young people the skills involved in musical theatre

performance through original musicals and drama workshops.

This summer, EduStage are running two creative weeks of rehearsals and performance at the Epsom Playhouse. Working with professional directors, participants will do drama, games and sing songs from West End shows. Students will also be given the opportunity to act, sing and dance in an original musical to be performed on the main stage at the Epsom Playhouse, with sound, lights and costumes. No experience is necessary.

The first week (starting Monday 31 July) is for 8 to 12 year olds. The second week (commencing 6 August) is for teenagers aged 13 to 17 (12 year olds may take part in either or both workshops).


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It’s elementary

Find us on@EpsomPlayhouse

Dear diary

Over 30 nations declared war between 1914 and 1918. The majority joined on the side of the Allies, including Britain, Russia, France, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Japan and the USA. They were opposed by Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, who together formed the Central Powers. When the British Empire entered the war, it became a truly global conflict, fought on a geographical scale never seen before.

By the autumn of 1918, the German Empire was in a desperate position and many knew that the war was not winnable. The Imperial Navy wanted to engage the Royal Navy in a decisive battle but on 3 November

1918, the sailors of Germany’s High Seas Fleet staged the Kiel Mutiny. The revolt spread through all of Germany and, within a few days, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated. On 10 November, as unrest and rioting spread throughout their home

country, Paul von Hindenburg, Chief of the General Staff, gave instructions to the German delegation: they were to agree to an armistice on any terms.

Germany surrendered at 11am on November 11 1918, and all participants agreed to stop fighting while the terms

of peace were negotiated. On 28 June 1919, Germany and the Allied Nations signed the Treaty of Versailles, formally ending the war.

Marking the end

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Unlike when they left to great public acclamation (above residents cheer volunteers in Epsom being taken

to sign on in Kingston) the troops returned to a much sombre welcome.

The First World War was just that. What had begun as a small conflict in the Balkans became a war between empires in Europe and beyond. Fighting occurred not only on the Western Front but in eastern and southeast Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The war claimed up to 13 million lives and destroyed empires.

Marking the end

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Dog gate memorial

Celebrating the end of WW1Sunday 23 September A day at Bourne Hall celebrating the end of First World War

In the morning Bourne Hall Museum will be giving some idea of what life was like for the men at the front with demonstrations and re-enactors.

Concert and picnicThere will be a celebration concert in the afternoon, rejoicing in the end of the war. Organised by the Royal British Legion and featuring local bands and singers, the concert will climax in a singalong of the greatest hits of the time. Bring along your picnic, dust off your Union Jack blanket and join in!

Entry will be by £2 donation to the Royal British Legion.

Sunday 11 NovemberBattle Over, an event to commemorate the end of the First World War

The borough will be joining communities across the UK and the Commonwealth, as we light a brazier at 7pm in the grounds of Bourne Hall to symbolise the lights coming on in Europe after their going out in 1914.

The event will be supported by Epsom and Ewell Male Voice Choir and will conclude with the Last Post.

Epsom’s last fallen Trooper Frederick Watkins of the 20th Hussars was killed in action on 7 November 1918 at Avesnes-Le-Sec, France.

Frederick lived in the borough and worked at Long Grove Hospital on the estate’s light railway.

As a reservist, he was recalled to the colours at the very beginning of the war. He had served four years, two months on the Western Front before he was killed. He was 32 years old.

We have selected Bourne Hall Park as the focus of our activities because there are alternative facilities should the weather be inclement and because adjacent to Dog Gate is the borough’s oldest WW1 memorial.

The memorial tablet bears the names, ranks and units of 80 Ewell men. It started life as a war shrine attached to the Watch House during the war. Names were added as the individuals were officially confirmed dead. It is therefore unusual, as most memorials were erected after the war with the names in alphabetical order. The tablet was repositioned to its present location in the 1960s.

On Wednesday 7 November 2018 Bourne Hall Museum will be holding a commemoration in Epsom Market Place to remember the last local man to fall in action in the Great War.


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A morning in the life of our

5.20am Peter arrives at the Old Paddock to collect a patrol vehicle. All is quiet but there is plenty to get done during the first hour of the morning. The first job of the day is to unlock all the access gates.

6.15am After taking a short patrol, Peter positions himself at the milepost at the top of the Sand Gallop. This is an ideal location as it is an intersection for both the racehorses and the public. Peter’s role for this part of the morning will be to take an overview on the Gallops. In particular, the Downskeepers will be looking for

dogs who are not on leads and for anyone breaking the byelaws, such as flying kites (which could scare the horses) before midday.

6.30am The second Downskeeper, Ashley, arrives at the Old Paddock, collects his vehicle and heads to the Downskeepers’ Hut. After collecting his radio he heads off to marshal the Gallops on Six Mile Hill. It is not long before a sting of seven horses travel by at high speed along the Poly Track. Ashley asks two joggers to pause as the horses pass by, they are happy to oblige.

Bob, the Head Downskeeper, arrives at the hut and switches on his radio. He is now in direct contact with the team and can assist in an emergency. Bob reviews his emails and checks for any issues which may have occurred the previous day.

8.40am Peter notices something which doesn’t appear quite right at the furthest point on the Sand Gallop; there is a string of four horses approaching at speed, the first of which is without its rider.

Epsom Downs is private land, with the public granted certain access rights by an act of Parliament. Racehorse training takes priority over all other users until midday. The council team are part funded by the other owners of the land including the racecourse and the racehorse trainers.

Downskeeper team

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A morning in the life of our

Peter immediately puts a call through on the radio “loose horse at the milepost”. He makes the public stand clear and requests that they pay attention to the unfolding situation, as no one can predict what might happen next. Peter knows from experience that the horse is travelling too fast to attempt to make a waving block with his arms. The horse fails to stop at the end of the gallop and rides straight in to the protective rail which immediately gives way. The impact is enough to make the horse stop in its tracks and Peter tentatively moves in to take the loose horse’s reigns. As he does so Ashley arrives in the second patrol vehicle, and heads straight ahead to establish the condition of the rider. Thankfully she’s fine, just a little winded. With the horse and

rider reunited calm returns and the Downskeepers return to their positions.

10am With the Derby approaching fast, Bob is mindful that many grounds maintenance tasks still need to be undertaken to make the 600 acres of chalk grass downland, look their best. He swaps places with Ashley on the Gallops. Ashley heads down to the Hut, puts on his personal protective equipment and heads along the Tattenham Corner Road to strim the grass between the wooden posts.

10.30am As a rider passes Peter, he highlights a problem at the start of the Wax Gallop. Peter informs Bob that he is leaving his position and, on arrival, finds a stubborn racehorse and an exasperated rider. “He isn’t going anywhere”, the rider pronounces. Peter calmly approaches the horse and takes the reigns beside the horse’s mouth. He turns the horse away from the direction of the Gallop, moves him towards an open area and gives him a big handful of lush grass. With a few more calm words Peter turns the horse back towards the Gallop firstly walking and then breaking in to a jog with horse in hand. At this point the rider takes control, gives a shout of “thanks buddy” and proceeds on his way.

11.15am The landline in the hut rings and is answered by Bob. The caller is reporting a tree has fallen and blocked the path of a hack ride through the Beech Wood.

11.30am While Bob prepares a site risk assessment for the use

of chainsaws, Ashley loads the open back van with the chainsaw, signage and personal protective equipment. As Ashley and Peter head in to the Beech Wood, a pair of Roe deer bound across the track in front of them stopping briefly to eye up the van.

Ahead a large sycamore has fallen blocking the path. The tree has come to rest fully on the ground and none of the other surrounding trees have been damaged. The Downskeepers put the warning signs out, with Peter acting as the banksman. Ashley starts cutting the tree in to more manageable pieces. Within an hour they have made a wonderful wildlife habitat out of a log pile and the track is once again accessible.

Peter, as the early man now finishes his shift but the work continues. Carol will be working the late shift and she will be here until the Downs is once again secured at around 9pm this evening.


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Thank you!Back before we launched kerbside recycling in 2003 all of your waste - refuse included - went into a single, 240-litre bin collected each week. Over the years we’ve grown your recycling capacity and last year’s Big Switch gave you more recycling capacity than ever.

Simply Weekly RecyclingIt is now a year since we launched Simply Weekly Recycling to houses. We called it ‘The Big Switch’.

So what have you done with all of this extra recycling capacity? We’ve been looking at how much more dry recycling we’ve collected since the Big Switch took place (glass, paper, card, cartons, cans and plastics - the collections we changed with Simply Weekly Recycling).

more dry recycling collected in July 2017 compared with July 2016. The Big Switch worked straight away! Immediate 15% jump for dry recycling collections in the first full month of operation in July 2017

of recycling collected from July 2017 to April 2018 And the trend continues, we have collected almost 1,100 tonnes more recycling that we’d never collected before.

So a big thank you goes to everyone who recycles with us, including those flats who received an upgrade to their services in our final, flats phase of the Big Switch in November and December - check your bin labels and new leaflets for what you can recycle now.

Some astonishing facts:

more dry recycling collected in April 2018 compared to April 2017.

The highest single monthly increase we’ve ever seen!

more in December 2017 and a whopping 31% more in January 2018 than the previous year. There was also a 9% increase in food waste recycled. You may remember, that we focussed on recycling collections only over Christmas and didn’t collect refuse at all during the Christmas week.

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Using your bins

To remind you how easy it is to recycle, here’s our handy guide to Simply Weekly Recycling.

And if you have a garden you might like to subscribe to our fortnightly garden waste recycling service. 240-litre garden waste bins currently cost £56.50 each per year, or £51.50 per year if paid by Direct Debit.

You can get full details of our services, check your collection day and join our garden waste recycling service at www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/recycling

And remember... ...for items too large to fit in your bin you can recycle at Surrey County Council’s Community Recycling Centre (CRC) in Blenheim Road, Epsom. We know that there has been a lot of talk about charges to recycle at the CRC. But in fact they only charge for hardcore, rubble, plasterboard and tyres. Most waste can still be taken to the CRC for free. In any event please don’t be tempted to put these materials in your household recycling bin - they can’t be separated out for recycling by the sorting companies who deal with our missed recycling, and will just add to the overall cost of collections.


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Where does this leave us, and what do we do next? Well, despite these tremendous numbers and over a thousand extra tonnes of dry recycling coming out of Simply Weekly Recycling, we didn’t hit the 53% overall recycling rate that we had hoped for. Partly because of the cold snap in February and March - which had a huge impact on garden waste recycling - we ended 2017/18 at just over 51% recycling.

So our task for this year is to push recycling up further. Recycling has increased and refuse has reduced (despite us moving refuse to weekly collections with the Big Switch). But some other Surrey councils hit over 55% - some over 60%. We’ll be out and about during the year, talking to residents and helping those who don’t yet maximise their recycling services.

April was a simply wonderful start to 2018/19, and we’d like to aim for 54% recycling this year. With your help, we believe we can do it.

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This council was one of the first local authorities to have its Revenue Support Grant (RSG) funding from government completely withdrawn last year. In 2019/20 the council is facing paying central government a tariff (the equivalent of a 10% increase in council tax) because, councillors believe, the council is deemed financially well run and able to cope with such a charge.

RSG - which is a grant from central government to fund local authorities - was slashed in 2016/17 as plans to change the way councils are financed got underway. In December 2017 councils received four-year spending agreements from central government designed to provide them with funding certainty to 2020. However, as well

as reducing to zero the borough council’s RSG, the agreement included the negative RSG funding for the first time.

Councillor Eber Kington, Chairman of Strategy and Resources committee said “This decision to tax our residents under the name of negative RSG has been around for some time, but Ministers have never provided the justification for such a blatant money grab.

“To put this figure in context, £625,000 equates to what we currently spend on our social centres and the support we give to local voluntary groups”.

In Surrey, the county council is headlining a pilot to retain business rates from this year, how much the

borough council will receive is still not known.

Councillor Eber Kington is concerned that, in Epsom and Ewell, the government is giving a small amount, in retained business rates, and taking far more back to be redistributed to other, less efficient, authorities. He said “we should not be placed in a position of having to find alternative ways to retain and improve our services because we are funding the provision of services by other local councils”.

The council has written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government asking the Government to revisit its plans to charge Epsom & Ewell Borough Council £625,000 per year from 2019/20.

Penalisedfor good financial management

Councillor Eber Kington, Strategy and Resources Committee Chairman


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Our Environmental Health team have been working with businesses to try and improve food hygiene standards. A number of businesses who had continually been underperforming were approached and offered coaching sessions to help them meet food hygiene legislation.

Environmental Health Officers subsequently undertook unannounced food hygiene inspections at these businesses one month after coaching sessions had finished. All of the businesses who participated in the project achieved a 3 or a 4 in the rating scheme.

Two businesses that have slowly improved over the years and undertook the coaching now enjoy a higher rating. They are Top Chef

in Waterloo Road and Khans in Upper High Street.

All food outlets in the UK are inspected and the results published on-line at ratings.food.gov.uk. You can also check the premises window for a black and green sticker, however displaying the rating is not compulsory and those with poor ratings tend not to display them.

By operating in an educative role, we are demonstratively making a positive impact. Along with our inspection regime this protects the public by reducing the risk of food poisoning to customers. Only if there is an imminent danger to public health does the council have the power to temporarily close an establishment.

Huge improvement in food hygiene

A record number of restaurants, cáfes and takeaways in Epsom and Ewell have received the top rating for food hygiene. In total 463 food outlets in in the borough are now rated higher than 3 (adequate) under the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. 235 establishments are rated 5 (very good). Compared with a year ago there are now 50% fewer rated below 3.


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Mr Cai Yu from Top Chef said,

“…the hygiene training sessions have been extremely useful and educational. Our hygiene rating has improved…”

Mr Abdul Hafiz from Khans commented,

“After the project all of the staff take food hygiene seriously and they feel more comfortable about the inspections. The customers will be happier and more confident in us.

I would suggest to other businesses to get involved in similar projects as it will really help them.”

News

While we have been formulating the Local Plan for Epsom and Ewell, the government has, over the last six months, come up with a series of ideas to tackle the national housing crisis. Notably they have also determined that this borough requires an additional 579 houses a year - 11,580 over the next twenty years.

Last autumn, we carried out a public consultation. We were seeking the views of residents and communities on where any future housing could be best located. We have also been speaking with other parties, including landowners and developers.

Building new housing, especially at the levels suggested by government, along with the required infrastructure, will change the borough. While we believe that these changes can be positive - bringing improvements to how the borough looks; better transport; new employment opportunities; enough school places for our children; and new homes for future generations, we understand the concerns of residents. In our consultations, several clear messages have been received, not

least the desire to keep as much open green space as possible.

Some residents have suggested that we ignore the government target. However the government has stated that councils who fail to meet government targets in their local plans will be stripped of their right to decide what will be built within their areas, with government inspectors making decisions instead.

We had planned on moving to the next stage of the Local Plan process this spring, however because of the new targets proposed by government and because of the feedback received from you in the consultation, we need to take more time on this piece of work. This will include a new borough-wide masterplan, providing a clear visual

interpretation of how Epsom and Ewell will develop and change over the next two decades. It will illustrate the new types of housing that will be built as we respond to the government’s housing target and will help your local representatives remain in control of how the borough grows.

We are currently reworking the Local Plan timetable - including when we submit the plan for government assessment. The assessment will be held in public and, at the public hearing residents will have a further opportunity to express their views.


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Local Planan updateAs we have reported in previous issues of Borough Insight, we are currently in the process of reviewing our Local Plan. This is a statutory requirement to identify where future development will take place in the borough over the next twenty years.

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a difference

Next May, local elections will be held for borough councillors who will hold office until 2023.

Over recent years, the role of councils has changed. Local Authorities have additional responsibilities, such as improving the health and well-being of local people, community safety and crime reduction, usually achieved through partnership working with various agencies such as the police, health services and voluntary and community groups. As a local councillor, you may have opportunities to represent the local area on partnership boards or other bodies influencing the local agenda on such matters.

Local Government in Surrey is part of the two-tier system. Notwithstanding the changing role of local government, there are certain matters for which we have specific responsibility, and can deliver specific outcomes. There are certain matters for which the Council does not have responsibility, but can try to influence. For example, if it is repairs to the highways, street lighting, school places, transport services or social services, these are the responsibility of Surrey County Council. If it is rubbish collections,

local licensing or planning issues, local parks or nature reserves, then we have direct control.

If you decide you want to put yourself forward as a candidate, this can be as a representative of a political party or group or as an independent candidate. The “Be a Councillor” website is a great source of information and the booklet “Stand for What You Believe In” contains useful contacts.

Ultimately, unless running for office independently, it is up to the local political organisation or group to decide whether to select you as a candidate.

Residents Associations eegra.org.uk

Conservative Party www.epsomconservatives.org.uk

Labour Party www.epsomandewell-labour.org.uk

Green Party surrey.greenparty.org.uk

Liberal Democrats epsom-ewell-libdems.org.uk

You might like to get involved with a local organisation as soon as possible. This will help you find out more about what the role entails, whom you will be working with and the commitment involved

in running for office. Whether running independently or for a local party or group, over the course of an election campaign candidates will be challenged by the electorate on their opinions and stance on issues of local importance.

This role gives you the chance to make a significant difference to quality of life for people in your local area.

MakeWhat matters to you in the borough? Is it the state of local parks, the need for more activities for young people, improving services for older people or ensuring that local businesses can thrive? Whatever it is, you could be just the person to help shape the future of local services by becoming a Borough Councillor.

We are holding an open evening on 16 October 2018 to explain, in a bit more detail, how to stand for election and what to expect if you are successful. Register to attend at epsom-and-ewell-councillor.eventbrite.co.uk

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Our bodies are 60% water and proper hydration is essential for our overall health. The fluid we consume optimises blood pressure, regulates body temperature, lubricates joints, moves waste out of the body and aids in digestion.

When the normal water content of the body is reduced, it upsets the balance of minerals (salts and sugars) in the body, which affects the way it functions. Symptoms of mild dehydration can include headache, thirst, and it can even affect how we feel and think. Mild dehydration is also associated with impaired concentration, poor decision making, reduced skill and accuracy, irritability and tiredness, and can be worsened in warm environments. If left untreated, severe dehydration can be serious and cause fits (seizures), brain damage and death.

As such, maintaining good hydration can contribute towards wellbeing, productivity and positivity in both, the workplace and at home.

Some of the early warning signs of dehydration include:

• feeling thirsty and lightheaded

• a dry mouth

• tiredness

• having dark coloured, strong-smelling urine

• passing urine less often than usual

Dehydration is usually caused by not drinking enough fluid to replace what we lose. The climate, the amount of physical exercise you are doing (particularly in hot weather) and your diet can contribute to dehydration.

If you’re dehydrated, drink plenty of fluids such as water, diluted squash or fruit juice. These are much more effective than large amounts of tea or coffee. Fizzy drinks may contain more sugar than you need and may be harder to take in large amounts.

Here are some simple ways to keep your fluid levels up throughout the day:

• Carry a water bottle, and if you have a desk job, always keep one at your desk. If you have a bottle within arm’s reach, it’s very likely that you’ll mindlessly sip from it throughout the day, without having to make a conscious effort.

• When you’re feeling frazzled or hazy, grab a glass of cold water. Studies show that people instantly feel more alert after drinking H2O. It’s a simple, healthy way to snap out of a midday slump.

• Sip on a mug of herbal tea in the evening. If you make this a habit, you’ll add extra fluid to your tally every single day. On top of that, this relaxing ritual is a way to de-stress at the end of the day.

• Eat a diet rich in whole foods. By eating water-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, and yogurt, you’ll automatically up your fluid intake.

See your GP if your symptoms continue, despite drinking plenty of fluids, or if you think your baby or toddler is dehydrated.

Summer If it feels like we’ve been waiting all year for summer...well, we have! The sun is finally out, the grass is green and we’re ready to partake in all those outdoor picnics, hikes and perfect pool afternoons that we’ve dreamed about all winter. But as the mercury rises, you need to pay close attention to one important aspect of your health: your hydration.

hydration

Lord Rosebery (former Prime Minister, millionaire racehorse owner, philanthropist and long-time Epsom resident) gifted the Council 12 acres of land, the ‘Common Fields’, in September 1913, as ‘proof of his deep and abiding affection for Epsom’.

Pond lifeIt was, he proposed, to be maintained and used as a free and open space forever as ‘a public pleasure ground for the resort and recreation of the inhabitants of Epsom’.

Conjecture that Rosebery’s generosity had, in part, been to prevent a mooted, potentially noisy, high street relief road passing through the area and close to the home of his daughter, was reinforced by some of the stipulations on the gift, including that there could be no steam roundabouts or boisterous games played in Rosebery Park, as it was subsequently named.

The area had always been a bit marshy as water flows down from what is now Mounthill Gardens, which is probably why the area was not built on as the town grew. We do not know if the pond was here before the park, but we do know that the pond was extended in 1914 as the park was developed. Since that time, generations have enjoyed it and the waterfowl it attracts.

The pond is an iconic part of the park but 100 years had taken its toll. A couple of years ago it became apparent that the council’s routine maintenance was not enough. The edges of the pond were being undermined and the banks were in danger of collapse.

When repair work got underway at the start of the year and the pond drained, it revealed that the damage was far worse than anticipated. Also there had been a huge build-up of silt, which had to be safely disposed of.

As specified by Lord Rosebery when he gave the land, the council is accountable to maintain this valued asset, and it is in this spirit the pond has now been expertly repaired and refurbished.

Don’t let them eat bread

In the past, giving a few stale crusts to the ducks was a bit of a ritual. However we have had a number of residents pointing out the wide ranging

detrimental impact of a largely bread based diet on ducks and waterfowl.

• ducks and geese need a varied diet to be healthy, bread doesn’t have much nutritional value and fills ducks up so they don’t forage for foods they would naturally eat, which can lead to malnutrition and other disorders

• mouldy bread can cause a lung condition in birds that is contracted from inhaling fungi spores

• uneaten bread can encourage pests such as rats

• a heavy carbohydrate diet creates excessive amounts of bird droppings which can reduce water quality, spreads disease and encourages the growth of harmful algae in the water.

The RSPB and others recommend feeding waterfowl:

o seedless grapes that have been cut in half

o cracked corn, oats and other grains

o peas or sweetcorn (fresh, tinned or defrosted)

o chopped lettuce

o diced cucumber

o duck and swan food that has been specially formulated for waterfowl, available from local pet shops and on the internet and it even floats so the ducks can find it more easily!


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A world-recognised event, the Satisfied Eye International Film Festival (SEIFF) is destined to be an inspiring and unforgettable experience for all!

Launching this October, the annual festival will be held at venues including the Epsom Playhouse, the Ashley Centre, Epsom Square and Epsom Racecourse.

A true celebration of film, SEIFF will present a diverse programme of only the highest quality feature films, animation, documentaries and short films from dozens of countries around the world.

The festival includes a fun-packed weekend of screenings, workshops, Q&As, entertainment for families and children, great food and a few

surprise guests.

Closing with a gala red carpet awards ceremony at the Queen’s Stand, awards will be presented by a panel of Oscar, BAFTA and Emmy winners.

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Council support

We support Satisfied Eye and, as well as being proud to host the International Film Festival, we’ve instigated a range of initiatives to facilitate the aims of the organisers.

All films for public presentation must have a certificate grading (U, PG, 12 etc). These films have been classified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). As part of the film festival we are expecting a wide range of films which may not have been exhibited nationwide previously. Where these have not been graded by the BBFC, then as the responsible licencing authority, we have to undertake this role.

Earlier this year, following public consultation, we introduced a new policy to enable us to fulfil this task. We will be using the guidelines provided by the BBFC and national guidance to ensure the films are rated appropriately for the viewing public.

To find out more, get involved and be first to receive notification when tickets become available and gain advance access to numerous events, go to www.seiff.shp.media


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Like Cannes, only cooler. And with fewer yachts.

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issue 72 - Epsom and Ewell · Epsom Common Day Sunday 29 July Following a community fundraising...

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