27th October 2022

On 2nd February 2022 the Government published its Levelling Up White Paper which laid out an agenda for tackling inequality across the country. It outlined the future landscape for devolution … READ MORE

New Fire Chief to the rescue

BUSINESS COUNCIL EDUCATION

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service have appointed Dan Quin as their new permanent Chief Fire Officer. Dan has been acting-up as Chief Fire Officer since June 2022, prior to that … READ MORE

Surrey Skills at the Summit

Surrey County Council launches Surrey Skills Plan at Skills Summit November 10. A landmark event in Surrey next month will bring together education providers and businesses in a bid to … READ MORE

COUNCIL CRIME

Safer nights in Epsom in sights

COMMUNITY EDUCATION TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s (EEBC) Environment and Safe Communities Committee approved the allocation of a grant for plans to improve safety in the area. – Tuesday 18 October -. … READ MORE

NEWS

Was this why she was in Epsom Saturday?

October 25, 2022

Epsom and Ewell Times did not know Gina Miller, who visited The Market Square Saturday*, was going to announce yesterday her intention to stand against Chris Grayling MP at the … READ MORE

ARTS CULTURE

Milton Impossible finally accomplished in Epsom

October 25, 2022

Epsom Playhouse‘s capacity audience had patiently waited 12 months after Milton Jones show was postponed in 2022. The King of the One-Liners rewarded their forbearance with his unstoppable flow of … READ MORE

ARTS CULTURE

D-jangling Jazz in Epsom

October 25, 2022

The London Django Collective (LDC) charmed the capacity audience at Epsom Jazz Club on Tuesday 18th October sweeping all along with their infectious enthusiasm for Gypsy Jazz, playing fabulous versions … READ MORE

Surrey’s Safe Drive Stay Alive returns

To Dorking Halls next month, for its first live performances in three years. The live show has been performed in front of 190,000 young people between the ages of 16-19 … READ MORE

COUNCIL HEALTH

Surrey’s challenges with social care

COMMUNITY HEALTH VOLUNTEERS

Surrey County Council must work closely with independent care providers to meet the challenges facing social care and continue to improve choice for residents, Surrey’s new director of adult social … READ MORE

National Polio Day marked in Epsom

Gina Miller supported Epsom Rotary‘s fight against rising cases of Polio. Today is National Polio Day and on Saturday local Rotarians were raising awareness in Epsom’s Market Square. They raised … READ MORE

RUGBY SPORTS

The Agony and the Ecstasy

ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT RFC 31 – SUTTON & EPSOM RFC 29 – 22nd October. This was Sutton & Epsom’s first ever match against Royal Wootton Bassett RFC. Both clubs were … READ MORE

COMMUNITY COUNCIL HEALTH

Benches mark the victims of Co-Vid across the Borough

October 23, 2022

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is installing 14 memorial benches across the Borough to commemorate all the lives lost in the Covid-19 pandemic. Metal benches have been placed at Alexandra … READ MORE

CRIME NEWS

Indecent images end policeman’s career

A former Surrey Police special constable will never be in the profession again after failing to report unwanted illegal indecent images. According to an accelerated misconduct hearing outcome posted on … READ MORE

ARTS EDUCATION

Inspirational Surrey Syrian awarded

COMMUNITY EDUCATION SPORTS

Surrey Arts inclusion music teacher Raghad Haddad has won the Inspirational Music Leader Award at the Youth Music Awards 2022. Raghad received her award on 19 October in Troxy London … READ MORE

Anyone for tennis and computers?

Pupils at Shawley Community Primary Academy Epsom Downs will put their racket skills to the test this half-term and take part in an exciting afternoon of tennis coaching and computer-based … READ MORE

CRIME

Le Pire, The Worst – Epsom burglar gets 3 years.

A man who stole £23,000 when he burgled a house in Epsom, will now spend just under three years behind bars for his crime. Alfred Pire, 25, of York Road, … READ MORE

See https://epsomandewelltimes.com/westminster

Woking up to a very big debt problem

October 20, 2022

The senior councillor responsible for Surrey County Council’s money will step down from its cabinet amid a “potential conflict” as the Government calls for a review of finances at the borough … READ MORE

Good King Wenceslas comes to Epsom and Ewell

Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell has teamed up with the Rotary Clubs of Epsom and Ewell to bring Project Wenceslas to the Borough for the sixth year running. Project Wenceslas enables those who receive, but do not need, the Government’s Winter Fuel Payment to donate it to either Rotary Club of Epsom or Rotary Club of Ewell. This money will be distributed to people in critical need of assistance with energy bills, much needed during the Cost of Living crisis. All monies donated are redistributed 100% without any deductions for costs or expenses.

If you would like to know more about donating your Winter Fuel Payment, please contact Epsom Rotary via their website or Ewell Rotary via their website and search for Project Wenceslas.

If you are struggling with fuel bills, then contact Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell on 0808 278 7963 (Mon-Fri, 10am – 4pm) or see the CAB website : www.caee.org.uk

Surrey County Council on the level.

On 2nd February 2022 the Government published its Levelling Up White Paper which laid out an agenda for tackling inequality across the country. It outlined the future landscape for devolution in the UK and provided a blueprint for improving opportunity and outcomes in education, the economy, infrastructure, transport, and health by The White Paper also set out a commitment to bring devolution in the form of County Deals ‘to every part of England that wants one by 2030’.

The Government’s Levelling Up White Paper presents a rare opportunity for the Surrey County Council to pursue a devolution deal for Surrey that will bring new powers, freedoms and flexibilities, better enabling the council to deliver for residents against the 2030 Community Vision, the council’s four strategic priorities (Growing a sustainable economy; Tackling health inequality; Enabling a greener future; and Empowering communities), and work towards the overarching ambition of No One Left Behind.

In April 2022, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet was presented with a paper that outlined the key implications of, and opportunities within, the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper for Surrey, particularly in relation to the devolution framework and a County Deal for Surrey. Within this, it set out the initial ideas being explored and developed in partnership with stakeholders that would form proposals within a County Deal.

More recently the government have announced two Level 3 devolution deals to establish the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and East Midlands County Combined Authority. Both deals align closely with the wording set out in the Devolution Framework and have provided a useful basis from which to compare with the proposals being considered for Surrey’s County Deal.

Despite securing these devolution deals, progress has slowed in government due to a number of factors, including the ongoing challenges with the cost-of-living crisis, the Conservative Party Leadership contest to elect a new Prime Minister and then the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Capacity within the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is limited, so until the first set of early County Deals are agreed they are unlikely to start negotiating with new areas.

Once negotiations begin, there is a chance that the “core” proposals set out in a Council Report will evolve and new proposals could emerge as part of discussions. The intention before any final County Deal is agreed is for the details of the deal to be brought back to the Cabinet to endorse and for wider members to have appropriate opportunities to comment, scrutinise, and approve.

Key areas subject to proposals and consultations include:

Housing Strategy

The Cabinet agreed with the recommendations outlined in a report on a single, unifying housing strategy for Surrey.

Housing is fundamental to people’s wellbeing and life chances, but there is not currently a joined-up housing strategy for the county.

The council is working with partners in district and borough councils, Registered Social Landlords, developers, businesses and health providers to provide ambition, focus, direction and alignment across the whole Surrey housing system.

The full report is available here.

Surrey Skills Plan

The Cabinet endorsed the Surrey Skills Plan, which aims to help deliver the skills, jobs and opportunities for Surrey’s economy to thrive.

The Skills Plan will officially launch at the Surrey Skills Summit on 10 November at Sandown Racecourse.

The full report is available here.

Healthy Streets for Surrey

Cabinet endorsed the new healthy streets planning guide, which aims to support the creation of high quality, attractive, safe, accessible and sustainable developments.

The developments outlined in the guide will bring a raft of benefits, including:

More cycling and walking
Streets where children can play safely
Improved air quality
Reduction in residents’ transport carbon footprint
Creation of attractive and popular streets that will require less long-term maintenance.

The full report is available here.

Bus Services in Surrey

Cabinet agreed to the recommendations outlined in a report on the council’s response to the National Bus Strategy (Bus Back Better).

As part of this Cabinet approved a consultation about the future for bus services in Surrey.

The council will be seeking residents’ views on investment proposals, the introduction of more on-demand buses and possible alterations to some existing bus routes.

The consultation will run from 3 November – 6 January 2023.

The full report is available here.

Surrey County Council News with edits by Epsom and Ewell Times

New Fire Chief to the rescue

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service have appointed Dan Quin as their new permanent Chief Fire Officer. Dan has been acting-up as Chief Fire Officer since June 2022, prior to that he was the county’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer since October 2019.

He has served his whole career within Surrey Fire and Rescue Service since joining over 23 years ago in 1999 as a firefighter at Leatherhead Fire Station and takes on the role following a robust interview process.

Dan is also the Vice-Chair of the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation who are the industry leads in advancing professional rescue skills nationally.

Speaking of his new appointment, Dan said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed as Surrey’s permanent Chief Fire Officer and very much looking forward to building on the plans I put in place during the last few months as Acting Chief. As someone who has been in the service for the whole of my career, I am aware of the many strengths as well as the areas we need to improve upon. I am dedicated to making Surrey one of the best fire and rescue services in the industry and I know we have the people to help see that through.”

Council Leader Tim Oliver said: “I’m pleased to welcome Dan as Chief Fire Officer. After a very positive spell leading Surrey Fire and Rescue Service on an interim basis, Dan was clearly a very strong candidate for the job. I’m confident he will be a great leader of the service – knowledgeable, experienced and approachable to staff and partners across Surrey. He will continue on the improvement journey that is well underway and I’m confident SFRS is in good hands to continue its journey to being an excellent service.”

Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Protection, Denise Turner-Stewart said: “Having worked with Dan before and very recently too, I am very pleased to hear that he has been made our Chief Fire Officer and am looking forward to continuing to work closely alongside him. Dan brings a wealth of experience from serving the residents of Surrey for over 20 years already and it gives me great confidence that Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and the safety of residents are in good hands.”

Surrey County Council news

Surrey Skills at the Summit

Surrey County Council launches Surrey Skills Plan at Skills Summit November 10. A landmark event in Surrey next month will bring together education providers and businesses in a bid to turbo charge Surrey’s local economy.

The Surrey Skills Summit at Sandown Racecourse on 10 November will give leading local businesses the opportunity to outline what skills they need in the years to come. Education providers including colleges and universities will be on hand to discuss tailoring vocational offers and training, with a view to developing Surrey’s workforce of the future.

The event will also launch the Surrey Skills Plan, including recommendations and actions to help deliver the skills, jobs and opportunities for Surrey’s economy to thrive.

The Summit will also include:
 Presentations from experts on the national skills landscape, including developments and their implications for Surrey businesses and training providers.
 Case studies from Surrey businesses who have taken creative approaches to meeting their recruitment, retention and skills needs
 The chance for businesses to have their voice heard to help build a world class skills system in Surrey that meets the needs of all businesses and residents.

Learn more and register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/surrey-skills-summit-tickets-
415842374737

Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth, said:
“Surrey has the UK’s second largest GDP after London and for decades has been a natural home for companies from across the world. As competition for talent becomes tougher and skills shortages become more pronounced, it’s essential for Surrey to become more proactive in planning for the future. The Skills Plan and events like the Skills Summit are essential for growing a sustainable economy for Surrey. We need to come together to provide the right conditions for business to thrive, delivering skills, jobs and opportunity for all.”

Surrey County Council News

Was this why she was in Epsom Saturday?

Epsom and Ewell Times did not know Gina Miller, who visited The Market Square Saturday*, was going to announce yesterday her intention to stand against Chris Grayling MP at the next election. So, not a bad start for her campaign. She is standing for a party she launched earlier in the year named the “True and Fair” Party. This new political group states it is not about left and right but about right and wrong.

*See post: National Polio Day marked in Epsom

Quoting from its website Gina Miller states: “True & Fair is the only political party prepared to bring in radical reforms to fix the systemic failures in the UK’s machinery of government, to legislate for electoral reform, Parliamentary checks and scrutiny, improve anti-corruption laws across politics and public life, and focus policy-making on fairness, and right and wrong, not right and left. A real-world plan for the future through new politics, new thinking, new partnerships.”

The party has announced a grand total of 9 prospective candidates to fight seats at the next General Election. An election that must be held by January 2025 at the latest.

Gina Miller became a household name, revered and detested in equal proportions, for her spearheading a successful legal challenge against a tactic of the UK Government (the prorogation of Parliament) to get Brexit done.

Chris Grayling MP enjoys a majority over all other candidates of 4197 at the 2019 election from a total of 59,451 votes cast. The Liberal Democrats came second with 13,946 votes and Labour third with 10,266. The Greens got 2047 votes and the Borough’s current Mayor, Cllr Clive Woodbridge (Residents Association) stood as an independent and received 1413 votes. Chris Grayling’s traditional opponents may be dismayed if Gina Miller’s intervention has the effect of increasing his first place lead.

Surrey’s Safe Drive Stay Alive returns

To Dorking Halls next month, for its first live performances in three years. The live show has been performed in front of 190,000 young people between the ages of 16-19 since its inception in 2005 and is an emotionally engaging and thought-provoking education production, coordinated by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.

Working with the other emergency services, the event aims to raise road safety awareness amongst young people and positively influence their attitudes to driving as well as their role as a passenger in cars.

The performance has been designed to engage an audience of young learner and novice young drivers, a group that is at higher risk of collisions, injury and death on the UK’s roads and aims to make young people aware of their responsibilities as road users and the wide ranging and potentially devastating consequences should these not be taken seriously. The ultimate aim is to reduce the number of road traffic collisions involving young people and the number of deaths and injuries amongst this at-risk driver group.

The performances comprise a series of films featuring people recalling true stories and real-life impacts of road traffic collisions. Between each of these films, speakers, including personnel from the emergency services and members of the public personally affected by a road death, recount their own experiences.

Over the last 17 years, 285 performances have been held, with, this year, 70 different schools, colleges, youth groups and even army bases from across the county attending. In the past two years, Coronavirus restrictions forced the event to be staged online, where an estimated 28,000 young people tuned in.

This year, Safe Drive Stay Alive are offering free tickets to the public performance on Wednesday 9 November, providing an opportunity to witness this impactful performance for yourself. Spaces are limited, so secure your today by visiting: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/safe-drive-stay-alive-tickets-430812460667

The event has been supported by organisations including the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Surrey, Surrey RoadSafe, Toyota GB, esure and Sheilas’ Wheels, Ringway, Surrey Educational Trust (SCC), as well as the High Sheriff of Surrey, the Safer Guildford Partnership and Safer Surrey Heath. Additional funding is provided by a large number of town and parish councils across Surrey. This funding allows the event to be put on free of charge, and cover venue hire and transportation costs for attendees to and from the venue. To find out more about Safe Drive Stay Alive, please visit: https://safedrivesurrey.org/

Surrey County Council News

Surrey’s challenges with social care

Surrey County Council must work closely with independent care providers to meet the challenges facing social care and continue to improve choice for residents, Surrey’s new director of adult social care has said.

In her first keynote speech to Surrey’s care sector, Liz Bruce embraced the need for a new working relationship between the council and providers of residential, nursing and home-based care to help build for the future of social care including planning for the biggest care reforms in decades.

As well as preparing for the reforms – which are set to usher in a lifetime limit on care costs of £86,000 – the care sector in Surrey is operating in an “unprecedented” economic environment and dealing with recruitment pressures and the impact of Covid-19, Mrs Bruce said.

^{Liz Bruce new Director of Adult Social Care}

Addressing the Surrey Care Association’s autumn conference in Dorking, Mrs Bruce said new relationships and “new thinking” would enable the council and providers, along with their NHS partners, to move “together ahead”.

Forging a closer relationship would enable the partners to better shape services around the needs of residents and communities and enhance the choice of care and support options available.

Earlier this year, Mrs Bruce became Joint Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Integrated Commissioning working across Surrey County Council and Surrey Heartlands integrated care system.

She told the conference: “We need each other more now than ever. We’re stronger together and we’ve got more in common together – we mustn’t let people divide us. We’re far more powerful and influential to central government if we’re saying the same things.

“How we work together going forward is all based on relationships. We need to innovate together and to do that we’ve got to have a good relationship and have dialogue. None of us can do what we’re trying to do on our own so we need to come together and work in partnership. I’m optimistic we can do that.”

Areas where there are opportunities to work together include on shared issues such as workforce and training. A key focus for adult social care is supporting providers and residents with better information, advice and guidance to help the make informed life choices, especially when considering or requiring care.

The county council’s commissioning strategy for older people, covering the period until 2030 and drawing on input from providers and the NHS as well as residents and staff, aims to champion greater choice, quality and control for residents.

As well as supporting people to lead independent and active lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible, the blueprint spells out how the council and partners will work together on ensuring intensive and personalised care options for people with more complex needs, in line with the council’s ambition to tackle inequalities in health so that no one in Surrey is left behind.

Mrs Bruce took up her new role in Surrey in May from the London boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth where she was Director of Adult Social Care and Public Health. She has previously held senior positions at London’s tri-borough partnership – Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea – and at Manchester City Council and Warwickshire County Council.

Surrey County Council News

National Polio Day marked in Epsom

Gina Miller supported Epsom Rotary‘s fight against rising cases of Polio. Today is National Polio Day and on Saturday local Rotarians were raising awareness in Epsom’s Market Square. They raised £300 from the Borough’s generous public and that will be matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Gina Miller with Peggy Rowell of Epsom Rotary in Epsom Market Square

With the news reporting Poliovirus has raised its ugly head, here in the UK, it is a reminder how important the Rotary International PolioPlus campaign is. Not since 1984 has there been a case of polio in the UK, which was declared polio free in 2003. Although, no cases have been detected or confirmed and the risk of someone catching polio in the UK is low, it has come as major blow to Rotary, that it has been identified, here, in the UK. The emphasis is being placed on trying to make sure that all children and unvaccinated adults have been fully immunised against the disease. This is because the poliovirus is opportunistic and will exploit gaps in population immunity.

The Rotary PolioPlus campaign was launched in 1985, becoming a founding member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988. In this time, Rotary members, working with communities around the world, have contributed more that 2.1 billion US dollars and countless volunteer hours for the fight to end polio. Now polio is considered eliminated in most first world countries with Afghanistan and Pakistan being the only countries in the world where the infection is classed as an endemic.

The fight has to continue and as Rotarians we can play a key role in raising funds and awareness to achieve a polio-free world and ensure we protect the gains Rotary has worked so hard to achieve.

Polio Outbreaks 2022

Poliovirus (Poliomyelitis) has been confirmed in non-endemic countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, India, the United Kingdom, and New York in 2022. In recent years, polio-endemic countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan have reported polio outbreaks, according to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

And on September 26, 2022, the U.S. CDC issued a global Alert – Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions, regarding polio outbreaks and poliovirus detections in various countries.

On September 13, 2022, the WHO added the USA to a list of about thirty countries where circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) has been identified in 2022.This action is related to genetic sequences in July 2022 from a polio (Acute flaccid myelitis) patient in Rockland County, NY, and wastewater specimens collected in various New York counties, linked to poliovirus samples collected in Israel, and London, indicating multi-country, community transmission.

Our own correspondent

20th October 2022

FOOTBALL SPORTS

Ducks in a Row put Epsom 4 points on top

Forest Row 0-2 Epsom & Ewell Southern Combination League – Division One Tuesday 18th October 2022 Five weeks ago we visited Forest Row and were heading for a goalless draw … READ MORE

FOOTBALL NEWS SPORTS

Chelsea supports footie expansion next-door

Cobham Football Club will get major upgrades to attract more women into football after councillors gave the green light following support from Premier League giant Chelsea. Several other organisations showed support … READ MORE

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS

Insurers against poverty?

Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (CAEE) has launched a crowdfunding scheme with the Aviva Community Fund to raise money to deliver critical Cost of Living advice to local people. Aviva has selected … READ MORE

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS

Epsom Pantry breathing life into the community

Epsom Pantry is a member-led community hub and food shop opened by Good Company (Surrey). Opened to create a network of support and a much-needed source of affordable grocery shopping … READ MORE

Will Council strikes spread to Epsom and Ewell?

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council staff are using food banks and claiming Universal Credit, according to union officials, as workers go out on strike. Council employees have been offered a … READ MORE

NEWS

Epsom Hospital’s multi storey carpark wrong on many levels?

October 18, 2022

A council decision to refuse a new multi-storey car park at Epsom hospital is being appealed. Epsom and Ewell Borough Council refused an application for 600 parking spaces and changes … READ MORE

COMMUNITY HEALTH VOLUNTEERS

Downs payment from EU for Epsom

October 18, 2022

The Mayor of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, Councillor Clive Woodbridge, has officially unveiled the first phase of an exciting programme of improvements on Epsom & Walton Downs. Epsom & … READ MORE

FOOTBALL SPORTS

Joust in Lancing drawn

October 17, 2022

Montpelier Villa 0-0 Epsom & Ewell FC. Southern Combination League – Division One. Saturday 15th October 2022. Last January, we witnessed a mad encounter at Culver Road, Lancing, West Sussex, … READ MORE

BOROUGH HISTORY

Murderer who blew himself up in the effort…

October 17, 2022

Shortly after 11.pm on the night of 21 December 1869, Thomas O’ Brien, the stationmaster on Ewell West Railway Station prepared to turn the gas lights off as he awaited the last train of … READ MORE

RUGBY SPORTS

Epsom’s Rugby Lane draws a crowd

October 17, 2022

SUTTON & EPSOM 15 – LONDON WELSH 15. Saturday 15th October. It had been many years since London Welsh had visited Rugby Lane. In fact, it was 1958 and their … READ MORE

COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Epsom Councillor challenges County “community” funding

October 15, 2022

Questions have been raised about a community cash project and whether it is reaching those in Surrey who are most in need. Surrey County Council plans to allocate £100million over five … READ MORE

Epsom’s Mental Health Week

October 14, 2022

Epsom and Ewell based charities Love Me Love My Mind and The Friends of Horton Cemetery joined forces with Surrey County Council Youth Workers and others this week. In Epsom … READ MORE

COUNCIL

Warnings of County bankruptcy?

Surrey County Council is calling on the government to delay social care reforms which it is claimed could “bankrupt” the authority. Plans for more generous means testing and an £86,000 … READ MORE

COUNCIL

Fostering new parents

Surrey County Council and 56 Local Authorities across England have worked together to share ideas and jointly fund the creation of a short film to raise awareness of fostering. It … READ MORE

COUNCIL EDUCATION

“Sorry” is not such a hard word for Surrey

Surrey County Council’s leader said the authority will “learn lessons” from problems which left 150 families without school transport. Issuing an apology on behalf of the council, Councillor Tim Oliver … READ MORE

CRIME NEWS

Surrey Police tackling drug-dealers