Council Elections News

Surrey County Council election delay stirring up a storm

5 February 2025

Surrey County Council Elections Postponed Until 2026 Amid Local Government Reforms In a significant move reflecting the evolving landscape of local governance in England, the British government has decided to … Read More

News Policing

Surrey Police hikes its Council tax share

5 February 2025

Surrey Police’s share of council tax bills will leap over £335 a year for the average Band D households. Lisa Townsend, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) said the 4.3 … Read More

Arts Education Transport

Young Artists Brighten Up Tattenham Corner Station

4 February 2025

Passengers at Tattenham Corner station will soon be welcomed by a brand-new display of artwork, thanks to a creative collaboration between local students and The Arts Society Epsom. Led by … Read More

Crime News

Criminal car park QR codes wrong on many levels

4 February 2025

Fake QR codes, used to scam motorists into giving away their bank and card details, have been found in Guildford car parks. The scam codes have been placed on payment … Read More

Council Finances Planning

Planning a house extension in Epsom and Ewell? A hard lesson from Waverley

4 February 2025

A man who was charged £70,000 by a Surrey council said it was a “watershed moment” to be given recognition of his struggle and the right to appeal. A couple … Read More

Rugby Sports

Epic comeback against Sutton & Epsom RFC a fitting end

3 February 2025

Medway 32 Sutton & Epsom RFC 31. Saturday 1st February. It was an emotional Saturday at Priestfields as the hosts had suffered the tragic passing of their cherished groundsman Mel … Read More

Crime Policing

Online Fraud in Epsom & Ewell: Call for an Online Crime Agency

2 February 2025

Online fraud, particularly through fake retail websites, has become a significant issue both nationally and within our local community of Epsom & Ewell. Recent data underscores the pressing need for … Read More

Business News

Epsom & Ewell households drowning as water bills rise?

2 February 2025

Epsom & Ewell Residents Face Sharp Water Bill Hike as Regional Disparities Emerge From April 2025, households in Epsom & Ewell will see a substantial increase in water bills, with … Read More

Football Sports

Epsom and Ewell FC strike back for draw

2 February 2025

Sheerwater 2-2 Epsom and Ewell. Combined Counties League – Premier Division South. Saturday 1st February. Two second half goals enabled us to earn a 2-2 draw and break a five … Read More

Council Council constitution Editorial

What might local government reorganisation mean for Epsom and Ewell?

31 January 2025

As Surrey faces a significant overhaul of its local government structure, residents of Epsom and Ewell are rightfully concerned about the potential financial repercussions. The proposed reorganisation may lead to … Read More

Council Finances

Will Epsom and Ewell be bailing out Woking?

31 January 2025

Debt-ridden Woking Borough Council has approved the sale of two more assets as it continues slashing its way to a balanced budget. The bankrupt authority, with debts of more than … Read More

Council Finances

Will Epsom and Ewell be bailing out Guildford?

31 January 2025

A Surrey council faces tough decisions in the future after receiving a “very difficult financial settlement from the government”.  Guildford Borough Council has no extra funding to meet inflation and … Read More

Council Finances

Will Epsom and Ewell be bailing out Spelthorne?

31 January 2025

“Significant weaknesses” in a council’s financial records have been laid bare in a new report.  External auditors for Spelthorne Borough Council said they could not fully assess or complete the … Read More

As Surrey faces a significant overhaul of its local government structure, residents of Epsom and Ewell are rightfully concerned about the potential financial repercussions. The proposed reorganisation may lead to two unitary authorities that merge the county’s 11 borough and district councils, a move intended to streamline services and reduce administrative costs. However, this consolidation raises pressing questions about fiscal responsibility and the equitable distribution of debt, particularly for boroughs like Epsom and Ewell that have historically maintained prudent financial practices.

The Financial Landscape of Surrey’s Boroughs

The Epsom and Ewell Times has just published three reports detailing the financial woes of three councils within Surrey that are grappling with substantial debts resulting from ambitious investment strategies.

• Woking Borough Council declared effective bankruptcy in 2023, burdened by debts exceeding £2 billion due to failed investments in large-scale projects. The council has since been compelled to implement severe austerity measures, including significant tax increases, service closures, and asset sales.
• Spelthorne Borough Council faces over £1 billion in debt from investments in commercial properties. A recent audit revealed “significant weaknesses” in financial record-keeping, inadequate plans to address looming budget gaps, and concerns over governance and internal culture.
• Guildford Borough Council is confronting a challenging financial future, with projected budget gaps escalating to £5.9 million by 2028/29. The council has acknowledged the need for cost reductions and increased income to manage these pressures.

Epsom and Ewell’s Prudent Financial Management

In contrast, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council has consistently balanced its budgets or been able to use reserves to meet its obligations, demonstrating fiscal discipline and effective financial stewardship. This prudent management has enabled the council to maintain most services and infrastructure without accruing unsustainable debt levels.

The Justice of Debt Redistribution

The proposed reorganisation raises a critical question: Is it just for residents of financially prudent boroughs like Epsom and Ewell to assume responsibility for the substantial debts incurred by other councils? Merging councils into larger unitary authorities could lead to a pooling of assets and liabilities, potentially obliging Epsom and Ewell’s residents to contribute to servicing debts they had no part in accumulating.

This scenario not only challenges principles of fiscal fairness but also risks penalising councils that have exercised sound financial management. It is imperative to consider whether it is equitable for residents to bear the financial burdens resulting from the mismanagement of neighbouring authorities.

Calls for Government Intervention

Recognising the potential injustice, Surrey County Council’s leader, Councillor Tim Oliver, has advocated for central government to write off the significant debts of councils like Woking before proceeding with devolution plans. This approach aims to mitigate the financial risks associated with high debt levels and prevent the unfair distribution of financial burdens across the county. How likely is it that a Labour Government will write off a debt accumulated by Woking under its previous Conservative led Council?

The Path Forward

As discussions about local government reorganisation progress, it is crucial to ensure that any new structures are underpinned by principles of fiscal responsibility and equity. Potential solutions include:

• Debt Segregation: Isolating the debts of heavily indebted councils to prevent them from being transferred to newly formed unitary authorities.
• Government Debt Relief: Advocating for central government intervention to alleviate or write off unsustainable debts, ensuring that the financial missteps of certain councils do not adversely impact the entire county.
• Transparent Financial Assessments: Conducting comprehensive financial evaluations of all councils involved in the reorganisation to inform fair and equitable decision-making.

The proposed reorganisation of Surrey’s local government presents an opportunity to enhance efficiency and service delivery at the cost of Borough based democracy. However, it also necessitates careful consideration of the financial implications for all residents. Epsom and Ewell’s community, having benefited from prudent financial management, should not be unduly burdened by the debts of other councils. It is incumbent upon policymakers to design a reorganisation framework that upholds fiscal justice, ensuring that the residents of Epsom and Ewell are not unfairly disadvantaged in the pursuit of broader administrative reforms.

Related reports:

All change! Epsom and Ewell Borough Council approaching its final stop?

Surrey’s Conservative leader wants to postpone May’s poll reckoning

Tiers to be shed if Epsom and Ewell loses its Borough Council?

Council Finances

Surrey County tax increase vote

29 January 2025

A council tax hike could be hitting Surrey as members take the first look at the county’s budget. Residents could see a maximum increase of 4.99 per cent on council … Read More

News Transport

Heathrow expansion reaction

29 January 2025

Heathrow has been given the go ahead to press forward with plans for  third runway that will bring in hundreds of thousands of extra flights to the West London airport … Read More

News Westminster

Parliament’s sting in the tail for Epsom and Ewell WASPIs lamented by local MP

29 January 2025

Helen Maguire, the Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom & Ewell, has expressed her disappointment after a parliamentary vote on compensating WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) claimants failed to gain … Read More

Council Local History

Heritage at the heart of Epsom and Ewell

28 January 2025

The Licensing and Planning Policy Committee (LPPC) of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council convened on January 23rd, to address several key issues, including the annual Heritage Champion’s statement, fees and … Read More

Rugby Sports

Sutton and Epsom rugby away win

26 January 2025

SIDCUP 24 SUTTON & EPSOM RFC 34. Saturday 25th January. Crescent Farm has produced a bounteous harvest this season with a maximum crop yield of 35 points from a magnificent … Read More

Council Finances

Epsom and Ewell car parking fees on new levels

24 January 2025

Epsom and Ewell Council Approves Changes to Car Parking Fees and Policies for 2025/26 In a meeting of the Environment Committee on 21 January 2025, councillors approved a series of … Read More

Arts News

New artwork takes centre stage at Epsom Playhouse

24 January 2025

During January two new murals were completed at Epsom Playhouse. The murals are part of a series of vibrant public art installations across the borough. Championing the 40-year history of … Read More

Environment News Transport

“Blocks away” from airport expansions

24 January 2025

So called “blockers” to major transport projects will be cleared in a move that looks set to curb challenges to Heathrow and Gatwick Airport expansions, the Government has announced. The … Read More

News Science Transport

Surrey Uni making self-driving cars safer

23 January 2025

With self-driving cars expected to hit British roads next year (2026), a new motion forecasting framework developed by the University of Surrey and Fudan University, China, promises to make autonomous … Read More

Arts Council Finances

Epsom Playhouse £1.50 per ticket fee from 1st April

23 January 2025

The Epsom Playhouse will now charge an additional £1.50 facility fee per ticket as of the 1st April 2025. During its meeting on the 16th January 2025, the Community and … Read More

Football Sports

Epsom and Ewell’s 11 to 9 win 1 to 0

22 January 2025

Epsom and Ewell 1-0 Spelthorne Sports. Combined Counties League – Premier Division South. Tuesday 21st January 2025. It was hard not to feel sorry for the visiting Spelthorne Sports team … Read More

Education News

Parents lose trust in Surrey state “school family” admission priority

22 January 2025

A Surrey suburb is up in arms as an ‘oustanding’ secondary school could change its admissions, making it more tricky for local children to get a place.  Consultation for the … Read More

Rugby Sports

Sutton & Epsom RFC just fail to mount comeback

21 January 2025

SUTTON & EPSOM RFC 42 OLD TIFFINIANS 46. Saturday 18th January. Sutton and Epsom started this campaign with a rollicking runaway win over Old Colfeians. Since then the Rugby Lane … Read More

Housing News Planning

New homes planned for Ashtead

21 January 2025

Hundreds of new homes could be built in Ashtead if newly submitted plans to Mole Valley District Council are approved. Wates Developments and its partners, Vistry Group, have submitted outline … Read More

Community Education

Surrey Uni to lead on speech to sign GBT computer programme

21 January 2025

A large-language model (LLM) built to meet the needs of the Deaf community, translating between signed and spoken language, is the aim of a new project led by the University … Read More

Community Health

Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust Calls Out Delays to New Hospital Programme

21 January 2025

The long-awaited specialist emergency care hospital for southwest London and Surrey has faced yet another setback following the Government’s announcement about delays to the national New Hospital Programme. Epsom and … Read More

Football Sports

Epsom & Ewell FC knocked out by narrow loss

21 January 2025

VCD Athletic 1-0 Epsom and Ewell FC. Isuzu F.A. Vase – Fourth Round. Saturday 18th January. After four home wins in the competition, we departed the F.A. Vase in our … Read More

Arts Culture

Epsom Jazz Club Brings Top Talent to Town

18 January 2025

Epsom is swinging to the sound of jazz, thanks to the Epsom Jazz Club – a not-for-profit community project dedicated to bringing Nationally and Internationally renowned jazz musicians to the … Read More

Council Housing Planning

Local Plan lessons from a Surrey borough?

18 January 2025

Precious green belt sites could be at risk of speculative developments and Waverley Borough Council could be powerless to stop them after its biggest housing project was judged to be … Read More

Arts Council

The Redhill Harlequin Theatre bows out for 5 years.

18 January 2025

It could take another five years before the Redhill’s Harlequin Theatre reopens after dangerous crumbly concrete forced its closure. The popular theatre and cinema space in the heart of the … Read More

Community News

New family mediation in Epsom

18 January 2025

Relate Mid and East Surrey Launches New Family Mediation Service Relate Mid and East Surrey is thrilled to announce the launch of its new family mediation service, designed to help … Read More

Business Environment Transport

Surrey village to suffer a lot more Heathrow flights

18 January 2025

Residents could suffer “an unacceptable amount of noise” from an airport as flight directions change, meaning the number of landing planes could increase from 36 to over 300 a day … Read More

Council Health

Tackling health inequalities in Surrey

18 January 2025

Surrey County Council has been awarded 5 years of funding by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to create a Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC). The £5m funding will … Read More

Relate Mid and East Surrey Launches New Family Mediation Service

Relate Mid and East Surrey is thrilled to announce the launch of its new family mediation service, designed to help families resolve conflicts peacefully and constructively. This service reflects our commitment to offering practical, affordable solutions for families in our community.

What Is Mediation?

Mediation is a process where an independent, professional mediator helps families work through disagreements over parenting, property, or finances following separation. Unlike court proceedings, mediation focuses on collaboration, ensuring all parties have a voice and reach mutually beneficial solutions. It’s quicker, less stressful, and often far less expensive than legal action.

How Mediation Helps

Mediation provides a structured and supportive environment where families can address issues such as parenting arrangements, property division, and financial agreements. It is quicker, less stressful, and significantly cheaper than going to court, allowing families to maintain control over their decisions.

Key Benefits:

• Helps you make arrangements about parenting, property, and money.
• Is less stressful than going to court.
• Saves you money as it’s usually much cheaper than being represented in court.
• Puts your child’s interests first.
• Helps you move on quickly to the next stage of your life.

Debbie Holden, Chief Executive of Relate Mid and East Surrey, explains:
“Family mediation is about empowering people to create solutions that work for everyone involved. Our mediators guide families through difficult conversations, ensuring children’s needs remain at the forefront while reducing the emotional and financial burden of conflict.”

Flexible and Affordable Options

Our new service includes private assessment meetings and joint mediation sessions, tailored to meet each family’s unique needs. We offer a sliding scale of fees to ensure affordability, with additional support through the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, providing up to £500 for child arrangement cases.

Key Features:

• Child-inclusive mediation to give children a voice in the process.
• Rapid appointments, often within a week.
• A focus on long-term solutions that foster positive co-parenting relationships.

Join Us for Family Mediation Week

Family Mediation Week (27–31 January) highlights the importance of mediation in resolving family disputes. We encourage families to explore how this service can support them during life transitions.

More information can be found at:
https://relatemidandeastsurrey.co.uk/family-mediation/

Contact Us

To book a mediation session or learn more, contact us at:

• Reigate Office: 01737 245212 | admin@relatemidandeastsurrey.co.uk
• Epsom Office: 01372 722976 | epsomadmin@relatemidandeastsurrey.co.uk

Image – illustration only.

Council Transport

Will Surrey potholes outwit AI?

15 January 2025

Surrey County Council will now use AI to detect potholes to help speed up road repairs across the county. Computer vision cameras fitted to dashboards inside highways vehicles will spot … Read More

Council Letters Planning

Will planners say “Sori, mun moka”? *

15 January 2025

Dear Editor, The report in the Epsom & Ewell Times (9th January) about Historic England placing the Epsom Town Centre Conservation Area on its ‘at risk register’ is extremely timely, … Read More

Education Health News

Surrey University leading on alternative ADHD treatment

14 January 2025

A multisite clinical trial has launched in the United States to investigate whether non-pharmaceutical methods can be used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children ages 7-12. This … Read More

Health News

New SWLP Laboratory Enhances Diagnostic Services for Epsom Hospital and Beyond

14 January 2025

South West London Pathology (SWLP) has launched one of the most advanced diagnostic facilities in the UK, with new cutting-edge laboratories set to transform healthcare delivery for patients across its … Read More

Council Education Transport

Surrey school children road safety faces funding challenges

14 January 2025

Children at a special needs school could be left waiting years for a much needed crossing. Clifton Hill School, on Chaldon Road in Caterham, is a secondary school for 11-19 … Read More

News Transport

Check your Epsom and Ewell train journeys January weekends.

14 January 2025

Residents of Epsom and Ewell are advised to prepare for disruptions to South Western Railway (SWR) services due to essential engineering works in the Wimbledon area. Bus replacement services will … Read More

Community Health

Hip pain explained

14 January 2025

Hip pain is a common complaint, particularly among middle-aged and older adults. Two frequent causes are Hip Osteoarthritis (OA) and Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS). While these conditions share some … Read More

Arts Council

Surrey’s D’Oyly Carte Island concerts cancelled.

12 January 2025

Plans for a summer concert on a private island as part of Weybridge Festival have been cancelled over health and safety concerns. D’Oyly Carte Island hosted three days of music … Read More

Housing News Planning

Blot on Epsom Down’s west horizon to grow?

11 January 2025

The “Croydonisation” of Woking will continue after a 26-storey town centre tower block on the former BHS site was approved. The plans for the 272-home 85-metre-tall building are nearly identical … Read More

Council Elections News

Surrey County elections must go ahead clamour

10 January 2025

The May 2025 Surrey county elections must not be postponed, the 11 boroughs and district councils have said. That call has been amplified with the Surrey Liberal Democrat MPs writing … Read More

Council Housing

Surrey’s affordable homes left unclaimed

10 January 2025

Millions of pounds worth of affordable Surrey homes remain unbuilt because nobody is willing to take on the project. It has left Spelthorne Borough Council scrambling around trying to find … Read More

Environment News

MP spies pollution in Mole

10 January 2025

Raw sewage has spewed out of a broken manhole cover and into the River Mole. Video taken by the Dorking and Horley MP, Chris Coghlan, shows the waste pumping out … Read More

Council Council constitution Editorial

Are Epsom and Ewell’s Interests Served by Postponing Democracy?

9 January 2025

The Conservative-led Surrey County Council’s recent decision to seek a postponement of the May 2025 elections raises serious questions about the motivations behind this move. This decision, spearheaded by Councillor … Read More

Council Council constitution News

Local government reorganisation: What will it mean for Epsom and Ewell?

9 January 2025

The leader of “doomed” Surrey County Council will write to the Government asking for the May 2025 elections to be postponed and Woking’s debt cancelled as part of devolution measures … Read More

Dear Editor,

The report in the Epsom & Ewell Times (9th January) about Historic England placing the Epsom Town Centre Conservation Area on its ‘at risk register’ is extremely timely, given the current application to demolish Cafe Moka, Unit 60 of the Ashley Centre and the damaging impact this would have on the setting of what is undoubtedly one of Epsom’s most important listed buildings.

So far two formal objections have been lodged against the proposed demolition of the current turreted Café Moka – both highlighting the architectural reasons why its removal and replacement with a modern, glass and steel unit would not only spoil the visual harmony of the square but also negatively affect the setting of Waterloo House.

The objections focus on several key issues:

1. Architectural Incompatibility: The proposal’s replacement of the turreted Café Moka with a stark, utilitarian design would disrupt the character of Ashley Square, a blend of brick facades and tiled roofs. The original design, which still stands the test of time, complements the adjacent Market Place and reflects the history of the area. The turreted Moka unit, along with the similarly  turreted (but now sadly spoiled) High Street entrance, are carefully considered features that referenced the sadly lost King’s Head Hotel coaching inn, which once stood on the site of Boots.
2. Impact on Views: The turreted structure helps screen the expansive service area behind the café, shielding views of the unattractive back facades of buildings on South Street. Its demolition would expose these eyesores and diminish the square’s architectural integrity.
3. Negative Impact on Waterloo House: Most importantly, the removal of the turreted Café Moka would harm the setting of Waterloo House’s historic carriage entrance. The building is a rare surving example of a 17th-century spa town assembly rooms and has been sensitively restored (and appropriately renamed) by Wetherspoons. An ill-suited modern development next door would undermine this significant restoration.

Only a couple of years ago a highly questionable decision was made by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council to approve the recladding of the Ashley Centre’s main entrance in blatantly fake stone – a move that already detracts from the original architectural concept of the 1980s shopping centre and the local history it subtly references.

Losing the turreted Café Moka would be another regrettable step backward, diminishing the area’s historical and aesthetic value – and it’s therefore vital that the Council doesn’t inadvertently support another proposal that would further compound Historic England’s current concerns.

I encourage all those who care about preserving Epsom’s heritage to voice their opposition to this unnecessary and damaging proposal.

Yours faithfully,

Simon Alford

Epsom

Related reports:

Heritage at Risk: Epsom Town Centre Conservation Area Faces Challenges

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council response to Historic England’s Report on local heritage

*”Sori, mun moka” is a colloquial term meaning “Sorry, my bad”. “Moka” is also a coffee pot.

South West London Pathology (SWLP) has launched one of the most advanced diagnostic facilities in the UK, with new cutting-edge laboratories set to transform healthcare delivery for patients across its network, including Epsom Hospital. The upgraded laboratory at Croydon Hospital marks the first phase of a significant technological overhaul aimed at improving diagnostic speed and accuracy.

Serving over 3.5 million people through five hospital sites, including Epsom Hospital, and 450 GP practices, SWLP is integral to the region’s healthcare infrastructure. When fully operational, the SWLP network of laboratories will process over 30,000 tests daily, ensuring faster turnaround times and better outcomes for patients in Epsom and the surrounding areas.

The state-of-the-art facility will streamline clinical blood science services, including clinical chemistry, haematology, coagulation, and serology, using cutting-edge pre-analytical automation technology developed in partnership with Beckman Coulter, a global leader in diagnostics.

Simon Brewer, Managing Director of SWLP, said:
“The introduction of Beckman Coulter’s advanced analysers at Croydon Hospital marks a transformative step for our diagnostic services. With these technologies soon to be implemented across the entire network, including Epsom Hospital, we are setting new standards in diagnostic efficiency and patient care.”

Rob Young, UK General Manager at Beckman Coulter, added:
“By equipping SWLP laboratories with the latest diagnostic technologies, we’re enabling healthcare teams to deliver faster, higher-quality results. This advancement will significantly enhance the care provided to patients across the SWLP network, including those relying on Epsom Hospital for vital healthcare services.”

The upgraded laboratories will unify diagnostic services across all SWLP sites, enhancing efficiency and ensuring a consistent standard of care. For patients at Epsom Hospital, this means improved access to accurate and timely test results, contributing to better overall health outcomes in the local community.

---

About South West London Pathology (SWLP)

South West London Pathology (SWLP) is an NHS pathology partnership providing integrated diagnostic services to hospitals, GPs, and healthcare organizations across South West London and beyond. Serving over 3.5 million people, including those at Epsom Hospital, SWLP delivers a comprehensive range of tests using state-of-the-art technology to improve patient care.

Image: Rob Young, UK General Manager for Beckman Coulter Diagnostics; 

Matthew Kershaw, Chief Executive of Croydon Health Services NHS Trust; 

Simon Brewer, SWLP Managing Director

Dear Editor,

I am writing on behalf of Epsom and Ewell Talking Newspaper (EETN) to share some wonderful news following our 50th Anniversary celebration this past November.

Helen Maguire, our local Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom and Ewell, has kindly recognised EETN’s invaluable contribution to the community in her recent newsletter. She congratulated us on this significant milestone and commended the tireless efforts of our volunteers who ensure visually impaired residents in Epsom and Ewell remain connected through vital access to news and local information.

Moreover, we are proud to announce that Helen Maguire has submitted an Early Day Motion (EDM) in Parliament in honour of our 50 years of service. This EDM reads as follows:

“That this House congratulates Epsom and Ewell Talking Newspaper on its remarkable achievement of 50 years of service; recognises the charity’s outstanding commitment to supporting visually impaired residents in Epsom and Ewell by providing vital access to news and local information; commends the volunteers whose dedication, effort, and time have made this invaluable service possible; acknowledges the critical role such services play in fostering inclusion and community connection; and wishes the charity continued success in its future endeavours supporting those in need.”

For those unfamiliar, Early Day Motions are a way for MPs to bring attention to specific causes or achievements. While few are debated, they often attract public interest and media coverage.

We are deeply grateful to Helen Maguire for her continued support and advocacy for EETN, and we look forward to many more years of serving our local community.

Yours faithfully,

Judy Sarssam

Chairman

Epsom & Ewell Talking Newspaper

The Conservative-led Surrey County Council’s recent decision to seek a postponement of the May 2025 elections raises serious questions about the motivations behind this move. This decision, spearheaded by Councillor Tim Oliver, comes after the Conservative Party’s near-total defeat in the July 2024 General Election and appears to be as much about retaining control as it is about facilitating local government reorganisation.

The argument put forward by the council’s leadership—that elections would create a “zombie” authority that wastes public funds—is unconvincing. Elections are a cornerstone of democracy, not a bureaucratic inconvenience. By delaying them, the current leadership retains power at a time when its mandate to govern Surrey is at best questionable. Surrey’s residents, many of whom voiced their dissatisfaction with Conservative governance at the ballot box just months ago, now face the prospect of being governed by a council that is effectively prolonging its tenure without public consent.

One cannot ignore the context of this decision. Central government’s push for local government reform and devolution is not an altruistic initiative aimed at better serving communities. It is a cost-cutting exercise disguised as modernisation. The Government’s stipulation that new councils must serve a minimum of 500,000 residents almost guarantees the dissolution of smaller, locally focused boroughs like Epsom and Ewell.

For Epsom and Ewell, the smallest of Surrey’s 11 boroughs, this means the likely loss of a council that has served its residents with proximity and understanding for decades. What replaces it may be a sprawling mega-authority or a fractured, less accountable unitary structure. Either way, Epsom and Ewell risks losing its unique voice, with decisions about its future made by those unfamiliar with its needs and aspirations.

Equally troubling is the inclusion of Woking Borough Council’s extraordinary debt—reportedly the largest in UK local government history—in the negotiations surrounding devolution. This financial calamity, created under Conservative rule, should be a cautionary tale about the dangers of poor governance, not an issue swept under the rug in the rush to reform. Why should other Surrey residents shoulder the burden of Woking’s mismanagement? And why has Surrey’s Conservative leadership not been more transparent about its plans to address this issue?

The proposal to postpone elections also conveniently consolidates power for a party facing an uncertain future. By delaying the democratic process, Surrey’s Conservative leadership ensures it remains at the table during pivotal discussions about the future shape of local government, even as the electorate has made its dissatisfaction clear.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, like others across the county, is being swept into a centralised reorganisation process with little clarity about what it will mean for its residents. The likely outcome is the erosion of local democracy, with decisions affecting communities being made further away and by people with less understanding of local needs.

Surrey’s leadership has yet to explain convincingly why postponing the elections is necessary. If their proposals for reorganisation are sound, why not put them to the test of public approval? Democracy is not an obstacle to progress; it is the means by which progress is legitimised.

Epsom and Ewell’s residents deserve to have their voices heard in shaping the future of their local government. They deserve transparency about what reorganisation will mean for their services, their representation, and their community identity. Most importantly, they deserve the chance to vote on who should lead that process. Anything less is an affront to democracy and a betrayal of public trust.

The May 2025 elections must go ahead. It is time for Surrey’s leaders to trust the people they serve and stop hiding behind bureaucratic excuses.

Epsom and Ewell Times

Related reports:

Local government reorganisation: What will it mean for Epsom and Ewell?

All change! Epsom and Ewell Borough Council approaching its final stop?

Surrey’s Conservative leader wants to postpone May’s poll reckoning

Tiers to be shed if Epsom and Ewell loses its Borough Council?

Community Council Local History

Heritage at Risk: Epsom Town Centre Conservation Area Faces Challenges

9 January 2025

The latest Heritage at Risk Register, published by Historic England in November 2024, has cast a shadow over the state of heritage conservation in Epsom and Ewell. Two conservation areas—Epsom … Read More

Council Council constitution

All change! Epsom and Ewell Borough Council approaching its final stop?

8 January 2025

Surrey is changing “whether we like it” or not and county council leader Tim Oliver says it’s better to be at the forefront of that change. The Government wants to … Read More

Council Housing Planning

Epsom Green Belt Debate Intensifies

8 January 2025

The ongoing debate surrounding Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Proposed Submission Local Plan has escalated as the Epsom and Ewell Times publishes two sharply contrasting letters – one from the … Read More

Business News Sports

Walton Golf Club’s dismissal of one-in-hole unfair

7 January 2025

A greenkeeper who had worked at a Surrey golf course for almost 40 years has won a case for “unreasonable” dismissal after he was sacked when his digger fell into … Read More

Football Sports

New Year less cheerful for Epsom and Ewell football

6 January 2025

Jersey Bulls 5-1 Epsom and Ewell FC. Combined Counties League – Premier Division South. Saturday 4th January 2025. A trip to the Channel Islands for a meeting with the Jersey … Read More

Rugby Sports

New Year Cheer For Sutton and Epsom Rugby

6 January 2025

Sutton & Epsom RFC 21 Battersea Ironsides 20. Saturday 4th January. The September fixtures had concluded with a rousing encounter at Garratt Green when these two fine sides could not … Read More

Community Health News

Prime Minister and Health Secretary Visit Epsom Hospital to Unveil NHS Recovery Blueprint

6 January 2025

Epsom Hospital played host to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting today as they unveiled a significant national plan aimed at tackling the extensive backlog of … Read More

Council Elections News

Surrey’s Conservative leader wants to postpone May’s poll reckoning

3 January 2025

The leader of Surrey County Council is set to write to the Government calling for the 2025 elections to be postponed in order to allow authorities to focus on merging … Read More

Business Community Education

Special case for VAT exemption for special education needs?

3 January 2025

Private schools are “not a lifestyle choice but a necessity” for children with special educational needs (SEN), argues the headteacher of an independent school in Reigate. Tuition fees are expected … Read More

Community Faith

Ahmadiyya Youth Clean the Streets of Epsom to Welcome the New Year

3 January 2025

By Luqman AhmedLeader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association Epsom As the first light of the new year stretched across the horizon, a group of volunteers from the Ahmadiyya Muslim … Read More

Councillor Peter O’Donovan, (RA Ewell Court Ward) Chair of the Licensing & Planning Policy Committee

Epsom & Ewell first came to prominence as a destination town in the early seventeenth century with the discovery of Epsom Salts within the borough. Visitors came from London and further afield to ‘take the waters’. Epsom became known to merchants and royal visitors alike as a place of relaxation, sport and leisure, perhaps most famous even now as being the home of the Epsom Derby. The town was first granted Market Town status by Royal Charter in 1865, and Epsom market has been a defining focal point for the bustling town for hundreds of years, watched over by the historic landmark Epsom clocktower which is owned by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and restored in 2019.

Our local heritage is integral to our unique local character. Across the borough there are around 300 buildings listed on the National Heritage List including Bourne Hall in Ewell, listed for its “striking design, …space-age flair and the generous, top-lit principal interior space”, Ewell Court House, a little altered Grade II late Victorian house built in the Jacobean style with wonderful period plasterwork and joinery, set in beautiful grounds with flowerbeds, walks and lake: and the Grade II* listed Assembly Rooms in Epsom which are the earliest known surviving building of this type in England.

There are 21 designated Conservation Areas in the borough. For each of these areas of special architectural or historic interest the council publishes an outline of the area’s special interest and proposals for its preservation and enhancement, which can be found here: Conservation Areas | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council.

Horton Conservation Area

Horton conservation area isone of a group of conservation areas put in place to protect the Victorian psychiatric asylum buildings in Epsom, which became redundant in the 1990s. Horton chapel is a grade II listed building which opened in 1901 as a place of worship for the patients and staff in the surrounding hospital buildings. It was empty and in a state of disrepair for many years, but was recently restored and reopened as the Horton Arts Centre, using funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and several other funds, including £1.46m (s106 developers’ funds) allocated by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council.

This is an example of heritage that was at risk of dilapidation, but for which a vibrant new use has been found. Historic England have been asked to remove the entry from their Heritage At Risk Register as the building and area are no longer at risk.

Epsom Town Centre Conservation Area

Epsom Town Centre Conservation Area extends from South Street and West Street, along the High Street, and along part of Upper High Street at the eastern end. The architecture of the area represents the history of the town centre and its development from a spa town in the 17th century to the present day with many interesting historic buildings, some of which are listed, and all of which are protected by their conservation area status.

Historic buildings are mainly owned by private owners, so controls are set by the government and the council to ensure that they are conserved in a manner that will ensure their survival and enjoyment for present and future generations.

• To protect the conservation area, listed buildings in Epsom town centre must apply for Listed Building Consent for alterations (including internal alterations) and other buildings must apply for planning permission for external alterations.
• To help owners and businesses understand the historic character of the conservation area, the council has also produced a conservation area appraisal, which sets out the important historic features and buildings that should be looked after to protect the character of the conservation area.
• The council has recently published its Town Centre Masterplan which aims to compliment and protect the Town Centre conservation area. The first principle of the plan is to adopt “a context-led design approach to guide the development, regeneration and repair of the town centre. Having particular regard to the impact of building heights, building design, materials and land uses will ensure new development contributes to an improvement in the quality of the town centre.”  
• The council is also working to improve the appearance of the area by controlling development and seeking to improve the appearance of the buildings and shopfronts, as well as taking enforcement action where unauthorised works have taken place. Those considering making changes to their buildings are advised to seek advice from the planning service before undertaking the works. The council runs a pre-application advice scheme that can be used to find out whether changes might or might not be acceptable prior to making an application.

As these measures demonstrate, the council works in range of ways that are within its control to protect the borough’s local heritage and conservation areas.

In 2023, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council participated in a Local Heritage List Project with Surrey County Council, funded by the government’s ‘Build Back Better’ initiative in association with Historic England. We are in the process of finalising the assets on our local heritage list in 2024/25 following consultation. The list will include those assets most valued by our local communities.

You can find out if a building is statutorily listed, locally listed or in a conservation area  by using our online mapping system.”

Further information:

https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/heritage-at-risk

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1232459?section=official-list-entry

https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/conservation-areas (opens the Hospital Cluster Conservation Area Appraisal)

Hospital Cluster – Introduction

https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/conservation-areas

Dear Editor,

Government’s English Devolution White Paper

We are working through what the Government’s English Devolution White Paper means for Epsom & Ewell. Our commitment is to do what’s right for our residents, local businesses, and visitors; and to ensure that the high-quality public services that our residents need and deserve continue to be delivered.

Proposed Submission Local Plan (Regulation 19)

The Proposed Submission Local Plan seeks to address the balance between meeting development needs and protecting the borough’s environment. Consultation on the proposed submission local plan commenced on the 20 December and will close on the 5 February 2025.

This consultation provides the opportunity for those with an interest in the borough to comment on whether the local plan is legally compliant or sound. Guidance on legal compliance, soundness and how to respond to the consultation can be found on the council’s website and on the consultation website(link is external).

The Council has considered the responses received during the consultation in the Draft local Plan undertaken in early 2023 in developing the Proposed Submission Local Plan. Information on the changes made is detailed in the Consultation Statement published alongside the Proposed Submission Local Plan.

The borough has a high level of need for affordable housing for a range of property types and sizes, including family homes, with over 1,350 households being on the council’s housing needs register.  The greatest need is for affordable rented homes (which includes social rented housing) and the affordable housing policy in the Local Plan reflects this, whilst having regard to the national policy and viability evidence.

Consultation over the Christmas and New Year period has been necessary in order to meet the new deadline imposed by the National Planning Policy Framework for submission of Local Plans under the ‘old’ system.  Our previous intention was to wait until January 2025 but that could cause us to miss the deadline.

The Local Plan will be submitted before the 12 March 2025 and examined against the December 2023 version of the NPPF which makes it clear that it is at the discretion of local authorities as to whether Green Belt boundaries should be amended. This flexibility is to reflect that Green Belt authorities (such as Epsom and Ewell) have their own unique characteristics, challenges and requirements, and that local plans must address competing and conflicting demands for land.

In terms of changes to green belt land, the Local plan proposes that:

• 52.6 ha of greenfield green belt land is removed from the green belt (site allocations SA33-SA35), this equates to 3.36 % of the boroughs Green Belt.
• 85 ha of previously developed green belt land, including the hospital clusters and part of the NESCOT estate is removed from the green belt, this equates to 5.44% ha of the boroughs Green Belt.
• Less than 0.4ha of land is removed from the green belt following minor boundary amendments.

Following the consultation, we will submit the Local Plan, supporting evidence and all responses received to the consultation to the Secretary of Statewho will then appoint a Planning Inspector to undertake an independent examination.  As part of the submission the council can propose changes to the local plan, however it is at the discretion of the planning inspector as to how these are dealt with.

Yours faithfully,

Councillor Peter O’Donovan, Chair of the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee.

Read the full Epsom Green Belt Group letter here.

Dear Editor,

With the threat of the dissolution of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council hanging in the air (under Angela Rayner’s proposals for unitary authorities), residents might expect the RA-led council to demonstrate the value of local government by strongly championing local interests and defending the highly valued Green Belt. Instead, they are putting forward a plan that pleases no-one and will have repercussions for generations to come.

Tomorrow the council is due to issue its Regulation 19 consultation on the proposed Local Plan.

Here’s what the Director of Environment, Housing and Regeneration, Vicki Potts, and RA Cllr Woodbridge said about the Regulation 19 consultation process in the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee meeting held on 22 Nov 2023:

Vicki Potts: ‘Your Reg 19 document… you can’t make any major changes to it following [the Reg 19] consultation. If you want to make major changes at that stage, you can do, but you got to go back and do another consultation on your Regulation 19.’

Cllr Woodbridge: ‘From our residents’ perspective, when they’re being asked to be consulted on the Reg 19, they don’t really have much chance then to actually affect it. That is it then, really… I don’t want to say we’re going through the motions, but that consultation [Reg 19] is a less meaningful consultation than the one we’ve been through now [Reg 18].’

So the consultation is not an opportunity to amend the plan that so many residents reject, rather it is part of a statutory process that must be completed, however unpopular the plan’s content may be.

The Regulation 19 documentation for consultation

Just in time for Christmas, the council is planning to distribute a lump of coal to each residents’ Christmas stocking in the form of a consultation on a highly unpopular Local Plan.

In a rebuff to local democracy, following residents’ responses to the Reg 18 consultation in early 2023, the council have failed to make changes to the local plan either to provide the truly affordable housing needed to resolve the borough’s homelessness issues, or to protect the Green Belt. These are two strategic issues, and both of them featured heavily in responses from the borough residents and statutory consultees to the Regulation 18 consultation.

The council is proposing to redesignate or release over 175 hectares, or c.12% of the borough’s Green Belt (see analysis below).

The current National Planning Policy Framework (Dec 2023) gives councils the option not to revise Green Belt boundaries. Since Dec 2023:

• The Epsom Green Belt Group has highlighted this option and strongly encouraged its use.
• The council received legal advice at the start of 2024 which stated that it was legally acceptable to choose not to release Green Belt for development.
• Angela Rayner and Matthew Pennycook have repeatedly stated their expectation that it is previously developed land and ‘greybelt’ that should be released for development, not high performing Green Belt.

Justin Turvey, ‘Head of Place Development’ for Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and central to this borough’s Local Plan wrote, in response to the Sutton Borough Local Plan consultation in September 2024:

‘We note that under the National Planning Policy Framework (December 2023) there is no requirement on local authorities to review or amend their Green Belt boundaries through the plan making process and that any amendments must demonstrate ‘exceptional circumstances’.’

[Note: This response, dated 26 September 2024, was obtained through a Freedom of Information request to Sutton Council (see attached) as it was not made publicly available in Epsom & Ewell.]

Despite the clear option to remove undeveloped Green Belt from the Local Plan under the Dec 2023 NPPF, despite opposition to Green Belt development from across the political spectrum, despite government advice to protect high performing Green Belt, despite highlighting this option to a neighbouring borough, and despite overwhelming public opposition to the development of Green Belt, the council has continued to include housing development on the high performing Green Belt sites of both Horton Farm and Hook Road Arena in the Local Plan.

Turning to the newly released NPPF (Dec 2024), it states:

‘148. Where it is necessary to release Green Belt land for development, plans should give priority to previously developed land, then consider grey belt which is not previously developed, and then other Green Belt locations.’

The local plan proposals have not prioritised previously developed land (e.g. Hollywood Lodge is not included in the plans). The council has not provided an assessment of greybelt sites in the borough and has not prioritised them for development. The council has instead included the high performing Green Belt sites.

The excuse, or rationale, provided for giving up this high performing Green Belt land for development (despite not having followed the priority order in para 148, above) has been the provision of much needed affordable housing. Whilst there is widespread support for this objective, the reality is very different.

The council has not made any commitment to the provision of truly affordable homes on either of these sites. According to the Local Plan policies, the majority of the so-called ‘affordable housing’ will be priced at a 20% discount to the market price of the housing in the area.

Likely outcome of examination by planning inspector

Perversely, because of the decisions the Epsom & Ewell borough council has made, particularly the choice to amend Green Belt boundaries, there is a high likelihood that the current plan, if taken forward, will be found unsound and that further Green Belt release will be required.

To stand the best chance of being found sound and to protect the high quality Green Belt, the Local Plan should not amend Green Belt boundaries, should instead focus solely on brownfield and previously developed land, and should be submitted by 12 March 2025 (following Regulation 19 consultation). This can still be achieved, but becomes more challenging every day.

Sticking with an unpopular and unsound local plan may be the Christmas gift the borough residents would prefer not to receive.

Yours faithfully,

Katherine Alexander of Epsom Greenbelt Group

Read the full Epsom & Ewell Borough Council letter here.

By Luqman Ahmed
Leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association Epsom

As the first light of the new year stretched across the horizon, a group of volunteers from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) in Epsom began their day armed not with party hats or confetti, but with gloves, litter picking sticks, and determination. While others were still nestled in beds, dreaming of resolutions, this remarkable group was out in the cold, rainy and windy morning, embodying their motto: Love for All, Hatred for None.

The volunteers worked in harmony to breathe new life into their community. With every littered bottle picked up and every forgotten candy wrapper swept away, the streets seemed to exhale a sigh of relief. It was as if the city, shedding its New Year’s Eve revelry, was donning a fresh, clean cloak to greet 2025.

The act itself was simple but profound. “We do this every year,” said 30-year-old volunteer Ahmad Iqbal Ch, a doctor by profession. “It’s our way of giving back and starting the year with positivity.”

For the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Organisation, the clean-up event is more than just an exercise in tidiness; it finds its roots in the teachings of Islam, where the Holy Prophet (pbuh) told his followers that half of their faith is cleanliness and that removing even a stone out of someone’s way is considered charity.

Members of the public, on their way to work in the wet and windy weather, stopped to thank the volunteers and wished them all a happy new year.

Three core principles guided the AMYA team that morning: humility, selflessness, and service. The humility to pick up after others, the selflessness to sacrifice a warm morning at home, and the service to a community they loved deeply. Their efforts painted a vivid picture of the human spirit at its best—undaunted by chill or challenge.

As the volunteers finished, one could almost hear the streets murmuring in gratitude, the trees nodding in approval, and the winds carrying their story to distant corners. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association had done more than clean up—they had planted seeds of hope, showing that even small acts of service can sweep away the remnants of the past and make way for a brighter, better future.

Indeed, as the Borough slept through its hangover, a group of quiet heroes ensured that its awakening would be one of cleanliness, care, and community—a new year, truly renewed.

Council Finances

Epsom & Ewell Faces Tight Constraints in 25/26 Government settlement

26 December 2024

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has received its provisional financial settlement for 2025/26, and while the figures align with expectations, they highlight ongoing financial pressures on local services. The settlement … Read More

Arts Culture

Epsom Choral Society carols for cardiac charity

24 December 2024

Epsom Choral Society presented its ever-popular annual Christmas Concert on Saturday 21st December at St Martin’s Church in Epsom. Always a highlight of the festive season, this year’s concert was … Read More

Business News

Epsom business contact with the King warranted

23 December 2024

Epsom based since 2013 Cirrus, the leading provider of contact centre software, is proud to announce it has been granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment by His Majesty King Charles … Read More

Rugby Sports

After 12 wins in a run Sutton & Epsom fall at the thirteenth

23 December 2024

Old Reigatian 21 Sutton & Epsom RFC 15. Saturday 21st December. Midweek illnesses, at one stage, threatened to derail Sutton selection for the last league game in 2024. Ultimately the … Read More

Crime News

Surrey prison failed IPP prisoner

23 December 2024

Staff at a Surrey prison failed to get medical attention for a prisoner who was reportedly found “naked on all fours, and barking like a dog” before he took his own … Read More

Council Planning

River Mole to attract visitors to Leatherhead?

23 December 2024

Mole Valley District Council’s dream of “improving” and “enhancing” Leatherhead has taken a step forward after plans to regenerate Claire House and James House were submitted. The site is part … Read More

Council Council constitution

Tiers to be shed if Epsom and Ewell loses its Borough Council?

23 December 2024

Surrey could be split in two as part of sweeping changes to how services are run. Downing Street is looking to reshape local government and has set out a white … Read More

Education Health News

Surrey Uni Doing the maths on virus transmission

23 December 2024

How prepared are we for another pandemic? Mathematical insights pinpoint lessons on airborne viral transmission   Half a decade on from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a study by the … Read More

Arts Community Culture

Epsom celebrates a new Ukrainian Christmas Day

20 December 2024

The vibrant Ukrainian community in Epsom and Ewell and surrounding areas will celebrate Christmas Day for the second year on 25th December. This change was formalized when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy … Read More

News Transport

Going South from Epsom for Xmas? Check your trains

20 December 2024

Epsom residents are being urged to check before travelling as South Western Railway (SWR) services to Guildford face significant disruption due to emergency engineering works. The works will take place … Read More