As Epsom and Ewell Times reported  27th May 2022, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council announced the departure of its Chief Executive Officer, Kathryn Beldon, “following her decision that this is the time for a new chapter in [my] life.”  Yet, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by Epsom and Ewell Times for disclosure of the former CEO’s resignation letter the Council has responded: “We are unable to comply with your request as the Council did not receive a letter of resignation from Kathryn Beldon. The reason for her leaving was stated in the previous press release, which can be accessed on the EEBC website using the following link:
Epsom and Ewell Chief Executive | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (epsom-ewell.gov.uk)“

Tonight 7.30pm onward (Monday 4th July2022) in the Council Chamber, Town Hall The Parade Epsom, the Council is due to debate the recruitment of a new Chief Executive and no doubt the circumstances of the departure of the previous one will be discussed. However, as we reported 28th June 2022 the meetings may be held in private as first the Strategy and Resources Committee (7.30pm) and then the Full Council (@8.30pm) will determine if the press and public should be excluded on either the ground of the privacy of an individual outweighing the public interest in the matter or to keep Council finances secret.

Surrey County Council’s lowest paid staff are set to receive a pay boost after unions and council officers agreed a proportionate pay offer that sees pay increases on a sliding scale.

The offer will give people at the lowest pay grade a 7.85% increase and will exceed the UK Living Wage Foundations National Living Wage with a minimum hourly pay rate of £10.24ph.

The percentage increase drops further up the scales, with those earning the most receiving no increase.

Surrey Pay is subject to local agreement and negotiations between the Council and recognised trade unions (Unison & GMB). Negotiations this year focused on the sharp increases in costs of living, with the final offer reflecting the council’s stated ambition of No One Left Behind – helping those who need us most.

The offer is targeted at lower earners who are inevitably struggling most with the costs of living increases, hence the graduated nature of the pay uplift.

Leader of Surrey County Council Cllr Tim Oliver (Conservative) said: “I’m pleased that a strong pay offer has been agreed, one that particularly protects our lowest paid staff.

“We know that the cost of living is proving a challenge for many, but as a council it is our absolute priority to ensure no one is left behind, and that includes our staff. This offer reflects that.

“It is also in recognition of the excellent services staff continued to provide under difficult conditions during the pandemic, which we are all grateful for.”

Ewell Village has entered Britain in Bloom – a national competition which seeks to use flowers and greenery to transform communities. Judges will visit the village on the morning of Tuesday 5th July 2022.
This competition entry is part of a broader effort to rejuvenate the village. Making Ewell high street and surrounding areas more attractive through flowers and planting is just one thing that the community, businesses, groups, organisations and community leaders have been working on to improve our local area.

For Ewell Village in Bloom, volunteers have been working on:

• revitalising the memorial garden outside Sainsbury’s
• getting The Grove cleared up and grass re-seeded
• cleaning up the High Street and Bourne Hall park – with monthly volunteers meeting at 10am on the 4th Sunday of every month
• planting in Bourne Hall park
• getting ready for a yarn bomb attack of crochet flowers in the village for judging day!

Everyone in the Ewell are can take part! The big idea is that if everyone did something small to take a bare area of their property frontage to make it more beautiful, then collectively we can make a big difference. This may be as simple as putting a pot on your doorstep, adding a hanging basket or putting a summer wreath on your front door.

Once one person in the road does it, other people copy, and the momentum starts to build. They would love people to send their before and after photos to Ewellvillage@outlook.com. The Mayor of Epsom and Ewell Cllr Clive Woodridge will judge the best road overall.
For more information, please contact Alison Price at Ewellvillage@outlook.com.

Jo Harrop is one of 4 nominees for the prestigious annual Parliamentary jazz award for vocalist of the year 2022.
Epsom’s own Nigel Price, the UK’s foremost guitarist and founder of the UK wide jazz club supporting Grassroots Jazz , has been nominated for the annual award for services to jazz.
The winners will be announced at PizzaExpress Live, Holborn, London on Tuesday 5th July.
Both nominees will play in Epsom on Thursday 7th July at 7.30pm at the Epsom Jazz Club in The Oaks Room in the Conservative Club, Church Street, Epsom.
You can book your tickets for Epsom Jazz Club 7th July for a great evening of jazz.

Surrey Police are appealing for help to identify this man, who they believe may be able to help with their investigation into a residential burglary in Epsom on Sunday, 26 June. 

The burglary took place on Linden Place in Epsom at around 12:50am. During the burglary, a coat was stolen.

Surrey Police believe the man seen in these CCTV images may be able to help with their investigation.

If you recognise him, or have any other information that could assist with their enquiries, please contact Surrey Police quoting PR/ 45220067795 via:

• Webchat on https://surrey.police.uk/
• Online https://www.surrey.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/
• Calling 101

If you do not wish to leave your name, please call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11

Some key findings of the Public Interest News Foundation include:

• Most independent news publishers cover a broad range of news topics within a tightly defined local place. The smaller the area covered, the smaller the revenue.  ​
• The staff at independent publishers are not yet representative of the UK population, with women and ethnic minorities underrepresented. More than half of publishers say they’re making efforts to serve diverse audiences. ​
• Independent publishers make a big difference to the communities they serve – and to democracy. Publishers say they increase civic engagement, increase public debate and inspire more people to be involved in public life, among other things.  
• Publishers face significant challenges around revenue, staffing, costs and the social media giants. 

​Amid rising demand for high quality local news, publishers have high hopes for the future. They see opportunities to build trust with communities that feel far from economic or political power.  

Click HERE to read the FULL REPORT

Epsom and Ewell Times is your news service. Contributors, subscribers and advertisers, our doors are open. Remember we are not-for-profit. No salaries and no fees are paid.

Epsom Choral Society (ECS), which is celebrating its Centenary this year, put on a spirited
performance at its “Songs from the Shows” concert on Saturday 25th June at St Andrews Church in
Cheam.

The choir has traditionally concentrated on lighter repertoire for its summer concert and this year it
caught the mood with a programme of medleys from famous musicals such as Porgy and Bess, Guys
and Dolls and Oklahoma! Les Misérables received particularly enthusiastic applause. The evening
was enhanced by two soloists from the Epsom Light Opera Company: Lian Downes, who performed
‘Meadowlark’ from The Baker’s Wife and James Turnbull, who sang ‘Empty Chairs at Empty Tables’
from Les Misérables. The evening came together under the expert baton of Musical Director Julian
Collings with a band which, despite being much reduced by the rail strike, provided all the rhythm
and colour needed for a great evening.

The final concert in the choir’s Centenary Season will be Handel’s Messiah at Epsom Playhouse on
Saturday 3rd December, and ECS would love to see you there. What better way to celebrate 100
years of singing? Visit their website HERE

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Meet Epsom & Ewell’s new Mayor, Clive Woodbridge.May 24, 2022 On a rainy, downcast day, Epsom & Ewell Times’ Tom Luckham has had the pleasure of sitting down with Clive, Epsom and Ewell’s new Mayor. Epsom might not be too Epsom wears its Royal pride as the Jubilee approachesMay 25, 2022 Epsom is gearing up for a big week. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee approaches fast, and with the crowning jewel of the events taking place at Epsom Racecourse, it’s hardly surprising … READ MORE Cllr Gulland: Insulate & Generate – two key aspects to include in the Local Plan for Epsom & Ewell Joining us for the other side of the coin regarding our articles on heating and insulation, Councillor David Gulland (College Ward – Liberal Democrat) goes over some topics regarding the …  Is this Epsom Couple getting their heating for free?May 18, 2022 As part of our duo of articles regarding insulation and heating, Epsom & Ewell Times met Peter and his wife Elsa. Peter is a brave local resident who … Steve Cauthen joins ITV Racing for Cazoo Jubilee DerbyMay 18, 2022 Legendary American Jockey Steve Cauthen has announced he will join ITV Racing to cover the Platinum Jubilee Derby in Epsom. Cauthen, born in Kentucky to a … READ MORE Looking back on the Epsom & Ewell ShowcaseMay 18, 2022 Rotary Club is about community, charity, fun and friendship. They run social events throughout the … READ MORE

NEWS

Lorry Undercover: Is this PC?

June 9, 2022

“You have to ask yourself is it worth it?”: Undercover officers stop 106 vehicles in just three days for road traffic offences. A dedicated road safety campaign by Surrey officers … READ MORE

COUNCIL NEWS

The Local Plan to plan The Local Plan

June 7, 2022

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s Licensing and Planning Policy Committee (LLPC) met on the 26th of May 2022 to agree on a timetable for consultation on drafting “The Local Plan”. … READ MORE

JUBILEE NEWS

Celebrating the Jubilee from one end of the Borough to the other

June 7, 2022

All over the Borough of Epsom and Ewell for the past days and weeks, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee has been celebrated by residents and businesses in Epsom & Ewell. 70 … READ MORE

JUBILEE

GALLERY: Inside the Epsom Jubilee Family Festival!

June 1, 2022

Today, Epsom held the Epsom Jubilee Family Festival, hours of fun for all the family. The festival included market stalls, face-painting, stilt-walkers, dancing and much more. Crowds packed in and … READ MORE

COMMUNITY NEWS

Derby Hall of Fame unveiled in Epsom Market Place

June 1, 2022

Today, Epsom’s very own racing Hall of Fame was unveiled by Mayor Clive Woodbridge alongside representatives from The Jockey Club. Starting off the Queens’ Platinum Jubilee celebrations and the Derby … READ MORE

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS

Epsom & Ewell Health Walks are looking for volunteers

May 31, 2022

Epsom & Ewell Health Walks is a small Charity registered with HMRC No. XT 37422. The objective is to provide walks for older people who are unable to walk long … READ MORE

NEWS

The View from Westminster: Chris Grayling MP on Military aid to Ukraine, Energy levy and the Queen

May 31, 2022

The situation in Ukraine remains appalling and the brutality that has been wreaked on its people defies understanding. I think that most of us thought that this kind of war … READ MORE

COUNCIL NEWS

West Ewell By-Election to be held on July 7th

May 31, 2022

Further to the sad recent death of Councillor Clive Smitheram, an election is to be held to elect one Borough Councillor for the West Ewell ward, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council. This … READ MORE

JUBILEE NEWS

Nationals report Queen to miss Epsom Derby

May 31, 2022

It is looking increasingly likely that the Queen will not attend the Epsom Derby on June 4th, The Sunday Times reports. The Sunday Times is reporting that the Queen will … READ MORE

NEWS

Record-breaking Epsom Derby legend Lester Piggott dies at 86

May 30, 2022

Lester Piggott, a legend of horse racing, passed away at 86 in Geneva yesterday (29th May). Lester had a long and colourful career as a Jockey and Trainer, winning the Epsom … READ MORE

BOROUGH HISTORY NEWS

Boy Soldier buried in Epsom

June 16, 2022

Leslie Charles ATTWOOD, b.1899 – d.1917 Enlisted in the army in 1914 aged 15. Awarded the Silver War Badge. Buried in a pauper’s and now unmarked grave in Epsom’s abandoned … READ MORE

NEWS

Cost of Living Crisis Scams – Epsom and Ewell’s Citizen Advice Bureau can help:

June 15, 2022

Citizens Advice Epsom and Ewell (CAEE) is joining Scams Awareness Fortnight 2022, a national campaign to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of economic fraud. CAEE advisers are helping an increasing number of … READ MORE

CRIME NEWS

Witness appeal: sex assault Epsom 13th June

June 15, 2022

Surrey Police are appealing for witnesses following reports of a serious sexual assault in Epsom in the early hours of the morning of Monday 13th June. The victim was walking … READ MORE

COUNCIL NEWS

£225,000 to plan the unplanned

June 13, 2022

Council to spend £225,000 on consultants for Epsom Town Centre “Masterplan”. Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) has secured a total of £225,000 from The Department for Levelling Up and the … READ MORE

BOROUGH HISTORY COMMUNITY NEWS

Borough celebrates being a Twin for 25 years

June 10, 2022

Over the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, Epsom and Ewell  entertained a large group of visitors from its French twin town, Chantilly. Guests included Chantilly’s  Deputy Mayor and members of the Chantilly Comité … READ MORE

COMMUNITY COUNCIL VOLUNTEERS

Wells Centre’s Appeal

June 10, 2022

Epsom and Ewell Times reported 25th April 2022 on the new lease of life promised for the Wells Estate, Epsom community centre. The charity Epsom Wells Community Association hope to … READ MORE

NEWS VOLUNTEERS

Epsom aid hero returns from Ukraine

June 10, 2022

In an exclusive for Epsom and Ewell Times, we report on Paul Matthews’ (of Lewins Road Epsom) recent experience taking aid provided by Epsom based Surrey Stands With Ukraine [SSWU] … READ MORE

CRIME NEWS

Lorry Undercover: Is this PC?

June 9, 2022

“You have to ask yourself is it worth it?”: Undercover officers stop 106 vehicles in just three days for road traffic offences. A dedicated road safety campaign by Surrey officers … READ MORE

COUNCIL NEWS

The Local Plan to plan The Local Plan

June 7, 2022

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s Licensing and Planning Policy Committee (LLPC) met on the 26th of May 2022 to agree on a timetable for consultation on drafting “The Local Plan”. … READ MORE

JUBILEE NEWS

Celebrating the Jubilee from one end of the Borough to the other

June 7, 2022

All over the Borough of Epsom and Ewell for the past days and weeks, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee has been celebrated by residents and businesses in Epsom & Ewell. 70 … READ MORE