On Thursday 7th July 2022 voters in the Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Ward of West Ewell have the opportunity to vote for the candidate who will take the seat held for many years by the late Cllr Clive Smitheram of the Residents’ Association.

The candidates are Marion Morrison (Liberal Democrat), Kieran Persand (Conservative Party), Mark Todd (Labour Party) and Alan Williamson (Residents’ Association).

Q and As You can read the candidates’ answers to Epsom and Ewell Times’ questions HERE

HUSTINGS

Epsom and Ewell Times is holding an election hustings that three of the four candidates will attend. Alan Williamson (Residents Association), who works in the financial services sector, has advised that he is working that evening and cannot attend. The hustings will start at 7 pm on Monday 4th July at All Saints Church, 7 Church Rd, West Ewell, Ewell, Epsom KT19 9QY and will last one hour.

Attendance in person is encouraged but you may participate online if you register in advance HERE

COST OF NEW LOCAL PLAN GOES UP BY ANOTHER QUARTER OF A MILLION POUNDS.

A meeting of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s Licensing and Planning Policy Committee on 21 June 2022 was presented with a shortfall of £255,000 in funding the delivery of the Local Plan.
The shortfall was discovered following a full review of the Local Plan progress and supporting
evidence base that was undertaken by the Head of Place Development earlier this year “to
understand the implications of changes in legislation and local context post Covid.”
These additional funds would be required to cover the Planning Inspectorate’s public examination of
the Plan, including their fees.
The total amount of money so far allocated to the Local Plan process was unclear. When Cllr Julie
Morris (Lib Dem, College ward) said that she had totted up the cost to be at least £1.3 million, the
Head of Place Development agreed to investigate and report back on the full official figure.
Cllr Peter Webb (Res Ass, Auriol ward) asked whether officers could assure the committee that no
further fund increases would be required. The Head of Place Development confirmed that she was
sure the latest requirement would be sufficient to cover the standard process as long as the Council
kept to the agreed scope and timetable but that there was still uncertainty about unknown variables
such as the level of response to the public consultation.
The committee was warned that the new Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill announced in the
recent Queen’s Speech could include some significant changes to the way local plans are
produced and may involve some additional duties.
As the Local Plan is a mandatory document, the Council has no alternative but to find the
necessary funding for it.
The committee meeting started at 7:30 pm and closed at 7:48 pm.

See Epsom and Ewell Times’ earlier report on The Local Plan of 7th June and the report on the £225,000 costs of the Town Centre Masterplan of 13th June 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 regional Local Enterprise Partnership. The money is earmarked to pay consultants to develop an “Epsom Town Centre Master Plan”, including digital community engagement plans. A public consultation about it later this year is indicated.

26^th May 2022 Council officers reported to Councillors: “The Council is faced with some difficult decisions about how it can plan to accommodate growth to meet central government policy. There are several potential development opportunities within Epsom Town Centre that could come forward (emphasis supplied) promoted by each respective landowner.”

“.…… presently, there is not an up-to-date document to guide development in the Town Centre. The Town Centre Masterplan provides the opportunity to plan comprehensively for development to ensure that there is a coordinated approach to address the following:

• The parameters for development of the sites that have been submitted through the Local Plan Call for Sites for development (Utilities, Ashley Centre, University for the Creative Arts (UCA))

• The facilities and infrastructure that would be needed to support the development of key sites (parking, retail, social, community, transport).

• Environmental Improvements to the town centre that could be facilitated through development proposals. Whether through development itself, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) (chargeable on substantial developments) and section 106 Town and Country Planning Act funds (money transferred to the Council by developers, usually on the larger scale developments that require structural support).

• Key principles for retention, enhancement or development of areas that would not be subject to major development proposals.

EEBC’s Licensing and Planning Policy Committee agreed to delegate the spending of this £225,000 to the Council Officer entitled Head of Place Development.

The digital engagement element of the £225,000 is £125,000 and was sought by EEBC to support the following Governmental objects and within the development of the Epsom Town Centre Masterplan.

• “Incentivise communities to positively engage in planning conversations.”

• “Engage a more representative range of citizens in decision-making.”

• “Inform the community on trade-offs and outcomes through development.”

• “Establish meaningful baseline data and, where possible, integrate digital and traditional engagement best practice.”

Lessons learned from this Town Centre Masterplan “digital engagement” might be applied to planning matters generally in the future.

Only time will tell whether landowners and land developers will ever submit plans that need to be judged by the policies of the “Epsom Town Centre Masterplan” that is to be developed at a cost of £225,000.

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 fund repairs from grants but to cover legal and other initial costs they need to raise money from the public.

EWCA and are working hard to re-open the centre after being awarded a 125-year lease by the Epsom and Ewell Borough Council to operate it. The centre, and its wooden predecessor, have welcomed all ages – from toddlers and pre-school children to pensioners – for over 70 years.
There is a shortage of social centres in Epsom. The Longmead Sefton Road centre is frequently over-subscribed so, the Wells centre has been sorely missed.

Vanessa Marchant of EWCA said to our reporter: “Leaflets are being delivered to homes asking for donations – no matter how big or small. After fighting doggedly for five years EWCA wrote an extensive business plan to convince the Council to back us. Just like buying a house, there are legal hoops we have to jump through before we get the keys. We need financial help to deal with the legal, accounting and insurance costs for the purchase.”

In addition, volunteers who have specific skills to donate, or who want to be part of the “big plans” to re-open, should contact: contactewca@gmail.com

For more details and to join the mailing list visit epsomwellscommunityassociation.org

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”.

A Local Plan provides Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) with policies on development, building heights, renewable energy requirements etc. Without a Local Plan EEBC has limited ability to refuse what otherwise might be planning applications the Council and local residents might think are inappropriate. The LPPC agreed on a revised “planning framework” which will be the foundation for The Local Plan preparation.

The layers upon layers of documents and policies involved would go beyond satisfying Sir Humphrey Appleby of “Yes, Minister”. A bureaucratic labyrinth that may occupy officers for years, baffle elected representatives and endlessly confuse the public.

In 2016 the Council commenced the production of a new Local Plan but it has never got to the final stage of completion. Why the long delay? Council officers cite as reasons for the delay the intervention of Brexit, Co-Vid and new national planning policy. Those interruptions to the process meant that other sources of evidence about housing and economic needs became out-of-date. An adopted Local Plan should be based on evidence no more than three years old when examined during the preparation of The Local Plan.

Yet these excuses can be contrasted with the achievements of Epsom and Ewell’s neighbours. Mole Valley District Council submitted to the Government its Local Plan on 14th February 2022, with much of the preparatory work on it being done during the Brexit and Co-Vid years. Elmbridge Borough Council approved its draft Local Plan on 23rd March 2022. Reigate and Banstead Borough Council adopted its equivalent “Development Management Plan to 2027” in September 2019. The London Borough of Sutton’s Local Plan to 2031 was adopted in February 2018 and finally, Epsom and Ewell’s last neighbour to mention, the London Borough of Kingston-Upon-Thames has started its development of a Local Plan aiming to have it approved by central government by 2024.
In April 2022 the Epsom and Ewell LPPC agreed on the following timetable for the Local Plan process:

October/November 2022 – Drafting the Local Plan commences
October/November 2023 – Submission to Public Consultation
December 2023 – Submission to the Secretary of State
Winter 2024 – Estimated date of Adoption

If this timetable is not interrupted then nearly 8 years will pass between the 2016 start and the estimated final adoption of this vital Local Plan.

The Local Plan also is important as it plays a role in implementing objectives that are set out in EEBC’s Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) and has a key role in delivering sustainable development. One of the key objectives of the CCAP is the adoption of 2035 as the year for when EEBC itself should aim to be net carbon
neutral.

The preparation of The Local Plan involves a raft of contributing policies and documents:

A Sustainability Appraisal (SA). The first stage is the preparation of an SA “scoping report”. This is a tool to appraise planning policies and spatial options for development. It is made up of objectives, indicators and targets tailored to the key sustainability issues for Epsom and Ewell Borough. Planning policies are looked at against these to understand how they will contribute to the sustainable development of the Borough. The last SA was in 2017 and is treated as out-of-date.

A duty to cooperate framework is being developed to agree to the strategic cross-boundary issues with EEBC’s DTC bodies. EEBC’s DTC bodies include neighbouring local councils and other statutory bodies.

A Land Availability Assessment (LAA) -This assesses all sites for all uses. A key part of this is to ensure EEBC has considered all sites and left no stone unturned. A Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment (HEDNA) – The core component of this work is to provide an integrated assessment of future housing needs (including a breakdown by type, tenure, and size) the scale of future economic growth and the quantity of land and floor space required for employment development across the Borough.

A Viability Study – The role of the viability assessment is primarily at the plan-making stage. Viability assessment should not compromise sustainable development but should be used to ensure that policies are realistic and that the total cumulative cost of all relevant policies will not undermine the deliverability of the plan. A policy about policies!

A Climate Change Study (CCS) – this study is aimed at exploring how climate change objectives, both in respect of mitigation and adaptation, might most effectively be addressed through the emerging Local Plan. Epsom Town Centre Masterplan will be a key piece of evidence to inform the Council’s Local Plan by identifying development options for specific key town-centre sites and identifying how the wider town centre could be improved. This evidence will be used to inform the Local Plan spatial strategy, site allocations and policies including matters such as land uses and scale of development. EEBC has secured some £225,000 of funding from The Department for Levelling Up and the regional Local Enterprise Partnership fund. The money is earmarked to pay consultants to develop this Epsom Town Centre Master Plan, including digital community engagement plans. Next week we will report further on the preparations of this “masterplan”.

A Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out who, how and when EEBC consults others about all manner of planning applications and planning policies. The latest draft SCI was approved at the 26th of May 2022 meeting and is subject to public consultation on itself, prior to a final document to be presented to the LPP’s 28th of July 2022 meeting.

The consultation has opened and closes at noon on the 4th of July 2022. Participate via this link: Epsom and Ewell register

Epsom and Ewell Times urge readers to urge the Council to use local online news services to publish its planning notices. At present, the Guidelines only provide for the use of printed newspapers of which there are none truly dedicated to serving Epsom and Ewell.

There are other documents that will feed into the creation of the Local Plan not least the National Planning Policy Framework published in July 2021 by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which requires a Local Plan to be:

Positively prepared – providing a strategy which, as a minimum, seeks to meet the area’s objectively assessed needs; is informed by agreements with other authorities, so that unmet need from neighbouring areas is accommodated where it is practical to do so and is consistent with achieving sustainable development.
Justified – an appropriate strategy, taking into account the reasonable alternatives, and based on proportionate evidence.
Effective – deliverable over the plan period and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic matters that have been dealt with rather than deferred, as evidenced by the statement of common ground.
Consistent with national policy – enabling the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with the policies in the Framework and other statements of national planning policy, where relevant.

LPPC member and Labour Councillor Kate Chinn (Court Ward) commented after the 26th May meeting: “It is vital that Epsom and Ewell Borough Council manages to meet the timescales just agreed at the LLPC committee meeting to produce the Local Plan. There has been too much dither and delay and without the plan, the Council
cannot ensure that residents are consulted and enabled to remain in the Borough. The plan must meet the challenges of minimising climate change and demand that homes are built to a high standard for Borough residents to live and settle in with security of tenure. The current priority seems to be challenging the government’s target of how many homes the Borough build which is surely not the main objective. Councillors should be listening to people and looking at the number of people with housing needs who are living in expensive Borough temporary housing. Currently, families are being moved away from both their support networks and their children’s schools. The borough needs a plan that works with housing associations to provide social housing of a good standard with EV points, solar panels, insulation and where possible heat pumps.”

Julie Morris Liberal Democrat Councillor for College Ward was stark in her criticism and said after the meeting: “Epsom & Ewell’s new Local Plan has become the train to nowhere.  Every time we have apparently had the human and financial resources in place to make progress, things have stalled.  The ruling RA (Residents Association) group seems oblivious to the importance of the Local Plan in delivering policies designed specifically for Epsom & Ewell.  It regularly chooses to blame central government rather than look inwardly to its own lack of leadership and commitment to the task.”

Epsom and Ewell Times invited the Conservative Councillor and an RA Group Councillor to comment too.

Watch out for updates on Epsom and Ewell Times on the consultations and other key developments. If you want to go into even greater detail go to the Committee pages of the Epsom and Ewell Borough Council website and the pages of the independent Epsom Civic Society.

By our special correspondent.

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 will take place on Thursday 7 July 2022.

West Ewell ward, in the west of the borough, has three seats on the Council, at present all three are held by the Residents Association.

The formal call for candidates and notice of the election has been issued today.

Forms of nomination for the Borough Election may be obtained at the Town Hall, The Parade, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5BY from the Returning Officer who will, at the request of an elector for any electoral area, prepare a nomination paper for signature.

Nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer on any day after the date of the notice (31 May 2022), Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm but by no later than 4pm on Friday, 10^th June 2022.

If the election is contested the poll will take place on Thursday, 7^th July 2022.

In the event of a poll, the polling stations will be at:

Polling District EA: West Ewell Evangelical Church, 23 Lansdowne Road, West Ewell KT19 9QJ (Polling Station 1); and

Polling District EB: All Saints Church & Community Centre, Fulford Road, West Ewell KT19 9QY (Polling Stations 2 & 3)

READ MORE:

5.30 pm 26^th May 2022 Epsom and Ewell Borough Council announced the departure in July of its Chief Executive Officer, Kathryn Beldon, following her decision “that this is the time for a new chapter in [my] life.” Ms Beldon joined the Council in 2014 as the Director of Finance and Resources before being appointed as the Chief Executive in April 2017.

Epsom and Ewell Times has seen evidence that in fact, the current CEO’s last working day in office will be in just 11 days’ time on June 6th and that the current Director of Corporate Services, Jackie King, will “take on some of [the CEO’s] responsibilities on an interim basis whilst the longer-term arrangements are determined.”

Councillor Hannah Dalton, Chair of the Residents’ Association Majority Group said, “It is with regret that Kathryn will be leaving Epsom and Ewell Borough Council. As Chief Executive, Kathryn has led many initiatives including the development of the borough’s Future 40 vision and more recently she has been pivotal in the borough council meeting the immense challenges presented by COVID-19”.

“Kathryn has led the organisation to support our community and has worked with councillors and our partners to deliver plans to benefit residents and local businesses. She has risen to meet many challenges and leaves the organisation in a strong position for the future.”

Ms Beldon said: “It has been a privilege to work for Epsom and Ewell Borough Council.  The last few years have been a period of exceptional challenge and I am deeply grateful for the commitment and dedication of colleagues who have worked so hard to support our residents and businesses during these unprecedented times.  With a clear vision and plan for the future, I wish members and officers well as I move on to the next chapter.” 

The loss of the CEO follows the departure of a number of Departmental Heads following re-organisations over the course of the last two years. Will the Council now be able to attract a dynamic Chief Executive and how long will the process take?

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Meet Epsom & Ewell’s new Mayor, Clive Woodbridge.

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 familiar with its new Mayor yet. Clive Woodbridge is a former Journalist who is now Epsom and Ewell’s First Citizen. He’s dedicated to raising awareness for multiple charities and good causes. He loves a curry and he has a dog named after England legend Geoff Hurst.

Clive took office on Tuesday after the official Mayor-Making ceremony on Monday evening, replacing previous Mayor Peter O’Donovon.

Mayor of Epsom & Ewell being an annual position, Clive will serve in this role for a year.

After a short(ish) discussion about our shared love of West Ham United, we got into the questions that I had prepared.

Tom: The main thing I wanted to discuss was charities, I see that you are championing seven charities in your first Mayoral year, could you expand upon why you chose those particular charities?

Clive: They’re all charities that mean something to me and Mary (The Mayoress) and our family. While Epsom and Ewell is an affluent area there are people who are struggling and I think Epsom & Ewell Foodbank are doing tremendous work. They’re working with the Council to set up Epsom & Ewell Pantry. The Foodbank celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, so I thought it was an excellent time to make people aware of what they’ve done, and the new things that they’re doing.

Shine Cancer Support, sadly, my son passed away at the end of March after a battle with cancer, my wife and I sat down and thought that we’d like to support a cancer charity. I wanted to choose a small charity, and Shine focuses on people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s who have received a diagnosis. They’re small, so if I can give them something it’ll mean something to them.

Onto JDRF, that’s a diabetes research charity, both my son’s fiancee and my best friend from university have type 1 diabetes, so I’ve seen how it can be an inconvenient illness at best and a life-threatening one at worst. JDRF does a lot of good research for type 1, there are others that focus on both but I wanted to raise awareness for JDRF.

Cardiac Risk in the Young:  My children went to Glyn school and we lived just around the corner. It is a charity that the School supported since some Glyn students went to sports camp and unfortunately died due to heart issues. The statistics show that many young people die from this, but if awareness is raised and they’re all scanned and have those medical checks, we can potentially save lives.

Epsom Sports Club: I’m interested in sports, they do a fantastic job, they support people of all ages, they do a wide range of sports for people of all ages, the Council has always been a supporter of the Surrey Youth Games. They’re trying to raise funds for a Pavillion at the moment, I’d like to raise awareness of that fundraising effort.

Racing Welfare: Well, we’re a racing town and I’m an Epsom and Walton Downs conservator myself. It seems a very glitzy business but some people involved have quite hard lives, so Racing Welfare does a lot of pastoral care and financial support for those people.

Last but not least, Bliss: My wife was a midwife. She has seen the good work that Bliss does. A few parents started it up. This charity provides support for parents whose children are born very ill and have to go into intensive care.

As you can probably tell, there’s no particular theme that runs through these charities, it would be nice to make money for them, but that’s not my primary aim, it’s about awareness so that at the end of the year, hopefully, I can give them a platform and more people can be aware of them.

Tom: Next question I wanted to ask was what are your priorities for your year in office?

Clive: That’s a good question, Epsom and Ewell is a wonderful place, we’ve got fantastic people who give up their time to help people, we’ve got fantastic companies who are innovating and creating new things, we’re a wonderful place physically in terms of the Downs and Epsom Common, so I just want to put the spotlight on what’s good about Epsom and Ewell and let those things speak for themselves. Also the diversity of our community. On Sunday there’s the Hindu chariots event in Stoneleigh. I’ve never been to it, but I’m looking forward to going. They raise funds for charity.  I think it’s about celebrating our diversity. Really, it’s about meeting as many people as I can, saying well done to them for their efforts and perhaps sprinkling a bit of magic mayoral dust on them.

Tom: On the other side, what do you think could be improved about the Borough?

Clive: I think one of the things the Council is quite keen on is volunteering because Councils and the government can’t fix everything. Increasingly we rely on the goodwill and efforts of people who might go out and pick up litter or look after people and provide that sort of support. I don’t think there are any specific things wrong, but perhaps there are some things that our society needs that I can help promote.

Tom: What are you most looking forward to in your new role?

Clive: That’s a good question, I’m looking forward to being the First Citizen. Epsom and Ewell is a place I love. I’m not someone who is naturally in the spotlight. In my political career, I’ve tried to stay out of it.  I suppose that’s something I’m not looking forward to but will have to get used to “laughs”. I am very much looking forward to taking part in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The Queen has done a fantastic job, she’s a role model for anyone in public service, and I know Epsom and Ewell will make her proud. The Derby is one of her official events, so I really do hope she does come. Really, I’m just looking forward to meeting people and taking the time out of my working life to do these things. One of the things about being Mayor is that it’s not an easy thing, it’s a voluntary role.  I’m very lucky, as we’re entering more normal times post COVID-19, 

Tom: I read that you’re a head judge at the British Curry Awards, what was the best curry you’ve ever had and who made it?

Clive: Le Raj organises the British Curry Awards. They’re my favourite outside-of-London curry house anyway, I’ve always really enjoyed their Chicken Biryani, so I’d probably say that. The other curry restaurant I like going to is the Cinnamon Club in London. It’s very interesting, it’s in the old parliamentary library that was converted, the food is fantastic and the ambience is brilliant, you’re sitting there in this old library eating a curry.

Tom: If you were just named West Ham’s manager, who is the first player you would sign?

Clive: Oh that’s very difficult, anyone I want? I’ll tell you what, this might be controversial, but I loved seeing Dimitri Payet play when he was there, he’s doing so well at Marseille at the moment, look at his assists! If I could get him back for one year, we need a player like him. The Brentford centre-forward Ivan Toney is very impressive, he’d certainly be somewhere up there. But do you know what, if Gareth Bale, at his best, was available and willing to play for West Ham then I think I would take him? If not, I’d try and find a good young player from the lower leagues. I mean, my son’s dog is called Paulo (Paulo Di Canio), my late dog was called Bobby (Moore) and I now have a Geoffrey (Hurst), so if I live long enough there’ll have to be a Martin down the line.

With the Mayor Making ceremony last night at Bourne Hall, Epsom and Ewell officially have a new mayor, along with the new mayor, the policy, standards, advisory and regulatory committees have had new chairs and vice-chairs appointed.

Who chairs what committee? What do these committees do? Read on for all you need to know about the committees and their new chairpeople.

Audit and Scrutiny Committee

Chair: Steve Bridger

Vice-Chair: Nigel Colin

The Audit and Scrutiny Committee is an audit committee made up of 10 councillors and serves as the council’s primary form of internal scrutiny. The committee serves many vital functions, such as monitoring the progress of the Council’s corporate plan, reviewing and approving the annual governance statement and exercising scrutiny and review functions.

The committee will now be chaired by Councillor Steve Bridger of Stamford Ward, and Vice-Chaired by Councillor Nigel Colin of College Ward.

Community and Wellbeing Committee 

Chair: Alex Coley

Vice-Chair: Christine Cleveland

The Community and Wellbeing Committee is a policy committee dedicated to the promotion of sports, leisure, cultural and recreational activities in the borough. The committee is also responsible for the management of The Playhouse, Bourne Hall, Ewell Court House, The Rainbow Centre and Bourne Hall Museum.

The committee’s agenda is very broad, covering everything from parks and recreation to housing benefits, making it one of the most important vital committees for the day-to-day running of the council. The committee will now be chaired by Councillor Alex Coley of Ruxley Ward ad vice-chaired by Christine Cleveland of Ewell Ward.

Environment & Safe Communities Committee

Chair: John Beckett

Vice-Chair: Arthur Abdulin

The Environment & Safe Communities Committee is a policy committee responsible for transportation policy, waste management refuse and collection, as well as community safety and crime prevention. An extremely important committee, it manages many vital aspects of policy for the council.

The committee will now be chaired by Councillor John Beckett of Auriol Ward, and vice-chaired by Councillor Arthur Abdulin of Town Ward.

Licensing and Planning Policy Committee

Chair: Steven McCormick

Vice-Chair: Peter O’Donovan

The Licensing and Planning Policy Committee serves to consider and approve Local Plan documents for public consultation (including Development Plan Documents up to the Preferred Options stage and Supplementary Planning Documents up to the Consultation stage). The Committee also considers and approves (i) draft Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans for public consultation and (ii) the final version of Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans, as well as safeguarding the historic environment of Epsom & Ewell.

The committee is now chaired by Councillor Steve McCormick of Woodcote Ward, and vice-chaired by Councillor Peter O’Donovan of Ewell Court Ward.

Planning Committee

Chair: Humphrey Reynolds

Vice-Chair: Phil Neale

The Planning Committee is a regulatory committee in place to deal with regulatory matters required by and flowing from, Town and Country Planning legislation including matters relating to high hedges, and to develop and maintain communication and consultation with the public, local businesses and relevant organisations.

The committee is now chaired by Councillor Humphrey Reynolds of Ewell Ward and vice-chaired by Councillor Phil Neale of Cuddington Ward.

Strategy and Resources Committee

Chair: Neil Dallen

Vice-Chair: Hannah Dalton

The Strategy and Resources Committee is a policy committee that is responsible for the Budget and Policy Framework, for submission to the Council, and for implementation and monitoring of treasury management policies. The committee is also responsible for Human Resources management and investment strategy.

The extremely important committee also has jurisdiction over electoral matters, including polling stations and ward boundaries.

The committee is now chaired by Councillor Neil Dallen of Town Ward and vice-chaired by Councillor Hannah Dalton of Stoneleigh Ward.

Standards and Constitution Committee

Chair: Liz Frost

Vice-Chair: Hannah Dalton

The Standards and Constitution Committee is a standards committee responsible for assisting and advising the Council in meeting its duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members, to monitor and review the effectiveness of the Code of Conduct for members and To ensure that the general public are informed of the effectiveness of the Council’s promotion of high standards of conduct by members and effectiveness of arrangements to deal with breaches of the Code of Conduct for members.

The committee is chaired by Councillor Liz Frost of Woodcote Ward and vice-chaired by Councillor Hannah Dalton of Stoneleigh Ward.

Financial Policy Panel

Chair: Neil Dallen

The Financial Policy Panel serves to advise the Strategy and Resources Committee on all matters relating to budget and policy framework (including the setting of staff pay) and all matters legislation or policy related to local government finance. The committee also serves to scrutinise treasury management, for both strategy and policy.

The panel is chaired by Councillor Neil Dallen of Town Ward.

Health Liaison Panel

Chair: Christine Cleveland

The Health Liasion Panel advise the Community & Welling Committee on preparing, promoting and monitoring the Council’s Health Strategy in association with National Health Service bodies, Social Services and the voluntary sector; providing leadership and liaising with NHS bodies, the County Council and other agencies to promote the effective use of all resources and the delivery of best value Health and Social Services to the community.

It is chaired by Councillor Christine Cleveland of Ewell Ward

Human Resources Panel

Chair: Peter Webb

The Human Resources Panel serves to advise the Strategy and Resources Committee on employment policies and good practice (excluding the setting of staff pay); staff wellbeing.

It is chaired by Councillor Peter Webb of Auriol Ward

Picture credit: Nathalia Anzola photography

Councillor Clive Woodbridge was officially recognised as the Mayor of Epsom and Ewell for this year at the Council’s annual Mayor Making ceremony at Bourne Hall, Ewell on Monday 16 May.

As Mayor for the year 2022/2023, Clive will have a full diary from day one with a number of civic events planned through the year including visits to residents, community and sports groups, as well as representing the borough’s residents at formal Platinum Jubilee activities.

On becoming Mayor, Clive said, “It is a real honour to be chosen by my peers to be Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, a borough that has been my home for more than 40 years. I’m really looking forward to using this time as an opportunity to highlight the many individuals and groups who do so much to make this a very special place, where people care for one another and take great pride in where they live. I hope to visit as many residents and local organisations as possible in my term of office and showcase what a truly wonderful community this is.”

Clive has been a councillor representing the residents of Ewell since 2007. Over the past 15 years, he has fulfilled a number of different roles at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, including being Chair of both the Leisure and Planning committees. Clive has also played a leading role nationally within the Local Government Association (LGA) and is currently Deputy Chair of its Safer and Stronger Communities Board, having recently been Deputy Leader of the LGA Independent Group. During his time as Mayor, he has to remain politically neutral.

Community roles have included being a Governor at two local schools. For a number of years, he has served on the committees of the 2nd Ewell Rainsters scout group and the Ewell Parochial Trust and he is active within the local Town-Twinning Association.

For 40 years Clive has been a freelance technical journalist, specialising in shipping and ports and is a recognised contributor to many different international trade publications.

He has also been a head judge for the British Curry Awards since its inception.

Born in High Wycombe in 1958, Clive attended Wycombe Royal Grammar School, Warwick University and London School of Economics. He moved to Ewell in 1982, married Mary in 1985, and brought up three boys.  

Clive is a keen West Ham supporter and season ticket holder, which, he says, has over the years brought him pain and pleasure in fairly equal measure.

During his Mayoral year Clive will aim to raise awareness of, and funds for seven charities, all of which have a connection to causes close to his and Mary’s heart. These are:

•           Epsom & Ewell Foodbank

•           Shine Cancer Support

•           Epsom Sports Club

•           Cardiac Risk in the Young

•           Racing Welfare

•           Bliss

•           JDRF Diabetes Research

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