Month: March 2025

Citizens Advice takes energy advice out to the community

Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell takes energy advice out to the community Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (CAEE) is reaching out to the community to inform residents in the borough how to manage energy in the home efficiently. Three locations have been secured where visitors can meet with CAEE advisers to discuss their own energy in the home issues. The free advice includes:
            • Reducing energy use in the home
            • Help applying for grants and benefits
            • Switching providers
            • Warm home discounts
            • Crisis support
            • Smart meters
image of Lisa Davis, CEO of CA Epsom and Ewell,Lisa Davis, CEO of CAEE, said: “We know people are worrying about their use of energy. The on-going cost of living crisis is still affecting us, but for some, it can be truly devastating. We can help – come and talk to us and we can support you with a way forward.” CAEE is still seeking more locations – schools, churches and social groups. It is targeting under-represented communities who need help with benefit checks, energy bills and debt, and also referring people in need to other areas where Citizens Advice can help. Some financial support is available from the Project Wenceslas fund for those with energy debts or need help to purchase energy efficient appliances. For further information, visit our webpage www.caee.org.uk/energy-advice/. Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell takes energy advice out to the community

Council Approves Proposed Local Government Reorganisation

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council approves joint interim proposal for local government reorganisation and votes in favour of three unitary councils for Surrey

The interim proposal outlines a shared vision for Surrey, with options to split Surrey into two or three unitary councils following reorganisation. Currently there is a two-tier system in place, with 11 district and borough councils, and one county council. As set out in the Government’s English Devolution white paper, the aim of dissolving all 12 current councils to create two or three unitary councils is to create more clarity for residents over decision-making and accountability, achieve greater financial resilience, and economies of scale to deliver services that improve outcomes for residents – particularly those in greatest need of support. Both two and three unitary options would offer savings; and both would unlock the opportunity for further devolution in Surrey.

Councillors discussed that three unitary authorities would provide stronger local connections and accountability between local government and the communities they serve, would be better placed to reflect the unique identities of their communities and better able to meet their needs. Three unitaries, which reflect existing economic geographies, would also enable a clearer economic strategy, greater ability to focus on an area’s specific strengths and would help maximise opportunities for strategic investment and growth.

The interim proposal will be submitted to Government on Friday 21 March. Over the coming weeks and months, Surrey councils will continue to work together to deliver the full proposal to Government by 9 May 2025. Questions remain, including around debt management, funding gaps associated with delivery of the local government reorganisation, and what form wider consultation on local government reorganisation will take.

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Hannah Dalton, Chair of the Residents’ Association at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council (Majority Group), said:

“Throughout this process, at the forefront of our minds is how best to serve our communities and preserve local democracy for the future.

“Our focus is on continuing to deliver the services our residents rely on, while representing the interests of all our communities across the borough to ensure a bright future, making the most of the opportunities that local government reorganisation and devolution has the potential to deliver for our residents.

“We will continue to work in partnership with councils across Surrey, our partners and residents, to achieve our shared vision for Surrey.”

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Author and Zoologist Jane Wilson-Howarth returns to Nescot

North East Surrey College of Technology (Nescot) welcomed Jane Wilson-Howarth, world renowned physician, author, zoologist and an authority on travel health to the college yesterday. Jane inspired and motivated our learners with two very special talks about her journey as a published writer, and her love for animals in her fascinating encounters with the wildlife in Madagascar.

Jane studied at the college in the early 1970s when it was known as Ewell Technical College, completing her Ordinary National Diploma in Sciences. She was delighted to return to her alma mater, now known as Nescot.

Jane’s first talk reflected on her career as an author and her time at the college. She spoke about how a letter-writing habit in childhood helped her writing abilities. She explained to students that writing is an essential and useful skill and emphasised the importance of finding your passion, “It doesn’t matter what it is, if you’re passionate about something, it will come across in your writing”, said Jane.

For her second talk, Jane spoke about her travels in Madagascar and her fascination and love for the wonderful wildlife on the island especially the lemurs. Our Animal Care students, some of whom have been to Madagascar on a college trip last year were fascinated to hear her experiences and reflections – including being bitten by a scorpion.

Jane was also given a tour of the college including the Learning Resources Centre (LRC) that featured an eye-catching and creative display of her fiction and non-fiction books, a selection of photographs from her travels and various newspaper articles. Students are able to borrow and browse Jane’s books from the LRC. At the end of her visit, Jane was delighted to be awarded with the Nescot Honorary Fellowship by Principal and CEO, Julie Kapsalis.

Julie Kapsalis, Principal and CEO said, “It’s been an absolute pleasure to welcome Jane back to her old college as one of our most illustrious alumni. A big thank you to Jane for sharing her extraordinary career as a writer and zoologist with our students and staff.

“It’s a privilege to award Jane with an Honorary Fellowship. We introduced the award in 2023 for the college’s 70th anniversary to recognise excellence of former students and members of the local community. It is the highest accolade the college can bestow.”

author and zoologist Jane Wilson-Howarth returns to NescotSpeaking about her visit, Jane said, “It’s a real pleasure to come back to Nescot. I was here from 1970 to 1972 and had a really good science education at the college and that gave me the confidence I needed. It’s been so wonderful meeting and speaking with students today. I was so touched by the time and effort that went into creating the wonderful display of my published work in the college’s Learning Resources Centre and the beautiful drawing I received of a leaf tailed Gecko by one of the students. I was especially thrilled to receive an Honorary Fellowship from Nescot. Thank you to everyone at the college for making me feel so welcome and for such a memorable day.”

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council submits Local Plan

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has submitted the borough’s Local Plan to Government for Public Examination by the Planning Inspectorate. Submission at this time ensures that the Local Plan will be inspected according to the December 2023 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Public examination of the Local Plan by an independent Planning Inspector will take place later this year, once an Inspector has been appointed. This is anticipated to take place this summer.

The plan has been written in consultation with residents and stakeholders and is informed by an extensive evidence base. Public consultations took place in February 2023 and December 2024.

The Local Plan is a critical document in shaping the future of the borough. It covers a wide range of issues; from the creation of jobs, environmental protection and leisure development to sites for new homes, including affordable homes, and much-needed infrastructure improvements.

The council’s Local Plan Examination Webpage contains more information on the Local Plan Examination, including the documents submitted and copies of responses to the Proposed Submission Local Plan.

Councillor Peter O’Donovan, chair of the Licensing and Planning Policy CommitteeCouncillor Peter O’Donovan, Chair of the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee, said “I am very grateful to EEBC officers who have worked diligently to reach this milestone, ensuring that the Local Plan is assessed against the framework to which it was developed. Overall, it has been a huge undertaking.

I also thank all the residents who took the time to tell us their views. I know that the plan will not please everyone. However, I believe it is a huge step forward for our borough and our communities, and if adopted it will help ensure that all Epsom & Ewell residents can enjoy the benefits that this strategic plan aims to deliver – whether their focus is on access to affordable homes, leisure facilities and green space, to jobs and economic growth.”

The public examination will include public hearings. Details on these will be published on the council’s website.

Darts legends visit Nescot to prove that maths matters

Nescot (North East Surrey College of Technology) College in Epsom, Surrey welcomed a trio of darts legends and MC, Paul Starr to the college today to inspire students and encourage them to develop their mental maths skills.  Paul ‘The Asset’ Nicholson, Devon ‘The African Warrior’ Petersen and three-time darts World Champion Mighty Michael Van Gerwen visited the college for the ‘Nescot Loves Darts & Maths’ event promoting arithmetic and numeracy, launching a college darts league and sharing their stories of determination and success.
 
Nescot hosted a full day of darts events, aimed at students re-taking their maths GCSEs. Nicholson and Petersen played a 5-leg match, then the players and Paul Starr held a Q&A and participated in a darts related maths quiz with students. Smaller groups of students later met the players in workshops on self-belief and inclusion.
 
The players also formally opened the newly branded Nescot Department of Maths. Each classroom now has a darts board and is named after a darts legend. In addition, Nescot launched a darts club and league, the first college in the country to do so. The inaugural Kapsalis Cup was contested between Nescot and East Sussex College Group, with plans to roll out a wider college league. During the sessions, all three players plus the MC were awarded a Nescot Honorary Fellowship and the day concluded with a ‘meet and greet’ for students.
 
The event was masterminded by Julie Kapsalis, Principal and CEO at Nescot (centre of picture below), and also a massive darts fan. Julie makes an annual pilgrimage to the Lakeside World Championships and loves watching the sport, live and on TV. Having previously worked in sports PR, she also has contacts in the world of darts and reached out to them with the seed of an idea.
 

urrey college hits the bullseye! Darts legends visit Nescot to prove that maths matters 

Julie said “Exciting and engaging students retaking their maths GCSEs was the challenge that made this day take shape. We regularly invite leaders from business, sport and the community to share their stories and when looking for a maths enthusiast, my mind turned to my own sporting passion – darts.

“The response from the darts community was incredible, after one phone call we were gifted boards, surrounds and darts, then the representatives of top players suggested an entire day of events at the college. We created a mini arena, and it was so exciting to see darts legends step up to the oche at Nescot.  We’re so grateful to the players, their management and everyone involved for taking the time to promote maths and inspire our students. Highlighting role models from all kinds of backgrounds and making learning fun are key at Nescot. I can’t wait to see our students’ playing darts in the classrooms. Game on!”

urrey college hits the bullseye! Darts legends visit Nescot to prove that maths mattersMichael van Gerwen said “It’s great to see first-hand how Nescot are using darts to inspire their students. It’s a brilliant way to improve mental maths, as the two go hand in hand. I love the fact the college is going to have a dartboard in every maths class too. It will be a fantastic addition, and I’m sure the students will love it.”

Devon Petersen said “It was a pleasure to visit Nescot College, and it’s so good to see them following core values and using darts to enhance their arithmetic. I have seen darts and maths work together in the work that I do for Bullseye Maths with young children, and Nescot will definitely see the benefits of using darts to enhance their education.”

urrey college hits the bullseye! Darts legends visit Nescot to prove that maths mattersPaul Nicholson said “Seeing young people like the ones at Nescot College enjoying the sport of darts today is so good to see, and I have no doubt that including darts as part of the student’s maths learning journey will only be a good thing. Darts is a sport for all, and it can be educational as well as fun, as proved with what Nescot are doing. Schools and colleges can only benefit from adding darts to their learning program.”

Darts is a sociable, inclusive sport, which almost anyone can access. It can improve mental health by enhancing cognitive function, reducing stress and boosting confidence. It also improves motor skills, hand-eye coordination and problem solving. Importantly for the maths department, the mental maths involved in darts can improve maths skills generally, especially around multiplication and subtraction.
 
Maths skills and mental maths are important for many employers. Nescot welcomes students who would like to retake their maths GCSEs and improve their employment prospects before they step into the world of work.
 
As well as functional skills courses in maths and English, Nescot offers a wide range of college courses for school leavers and adults, including Animal Care, Business, Computing and IT, Construction, Performing Arts, Childcare, Health & Social Care and Beauty Therapy. The college has an open event on May 15th, from 4.30 – 7.30pm, where prospective students can learn more about the courses, campus and facilities. To find out more about studying at Nescot call 020 8394 3038, visit www.nescot.ac.uk or email [email protected]