Month: October 2022

Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) has invested £90,000 through its Neighbourhood Fund (previously known as Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy) to completely overhaul the equipment on offer at the Cock Lane playground, in Fetcham. 

 The new-look playground will officially open on Friday 21 October at 4pm,  in time to provide children with lots of fun during the October half-term. MVDC Chairman, Paul Potter, local councillors, MVDC staff and representatives from Kompan who delivered the project will welcome local children with balloons and goody bags.

The refurbished playground now boasts a range of inclusive equipment that will allow children of all ages and physical ability to be able to play together. It features a range of traditional and sensory equipment, including a large climbing and multi-play area, a large slide, musical chimes and a rain wheel.

Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, Councillor David Draper, said: “The completed Cock Lane Playground is a great example of how we can work with communities to shape the creative, inclusive and exciting play facilities they wish to see. The new features at the site provide children the opportunity to play, learn and imagine. This investment was possible thanks to MVDC’s Neighbourhood Fund, which comes from money raised by applying a levy to new development, and it is our ambition to continue supporting and promoting recreation, leisure, and cultural facilities across the district to provide for residents of all ages, abilities, and interests. I would like to thank our partners from Kompan for delivering this great project and making sure that together, we can put smiles on faces of the youngest members of our community”

Kompan were delighted to have been selected to work with Mole Valley District Council again on another exciting play area project.

“When we designed the new play space we took great care to consider all of the community consultation comments, in particular to broaden the age ranges and to create a space that would be more accessible and would allow for all ages and abilities to play safely together.

We very much hope that the new play area at Cock Lane will attract more visitors to the park and will prove to be a great success with the local community”

Charities, Voluntary, Community and Not-for-profit Groups in Mole Valley are Invited to Apply for New Grant Funding to Support Local Communities.

Subject to Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) receiving funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Community Capacity Building and Infrastructure Support Grant Scheme is open for applications.

The Community Capacity Building and Infrastructure Support Grant Scheme is available to the community and voluntary groups across Mole Valley to deliver social action projects and/or carry out works to improve community infrastructure which helps to build pride in place, and increases life chances.

Charities, voluntary, community and not-for-profit groups carrying out valuable work within the Mole Valley community are invited to apply for funding by Sunday 11 December. While the total amount of funding available in 2022/23 is likely to be relatively small – £50,838 in total, there is no restriction on the amount that can be applied for.

Applications in support of improving town/village centres, local green spaces, digital connectivity, enhancing cultural, historic or heritage offers, sports activities, reducing crime and cost of living – are particularly welcomed.

To find out if your project and organisation meet eligibility criteria please visit molevalley.gov.uk/communitygrant and complete the Expression of Interest Form by 4 December 2022. Applications will be open from 30 October to 11 December. More information can be found on the Grant Policy page Organisations that are eligible for funding will be asked to supply additional documents by email or post.

The Cabinet will decide on successful applications in February 2023 and payments will be made in advance by the end of March 2023.  Projects must be completed within a twelve-month period, with confirmation and monitoring information received by March 2024 or funding will be repaid in full.

Councillor Bridget Kendrick, Deputy Leader of MVDC, said: “We’re still awaiting the final confirmation from the government on receiving our allocation of funding, but as the deadline for expressions of interest is in December, it is only right that we start the process as soon as possible. The Community Capacity Building and Infrastructure Support Grant Scheme is a fantastic initiative, supporting our communities and making sure that the wellbeing of our residents can be improved.

“Whilst the funding planned for this year is relatively small, I would encourage all charities, voluntary, community and not-for-profit groups in our district to read through all funding information available on our website and consider applying if you are eligible.”

Please call on 01306 885001 or email [email protected] if you have any questions.

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

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) secured a grant of £132,000 from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to support the rural economy by encouraging visitors.

The EAFRD grant was boosted by a further £18,000 from The Jockey Club and £20,000 from the Epsom & Walton Downs Conservators.

The improvements, which includes new benches, bins, picnic tables, waymarkers, information boards and counting posts, have been three years in the planning and began earlier this year after funding was secured.

The new infrastructure will enhance the visitor experience and allow tourists and residents to enjoy the panoramic views, discover the role of the Downs in the Borough’s equestrian history and learn about the unique flora and fauna of the area. It also improves safety for both visitors and the horses by directing people away from training grounds.

The benches, bins, counting posts, picnic tables and waymarkers are now in place, and the information boards will be completed in the coming weeks. Further developments such as a brass rubbing trail are also planned for the future.

Councillor Liz Frost, Chair of the Epsom & Walton Downs Conservators, stated “I am delighted to see the improvements being made to this much-loved part of our Borough. We had three aims at the start of this project; to increase rural tourism; to improve safety for visitors and for both the horses and staff involved in racehorse training on the Downs; and to educate people about the area. I think this initiative will help us to achieve those goals.

“I love the nods to our equestrian history on the benches and bins. The information boards will be a great asset in sharing the unique history and ecosystem of the area with visitors, and the counting posts will be able to tell the difference between walkers, cyclists and riders, so we can tailor facilities in the future. We hope that visitors to the Downs will enjoy these new resources.”

Simon Durrant, General Manager at Epsom Downs Racecourse, said, “The contribution to improving the Epsom & Walton Downs is something The Jockey Club is very passionate about.

“The work being carried out contributes to preserving the history of the area, along with improving the experience of all visitors, be that walkers, riders or cyclists. We look forward to the continued development throughout the next phase of improvements.”