Month: December 2022

MVDC Proposes a Budget for 2023/24

Mole Valley District Council Proposes a Budget for 2023/24, Keeping Council Tax and Fees and Charges Increase below Inflation

The cost of living crisis and the need to save is affecting everyone, including local government organisations. Based on the report from Office for National Statistics the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 11.1% in the 12 months to October 2022, up from 10.1% in September 2022. In October 2022, the CPI annual inflation rate was the highest annual CPI inflation rate in the National Statistic series, which began in January 1997. This further translates in price increases across consumer goods and of course in fuel and heating costs increase. The general inflation is well above the wage inflation, which results in significant savings and often changes in day-to-day living that people are forced to introduce.

In order to ensure financial sustainability and resilience for Mole Valley District Council (MVDC), its proposed budget for 2023/24 focuses on a mixture of savings and use of reserves. The budget put forward is in line with the Long Term Financial Strategy (LTFS)setting out the core spending principles on which MVDC will build its four-year Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and annual budget each year. Both the LTFS and MTFP were approved by Cabinet in November 2022.

Savings of £0.711million for 2023/24 have been identified and a further significant savings are planned to be achieved over the next four years to ensure business continuity and returning reserves to pre-pandemic levels. This would be achieved by: income generation; better use of existing assets; enhancing online and digital offer to improve residents’ services; reviewing individual services with a view to increase efficiency and reduce cost to the council tax payers; collaborating with other local authorities.

Through a combination of efficiencies, introduction of new income streams and an increase in fees and charges, the core services residents receive would be protected and the impact on delivery minimised. The proposed increase for both Council Tax (2.99%) and fees and charges (6%) would be below inflation. An Annual Plan that sets out the Councils objectives for 2023/24 has been prepared in line with the budget proposals. It is proposed to start investment in Capital Projects benefiting residents, including: refurbishment of Pippbrook House, regeneration of the Foundry and Church Street Workshops, major refurbishment of Dorking Halls and a significant investment in digital technology to improve customer service.

Councillor Bridget Kendrick, Cabinet Member for Finance and Deputy Leader said: “As you can imagine, setting the budget for next year hasn’t been easy, but I have every confidence that our current proposal is the best possible way forward. By developing our LTFS and MTFP we have been able to come up with the plan that continues to keep our residents at the heart of everything we do, protects our core services and keeps delivering improvements.

“I’m very pleased that we managed to keep the proposed Council Tax and fees and charges increases below inflation. We’ll also continue delivering important projects, and make sure that our district remains a vibrant place to live, work and enjoy. All this has only been possible through determination, careful planning and prudent financial management. Residents can view the full report detailing 2023/24 Budget proposal on MVDC website.

“In terms of next steps, we have a series of meetings planned, where the proposed budget will be discussed:

  • Standing Budget Panel – 3 and 4 January 2023
  • Scrutiny – 23 January 2023
  • Cabinet Meeting – 7 February 2023
  • Council Meeting – 21 February 2023

“If you have any comments you’d like taken into consideration, please email [email protected] or send via post to ‘Pippbrook Office, Dorking, RH41SJ’ before 23 January 2023”

Have Your Say on Police Funding

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is urging Surrey residents to have their say on what they would be prepared to pay to support policing teams in their communities over the coming year.

The Commissioner has today launched her annual consultation on the level of council tax residents will pay for policing in the county.

Those who live and work in Surrey are being invited to complete a brief survey and share their views on whether they would support an increase of up to £15 a year or £1.25 on their council tax bills in 2023/24.

The Commissioner said it is an extremely difficult decision to make this year with household budgets being squeezed by the cost of living crisis. But with inflation continuing to rise, she says an increase of some kind will likely be necessary just for the Force to maintain its current position and keep pace with pay, fuel and energy costs.

The short online survey can be filled in here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/counciltax2023/

One of the PCC’s key responsibilities is to set the overall budget for Surrey Police including determining the level of council tax raised for policing in the county, known as the precept, which funds the Force together with a grant from central government.

Recognising the increased pressure on police budgets, the Home Office announced last week that they have given PCCs across the country the flexibility to increase the policing element of a Band D council tax bill by £15 a year or an extra £1.25 a month – the equivalent of just over 5% across all bands in Surrey.

The public are being invited to have their say on three options – whether they would agree to pay an extra £15 a year on an average council tax bill which would help Surrey Police maintain its current position and look to improve services, between £10 and £15 a year extra which would allow them to keep their heads above water or less than £10 which would likely mean a reduction in the service to communities.

PCC Liz TownsendPCC Lisa Townsend said: “I am under no illusion that the cost of living crisis we are all facing is putting a huge squeeze on household budgets and asking the public for more money at this time is incredibly difficult.

“But the reality is that policing is being seriously impacted too. There is huge pressure on pay, energy and fuel costs and the stark rise in inflation means the Surrey Police budget is under considerable strain.

“Last year, the majority of those who took part in our poll voted for a council tax increase to support our policing teams and I really want to know whether you would be willing to continue that support again in what is a challenging time for us all.

“I am really keen to ensure we don’t take a backward step in the service we provide or risk undoing the hard work that has gone into increasing police numbers in recent years.

“Even with a £10 a year increase, Surrey Police would need to find £21.5m in savings over the next four years which is going to be tough so an increase of some kind in the precept is likely to be necessary again I’m afraid to keep their heads above water.

“But I really want to know what the people of Surrey think that increase should be so I would ask everyone to take a minute to fill out our brief survey and give me their views.”

The consultation will close at 12pm on Monday 16th January 2023. For further information visit: https://surrey-pcc.gov.uk/council-tax-2023

Update From Chris Grayling MP

Dear constituent

I am writing to you with an update on the support being provided locally for those struggling with energy bills this winter, particularly now that things have turned colder.

Epsom & Ewell Energy Support Scheme

Firstly, the Epsom and Ewell Energy Support scheme has been making great progress. I am grateful to all of you who have supported the appeal, which is to help those who are struggling with bills to make their homes more energy efficient. The scheme is in operation across the whole of the constituency, including Epsom and Ewell Borough, plus the Nork and Tattenhams area on Epsom Downs and in Ashtead and Leatherhead.

So far the appeal has raised around £36,000 and the money is already making a huge difference. The money is being used by the Good Company, which runs local food banks, and Citizens Advice in Epsom to help people reduce their bills.

The Good Company has been running a package of support for those needing help, including free energy advice – delivered by an expert adviser from Surrey Community Action – and energy saving appliances to help reduce their energy usage, as well as a gas/electricity top-up to help relieve the immediate financial pressure on them. All of the money you have contributed has been used to provide the top-up and energy saving appliances like air fryers, heated drying racks and LED light bulbs. In total they have helped around 250 people so far.

The response from those being helped has been really positive. This is one example:

“The workshop was so helpful and we would definitely want to come to any more you have, so useful, and you’re all so nice! The electric drying rail would be amazing, thank you so much. And the hooded blankets sound great. Really appreciate all the support you guys are giving out.”
(Maria, group workshop)

Citizens Advice have also been providing top-ups for those struggling with bills, and then providing energy saving advice and lower cost appliances. They say that air fryers are by far the most popular option and have been their biggest means of help so far. One of the people they helped said he felt “stronger, more in control and more able to cope with future problems.”

I am again really grateful to those who have helped out. The scheme aims to get those people who do not need the £400 top up being provided for bills this winter by the Government to contribute it to the fund instead. If you are in that position and have not yet supported the scheme, please do consider doing so now.

You can donate via this Justgiving page, which also has more details about the scheme.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/epsom-ewell-energy-support-scheme

Warm Hubs

Secondly there is now a county-wide network of warm hubs which provide people who are worried about their bills with a place to go during the day if they need one. Several of our local churches are taking part as well as some other organisations. I am really grateful to all those who are doing so.

There is a full list of all the venues and when they are open on the Surrey website, and you can access the detail via this link https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/health-and-welfare/support/welfare-support/everyday-living/warm-hubs/list-of-warm-hubs-in-surrey

Pension Credit

If you are retired and living off the state pension alone or are on a low income you may be entitled to pension credit. The Government is running a campaign to help people understand more about what they may be entitled to. There is also an extra cost of living payment of £324 available for people entitled to pension credit, but you need to apply before December 18th. The details are here.

gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim

There is more information here available from the charity Independent Age.

https://www.independentage.org/get-advice/advice-guides-factsheets-leaflets

Finally thank you to all of those who came to my volunteer fair in October and particular to those who have signed up as volunteers.

Citizens Advice have asked me to advertise the fact that they are still looking for a retired lawyer to help them co-ordinate their work with local firms providing pro bono support for people in difficulties. They have also asked me to say that they are short of volunteers to help with the energy support scheme and a range of other roles, and if you would like to help there are details at www.caee.org.uk/volunteer/

Best wishes

Chris Grayling

Contact Chris:


Email: [email protected]

Constituency Office: 01372 271 036

Address: 212 Barnett Wood Lane, Ashtead, Surrey, KT21 2DB

New Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy launched by Epsom & Ewell Council

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has launched its Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, setting out how it intends to meet the needs of residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness over the next five years.

The Strategy details the Council’s strategic vision and key objectives to address homelessness within the borough. It focuses on a commitment to preventing homelessness at an earlier stage, and the importance of working with partners across all sectors to develop an integrated approach to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping.

A detailed review of homelessness in Epsom & Ewell was undertaken to inform the strategy, which helped to establish the extent of homelessness in the area, identify future trends and any gaps in the service currently being provided.

The Strategy identifies six key objectives which emphasise the importance of early intervention and prevention, as well as the development of new affordable housing in helping to meet the need of homeless people:

          1. The early identification, intervention & prevention of homelessness
          2. Reduce Rough Sleeping
          3. Increase accommodation options including social rented, private rented, supported and move on accommodation and in-borough temporary accommodation
          4. Improve the Health & Wellbeing of homeless people
          5. Ensuring sufficient support is available for homeless people
          6. Partnership working

Cllr Alex Coley, Chair of the Community and Wellbeing Committee, said: “The impact of homelessness cannot be underestimated. A home keeps you warm and safe, but it is so much more than just a roof. Homelessness leads to a significant reduction in emotional wellbeing, self-identity, social inclusion and life opportunities. Reducing homelessness in Epsom & Ewell will benefit everyone who lives in the borough.

“Over the past year we have expanded the Private Sector Leasing scheme, acquired an additional 14 emergency accommodation placements, and secured additional funding to enhance the East Surrey Outreach Service, who work with rough sleepers, but there is much more to be done. This Strategy will allow us to build on this progress to fully address the challenges local homeless people are facing, and ensure better outcomes for all.”

The Homelessness Act 2002 places a duty on every local authority to develop and publish a Homelessness Strategy, setting out how the local authority intends to tackle and prevent homelessness in their area.

The strategy must be based on a review of all forms of homelessness within that local authority’s area and should be reviewed at least every five years. The Council carried out six weeks consultation between 12 July and 23 August 2022 with a range of stakeholders, service users, staff and residents.

Central to reducing homelessness within the borough is increasing the amount of affordable housing available. The Council is currently developing a Draft Local Plan which is due to go out for public consultation on 1 February 2023, and proposals for affordable housing in the borough will form part of the Plan.

In Epsom & Ewell and nationally the 3 main causes of homelessness are:

            • Asked to leave by family and friends
            • Termination of Assured Shorthold tenancies
            • Domestic Abuse

The full strategy can be found here: https://epsom-ewell.gov.uk/residents/housing/homelessness

 

Lib Dems Push to Stop Sewage Being Dumped in River Mole

Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Epsom & Ewell Helen Maguire headed a petition in Ashtead on Saturday to protest over sewage dumping in the River Mole and elsewhere across the UK.

Helen said that it was a scandal that water companies continued to dump sewage into the Mole because of a failure by them to invest in infrastructure.

“The Liberal Democrats are calling for a sewage tax on water company profits to fund the clean-up of our waterways; meaningful targets and deadlines for those companies to stop sewage discharges; and strengthened regulatory powers to hold companies to account for their raw sewage discharges,” she said.

Members of Helen’s team met outside Tesco in Craddocks Parade Ashtead seeking names for the national LibDem Petition which supports the party’s strategy for change and to call water companies to account for the discharges.

“There are clearly a lot of well-informed people in Ashtead who are aware of this national scandal, however, not all were aware that this was a public health issue on their doorsteps with the River Mole running close by through Leatherhead. It was therefore encouraging to see the levels of interest and a desire for change – something I and my fellow Liberal Democrats will continue to promote to Government.”

Action against Mould and Damp in Social Housing

At Council on Tuesday 6 December 2022, it was agreed that Leader of Mole Valley District Council, Councillor Stephen Cooksey, will write to Clarion Housing on the matter of resolving widespread issues of mould and damp problems affecting social housing in the district. Councillor Cooksey will urge that work with the district council’s Environmental Health and Housing teams to resolve this issue is given higher priority by the housing association.

In 2007, responsibility for the district’s social housing stock transferred from Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) to a housing association, which has now become Clarion Housing. While MVDC has no direct responsibility or control over the social housing in the district, its Housing and Environmental teams will provide advice and signpost tenants on any number of issues they may experience in their homes, including mould and damp.

MVDC is fully supportive of a recent Housing Ombudsman’s report concerning mould and damp in social housing properties. Clarion Housing was one of the six housing associations highlighted in the report for multiple failings of damp and mould, complaint handling and record-keeping.

If residents are alerted to damp and mould in their property, there are a few actions that can be taken immediately to help with the problem, such as: cleaning affected surfaces regularly, wiping off excessive condensation caused by cooking and drying washing inside, ensuring that there is a space for ventilation between furniture and walls, opening windows. If the mould and damp problem is significant and you are a resident of social housing in the district, you should contact your housing association to report this. You can also speak to MVDC’s Environmental Health team on 01306 885001 who will be able to offer advice and arrange a visit if necessary. Clarion tenants can report condensation, damp and mould issues by email [email protected]. More information is available on Clarion’s website.

Councillor Stephen Cooksey, Leader of MVDC, said: “Mould and damp problems in housing are common in the UK. It is important that they are dealt with efficiently and prevented where possible. I’ll be writing to the senior management at Clarion Housing to understand what can be done to support our residents better. To tackle the problem, we need to understand available solutions. I would like to be clear that MVDC will look into this case as the matter of priority and will be closely monitoring the situation. We are bringing in additional environmental health support to assist residents with their concerns.”

Group A Strep – What you need to know

Group A streptococcus (GAS), also referred to as Strep A is a common bacterium. Lots of us carry it in our throats and on our skin and it doesn’t always result in illness. However, GAS does cause a number of infections, some mild and some more serious.

The most serious infections linked to GAS come from invasive group A strep, known as iGAS.

These infections are caused by the bacteria getting into parts of the body where it is not normally found, such as the lungs or bloodstream. In rare cases an iGAS infection can be fatal.

Whilst iGAS infections are still uncommon, there has been an increase in cases this year, particularly in children under 10 and sadly, a small number of deaths.

This blog explains more about GAS and the infections it can cause, as well as how it is spread and what to look out for when your child is unwell.

How is it spread?

GAS is spread by close contact with an infected person and can be passed on through coughs and sneezes or from a wound.

Some people can have the bacteria present in their body without feeling unwell or showing any symptoms of infections and while they can pass it on, the risk of spread is much greater when a person is unwell.

Which infections does GAS cause?

GAS causes infections in the skin, soft tissue and respiratory tract. It’s responsible for infections such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, scarlet fever, impetigo and cellulitis among others.

While infections like these can be unpleasant, they rarely become serious. When treated with antibiotics, an unwell person with a mild illness like tonsilitis stops being contagious around 24 hours after starting their medication.

We are currently seeing high numbers of scarlet fever cases.

The first signs of scarlet fever can be flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands (a large lump on the side of your neck).

A rash appears 12 to 48 hours later. It looks looks like small, raised bumps and starts on the chest and tummy, then spreads. The rash makes your skin feel rough, like sandpaper. The rash will be less visible on darker skin but will still feel like sandpaper. More information on scarlet fever can be found on the NHS website, including photos.

What is invasive group A strep?

The most serious infections linked to GAS come from invasive group A strep, known as iGAS.

This can happen when a person has sores or open wounds that allow the bacteria to get into the tissue, breaches in their respiratory tract after a viral illness, or in a person who has a health condition that decreases their immunity to infection. When the immune system is compromised, a person is more vulnerable to invasive disease.

Which infections does invasive group A strep cause?

Necrotising fasciitis, necrotising pneumonia and Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome are some of the most severe but rare forms of invasive group A strep.

What is being done to investigate the rise in cases in children?

Investigations are underway following reports of an increase in lower respiratory tract Group A Strep infections in children over the past few weeks, which have caused severe illness.

Currently, there is no evidence that a new strain is circulating. The increase is most likely related to high amounts of circulating bacteria.

It isn’t possible to say for certain what is causing higher than usual rates of these infections. There is likely a combination of factors, including increased social mixing compared to the previous years as well as increases in other respiratory viruses.

What should parents look out for?

It’s always concerning when a child is unwell. GAS infections cause various symptoms such as sore throat, fever, chills and muscle aches.

As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement.

Contact NHS 111 or your GP if:

  • your child is getting worse
  • your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
  • your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
  • your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38C, or is 3 to 6 months and has a temperature of 39C or higher
  • your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
  • your child is very tired or irritable

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

  • your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
  • there are pauses when your child breathes
  • your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
  • your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

What are schools being asked to do?

Schools are being asked to follow the usual outbreak management processes as set out in our guidance if an outbreak of scarlet fever is identified. An ‘outbreak’ is defined as 2 or more probable or confirmed cases attending the same school, nursery or other childcare setting within 10 days of each other.

Schools and nurseries should contact their local Health Protection Team if:

  • You have one or more cases of chickenpox or flu in the class that has scarlet fever at the same time. This is because infection with scarlet fever and either chickenpox or flu at the same time can result in more serious illness.
  • You are experiencing an outbreak of scarlet fever in a setting or class that provides care or education to children who are clinically vulnerable.
  • The outbreak continues for over 2 weeks, despite taking steps to control it.
  • Any child or staff member is admitted to hospital with any Group A Strep (GAS) infection (or there is a death).

Schools where outbreaks occur are additionally advised to:

  • Make sure that all children and employees that are ill go home and don’t return until they are well.
  • Tell parents and visitors about the cases of illness.
  • Remind employees to wash their hands throughout the day. Hand washing needs to be done after changing nappies and helping children use the toilet.
  • Make sure that all cuts, scrapes and wounds are cleaned and covered. This also applies to bites.
  • Carry out regular cleaning throughout the day, especially hand contact surfaces – this is covered in Managing Outbreaks and Incidents. Advice may also be given to increase cleaning of areas with particular attention to hand touch surfaces that can be easily contaminated such as door handles, toilet flushes and taps and communal touch areas. These should ideally be cleaned using a disinfectant.
  • Consider stopping messy play, removing hard to clean soft toys, not going on visits outside of your setting and not allowing children to share drinks
  • Once cases have stopped (no new cases or illness for 10 days), do a full cleaning of buildings (including toys, carpets etc)

Who needs to take antibiotics?

Antibiotics are not routinely recommended as a preventative treatment and should only be taken in confirmed cases of scarlet fever or another GAS infection, or in certain circumstances where Health Protection Teams recommend their wider use.

 If there are cases identified in a child’s class, any child showing symptoms should be assessed by a doctor/by their GP and will be prescribed antibiotics if needed. Children are not infectious after 24 hours on treatment and can return to school once they’re feeling well enough after this period.

Are children with chickenpox more vulnerable to iGas?

Children who have had chickenpox recently are more likely to develop serious forms of Group A Strep infection, although this remains very uncommon. The chickenpox rash can make it easier for Group A Strep to get into the body, which can lead to invasive infection. If a child has chickenpox – or has had it in the last 2 weeks – parents should remain vigilant for symptoms such as a persistent high fever, cellulitis (skin infection) and arthritis (joint pain and swelling). If you are concerned for any reason please seek medical assistance immediately.

How can we stop infections from spreading?

Good hand and respiratory hygiene are important for stopping the spread of many bugs. By teaching your child how to wash their hands properly with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes, and keeping away from others when feeling unwell, they will be able to reduce the risk of picking up, or spreading, infections.

 

All information in this blog is from UK Health Security Agency and is used under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council launches cost of living campaign

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) is raising awareness of the range of support available to residents struggling with the cost of living crisis.

The Council have created a dedicated page on the EEBC website, which pulls together information on what the Council and other local and national organisations can do to help in one place at www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/cost-of-living.

Residents will find advice in a wide range of areas, including energy and housing payments, health costs, food, applying for benefits, employment support and local places to go to keep warm. There are also specific areas for families with children and older residents.

The Council will also be sharing information and money-saving tips through social media and other material out in the Borough to reach as many people as possible with the help available.

The webpage covers the following:

Councillor Alex Coley, Chair of the Community and Wellbeing Committee, “We are aware of the significant effects rising costs in all areas are having on people’s everyday lives in the Borough. We want to ensure that those who need help are aware of what support is available and are able to access it.”

“This campaign is an opportunity for the residents, charities, the Council and Councillors to work together to help each other through the current crisis. If you are affected by the cost of living crisis, please visit the Council’s webpage, look out for and engage with the advice on its social media and across the Borough or contact your ward Councillor to share your concerns. We’re all here to help.’

 

Residents Take Action As Green Belt Comes Under Threat

Alarmed by well-sourced leaks, residents have decided to come out fighting early against joint landowner and developer discussions with Epsom & Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) to build hundreds of homes on the 110-acre Downs Farm, destroying forever one of the closest Green Belt sites to London.

Other Green Belt sites near Epsom’s Hook Arena and Horton Farm are also believed to be earmarked housing in the Local Plan process, and it is even feared that other areas within Epsom’s 42% of Green Belt land could also have been offered up and included.

Residents in Surrey’s already highest populated borough are so concerned that they are not waiting for what they say could be a flawed consultation process, expected in February.

Under Government pressure to deliver nearly 700 homes for each of the next 20 years, planning officers and councillors should instead be prioritising developer partnerships for an imaginative alternative “brownfield” core scheme, claims the residents’ campaign group.

However, following much-publicized Government climbdown guidelines announced this week by Secretary of State, Michael Gove, that top-down housing targets were to be “advisory only” and could be challenged by local authorities if the character of their area would be irrevocably changed, EEBC should be in no doubt, say residents, that Green Belt sites should be now removed from its Draft Local Plan.

By redeveloping the Kiln Lane/Longmead area closer to town centre facilities, “more starter and lower cost young family homes could be built – and bring much needed rejuvenation and job opportunity benefits. Yet there is little sign that the planners are engaging with developers on this opportunity, preferring the easier, but devastating, option of
building higher end housing on Green Belt fields.”

The borough-wide residents’ campaign, “Keep Epsom and Ewell Green Belt” involves social media, mass leaflet drops, a new petition (https://www.change.org/EpsomGreenBelt) and its own website(https://epsomgreenbelt.org/). Some residents may well stand as independent Green Belt candidates in the May elections.

‘Our advice is that once a site has been publicly designated as suitable by the Council in the Local Plan, public consultations rarely change what are perceived as “done deals” – and we are not simply prepared to stand by and let that happen. In 2019, EEBC listed Downs Farm as a Green Belt site not suitable for development, yet it now appears to conveniently ignore this just because the site has been offered up to them’ said Yufan Si, campaigner of Keep Epsom and Ewell Green Belt.

Downs Farm is a rare chalk grassland habitat for protected species such as skylarks and bats, with regular sightings of deer, redkite and pheasant.

“Destroying forever high quality Green Belt sites will result in mainly luxury houses. We are deeply disappointed that the Residents Association controlled EEBC appear set to prefer Green Belt desecration over redeveloping a core brownfield scheme in central Epsom. Properly phased, this could be promoted as a creative industries hub, focussed on the town’s University of Creative Arts centre for excellence. As well as a much better mix of around 5,000 affordable starter and rented homes for young families, this would provide job opportunities in a much-needed Epsom rejuvenation.”

The campaign group also points out keeping Green Belt spaces also helps sustainability and the UK commitment to net zero by 2030.

The Elmbridge Council Local Plan is cited as an example where the council and residents challenged unrealistic top-down government housing targets. It proposes redeveloped brownfield sites without any Green Belt destruction – despite having a greater proportion of Green Belt land (57%) than Epsom.

The residents’ campaign urges EEBC planners to quickly engage with brownfield developers using a £75,000 grant recently announced by the Government. Given its overriding remit to only prefer Green Belt development in “exceptional circumstances”, and the recent Government policy rethink on housing, this should be done before the draft Epsom Local Plan is issued in February, say residents.

Going Gone Crowned Horse of the Year at Epsom Awards

On Saturday 3rd December, Epsom’s racing community celebrated their successes of 2022 at a glittering black-tie awards ceremony, hosted by Racing Welfare. The ever-popular event, sponsored by the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), took place at Epsom Downs racecourse and saw 11 awards presented to the owners and trainers of the best horses trained in the locality.

Jim Boyle’s stable star of 2022, Going Gone, was the recipient of two awards: Best Turf Horse and Horse Of The Year, following an excellent turf campaign. The four-year-old gelding by Le Havre started off his season with a win at Epsom back in April. He followed up that effort later in the year being narrowly beaten at Ascot in the Shergar Cup and winning a valuable handicap at Doncaster, before closing with a very creditable 6th place in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket.

Dominic Toole

As well as the best equine stars of the region being recognised on the night, plaudits were served up to deserving individuals in the community. Epsom’s Stable Manager, Dominic Toole, was recognised with the Stanley Wooton Award for his outstanding contribution to Epsom as a training and racing centre; and Caroline Agnew was awarded the Racing Welfare Dedication to Racing Trophy for continuing to show her dedication to the people and horses of Epsom, despite receiving a cancer diagnosis in 2021.

The event, which was in it’s 23rd year, raises much needed funds for Racing Welfare. Proceeds from the ticket sales and auction will go towards support services which benefit those working in and retired from the horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding industry.

Dawn Goodfellow, chief executive of Racing Welfare said: “Congratulations to all the winners at this year’s Epsom Owners’ and Trainer’s Awards. Thanks must go to our ever loyal and generous sponsors for their support of the evening, not least the ROA for their headline sponsorship.

“It is wonderful to see the local community coming together in celebration of their achievements. I’d like to thank all the owners, trainers and racing staff that attended and supported the event for another year.”

Full list of awards and winners at the 2022 ROA Epsom Owners’ and Trainers’ Awards:

Stanley Wooton Award (recognising the outstanding contribution by an individual to Epsom as a training and racing centre) – sponsored by Epsom Downs Racecourse: Dominic Toole

Sir David Prosser Trophy (for the Epsom trainer with the most winners in a calendar year) – sponsored by Orbital Veterinary Services: Adam West

Racing Welfare Dedication to Racing Trophy – sponsored by RaceTech: Caroline Agnew

Best Two-Year-Old – sponsored by ROA VAT: Rocking Ends (Brett Johnson)

Best Three-Year-Old – sponsored by Shotter & Byers: Live In The Dream (Adam West)

Best Older Horse – sponsored by Moss Electrical: Epsom Faithfull (Pat Phelan)

Best Turf Horse – sponsored by J&J Franks: Going Gone (Jim Boyle)

All-Weather Performer – sponsored by All-Weather Championships: Dembe (Brett Johnson)

Horse with the most wins – sponsored by The Fat Jockey Partnership: Noahthirtytwored (Adam West)

Most improved handicapper – sponsored by Rightsure: Lethal Angel (Brett Johnson)

Horse Of The Year – sponsored by ROA: Going Gone (Jim Boyle)