Category: News

Epsom & Ewell invites bids for neighbourhood CIL Funding.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council invites bids for neighbourhood CIL funding for local infrastructure projects

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is inviting community groups and organisations to bid for neighbourhood funds raised by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), to deliver projects that will support new development and benefit Epsom & Ewell residents across the borough. Bidding opens on 7 May for six weeks, closing on 18 June.

The CIL raises funds from developers in recognition that new development creates pressure on local infrastructure. It is spent on the provision, improvement, replacement, operation, or maintenance of local infrastructure. Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has invested more than £210,000 from the 2022/23 Neighbourhood CIL Fund in community infrastructure projects including:

    • Replacing playground equipment in Rosebery Park and Alexandra Recreation Ground
    • Repairing pathways in Nonsuch Park to ensure they are safe and accessible
    • Upcoming works to support biodiversity and improve visitor experience, including an additional new bench, at Stamford Green Pond.

Councillor Steven McCormick, Chair of the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee, said “I strongly urge local community groups and organisations to take this opportunity to bid for funds for community projects and initiatives that can improve quality of life for residents in Epsom & Ewell.

The Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy Fund offers us the chance to deliver projects that have a real impact on our communities, for example enhancing access to the countryside, improving accessibility and facilities in our parks and open spaces, improving health and safety for example by installing public water fountains, and more.”

The bidding process is designed to be as clear as possible. Information on the process can be found in section 6 of the CIL Spending Protocol.

Bids will be shortlisted using the criteria set out in section 7 of the CIL Spending Protocol.  Shortlisted bids will be presented to the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee for approval and, for any spend over £50,000, then to the Strategy and Resources Committee.

To submit a bid for CIL funding or for more details CLICK HERE  

From Blow Dry to AI Nescot Transforms Hair Studio

From Blow Dry to AI – local college transforms hair studio into virtual reality immersive space for student 

Nescot college in Ewell, Surrey is investing £650,000 to transform a hair studio on campus into a virtual reality (VR), immersive space for its students. The state-of-the-art technology, currently being installed, will be used across a wide range of courses on offer at Nescot and includes driving simulators and immersive learning spaces which work with a variety of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. This will allow students to gain specialist skills and experiences, like driving a forklift truck, or navigating a busy A&E ward, without even leaving the classroom.
 
Nescot will have a range of cutting-edge technology, including an Igloo, immersive room, and vehicle simulators. The Igloo is cylindrical, six metres in diameter and features a 360-degree projection system that can ‘transport’ groups of students around the world. It offers things like virtual field trips, design opportunities and gaming development. It can also recreate complex activities or hazardous environments so students can safely learn.
 
A suite of four advanced simulators will provide vehicle handling training for a wide range of machinery, from cranes to fire engines.  These simulators, alongside virtual reality headsets, will mean students can work together to refine their driving or operation skills in a realistic scenario where multiple machines or vehicles are in use.
 
The immersive room has a projection system which equips all the walls with screens. Two of the screens are interactive and respond to touch, creating a hands-on learning experience. Two ultra-high-definition screens are also incorporated, and cameras enable instructors and students to magnify objects of interest and project them onto any of the four screens, facilitating discussion. The technology also brings remote learners into the classroom via a dedicated video call screen.
 
The facility further cements Nescot’s reputation as a hub of innovation, having recently opened robotics, AI and cyber security facilities as part of its Institute of Technology. The staff/student hair studio, which was a commercial salon and not a learning space for students, has already moved out of the space and has been relocated nearby. There is no impact at all on the Nescot hairdressing course, which is still a valued part of the curriculum.
 
Julie Kapsalis, CEO and Principal at Nescot said “We pride ourselves on innovation, and giving our students the best experience at Nescot, so we’re adopting this cutting-edge technology which will be a game changer. It can virtually transport students around the world to learn, allows them to safely practice dangerous scenarios, and is a fun and exciting way to boost motivation, creativity, and engagement. We can’t wait to get it installed.”
 
Somayyeh Clifton, Head of Quality Improvement & Innovation at Nescot said “This is not just for students doing IT related subjects, we expect it to be used across the whole curriculum, giving students the skills and experience they need to succeed in the modern world. We’ve come a long way since teaching from the front of the room and we really value the importance of learning through experience. We’re keen to get prospective students along to our open days to find out more about this, and what we’ll have to offer in the next academic year.”
 
Julie and Somayyeh are both part of AI in Education initiative, with Julie sitting on the Strategic Board and Somayyeh on the Practitioners Panel. AI in Education aims to support and advise schools and colleges so they can maximise the benefits of AI and minimise the risks.
 

The funding to create the immersive space has been provided from the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Fund, a project which aims to support local people into work. Nescot is working with other local colleges and universities to better support the skills needs of the labour market in key areas identified by local businesses – CreaTech, Advance Manufacturing, Engineering and Construction, Digital, and Employability and Professional skills.

As well as being beneficial for Nescot students, the college will be encouraging local businesses to get involved, by using the technology to train staff. Partnerships with business and enterprise are invaluable for both parties as organisations get to access cutting edge training and learning resources, plus a pool of talented, experienced students who can enter the workforce via apprenticeships, work placements and post-college recruitment.
 
Nescot offers college courses for school leavers and adults, with a wide range of career-focused vocational courses including Animal Care, Business, Computing and IT, Construction, Performing Arts, Childcare, Health & Social Care and Beauty Therapy. The college has two events coming up, where prospective students can see what’s on offer, and learn more about the immersive classroom as it’s being built.
 
  • Open evening, Wednesday 22 May 2024, 4.30 – 7.30pm
  • Summer fair, Saturday 15th June 2024, 10.00am – 2.00pm
 
To find out more, call 020 8394 3038, visit www.nescot.ac.uk or email [email protected]
 
Local businesses interested in using the immersive classroom for training, or working with the college on apprenticeships, work placements or recruitment should contact [email protected] or call 020 8394 8593.
 
Nescot trial a vehicle simulator, one element of the new AI immersive classroom currently being installed for students.
Nescot trial a vehicle simulator, one element of the new immersive classroom currently being installed for students.
 

The Grange Swims The Channel

In March 2024, 36 individuals with learning and physical disabilities from The Grange Centre in Bookham decided to swim or walk the distance equivalent to the Dover to Calais. Their aim was to raise funds for an accessible footpath to the recently installed greenhouse. Currently, the path to the greenhouse is a mix of soft uneven soil with a slope and aggregate, making it inaccessible for individuals who have mobility issues or use a wheelchair. 
 
The challenge was to swim/walk the English Channel to France, 21 miles in total, during April. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the Challenge, there was an issue with The Grange therapy pool meaning the swimmers could not use the pool. A plea to the local Better Leisure Centre in Leatherhead went out and the centre’s Manager, Darren Pope, came to the rescue offering special lanes at no cost so the challenge could start.
 
With a great start at Leatherhead Leisure Centre and the pool at The Grange open again, it was all systems go. The swimmers were so enthusiastic throughout the month and pleased to be back in the pool, that they managed an outstanding 58.69 miles in total; that’s Dover to Calais there and back and more. James, one of the swimmers, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative and said, “I love our new greenhouse, and I enjoyed swimming to help raise funds for a new path so that everyone can use it.”
 
Ann Haywood Fundraising Team Leader said, “This has been an amazing event. The dedication from The People We Support has been inspiring. The hardest part has been telling them to stop; they just want to keep going.”
 
 Alison Keely, the CEO, said, “This has been an amazing achievement from The People We Support. I would like to thank everyone who has donated, not only friends and families but also the local community. I would also like to extend my gratitude to all the staff and volunteers who have given up their time to make this possible.”
 
Despite raising a fantastic £10,269.00, bringing them ever closer to their target of obtaining an accessible pathway, more funding is still required. If you would like to donate please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/grange-swims-the-channel