Category: News

New Mayor of Epsom & Ewell

Councillor Steve Bridger appointed Mayor of Epsom & Ewell

Councillor Steve Bridger has been officially recognised as the new Mayor of Epsom and Ewell at the council’s annual Mayor Making ceremony at the Town Hall on Tuesday 14 May.

The Mayor is the first citizen of the Borough of Epsom & Ewell and has several roles during their one-year term of office. These include representing the council and the local community at formal and ceremonial occasions, both within the borough and elsewhere, chairing full meetings of the council, and attending many community events throughout the year. During the mayoral year, the Mayor is politically neutral.

Steve has lived in the borough since 1961 and been the councillor for Stamford ward since 2015. He married his wife, Carol, in 1980 and they had two boys, Richard and Matthew. Steve started his working life in his family’s business as a wholesale fish merchant in Billingsgate Fish Market, and then moved to Tesco in 1987, where he worked for 27 years. When he retired in 2015, he helped Carol, who was Richard’s full-time carer from the age of three.

Richard was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness, at the age of three. He became wheelchair-bound by the age of 11. Determined to live as normal a life as was possible, he attained good school results and a degree. Unfortunately, Richard’s condition shortened his lifespan and he sadly passed away in August 2018 at the age of 34.

Matthew is happily married with three children in Reading, and they all bring great enjoyment to Carol and Steve.

In his time as a councillor, Steve has sat on many committees and has chaired the Audit & Scrutiny committee for the past four years. Over his terms, he has contributed several Community Infrastructure Levy projects to better the local area and assisted the Epsom Common Association, where he has represented the council for nine years.

Steve has always taken environmental issues seriously, having had thermal solar water panels and 30 solar panels installed on his home over the past 22 years, which has massively reduced his carbon footprint. His hobbies include electronics, computer programming, gardening, DIY and repairing anything! He is a keen member of the Epsom Repair Café.

Steve is also a Freeman of the City of London and a liveryman in the Fan Makers Company.

The Mayor’s three charities for the coming year are:

      • Epsom and Ewell Puffins Club

The Epsom and Ewell Puffins Club provides recreational and sports activities for adults with learning or physical disabilities including swimming, table tennis, bowls, Boccia, badminton and New Age Kurling. They also offer social activities and outings several times a year.

      • Epsom & Ewell Phab

Epsom and Ewell Phab club provides inclusive activities for young disabled and non-disabled people. Activities include sports, arts, crafts, games, drama, dance and music.

      • The Ruxley Foundation The Ruxley Foundation aims to improve the quality of life, social inclusion and social mobility of residents in Ruxley ward.

On becoming Mayor, Steve said, “It has been an honour to serve the community and the borough I love for many years now. I’ve lived here for over 60 years and becoming the Mayor is the highest accolade I could have hoped to achieve.

“Carol and I thought long and hard about which charities to support during my mayoral year and, due to our personal circumstances, we decided to choose ones that focus on helping those with disabilities and less fortunate families within the Borough.”

4 months in prison for fatal hit & run

A 60-year-old man from Epsom has been sentenced to four months in prison and a six-month driving ban for failing to stop at the scene of a collision. 
 
In the early hours of Sunday, 21 May 2023, Farid Cheheb (DOB 10/12/1963) was driving through Epsom in his role as a taxi driver when he struck a pedestrian on South Street.
 
The pedestrian, 44-year-old Shane Scannell (pictured), was left with a series of injuries including a traumatic head injury and later died in hospital. Cheheb did not stop at the scene and later claimed that he thought he had hit a fox.
 
Having carried out a reconstruction and using all the evidential material gathered, including damage to Cheheb’s car consistent with a collision, a Forensic Collision Investigator was able to determine that Cheheb should have known he had hit a person and not a fox, and that Mr Scannell should have been clearly visible from more than 10 metres away.
 
Cheheb, from Epsom, was sentenced at Staines Magistrates Court on Thursday, 2 May to an immediate prison sentence of four months, and a driving ban for six months to run alongside this.
 
Detective Inspector Ben Grilli said, “This was a challenging investigation where there were no witnesses to the actual collision and the vehicle did not stop at the scene.
“It is a testament to the effort put into this investigation that the vehicle was located and a person prosecuted.
 
“Although the CPS were not satisfied that we could suitably evidence the manner of driving that led to the collision, it is a sign of the amount of evidence secured that the driver received a custodial sentence for a minor summary offence.
 
“We know that the sentence will provide little comfort to the family, but we hope the sentence will provide an element of closure.”
In June last year the family of Shane Scannell paid tribute to a “son, brother, and uncle, who was loved by so many.”

MVDC Successful Planning Prosecutions

Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) has successfully prosecuted two companies and their directors in separate cases for failing to comply with amenity improvement notices, served on them owing to the poor state of properties owned by the respective companies.

On 8th April 2024 at Guildford Magistrates Court, Mr Glen Coffey pleaded guilty in his role as Director and on behalf of his company, Goldrose Management Limited, for failing to comply with a Section 215 amenity improvement notice concerning the poor state of 49-51 High Street, Leatherhead. Both Mr Coffey and Goldrose Management Ltd received maximum Court fines, together with victim surcharges and orders that each pay £5,000 towards the MVDC’s legal costs. Mr Coffey did not attend the hearing.

In a similar but unconnected case heard on the same day, the Court convicted and sentenced FTSH Ltd and its director Mr Pinchos Herskovic, who did not attend the hearing, to maximum Court files, victim surcharges and costs each of £4,754 for failing to comply with a Section 215 amenity improvement notice served due to the poor state of The Chapel, Reigate Road, Leatherhead, owned by the company.

MVDC had been involved in monitoring both sites for several years due to their poor condition and negative impact on the local area. Having made several unsuccessful attempts to work with the owners to improve both sites, formal notices were served and, ultimately, both cases were required to go to Court.

Councillor Margaret CookseyCouncillor Margaret Cooksey, Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “These two successful prosecutions serve as a warning to other companies. We will not tolerate buildings being allowed to fall into disrepair. We will continue to monitor both sites in Leatherhead to ensure the work required to bring the buildings back to a required standard is carried out. I would like to assure those living or working in the surrounding area that there are further powers available to us if that work fails to materialise.”

  Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) has successfully prosecuted two companies and their directors in separate cases for failing to comply with amenity improvement notices, served on them owing to the poor state of properties owned by the respective companies.

M25 Weekend Closure in May

The M25 will once again be closed in both ways between junction 9 Leatherhead and junction 10 Wisley from 9pm Friday 10th May to 6am Monday 13th May 

A detailed diversion has been set up, and drivers are being urged NOT to rely on their Sat Navs but to follow the diversion routes instead. There are concerns that Sat Navs may direct vehicles, including lorries, onto smaller town roads, causing significant congestion alongside the delays that will happen with the diversions.

According to National Highways Drivers using the signed diversion route won’t be subject to any Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges that may usually apply. The Ultra Low Emission Zone will remain in force on all other routes in London across the weekend.

Please follow the diversion and don’t follow your SatNav.

Clockwise diversion for all but over-height vehicles:

    • leave M25 at junction 8, A217 (Reigate)
    • follow the A217 London, Sutton, (A240) Kingston
    • after 3½ miles turn left onto the A240 Epsom, Kingston
    • after 3 miles at the Esso roundabout, turn right onto the A24 (A240) Kingston
    • continue for 3 miles and at the Tolworth interchange turn left onto the A3 Portsmouth, Guildford
    • continue for 9½ miles to the M25 and re-join the motorway at junction 10

Anticlockwise diversion for all but over-height vehicles:

    • leave M25 at junction 10 to join the A3 towards London
    • after 9½ miles at the Tolworth interchange leave the A3 turning right onto the A240 Epsom, Reigate
    • continue for 3 miles to the Esso roundabout and turn left onto the A240 Reigate
    • continue for 3 miles then turn right onto the A217 Reigate, M25
    • after 3½ miles turn left to re-join the M25 motorway at junction 8.

M25 closure in May

NOTE: For drivers of over-height vehicle you must follow a different diversion route to avoid a low bridge. See Map Below

M25 closure in May

MVDC has exchanged contracts with premium retirement property

Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) has exchanged contracts with premium retirement property specialists McCarthy Stone on Claire House and James House in Leatherhead.

Claire House and James House is a riverside redevelopment, a key project in the Transform Leatherhead regeneration programme, aiming to create a landmark mixed-use property that will enhance the gateway to the town and increase activity around the River Mole.

The redevelopment is proposed to include residential units plus a ground floor café and community space.

The project is expected to take place in two distinct phases ­– demolition (led by MVDC due to funding from the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities One Public Estate Brownfield Land Release Funding) and new development (led by McCarthy Stone).

Councillor Keira Vyvyan-Robinson, Mole Valley District Council Cabinet Member for Projects, said: “We are delighted to exchange contracts with our chosen development partner and look forward to proposals progressing to the next stage.

“The proceeds of the Claire House and James House sale will also allow us to achieve a number of Riverside enhancement projects, based on the results of the 2023 public consultation.”

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