Tag: Ewell

Epsom & Ewell Council announce partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council announce partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association to improve local tennis courts

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) have announced a partnership to invest in and refurbish public tennis courts in Epsom & Ewell.

The LTA will provide £26,650 to invest in 12 tennis courts at Auriol Park, Alexandra Recreation Ground, Court Recreation Ground, Gibraltar Recreation Ground and Poole Road Recreation Ground.

The courts will benefit from gate access technology, a new online booking platform and court improvements which will ensure that quality facilities are available for the local community.

Alongside the investment, the council and local coach providers will also work with the LTA to deliver a range of activity across the park sites. This will include weekly, free tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience where equipment is provided, meaning that people will not need someone to play with or their own racket. Local Tennis Leagues will also provide friendly, sociable, opportunities to get active through local competitions.

As part of the LTA’s Parks Investment Programme, the council will introduce a new ‘pay as you play’ scheme across all tennis courts in the borough in the new year. All income raised from the scheme will be reinvested into the borough’s tennis facilities to ensure future sustainability of tennis in parks.

Cllr John Beckett, Chair of the Environment Committee said: “The partnership between the LTA and the council is extremely good news for the tennis facilities in the borough. Their investment and the move to a ‘pay as you play’ scheme will ensure that the courts are maintained and improved into the future.

“The tennis courts are vital in providing opportunities for residents to get active and improve both their physical and mental health. The planned free coaching sessions will provide an opportunity to bring new people to the sport from all ages, abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds.”

 Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, said: “We are delighted to be working with Epsom & Ewell Borough Council to improve their park tennis facilities and provide more opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and get active.

“This investment is part of the UK Government and LTA’s Parks Tennis Project and will mean that courts will be available for people to use for years to come.

“We will also be working closely with Epsom & Ewell Borough Council to ensure that the local community have a range of accessible opportunities to get on court, and open up our sport to many more people.”

The project is part of a nationwide investment by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, delivered by the LTA, to refurbish public tennis courts across Great Britain, and open up the sport to many more people. This investment will see thousands of existing park tennis courts in poor or unplayable condition brought back to life for the benefit of communities across the country through renovation works, and improved court accessibility with new gate-access technology and booking systems.

A range of payment options will be available for people to get on court, including an individual court hire fee and an affordable season pass.

The costs for users who will book are:

Ad-hoc Cost Per Hour All Courts£6.00
Additional Cost Per Hour for Floodlights£6.00
  
Annual Household Subscription£40.00
Annual Household Subscription for those in receipt of low-income benefits£20.00

All income generated will be going back into the improvement of the facilities with a priority of improving the courts at Gib/Poole Road first.

All sites will be available to book online via the LTA website www.lta.org.uk/play

Mike Ford Copse

A dedication event was held on Sunday 3rd December at Alexandra Recreation Ground to honour local hero Mike Ford

In a heartwarming event volunteers from Friends of Alexandra Park and the Epsom & Ewell Tree Advisory Board (EETAB), local councillors Steven McCormick, James Laurence and Bernie Muir, the Epsom & Ewell Tree Officer and the Mayor, Councillor Rob Geleit gathered on December 3rd at Alexander Recreation Ground to pay tribute to a beloved local figure, Mike Ford, affectionately known as ‘Mr. Tree.’

Mr. Ford has been a cornerstone of our community, dedicating countless hours to the preservation and enhancement of our natural environment. His unwavering commitment to the cause of tree conservation and environmental stewardship has left an indelible mark on Epsom & Ewell.

The dedication event served as a poignant moment to recognize and express gratitude for his exceptional contributions.

The event was opened by Howard Gregory the chair of EETAB with words from Kevin Greening and Simon Alford, EETAB members, before introducing the Mayor of Epsom & Ewell. The Epsom and Ewell Tree Officer then presented Mike with a collection of photographs taken when the original copse was planted.

In his speech Mayor Rob Geleit said “Mike is firmly rooted in his conviction that planting a tree today is an investment for the whole community, combating climate change and helping biodiversity as well as a thing of beauty in itself. His and the Epsom & Ewell Tree Advisory Board’s aim is ensure that they pass on to future generations a borough that is at least as leafy as the one we have all inherited.”

As well as speeches, the event included a symbolic tree layout for the planned rejuvenation of the Ford copse, and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to forever mark Mike Ford’s contributions at Alexander Recreation Ground.

The event concluded with a sense of community pride and a commitment to carrying forward Mr. Tree’s legacy.

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For further information about Epsom & Ewell Tree Advisory Board:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.eetab.org.uk/

Facebook: @EpsomEwellTreeAdvisoryBoard

 

 

 

 

Epsom & Ewell Community Safety Action Plan

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council launches consultation on its Community Safety Action Plan 

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has launched a public consultation on the priorities for community safety in the borough and are asking residents, workers, visitors and businesses to have their say on the proposed action plan.

The council is part of the Epsom and Ewell Community Safety Partnership, which also includes Surrey Fire & Rescue Service, Surrey Police, Surrey County Council, Kent, Surrey and Sussex Probation Service, Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group, Surrey Police & Crime Commissioner and Rosebery Housing Association.

Community safety covers a wide range of activities designed to reduce the likelihood of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour, protect victims and hold perpetrators to account. It also involves reducing incidents of domestic abuse and behaviour damaging to the community.

As part of the Epsom & Ewell Community Safety Partnership, the council have committed to playing its part in the following themes:

1.              Focus on the most vulnerable or those at risk of harm

2.              Serious organised crime and PREVENT

3.              Identify and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour

4.              Improve Community Engagement

The new Plan is the first time the council has publicly committed to actions in support of those themes and they would like to gather the views of the community.

Alex Coley, Chair of the Council’s Crime and Disorder Committee said: “I asked for this community safety action plan to go to a public consultation so we can hear what local people  think our priorities should be. The government recently conducted a national consultation on expanded anti-social behaviour powers and the relationship between Community Safety Partnerships and Police & Crime Commissioners.

“Now it’s time to ask what our local community want from the Council and our partners. Please tell us your community safety priorities and share with others so we hear from as many people as possible.”

The consultation will run until 17 December 2023 and can be accessed via:

www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/council/consultations. Comments can be made by email to [email protected]

The U’s have it

Epsom & Ewell FC, Salts,  were drawn against Sutton United in the first round of the Surrey Senior Cup and they knew they would be a good test for the team.  Sutton United fielded most of their Academy side and the Salts made a few changes from their recent home loss to Knaphill.  Most notable of the changes was their Manager, Steve Springett playing in the holding role in midfield something he told us after that he had not played in for at least 40 years!!! – only joking Steve.


A healthy crowd of over 140 turned up to watch the game on a cold night at the Reg Madgwick stadium in Cobham and the fans had their first sight of the “Zac Powell’ appreciation society, unfortunately Zac was injured and was unable to turn out, but this did not dampen the groups enthusiasm for their hero throughout the evening.

The first half was good to watch with both teams having chances and the Sutton attack finding the Salts goalkeeper and Captain Harvey Keogh in fine form, he made a string of great saves.  The pace of George Owusu for the home side was causing all sorts of problems for the Sutton rearguard.  The half ended 0-0.


The second half started in much the same vein as the first half with both teams playing well and creating the odd chance or two.  In the 60 minute, the Salts were awarded a penalty which Luke Miller took and it was well saved by the Sutton keeper low down to his left.  From the penalty the ball was turned away for a corner which the Salts manager Steve took, as the ball swung in from the corner it was headed home at the far post by Ethan Nelson-Roberts from around 12 inches!!!

The Salts were then put under increasing pressure from their visitors with our attacks becoming few and far between, it was no surprise that Sutton equalised as the game reached its closing stages and then the Salts fell behind 8 minutes later to Sutton’s winning goal.  The game then began to fizzle out and the Salts did not create too much more in the way of chances. Final score 2-1 to Sutton Utd


What can the Salts take from the game? they played well in parts and it gave them a chance to see their new centre back signing, Louis Elsom from the Aldershot U19’s who acquitted himself well when he came on in the second half.

The Salts now move onto a local visit to play Tooting and Mitcham next Saturday 11th November which again looks like a good test for the team as they attempt to rise from our current position in the table.

To Follow the Salts visit their website CLICK HERE 

Report by Pete Mutton
Photos by Gemma Jarman

Epsom & Ewell Local Plan process to be un-paused

Councillors at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council have voted to un-pause their Local Plan, at an Extraordinary Council meeting on Tuesday 24 October.

The decision means that it is now possible for work to restart to progress the Local Plan to the next stage, which is a further public consultation on the proposed submission version of the Local Plan (Regulation 19).

A Local Plan sets the vision and framework for development in the borough, focusing on a wide range of areas such as supporting businesses, creating jobs, infrastructure improvements, environmental protection and leisure development, alongside sites for new homes including affordable accommodation. The council’s Local Plan has been paused since March of this year, when a motion brought to an Extraordinary Council meeting was approved.

Cllr Steven McCormick, Chair of the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee, said: “We are very pleased that work on the Local Plan can recommence. We are legally required to review our Local Plan every five years, and are currently outside of that timeframe, which leaves us open to the risk of speculative development or government intervention.

“We recognise that the pause came about because of strength of feeling in the community regarding the inclusion of green belt sites in the Draft Local Plan, and want to reassure our residents and partners that their views and feedback will be taken into account in the next iteration of the Local Plan. Since the Local Plan was paused, council officers have been working hard on analysing all responses received during our Draft Local Plan consultation period in early 2023.

“We have also completed our call for sites which has brought forward some additional potential brownfield sites for development, which will now be carefully considered.

“Now that we can move forward with this work, we will prepare an updated Local Plan timetable (the Local Development Scheme), which will set out the key milestones for progressing the Local Plan towards adoption. All Councillors will be involved in the development of the proposed submission version of the Local Plan, and at a future meeting of full Council they will collectively decide if it is ready for the next stage of public consultation.

“We are committed to developing a Local Plan that allows all those who live, work, visit and study in the borough to thrive.”

Epsom & Ewell Council and Glyn School Collaborate on Community Mural

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and Glyn School have come together to transform an unused building on the site of the Upper High Street car park with a community mural funded through the Government’s Safer Streets initiative.

Ten local secondary school students recently worked in collaboration with the council and international graffiti artists from Positive Arts to create a large-scale mural celebrating the biodiversity within our borough. The artwork has dramatically improved the aesthetics of the building, which previously looked tired and in need of renovating.

Giving support to the project, Councillor Clive Woodbridge, Chair of the Community & Wellbeing Committee at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, said: “It is a goal of the council to ensure that our natural environment is both celebrated and accessible to all. This project showcases how culture and creative practices can help to elevate the natural landscape of our borough in new and colourful ways.

“This type of project sits within the emerging Cultural Strategy for the council, which seeks to nurture and champion the creative talents within our community while increasing access to creativity for all to enjoy and engage with. The students’ teamwork has also been extremely impressive and is something to be proud of”.

Julian Phethean from Positive Arts said, “The young people were really determined to produce something they could be proud of and that’s exactly what they achieved!

“All of the students worked well in a team, made a positive social impact, and displayed a high level of creativity, focus and drive.”

A spokesperson for Glyn School said: “The students involved thoroughly enjoyed this unique experience to give back to the community in a very different way.”

Cobham FC v Epsom & Ewell FC Match Report

Epsom & Ewell were very much looking forward to the game against their Landlords Cobham Fc at the Reg Madgwick stadium on Tuesday evening especially after two fine performances in the FA Cup and FA Vase recently.

Our manager, James Scott kept the same team from those two matches with the only addition on the bench was the returning Tommy Williams after recovering from a slight injury incurred at the home match against Redhill a fortnight ago.

The game was somewhat marred by some bizarre officialdom throughout the evening; more of that later.

We started well with our passing game working well, but with little or no penetration from our forward line.  We had a couple of scares in the opening exchanges but after 20 minutes we were ‘holding our own’.   Our opponents then began to assert a little more pressure on our back line and from a corner took the lead around the half hour mark with a ‘toe poke’ from near the goal line.  We did not react too well to this setback and the half ended 1-0 to our hosts.


We hoped that we could come back in the second half, but again apart from a couple of long range shots we were ‘second best’ all over the field.  This half will be remembered for some decisions from all three officials which went against our team.  The first was the sending off of Tommy Williams for a second yellow card after he went through on the keeper and then tried to leapfrog over him; he did catch him slightly but there was no absolute menace in the challenge. In fact a video of the incident clearly shows that the referee’s initial reaction to the challenge was to begin to wave play on only to be stopped by the Cobham players to remonstrate with him.  The referee went to the linesman and discussed the incident with him and we could all see what was going to happen and Tommy was shown his second yellow card.  What we find hard to take is that the officials must be 100% correct in their decision making before taking that course of action and they clearly were not especially when they were shown the video of the incident after the game.

Our ten men went further behind in the 89th minute and then an even more bizarre goal in injury time made it 3-0.  As the attack for the third goal began the referee’s assistant was waving his flag as if thought he had been to semaphore school and yet the referee played on and our opponents scored.  Again when asked afterwards the officials informed us that the person he had been waving for offside was not interfering with play so that’s why he had played on, the same player was the person who scored the goal so I we are unsure if that decision was right how can a player not be interfering with play and then a few seconds later score the goal.

This all may seen rather contrite and excuses for our display.  These are not, we all just want the officials to make clear decisions which are consistent.  Having  said all this, it was not a good performance and we deservedly lost.  We now find ourselves at the foot of the table with no points; we need to pick up one points and very soon.


In a few days time we turn our attention to a very tough game in the FA Cup away at Eastbourne United, who have started their respective Step 5 campaign very well.  We then travel to Jersey to take on there ‘Bulls’ on Saturday 9th January.  Our next home game is on the 16th when we face Sheerwater.

Epsom & Ewell FC Official Website 

Report: Peter Mutton
Photos: Gemma Jarman

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council prepared for future funding challenges

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is looking ahead to 2024/25 and beyond to ensure that it remains a financially sustainable council.

Like many councils across the country, the council faces the challenge of reductions in central government funding of local government since 2010, in combination with continued rising costs. As the budgeting process for 2024/25 commences as well as future planning, officers and Councillors are working together to identify savings, efficiencies and income generation options that will enable the council to balance its budget and continue to provide an extensive and stable range of services for its residents.

In a report coming to the forthcoming Strategy & Resources Committee, the council sets out a plan to address the forecast £1.1m annual shortfall for 2024/25, and to develop its new four-year Medium Term Financial Strategy, both of which will aim to maintain the financial health of the council while delivering on local priorities. The detail of the measures that will be put in place to address the funding shortfall are currently being developed and will be published in the new year.

Cllr Neil Dallen, Chair of the Strategy & Resources Committee, said: “The future financial sustainability of the council is critical and taken extremely seriously by the council administration. We have a strong track record of meeting the considerable financial challenges the past decade has brought for local government, and we are confident that putting in place these measures alongside planning for next financial year and beyond will allow us to balance our budgets, while maintaining the wide range of services and support we offer to our residents.”

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