Bourne Hall Museum Takes Part in Kids in Museums ‘Digital Takeover Day’

On Friday 7 July, Bourne Hall handed over its social media channels to young people from St Clement’s Catholic Primary School in Ewell, as part of a national 'Kids in Museums Digital Takeover Day' event. 

Supported by Arts Council England, the Kids in Museums charity aims to empower young people and help them learn digital marketing skills, as well as support museums to engage younger audiences.

The charity has held an annual digital takeover since 2014, where young people take over the social accounts of museums, galleries, historic homes, archives and heritage sites across the UK. Last year, over 50 museums were taken over and the hashtag #TakeoverDay has even trended on Twitter.

Bourne Hall welcomed a group of year 2 students to its Museum to become cultural detectives for the morning. Focusing on five specific themes: Space, Nature, Local History, Holidays and Textiles, children highlighted their favourite items, which were then photographed and placed alongside their own caption, to go out on Bourne Hall’s social media.

As well as the digital takeover, the children created some brilliant visual responses to their visit. These artworks have been turned into an exhibition at Bourne Hall – you can see them there now.

The children had some insightful comments to make about the objects in the museum. One commented about some 1950s card games:

“Amazing, incredible, really fun! The cards were colourful and rainbowy and reminded us of holidays.”

Thinking about working in the role of a Curator, another child added:

“I’m thinking about the security in our museum – and how we keep everything safe. I’m also thinking about how I would make sure that everyone had a great time when they come to visit our museum.”

Speaking of the recent event, Councillor Clive Woodbridge, Chair of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Community and Wellbeing Committee, said,

“This was a great event that brought our fantastic museum to life for some of our borough’s young people. It was a highly engaging experience for the children and they also gave us valuable feedback on what they loved in the museum and what they’d like to see more of.”

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council signs up to ‘Debate Not Hate’ campaign

Councillors at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council have united to support a national campaign designed to tackle the abuse and intimidation that many councillors face.

The campaign, spearheaded by the Local Government Association (LGA), aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in their communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the responses and support for local politicians facing abuse and intimidation. The campaign launched on the back of recent LGA findings that seven in 10 councillors nationally have experienced abuse and intimidation in the last 12 months and one in 10 experience abuse frequently.

Leaders of the majority and main opposition groups at the council jointly proposed a motion regarding the issue at the full Council meeting on Tuesday 25 July, and the motion was unanimously approved with support from every political group. The approval means that the council commits to challenge the normalisation of abuse against councillors and officers, and uphold exemplary standards of public and political debate in all it does.

Chair of the majority RA Group Cllr Hannah Dalton, who put forward the motion, commented: “Discussion and debate are at the heart of our society and part of healthy democracy. With debate there will be disagreement but there also needs to be respect where there are differing thoughts, ideas and opinions. Decision making should be transparent and open to scrutiny and challenge; but abuse and intimidation of councillors, in whatever form it might take, crosses an unacceptable line. It undermines democracy, prevents those elected to represent their communities from doing so, and may deter individuals who are passionate about supporting their communities from standing for election.

“The Councillors of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council are united in our support for healthy debate and discussion, and in challenging intimidation and abuse to ensure councillors feel safe and able to continue representing our residents.”

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group Cllr Julie Morris seconded the motion. She added: “All elected members at the council are working towards a common cause – to better the lives of our residents. Frank discussions, differences of opinion and being held to account is what democracy thrives on, but harassment or abuse is unacceptable.

“We hope that by joining forces in this way we can highlight the issues councillors are facing, as well as send a clear message that abuse and intimidation have no place in politics.”

For more information on the Debate Not Hate campaign, visit: https://www.local.gov.uk/about/campaigns/debate-not-hate

For the wording of the motion that was approved at the full Council meeting on 25 July 2023, visit: https://democracy.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/documents/s27994/Motions%20Appendix%201.pdf

Epsom & Ewell Employment Hub expands service to support more residents

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is pleased to announce that the Epsom & Ewell Employment Hub is expanding its service to help all residents who are looking for work.

The Hub is a free employment and skills service, designed to help residents plan their next steps. Since the service launched in December 2021, the Hub has focused on those aged 16-24 in receipt of Universal Credit and has supported more than 600 young people. The team will now be able to help people of all ages in Epsom & Ewell find lasting work, including those who are refugees and people with additional needs.

The dedicated team at the Hub mentor residents who are looking for work, offering friendly support and advice on all aspects of job searching as well as helping them overcome barriers to employment. This includes holding workshops to develop interview skills, build CVs and improve interpersonal skills, as well as liaising with local employers to offer apprenticeships and work placements. The team hold regular job fairs where local employers and job seekers are matched.

The expansion of services at the Hub has been made possible following a change in funding; the Hub will now be funded by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council from the UK Prosperity Fund. The council continues to lead on the project with Surrey Lifelong Learning Partnership. Both organisations work with a steering group of partners, including NESCOT, Go Epsom and Coast to Capital.

Councillor Clive Woodbridge, Chair of the Community and Wellbeing Committee, said

“The Epsom & Ewell Employment Hub is an incredible resource for our community and the team there are already doing a fantastic job supporting young people to find employment.  It is great news that they will now be able to help even more people in the borough find meaningful and lasting work.”

Kevin Delf, from Surrey Lifelong Learning Partnership, added: 

“The employment market can be daunting. The team at the Hub can now ensure that all residents who are looking for employment are given the skills and support they need to succeed.”

Anna, a previous Employment Hub client, said:

“The workshops at the Hub helped me improve my body language and build my confidence, as well as giving me useful interview tips. Thanks to the support provided by the Hub, I was successful in my application for a new role.”

Read Anna’s case study here: epsom-ewell.gov.uk/epsom-ewell-employment-hub

The Hub has relationships with charities including the Workers Educational Association, National Careers Advice, Multiply (Maths & English), Step Forward YMCA, Mary Francis Trust and Work Stress Solutions.

The Hub assists local businesses with their recruitment needs, connecting employers with local residents who are actively searching for their next move. Local business owners who would like to be involved should email:epsomandewellhub@surreyllp.org.uk(link sends e-mail)

The Hub is open Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm and is based in Global House in the Ashley Centre, in Epsom town centre.

Epsom Common awarded the coveted Green Flag Award

Epsom Common awarded the coveted Green Flag Award as it is officially recognised as one of the country’s best parks.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is celebrating receiving a Green Flag Award for Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve (LNR) for the 17^th consecutive year.

The news that Epsom Common LNR has once again achieved the accreditation - the international quality mark for parks and green spaces - is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that care for the green space so that everyone can enjoy it.

Councillor John Beckett, Chair of the Environment Committee said:

“Epsom Common is a beautiful and biodiverse space that we are incredibly fortunate to be able to enjoy in our borough. The Countryside Team at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council work tirelessly with volunteers and partners, including the Epsom Common Association, the Lower Mole Partnership and Natural England, to manage and protect this precious Local Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest.

“The news that Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve has achieved the Green Flag Award for the 17th year in a row is a welcome tribute to the hard work of all the people who work year-round, rain or shine, to ensure it continues to flourish.”  

To find out more about the wonderful countryside managed by the Countryside Team at the council, take a look at the walks and tours run by the team here: What's on | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (epsom-ewell.gov.uk).

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd MBE said:

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Epsom Common LNR in achieving a Green Flag Award.

“Epsom Common LNR is a vital green space for the community in Epsom & Ewell, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles. Epsom & Ewell staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

A full list of Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces is available here.

Annual Canvass

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council will shortly be conducting its annual canvass.

Every year, the council is legally required to contact each household in the Borough to find out if there have been any changes to who is eligible to be registered to vote at each address.

Residents will receive one or more of the below:

• A confirmation letter on green paper sent by post. Residents will be asked to check the names of people living at their address. A response is only needed if there is a change or update to the information printed on the letter.
• A canvass form sent on yellow paper by post. This form will ask the resident to confirm who is currently eligible to vote in their household. By law, a response must be provided to this form.
• An email communication in relation to the above if the resident has previously provided an email address to Electoral Services.

How to respond

To confirm or update the details for a household:

• Visit www.householdresponse.com/epsomandewell. In the login page, please enter both parts of the security code that is on the letter, canvass form or email you have received.
• If there are no changes, residents can also respond by calling 0800 197 9871

If the resident is asked to respond to a canvass communication and doesn’t, we will make other attempts to get a response, which may include reminder forms, a telephone call or a visit to the property, so please respond as soon as you receive the information request from us.

If a resident has any questions about how to respond to the letter, form or email, please email electoralservices@epsom-ewell.gov.uk.

Disruption to garden waste collections

Recently Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s waste collection team has suffered from significant incidences of staff sickness.

Help us recycle more of the right things

Research shows that many people feel like they are already recycling as much as they can. But according to data, over 26,000 tonnes of recyclable waste can be found in Surrey’s rubbish bins. Categorised by material, that would look something like this…

• 9,096 tonnes of paper and card, equating to roughly 5,000 cars.
• 8,353 tonnes of plastic, equal to almost 1,500 elephants.
• 6,619 tonnes of glass, that’s approximately 9,500 cows.
• 2,268 tonnes of metal, equivalent to around 4,500 polar bears.

Why is this a big deal?

For Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and the tax payer, recycling makes financial sense because it costs less to recycle waste than it does to dispose of it as rubbish. It’s also better for the environment as recycling generates less carbon dioxide than rubbish disposal. So as a county Surrey needs to waste less and recycle more.

Win, win, with your recycling bin

This summer, please help save money and the planet by recycling more. That includes:

• Letters, envelopes, paper, card, leaflets, catalogues, glossy brochures and magazines, junk mail, newspapers and cardboard.
• Food packaging such as plastic pots, tubs and trays.
• Plastic bottles used for shampoo, detergent, and cleaning products.
• Glass bottles and jars.
• Metal food tins for things like tuna, soup, fruit and pet food.

These small changes will make a big impact, not only to the planet but we can use the money saved for essential services for Surrey’s communities instead.

Find out more at: surreyep.org.uk

Home Upgrade Grant

It is still a challenging time, with many of us struggling in the cost of living crisis. Making your home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly is a great opportunity to reduce energy bills and do your bit for the environment and reduce your carbon footprint.

What funding is available?

More than £12m of Government funding is now available, via the Home Upgrade Grant scheme, for Surrey residents to make their homes more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. 

Who is eligible?

If your home is not heated by gas you might be eligible for this grant. Anyone living in hard to heat homes and on lower incomes could receive up to £38,000 to fund measures that; improve a range of insulation including wall, loft and underfloor; install solar PV, solar thermal and air source heat pumps and ensure ventilation meets the industry standards.

Your property must have an EPC rating of D-G, the primary form of heating must not be mains gas and you will need to meet the financial eligibility criteria. Funding is limited and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Find out more

For more information and to check if you’re eligible for the grant, visit the Action Surrey website or call 0800 783 2503.

Help for landlords

If you’re a private landlord, your tenant might be eligible for the funding. You can also check The Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Regulations Guidance for Landlords web page for details on updated requirements.

Surrey Energy Advice

Online Energy Advice Tool to help you save money

Surrey County Council have created a new online Energy Advice Tool. The tool asks a series of short questions and depending on the answers will offer tailored information on grants, support and advice, and non-financial help on a range of topics including:

• Find free or part-funded schemes to make you home more energy efficient
• Signpost to debt relief grants
• Where to find additional services such as clothes and food banks
• Fuel vouchers

Other support:

Welfare Hub

Surrey County Council have pulled together financial, health and welfare information on their website to ensure you find what support is on offer in the country. For more information, visit the Welfare Hub.

Cost of Living Support

Visit Epsom & Ewell Borough Council's Cost of Living Support webpage for more support and advice.

Jobs at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council

Our small but ambitious authority offers you the opportunity to become involved in a wide range of varied and interesting work. That, together with an enviable array of staff benefits and a rewarding and challenging career, is our unique offer to you.

If you have the passion and the drive to make a real difference, we really want to hear from you. View a list of all current vacancies at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council here.

Featured vacancies

Community Development Officer

The Community Development Officer is a new role which provides an opportunity for the successful candidate to work to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes of the community, while enhancing the Borough, the Council, and their own professional portfolio. Epsom-ewell.gov.uk/community-development-officer

LGV Driver

The Operational Services Division of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is looking for dedicated individuals to drive and supervise refuse and recycling collection vehicles, ensuring a timely, high quality, safe, friendly and efficient service to our residents.

We currently have three positions vacant. Epsom-ewell.gov.uk/LGV Driver

At Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, we are passionate about maintaining an inclusive workplace for all that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all sections of our community particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, including BAME, LGBTQ+ and those with hidden or visible disabilities.

We are committed to ensuring all our staff – regardless of gender, age, religion, sexuality, ethnicity or disability – can thrive and succeed whilst working with us.