Welcome to E-Borough Insight

Hello,

Welcome to the December edition of eBorough Insight, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council's monthly newsletter. 

As Christmas fast approaches, we hope residents are prepared for the big day and have been able to take advantage of the many festivities that have been taking place across the borough. The council have also been preparing, so please familiarise yourselves with the changes to our waste collection and other services over the Christmas period.

We understand, for some, this is not the easiest time of year. It's cold, dark and the cost of living is still affecting many residents. This issue also has tips to save money on bills and travel expenses, as well as the return of the Warm Hubs. 

Looking to the future, councillors recently voted for plans to relocated the Town Hall to more modern premises. Read why the move will benefit services, the environment and the taxpayer.

Lastly, from all of us at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you again in January!

Changes to council services over the festive period

Check our website for the most up-to-date information about opening times over the Christmas period. Christmas Opening Times | Epsom & Ewell Borough Council

The Town Hall

• 25 December – closed for the bank holiday
• 26 December - closed for the bank holiday
• 27 December – closed
• 28 December – open between 9am – 3pm
• 29 December - open between 9am – 3pm
• 1 January - closed for the bank holiday

Phone calls received outside of opening hours will automatically be redirected to our out-of-hours service.

Community & Wellbeing Services

Community and Wellbeing Centre, including the Dementia Hub

• Monday 25 December (Christmas Day) – closed for the bank holiday
• Tuesday 26 December (Boxing Day) – closed for the bank holiday
• Wednesday 27 December – closed
• Thursday 28 December – open as normal
• Friday 29 December – open as normal
• Monday 1 January (Bank Holiday) – closed for the bank holiday
• Normal operating hours from Tuesday 2 January

Meals at home & shopping service

• Monday 25 December (Boxing Day) – closed for the bank holiday*
• Tuesday 26 December (Bank Holiday) – closed for the bank holiday*
• Wednesday 27 December – closed*
• Thursday 28 December – open as normal
• Friday 29 December - open as normal
• Monday 1 January (Bank Holiday) – closed for the bank holiday*
• Normal operating hours from Tuesday 2 January

* We will provide frozen meals and shopping to be delivered the week before, if required.

Telecare/ community alarm

• Monday 25 December (Boxing Day) – closed for the bank holiday*
• Tuesday 26 December (Bank Holiday) – closed for the bank holiday*
• Wednesday 27 December – closed*
• Thursday 28 December – we will be operating a reduced service*
• Friday 29 December – we will be operating a reduced service*
• Monday 1 January (Bank Holiday) – closed for the bank holiday*
• Normal operating hours from Tuesday 2 January

* The usual out-of-hours monitoring/equipment fault service is available.

Transport from home

• Monday 25 December (Boxing Day) – closed for the bank holiday
• Tuesday 26 December (Bank Holiday) – closed for the bank holiday
• Wednesday 27 December – closed
• Thursday 28 December – we will operate a reduced service
• Friday 29 December – we will operate a reduced service
• Monday 1 January (Bank Holiday) – closed for the bank holiday
• Normal operating hours from Tuesday 2 January

The Harrier Centre

• Sunday 24 December - closed
• Monday 25 December - closed
• Tuesday 26 December - closed
• Wednesday 27 December - closed 
• Thursday 28 December - open as normal
• Sunday 31 December - closed 
• Monday 1 January - closed 
• Tuesday 2 January - open as normal 

Waste collections over the festive period

During the Christmas and New Year’s weeks, collections must accommodate the public holidays, and at a time when bins are much fuller than usual.

So, some services may not be available as usual, and your normal collection day may change.

All planned changes can be found here: Christmas and New Year collections

• Christmas week: there will be no refuse collections during Christmas week. Please leave out food and recycling (including glass recycling) only. During Christmas week, collection days may change. Please check the Epsom & Ewell Borough Council website for recycling and food bin collection days during Christmas week.
• New Year’s week: Normal refuse collections start again in New Year's week. However collection days may change. Please check the Epsom & Ewell Borough Council website for collection days during New Year’s week.

Before Christmas, a label will be placed on resident’s bin handles with collection details for the festive period. If you are an Epsom & Ewell resident, please do look out for this reminder about how services will be changing in your road over Christmas and New Year’s weeks.

Real Christmas tree recycling

In January, we offer free real Christmas tree recycling for all residents. This is a fortnightly service - check your bin label for details of when real Christmas tree collections happen in your road.

Remove all decorations and leave your real Christmas tree next to your bins on your real Christmas tree recycling day.

Don't cut up your tree - it's easier for us to collect whole.

Find somewhere warm this winter

Warm Hubs have been set up in and around Epsom and Ewell this winter, where people can enjoy a safe, warm and friendly environment in which to enjoy a hot drink, social activity and receive information and advice. The service is open to all, but is particularly beneficial to residents in hard to heat homes, those who are isolated or those worried about their energy bills.

A list of Warm Hubs are below:

Ashtead Library

Address: Woodfield Lane, Ashtead, Surrey, KT21 2BQ

Opening times:

• Monday: 10am to 1pm & 2pm to 5pm
• Tuesday: 10am to 1pm & 2pm to 5pm
• Wednesday: Closed
• Thursday: 10am to 1pm & 2pm to 5pm
• Friday: 10am to 1pm & 2pm to 5pm
• Saturday: 9.30am to 5pm
• Sunday: Closed

Christ Church

Address: Cheam Road, Ewell, KT17 1AD

Opening times: Wednesday - 10am to 1pm

Epsom Methodist Church, Roots Coffee Shop

Address: 13 Ashley Rd, Epsom, KT18 5AQ

Opening times: Wednesday - 10am to 6pm

Epsom Library

Address: 6 Epsom Square, Epsom, KT19 8AG

Opening times:

• Monday: 9.30am to 5.30pm
• Tuesday: 9.30am to 7pm
• Wednesday: 9.30am to 5.30pm
• Thursday: 9.30am to 7pm
• Friday: 9.30am to 5.30pm
• Saturday: 9.30am to 5pm
• Sunday: Closed

Ewell Community Hub

Address: Ewell Hall, 7 London Road, Ewell, KT17 2AY

Opening times:

• Friday 22 December - 10.30am to 1.30pm

Ewell Library

Address: Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell, KT17 1UF

Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5pm

Ewell Court Library

Address: Ewell Court House, Lakehurst Road, Ewell, Surrey, KT19 0EB

Opening times:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
• Wednesday: 10am to 5pm
• Thursday: Closed
• Friday: 10am to 5pm
• Saturday: 10am to 4pm
• Sunday: Closed

Love Me, Love My Mind Monday Drop In

Address: St Barnabas’ Church, Temple Road, Epsom KT19 8HA

Opening times: Mondays,  3pm-7pm

Rainbow Leisure Centre

Address: East Street, Epsom KT17 1BN

Opening times: Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 1pm to 3pm (From 4 December)

Ruxley Church

Address: Ruxley Lane, West Ewell KT19 0AF

Coffee and chat: 8.30am to 10am (Term Time Only)

St Mark's, Food Club

Address: Great Tattenhams, Epsom Downs, KT18 5RB

Opening times: Friday 11am to 3pm

Stoneleigh Library

Address: 1 Stoneleigh Broadway, Stoneleigh, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 2JA

Opening times:

• Monday: 10am to 1pm & 2pm to 5pm
• Tuesday: 10am to 1pm & 2pm to 5pm
• Wednesday Closed
• Thursday: 10am to 1pm
• Friday: 10am to 1pm & 2pm to 5pm
• Saturday: 10am to 4pm
• Sunday: Closed

Tattenhams Library

Address: Tattenham Crescent, Epsom Downs, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5NU

Opening times:

• Monday: 10am to 1pm
• Tuesday: 10am to 1pm
• Wednesday: 10am to 1pm
• Thursday: 10am to 4pm
• Friday: 10am to 5pm
• Saturday: 10am to 4pm
• Sunday: Closed

The King's Church, Epsom

Address: Longmead Road, Epsom KT19 9BU

Opening times: Monday 4pm-6pm

(Except Christmas Day and New Year's Day)

Warm Hubs are available throughout Surrey, visit Surrey County Council's Warm Hubs webpage for more details.

Last chance to have your say on the Epsom Town Centre Masterplan

Following an initial consultation in the summer of 2022, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council have been working to develop people’s ideas into a new vision for the town centre. Residents, workers, business owners and visitors have until 22 December to have their say on the Masterplan and help shape the future of Epsom town centre.

Respondents can view the draft Masterplan and give their views via an online questionnaire at Epsom Town Centre Masterplan. Paper copies of the draft Masterplan are also available on request by emailing localplan@epsom-ewell.gov.uk, or viewable in the borough’s libraries for the duration of the consultation. Feedback can also be sent in by email to: localplan@epsom-ewell.gov.uk, or by post to Epsom Town Centre Masterplan, Planning Policy, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, Town Hall, The Parade, Epsom, KT18 5BY.

Help us recycle more this festive season

It’s easier than you think to do your bit for the planet this Christmas. Simply recycling more of the right things will make a huge difference to the environment and it’s cheaper and more carbon efficient for your local council to process than rubbish. Here’s a quick reminder of what can go in your recycling:

• Paper and cardboard – paper, card, catalogues, brochures, magazines, newspapers, envelopes, cardboard boxes and outer food packing; plus festive wrapping paper, cards and gift tags without glitter/foil/plastic/batteries.
• Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays – empty plastic food packaging such as brandy sauce pots, ready meal trays, Christmas pudding and ice cream tubs, detergent and shampoo bottles. Just rinse them clean first.
• Metal food tins and drinks cans – empty soup tins, festive assortment biscuit tins.
• Glass bottles and jars – empty and clean mincemeat, cranberry sauce and pickle jars, bottles of festive celebration drinks.

Eight more easy ways to own your impact this festive season:

1. Waste less, swap to reusable items wherever possible – travel cups, drinking bottles, cloth nappies, beeswax wraps for food storage, reusable make-up removers, bamboo toothbrushes. Find out more here.
2. Keep bows and ribbons and reuse them for other occasions (they cannot go in your recycling) to reduce waste and save money.
3. Place non-recyclable items such as hard plastic storage boxes, polystyrene, bubble wrap, and flexible plastic film in your rubbish bin. If in doubt, check it out with a quick search on the Surrey Recycles search tool or app.
4. Plan food shops and party food in advance to avoid overbuying. Freeze excess food to enjoy later. Have you ever tried a food shopping app?
5. Get more meals for your money, try some of our delicious recipes.
6. Put food that can’t be eaten, like bones, eggshells and peelings into your food caddy.
7. Having a pre or post Christmas clear out? Remember some items need to be recycled separately from your main container – such as clothes and home textiles, small electricals, and batteries. In most areas they are collected weekly. Use the Surrey Recycles search tool or app to find out more.
8. If you’re not planning to replant and reuse your Christmas tree, look for places where you can recycle it by visiting the Surrey Recycles search tool or app or the check local collection services web page. Alternatively, subscribe to your local garden waste recycling collection service and your crew will take it away for you.

Remember, owning your impact now will make a big difference for years to come. Find out more: surreyep.org.uk

Tips for preventing water loss and water bill support

Around 1 in 14 homes suffer from water losses, like dripping taps, leaky loos and even outdoor taps and hoses. 

Colder temperatures and changeable weather can cause a leaky pipe to freeze, and sometimes burst, which could mean a hefty repair bill and an impact to your water supply.

Prepare your home now through checking for leaks and insulating pipes throughout your household. Reducing leaks could even save you money on your bill.

Visit SES Water’s website at www.seswater.co.uk/wrapupforwinter  for more tips and information.

If you need extra support, SES Water is there to help. You may be eligible for one of its water support schemes if you’re having trouble paying your bill, or if you are just in need of some extra assistance.

• Water Support Scheme – 50% bill reduction for qualifying low income households
• WaterDirect – if you’re on benefits, payment can be deducted directly, meaning never worrying about a bill
• Breathing Space – pause your payments if you need some time to get back on your feet
• Priority Services – become a priority customer if you need extra help due to long or short-term health, access or communication needs. seswater.co.uk/priority
• WaterSure – a capped tariff for metered customers who use extra water due to family or health reasons

Please see their website for full details of how to qualify for one of their schemes and how to make an application – seswater.co.uk/hereforyou.

Free bus travel in Surrey and across England

Check you’re not missing out on a free bus pass

Travelling by bus doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, it can be one of the cheapest ways to travel if you’re eligible for a free bus pass.

Anyone who is aged 66 and over or has an eligible disability can apply for a bus pass which offers free bus travel not only in Surrey but anywhere in England! That means you could hop on a bus and take a trip anywhere you want to and not pay a single penny.

Around 25% of people who are eligible for a free bus pass have not applied for one and are therefore missing out, plus those who have a bus pass but are not using it. 

About the free bus passes

Bus passes for older people (aged 66 and older) and disabled people (aged 5 to 65) are valid on journeys between 9.30am and 11pm from Monday to Friday, and at any time on weekends and public holidays.

How to apply

If you think that you or someone you know might be eligible for a free bus pass, you can find out more details on the Surrey County Council free bus passes web page. Alternatively you can visit the web pages below for specific details:

• Visit the free bus pass for older people web page for more information including how to apply, renew or replace a lost/stolen pass.
• Visit the free bus pass for disabled people web page for more information including eligibility, how to apply, renew or replace a lost/stolen pass.

Other bus discounts and passes

• The Surrey LINK bus pass offers young people aged 20 and under, to travel for half price on single and return tickets for any journey that starts and/or finishes in Surrey. This means that some single bus journeys for those under 16 could be as little £1. Find out more on the Surrey LINK bus pass web page.
• The government has extended the £2 bus fare cap on most routes across England until the end of December 2024, so you can continue to travel for less on participating Surrey buses. Find out more on the bus fare price cap web page.

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.

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.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council set to embark on office relocation plans

Councillors at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council voted on Tuesday 12 December to undertake the relocation of the council’s Town Hall accommodation. Staff currently located at the Town Hall will move to 70 East Street, a modern purpose-built office building in central Epsom.

The move will bring about a number of significant benefits:

• Financial benefits: Remaining in the Town Hall building would require it to have extensive, costly refurbishment over the coming years to comply with energy efficiency and fire regulations, along with general maintenance of existing building structures which are reaching end of life, which would cost more than twice as much as the cost of relocating. In addition, the move will create significant operating cost savings into the long term, with annual operating costs expected to reduce by over 50%. These future costs savings will help sustain key service delivery.
• Environmental benefits: The new building will be more energy efficient and sustainable with a smaller carbon footprint, enabling the council to deliver on its ambitions to be a greener council and to become carbon neutral by 2035.
• Service benefits: The move will provide a modern and fit-for-the-future workplace that will best serve the Borough.

The East Street building is already owned by the Council. It is a five-minute walk to the High Street and bus stops are located directly outside the building, providing easily accessible public transport. The building also provides its own parking, serving visitors and those with mobility issues.

It is intended that 70 East Street will not accommodate the Council Chamber, and instead a separate proposal is being developed to locate this in Bourne Hall, Ewell.

Cllr Neil Dallen, Chair of the Strategy & Resources Committee, said:

“Our focus must always be on what is best for our residents, and the significant financial and environmental benefits of this move are clear. The current Town Hall building is expensive to run and contains a significant amount of unused space. The new building is smaller and will be far more cost-efficient. The costs involved with the move are far outweighed by the savings that we will make through avoiding the Town Hall refurbishment and through significantly reduced running costs into the long-term.

“Just as importantly, the move will allow us to progress towards our target to become a carbon-neutral council by 2035. We believe the relocation will provide multiple benefits to the borough.”

Jackie King, Chief Executive of the council, said:

“Relocating council staff to a smaller, modern and fit-for-purpose building aligns strongly with our ongoing determination to be a modern, forward-looking organisation that can best meet the needs of our residents. We are excited to progress with this move and improve value for money for our taxpayers as well as continue to provide the best services possible to the community.”

Work continues to look at options for the existing Town Hall site and this will form the subject of a separate report to the council’s Strategy and Resources Committee in due course.

What's on in Epsom & Ewell

To find out what's happening in Epsom & Ewell in the coming months, take a look at the events page on the Epsom & Ewell Borough Council website. 

Here are a few events that are happening in the rest of December: 

Snow Play

Tuesday 19 December to Saturday 23 December

11.30am to 2pm

From £15

The Horton Arts Centre, Haven Way, Epsom KT19 8NP

Lyngo Theatre presents Snow Play, an interactive snowtastic seasonal show.

What would you do if one year Winter decided to stay and moved into your house? Well that’s what happens in our snowy spectacular show where you are guaranteed a white Christmas, no matter what the weather! You get to make a giant snowman, cover a whole house in snow and have a super snowball fight!

Band of The Coldstream Guards

Friday 19th January 2024

Price: £30

The band of the Coldstream Guards has a worldwide reputation for performing outstanding and spectacular concerts to packed houses in some of the most prestigious concert halls in the world to critical acclaim and now, for the first time, at the Epsom Playhouse.

Find out about events in Epsom & Ewell here: Epsom & Ewell Borough Council | Whats On

Markets in Epsom & Ewell

Regular markets in Epsom marketplace take place on Thursday and Saturday.
For information on the weekly markets at Epsom Marketplace take a look here: Epsom & Ewell markets

Artisan Market - at Bourne Hall in November and December
Come along to see a gorgeous selection of wooden children's toys, handmade jewellery, local honey and jams and lots more. 
First Saturday of the month, 10am - 3pm. 

Cash in the Wardrobe - Bourne Hall. There is no market in December. 
A market for pre-loved and vintage clothes and accessories, taking place on the third Saturday of the month.
10am - 2pm

Farmer's Market - Epsom Marketplace
This market usually takes place on the first Sunday of the month.
9.30am - 1.30pm.
Find out more at www.surreymarkets.co.uk/event/epsom-market

Epsom Sustainable Market is postponed until 2024.

Explore Epsom and Ewell

Get closer to nature and enjoy the outdoors with our various guided walks. Explore local nature reserves, discover your borough's history and boost your health and wellbeing too.

Visit the walks page on our website to discover a range of walks that take place across Epsom and Ewell.  

Epsom & Ewell also has several beautiful open spaces which are great for cycling, including Epsom Downs, Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve, Nonsuch Park, Hogsmill Local Nature Reserve, and Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve. You can find cycling routes for all these places on our website.

Epsom Common Association (ECA)

ECA supports the preservation and protection of Epsom Common local nature reserve and site of special scientific interest. ECA works in partnership with the Council, the Lower Mole Countryside Management Project and English Nature to contribute to the long term management and conservation of the Common.

Nature walks
ECA organises a number of walks on the Common each year which are led by local natural history experts. The subjects that are usually covered each year include birds in early spring, wildflowers, butterflies, invertebrates particularly bush crickets, bats and fungi. 

The EcoVols
If you care about the Common and enjoy its wildlife and beauty why not join the EcoVols, the volunteer group of the ECA. EcoVols carry out a variety of conservation projects on the Common throughout the year in association with English Nature, the Council and the Lower Mole Countryside Management Project. You don’t need any special skills or experience just your enthusiasm and time! For more info and the 2020 EcoVols programme see: Conservation on Epsom Common

Council meetings in January

The following meetings of the Council will be held in January.

January

• Thursday 11 January, 7.30pm - Planning Committee
• Tuesday 16 January, 7.30pm - Community and Wellbeing Committee
• Wednesday 17 January, 7.30pm - Crime and Disorder Committee
• Thursday 18 January, 7.30pm - Licensing and Planning Policy Committee
• Monday 22 January, 10am - Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee
• Monday 22 January, 6pm - Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators
• Tuesday 23 January, 7.30pm - Environment Committee
• Thursday 25 January, 7.30pm - Strategy and Resources Committee
• Friday 26 January, 2pm - Financial Strategy Advisory Group

The agendas, reports and details on how to view the council meetings are published seven days before the relevant meeting on the website links above.

Meeting dates are subject to change. When looking for details of a particular meeting, please contact the relevant officer to confirm that the meeting is going ahead as scheduled.

The calendar of Council meetings can be found here: democracy.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/Calendar

You can subscribe to updates in order to receive information via e-mail regarding arrangements for particular committee meetings.

Community Notice Boards

There are community notice boards, known as Borough Boards, in various locations across Epsom & Ewell. The Boards are for local community use and form a vital information point for those who are not online.  They are used for timely information and events; they are not used to advertise businesses. 

Submitting a poster

If you have a poster you would like placing on the boards, please email communications@epsom-ewell.gov.uk with an electronic copy of the poster, so the team can double check it is appropriate for the boards. Once the team have confirmed the poster is suitable, please print and deliver 25 posters (one for each board) into the postbox outside the main entrance at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Town Hall, clearly marked ‘Borough Boards’, or ask your Ward Councillor to do so on your behalf.

Please submit your posters as far in advance as possible, to allow plenty of time for posters to be checked and put up on the boards.

Content Rules

Posters should advertise timely local information and events. The following will not be accepted:

• Overt advertising of businesses or services
• Any discriminatory language or suggestions, including hate speech and profanities in the text or via images
• Promoting a religious cause only, with no event or activity taking place
• Any political inferences.

Poster content should be easy for everyone to read and respond to. All posters must:

• Be a maximum of A4 in size
• Consider accessibility - they should be easy to read, in colours that are contrasting and not using fonts that may be tricky for those with visual impairments to read
• Posters should include a working phone number wherever possible.  A poster that only points to a website / email for more information will not serve those members of the community who are not online.

We reserve the right to select which posters can be featured. 

We will insert posters that meet the content rules above on a first submitted, first served basis, until all the spaces are allocated, and to remove any that are out of date in a timely manner.