New artwork takes centre stage at Epsom Playhouse

During January two new murals were completed at Epsom Playhouse. The murals are part of a series of vibrant public art installations across the borough. Championing the 40-year history of Epsom Playhouse, the large-scale mural in the theatre’s foyer showcases the variety and breadth of creative people who have contributed to the fabric of Epsom Playhouse’s history over the last four decades. The second mural and new photographic exhibition in the downstairs bar celebrates famed British Jazz singer and a trailblazing performer, Evelyn Dove. Championing the roaring 1920s and the Art Deco period, the large-scale installation reflects the era that Dove was at the peak of her performing career. 

The latest murals were created in collaboration with residents. Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, and specialists in community art Positive Arts, consulted with residents during the Christmas lights switch on in the Ashley Centre in Epsom, at Bourne Hall in Ewell and members of Girlguiding Division Epsom also kindly shared their thoughts on the design of the main foyer mural.   

Both murals have been fully funded via the Arts, Culture and Heritage UKSPF 2024/25 allocation and contribute to the council’s overall vision for curating art projects that build pride with local community stakeholders, nurture creative talent and raise the profile of our borough’s rich heritage.

The murals are the last in a series that have been painted across the borough.

So far, working with Positive Arts and community groups, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has created the following murals:

• Upper High Street, Epsom – with GLF Schools
• Alleyway behind Epsom Square – with Members of Girlguiding Epsom Division
• Between Miles Road and Stones Road, Epsom – with GLF Schools
• Near Clandon Close, Stoneleigh - with We Power On

Epsom Playhouse opened in 1984 as part of the development of The Ashley Centre and since opening has hosted a wide and varied programme of events featuring both professional and community productions.

The murals form part of improvement works taking place at Epsom Playhouse using an allocation of monies from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Improvements include a redesigned lower bar and a new bottle bar, clad in stainless steel. The upper bar has also been refurbished with new LED lighting and redesigned to create a larger space. There is also a new mezzanine floor, and a new platform lift has been installed to improve accessibility.

Commenting on the newly installed artworks, Councillor Clive Woodbridge, Chair of the Community and Wellbeing Committee said,

“These new murals use a vibrant palette of colours, and I am sure will draw plenty for interest from residents, who’ll be impressed to see how this much-loved community venue has been revived!

The foyer mural illustrates visually how important regional theatres are in bringing arts and creativity to local areas for the benefit of local communities”

The refurbishment of Epsom Playhouse also supports Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s new Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy which outlines its commitment to nurturing creative talent and to creating a thriving and inclusive creative and cultural outreach programme within the borough.

Keep an eye on Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s social media channels to stay informed on changes occurring to Epsom Playhouse.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council kicks off 2,600-tree planting project

On 7 January, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council began planting 2,600 trees at sites in Ewell Court Park, the Hogsmill Local Nature Reserve, London Road Recreation Ground, Long Grove Park, Manor Park and Poole Road Recreation Ground. This is part of the council’s Climate Change Action Plan and the first stage of its Tree Management Plan that aims to plant 6,000 new trees across the borough by 2035.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has committed to tackling climate change in the borough, embarking on an ambitious programme of work with partners to support its operational net zero target by 2035. Within its Climate Change Action Plan in 2020 was an action to increase tree cover in the borough to enhance the borough’s biodiversity and increase carbon capture. This activity will also help mitigate ash dieback, a serious disease that has the potential to devastate an estimated 90% of the borough’s ash tree population over the next decade.

This tree planting activity is funded through the Forestry Commission’s Local Authority Treescapes Fund, awarded as part of a joint bid with Surrey County Council and three other district and borough councils within the county.

The council’s Arboriculturist has coordinated the planting of the trees and Penfolds Woodland Management has been contracted by Surrey County Council to plant the trees.

Over 20 different tree species have been carefully selected to suit the local habitat; they will help enrich surrounding nature and can even adapt to changing weather conditions associated with climate change. These include several planned stands of native woodland tree and shrub species that aid biodiversity as the trees themselves start to blossom. In Sweet Chestnut Avenue the trees planted will create a real heritage feature that will endure through the ages.

Councillor Liz Frost, Chair of the Environment Committee said:

“This is another great step to help us meet our ambitious carbon neutral target. These new trees will make our green spaces more beautiful and appealing for our community. Importantly, they will also provide habitats for our wildlife to flourish and help combat climate change by capturing carbon as the trees grow.

This is a great effort by everybody involved and I would like to thank Surrey County Council for coordinating this bid that led to this invaluable funding being awarded and for commissioning the suppliers - thanks to Penfolds Woodland Management for planting the trees. One final thanks to our very own Arboriculturist for coordinating this vast tree planting activity. 

We hope these trees will provide a platform for everybody to learn about the complexities of trees and their importance to biodiversity and climate change. I’d encourage all our residents and visitors, including our school children, to visit our parks and open spaces to look at and learn about our beautiful trees.” 

Marisa Heath, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for the Environment said:

“The County Council’s ambition to plant 1.2 million new trees is not something we can deliver alone. Our collaboration with local borough and district councils, parish councils, schools, landowners and community groups is vital to achieve this ambition. Planting more trees helps tackle the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss and by working together we will have a greater impact.”

For more information about trees in Epsom & Ewell - Trees in Epsom & Ewell | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Trees in Epsom & Ewell | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Launches Proposed Submission Plan (Regulation 19) Consultation

Epsom & Ewell’s Proposed Submission Plan (Regulation 19) consultation has launched and will run until 23:59 on Wednesday 5 February 2025. We ask residents, visitors, local businesses and partner organisations to take the opportunity to comment on the plan. The plan and all comments will be submitted to the Government for examination in March 2025. 

The Local Plan is a critical document in shaping the future of the borough. Not having an up-to-date Local Plan could leave the borough at increased risk of unplanned and speculative development. 

The Regulation 19 consultation is the final opportunity to tell us, and a government appointed planning inspector, whether the plan is legally compliant and sound, based on criteria set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. Guidance on how to respond can be found on the council’s website and on the consultation website. Comments on the plan should be made on the consultation website if possible, or by completing the response form and returning it by email or post.  

Paper copies of the Proposed Submission Local Plan can be found in the Town Hall and in local libraries, and will be available to view during opening hours.  

To support those who wish to respond to the consultation but are not sure how to do so, we have created a webinar, which can be found on the consultation website, and will offer bookable drop-in sessions to provide information and guidance on how to comment. 

Councillor O’Donovan, Chair of the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee, said:

“The Local Plan is a critical document for our borough. It outlines where development should take place and where should be protected, as well as safeguarding our public open spaces and retail areas, ensuring environmental protection and higher standards for biodiversity. It supports more sustainable forms of travel across our borough, and mandates higher standards for new homes and commercial buildings. It also supports businesses and secures vital infrastructure development.

The plan strikes the best possible balance between protecting the green spaces and preserving the heritage and character of our borough; whilst offering a vision for growth and development that will ensure our residents can find affordable homes and jobs, access recreational facilities, live well and thrive.

The consultation will take place over the holiday period to ensure that we can meet the March deadline, as set out in our updated Local Development Scheme (December 2024). This will ensure that the plan is examined against the December 2023 NPPF, under which it was developed.”  

Part of the process of preparing the Proposed Submission Local Plan included taking into consideration feedback received during last year’s Regulation 18 consultation (February/March 2023). Changes to the Draft Local Plan following the consultation included increased energy efficiency standards for new homes and the allocation of additional sites in the urban area. The Regulation 18 consultation feedback summary report, which explains how the council has taken the feedback received into account, can be read here: Consultation response statement. 

The public examination of the Local Plan by an independent Planning Inspector is estimated to take place in July. 

Information on the Epsom & Ewell Local Plan can be found here: Epsom and Ewell Local Plan | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council including an FAQ page: Local Plan FAQs | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council

Follow Epsom & Ewell Borough Council on Facebook(link is external) and Instagram: @EpsomEwellBC

Working with local charities to distribute the next tranche of funding to those who need it most

We are working with three local charities to distribute up to £44,000 from the Household Support Fund to people experiencing financial hardship across the borough. The council will work with The Good Company, Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell and The Meeting Room to ensure that funds can be accessed by vulnerable residents including families, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and people with disabilities, before 31 March 2025.

The Household Support Fund was first introduced on 30 September 2021 by Central Government to offer cost of living support over the winter months. This is the sixth time the scheme has been extended.

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

“We recognise that the last few years have seen residents face extremely challenging times. Working together with The Good Company, Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell and The Meeting Room ensures that residents can access the financial support they need through trusted partners who already work with, and advise, vulnerable residents across the borough through services including, but not limited to:

• Good Company, who operate the Epsom & Ewell Foodbanks. The organisation is contactable on 020 8786 8221.
• Citizen’s Advice Epsom & Ewell. They are contactable on 0808 278 7963, and are based at The Old Town Hall, The Parade in Epsom, with drop-ins on Monday, Tuesdays and Thursday mornings.
• The Meeting Room, who support people who are homeless, vulnerable or socially isolated through drop-ins and activities. They are contactable on 07413 9789422, and based at the Kings Church, Epsom, open Thursdays at 10.30am-1.30pm.

These organisations also have the expertise and administrative experience to ensure that allocations are distributed promptly and efficiently.”

Residents who require financial aid can contact one of the three organisations mentioned above.

Applications for Household Support Funds can also be made through Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell: www.caee.org.uk/household-support-fund:

Find out more about the Household Support Fund, including how to apply for funding in Epsom & Ewell: https://epsom-ewell.gov.uk/residents/cost-living-support/household-support-fund.

For advice about cost-of-living support, residents can also visit:

• The Advice Café in Epsom, for advice and support through a wide variety of services, on Friday mornings between 10am-12noon at St. Barnabus' Church, Epsom. Community Hub — St Barnabas (stbarnabas-epsom.org.uk)
• The Cost of Living pages on Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s website to view a range of information and support: Cost of living support | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council

 

Making Bourne Hall energy efficient as part of our Climate Change Action Plan

We have recently installed solar panels on the roof of Bourne Hall and secured funding from the Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund to develop a heat decarbonisation plan for the Ewell Village community venue. These works are part of a planned programme of measures to decarbonise Bourne Hall.

This is part of our Climate Change Action Plan which has set an ambitious target for the council to be carbon neutral by 2035.

Bourne Hall uses the most energy out of all the council’s buildings. The 52.2 kWp solar panel system will generate 45,000 kWh of electricity, covering 25% of Bourne Hall’s electricity usage, and saving more than 9 tonnes of carbon each year. The panels will save Bourne Hall around £15,000 annually in costs which can then be invested back into services for the community.

The Low Carbon Skills Fund is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and is delivered by Salix.

Funding for the heat decarbonisation plan will enable the council to develop a detailed understanding of the different ways in which energy efficiency of this building can be improved, including decarbonising the heating system.

Windows are also scheduled to be replaced with double glazing next year, part funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Bourne Hall is a Grade II listed building, situated in the heart of the historic Ewell Village with Hogsmill River running nearby. Set in a picturesque setting, Bourne Hall has function rooms, facilities and services that the public and businesses can hire including an exhibition space. It also hosts Bourne Hall Museum, and Ewell Library which is run by Surrey County Council.

Councillor Liz Frost, Chair of the Environment Committee said:

“We are passionate about our Climate Change Action Plan and take our responsibilities seriously. Changes and initiatives over the last four years has seen the council’s operational carbon footprint reduce by 14% since the council first began to measure it in 2019.

“Bourne Hall is an important hub for our community, and the installation of solar panels and the development of a robust heat decarbonisation plan is just part of a series of works that will make this picturesque and historical landmark more sustainable for future generations and help continue Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s drive to be carbon neutral by 2035.”

Programme manager at Salix Christopher Masters said:

“We are delighted to support Epsom & Ewell Borough Council in its net zero journey. Having a robust heat decarbonisation plan is a very important step in this process.

“We are looking forward to seeing what the plan will come up with and how the council will move forward as it continues to meet the ambitious net zero challenges.”

More information about Climate Change Action Plan progress can be found here - Climate Change | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (epsom-ewell.gov.uk)

Free Boiler Upgrade

Earlier this year, in partnership with Action Surrey, we launched a free boiler upgrade scheme for residents who meet the following criteria:

Surrey residents recycle their food waste, do you?

Surrey residents recycled over 37,000 tonnes of food waste last year – that’s almost 3,000 double-decker buses! In the process, residents have helped generate electricity to power households throughout the county, made essential savings and lowered emissions. 

Food waste recycling has gone from strength to strength across Surrey, with many residents incorporating recycling any food they can’t eat into their routine and presenting their caddy regularly for collection.

If you haven’t made the change yet, what have you been waiting for? Join thousands of other residents who recycle their food waste daily. With free weekly food waste collections, it is never too late to start. Simply contact your local council today to request your caddy.

Place all food scraps and leftovers including meat, bones, eggshells and tea bags into your caddy and present it on your usual collection day. To keep your caddy clean and fresh, residents can use plastic bags such as old shopping bags, pedal bin liners or even repurpose bread bags.

Surrey Environment Partnership Chair, Marisa Heath, said: “It has never been easier to own your impact and make a difference. I strongly encourage all residents to take advantage of their free weekly collection and caddy any food they can’t eat. It’s a quick and easy way you can help the planet from home.’

For more information on food waste recycling as well as tips and recipes to help you reduce your food waste, visit surreyep.org.uk.

Rethink Waste launches as an app

Surrey’s movement to reduce waste, which nearly 12,000 households (and counting) in the county are taking part in, is now available as an app.

You can download it from the Apple App or Google Play stores now, whether you’re already taking part or not. If not, just download the app, enter your details and you can get started right away. The app has everything that Rethink Waste has when you access it online but can also notify you when new activities are uploaded or there are new donation schemes or prize draws available.

If you’re not yet taking part in Rethink Waste, here’s what it’s all about.

In Epsom and Ewell, we need to reduce what we waste because the less that we throw away, the better it is for the environment and the cheaper it is for your council to deal with the waste. But reducing waste isn’t easy. And that’s where Rethink Waste comes in.

Download the app or sign up online and you’ll immediately have access to a trove of fun activities that can help you reduce waste. And every time you complete an activity, either by watching a video, completing a quiz or making a pledge, you win points. And with the points, you can either:

• Enter monthly prize draws to win some great eco-friendly prizes.
• Donate your points to a charity of your choice – the charities with the most points at the end of the month win a cash donation.
• Donate your points to a Surrey primary school of your choice – regular school schemes have seen schools compete for points; so far, Rethink Waste has donated £18,500 to Surrey schools.

Since the scheme launched in Surrey, over 178,000 activities have been completed by those living in the county. Join them and do your bit for the county.

Warm Welcome venues return to Surrey

Surrey County Council, district, borough and Town and Parish councils are once again working together with Surrey's faith and community groups to open a network of Warm Welcome spaces to support residents across Surrey effected by the cost-of-living and energy crisis. 

Many millions of UK residents will be affected by high energy bills, rising mortgage costs and Surrey is no different. Many of our neighbours, friends, and families will be forced to make difficult decisions on whether to heat their homes or eat three meals a day.

Warm Welcome venues are open to all residents this winter free of charge. Whether you are old or young, live alone or with your family, feel like you are struggling or just managing to get by, a Warm Welcome awaits you.

How to find Warm Welcome venues near you

There are currently over 80 Warm Welcome venues across Surrey in a variety of community spaces including community and church halls, libraries and leisure centres.

All you have to do is show up! Come inside, warm up, enjoy a hot drink and receive energy advice and much more.

Some venues will also be offering additional services such as social and creative activities, community fridges and advice cafes. A number of Warm Welcomes will distributing free items such as fuel vouchers and winter warm packs (including, socks, hats, gloves, blankets and flasks, subject to availability).

To find your nearest Warm Hub, visit Warm Hubs | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council.

For Warm Welcome spaces across Surrey, visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/warmwelcome 

Jobs at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council

Playhouse Theatre Technician

We are seeking a multi-skilled and experienced individual to provide technical services to ensure the successful presentation of a wide programme of professional and community performances. You will be responsible for rigging, operating, and de-rigging, lighting, sound, stage and AV equipment for rehearsals and performances, duty stage management, simple maintenance of equipment, and supervision of casual staff, visiting companies and community users.

Find out more about the role here: Playhouse Theatre Technician

House Manager

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Theatre House Manager to deliver a first-class service to our customers and ensure the positive reputation of the Theatre.  You will be part of the Playhouse Team ensuring performances and building operations run smoothly and are delivered to a high standard.

Find out more about the role here: House Manager

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 y

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. 

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.