News
Have your say on the Draft Local Plan Consultation
We want everyone who lives, works, visits or studies in the borough to give their views on the Draft Local Plan.
The Local Plan will set the vision and framework for future development in the borough up to 2040. It focuses on a wide range of aspects designed to support the borough to grow in a strong and positive way, including supporting businesses, environmental protection, leisure development and new homes including affordable accommodation.
The consultation has been open for five weeks so far, and closes on Sunday 19 March. Those wanting to respond or find out more about the Local Plan can visit www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/local-plan, and hard copies of the Local Plan and response forms are also available in the borough’s libraries and Epsom’s Town Hall. A Q&A is included in the next article to answer common questions.
Cllr Steven McCormick, Chair of the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee, said: “This consultation on the Draft Local Plan is a very early stage in an extensive process to produce a final Local Plan. What we want is for all those interested in the future of the borough to give us their feedback by responding to the consultation. All feedback will be carefully considered and the Plan will be honed and adapted before going out for a second public consultation.
“Through the public events we have run we have seen certain questions appearing and we are keen to answer these for residents, businesses and stakeholders. We hope this Q&A will be helpful and will encourage people to give us their views.”
The key milestones for the Local Plan are as follows:
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- February - March 2023 – Draft Local Plan public consultation (Regulation 18) - we are at this stage
- Consultation feedback and any further evidence gathered is reviewed, and the next version of the Local Plan is created.
- February - March 2024 – Further Public Consultation (Regulation 19)
- June 2024 – Submission to the Secretary of State
- Spring 2025 – Estimated date of Adoption
For more information and to give your views, visit the Draft Local Plan Consultation webpage on our website: epsom-ewell.gov.uk/local-plan
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Q&A on the Draft Local Plan
We've run six drop in sessions across Epsom & Ewell, where we asked anyone with any questions about the Draft Local Plan to come along and talk to Council officers. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions:
Have decisions already been made about what land will be developed?
No, the Draft Local Plan is exactly that – a draft. It has been based on a robust evidence-based approach, but we are at very early stages and a critical part of the process is to hear what all those who will be impacted by the plan think of the proposals, through this consultation. Every response to the consultation will be read and carefully considered, and the responses will help us to amend and develop the proposals which will then go out for a second consultation.
Is it easy to provide feedback on the Draft Local Plan?
Our consultation is open until 19 March and you can give us feedback in writing in a range of ways:
You don’t have to feed back on the whole Plan, you can pick the elements that are relevant to you and just feed back on those. All the information on how to reply to the consultation is on our website at www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/local-plan, or you can pop into your local library or the Town Hall.
Where does the data about the borough’s housing need come from?
The Draft Local Plan has to be developed in accordance with current national planning policy and guidance. Current national policy requires that the starting point for determining housing need is using a government process called the Standard Methodology, which uses 2014 data from the Office of National Statistics. The Council would welcome the government implementing an updated methodology to establish housing need based upon up-to-date data as soon as possible. But at present, we need to develop the Draft Local Plan under current law and policy requirements.
Have the borough’s brownfield sites been given priority consideration for housing development?
The Draft Local Plan takes a ‘brownfield first’ approach and seeks to make as much use as possible of existing suitable brownfield sites. Extensive work has been done to find and engage with developers and land owners. A call for sites was made last year, along with research by the Council to find further suitable land. This resulted in 163 sites identified within urban areas, each of which was carefully assessed. Ultimately, there are currently insufficient suitable urban sites to get near to our housing need number. A further call for sites is currently being made, having started when the Draft Local Plan consultation opened.
You can see our Land Availability Assessment (2022) at www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/housing-evidence-base.
Have Kiln Lane and the Longmead Industrial Estate been considered for housing development?
The Local Plan needs to balance housing need with economic need in the borough. Kiln Lane and Longmead Industrial Estate are home to about 130 businesses across a wide range of sectors, employing approximately1,900 people. The Draft Local Plan proposes safeguarding this land for employment use, and intensifying it to provide additional employment floorspace, particularly for industrial and warehouse use. There are very limited opportunities elsewhere in the borough for this type of development, or to move displaced businesses were these areas to be developed for other uses.
Some small parcels of land within these sites were put forward for development by the respective landowners, or their agents, through our initial call for sites. If further parcels of land are put forward during our current call for sites, these will also be considered.
There isn’t much detail about supporting infrastructure for new housing in the plan, is this being considered?
Sufficient and appropriate infrastructure, such as schools, GP surgeries and transport links, is vital when new housing is developed. We are only at initial consultation stage, so it is currently too early to provide detailed infrastructure proposals. Through the current consultation, infrastructure providers can respond and advise us of the requirements that are needed for the current proposals. Detailed planning for the required infrastructure will take place following this consultation, to inform the next iteration of the Local Plan (Regulation 19).
Please do take the time to have your say on the Draft Local Plan.
Meeting of Full Council ratifies Jackie King as Chief Executive at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council
Following ratification in a meeting of the Full Council, Jackie King has taken on the role of Chief Executive of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council.
Jackie joined Epsom & Ewell Council (EEBC) in September 2021 as Director of Corporate Resources and has been in the position of interim Chief Executive since July 2022.
Jackie has had an extensive career across the public and private sector and prior to joining EEBC was Acting Chief Executive at Tandridge District Council. She also spent eight years at Surrey Police in various People, Change and Transformation roles as well as roles relating to performance and risk in global financial institutions.
Could you be a community leader?
Councillors are elected by local people to set strategy, agree policy and make key decisions on council business.
The role of a Councillor can be very varied and it is up to each individual councillor how they work. However, the three main areas of responsibility are:
- As a representative - representing your ward and the people who live there.
- As a community leader - participating in the activities of any outside body to which you are appointed, and reporting back to the Council.
- As a policy maker - helping to make decisions that shape the borough, as a member of the Council, a committee or an advisory panel.
Councillors usually represent a political party or group, however, they may be independent. All Councillors represent all the residents of the Borough.
Would you like to help your fellow residents? Could you decide on policies that shape the Borough and its services?
Why not consider being a councillor?
Take a look here: epsom-ewell.gov.uk/leaders
Epsom & Ewell residents need photo ID to vote at elections in May
For the first time, residents in Epsom & Ewell will need to show photographic ID to vote at this year’s local elections. Residents are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote in May by checking they have an accepted form of ID.
Accepted forms of ID include:
- A UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport
- A UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence
- Some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card.
Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID online at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk or by completing a paper form.
The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID, at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID.
2023/24 Budget set for Epsom & Ewell Borough Council
The 2023/24 budget for Epsom & Ewell Borough Council was set last month, on Tuesday 14 February 2022, at a Full Council meeting.
In setting the budget, councillors have agreed a 2.99% increase to the borough council portion of council tax– this is the equivalent of 12.3p per week for the average band D property or £6.39 per year. This means that council tax for this borough remains below the average for Surrey.
The funding for the budget comes from several sources including income generated from the council’s commercial activities, charges and fees for certain services, business rates, government grants and council tax, which Epsom & Ewell Borough Council also collects on behalf of Surrey County Council and Surrey Police.
Of the overall council tax paid by residents, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council receives just 10%, Surrey Police receives 14%, and 76% funds Surrey County Council activities. Surrey County Council has agreed a council tax rise, including the adult social care precept, of 2.99%. The Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner has set an increase of 5.07%.
The rise of under 3% for Epsom & Ewell Borough Council will allow the council to continue providing essential services, while keeping the cost to residents well below the rate of inflation. This is considered important for residents in these tough times where other cost of living increases are high.
The 10% of council tax that Epsom & Ewell Borough Council receives allows it to deliver a wide range of services for residents. Just a few examples are waste and recycling, looking after the borough’s green spaces, reducing homelessness, payment of benefits, planning and development, managing car parks, environmental enforcement, and running the Community and Wellbeing Centre, leisure centre, and culture venues Bourne Hall and Epsom Playhouse.
Councillor Neil Dallen, Chair of the Strategy & Resources Committee, said: “After successfully navigating through the disastrous mini budget, changes of Prime Ministers, Chancellors of the Exchequers, Secretary of States, we in Epsom and Ewell are still on a sound financial footing.
“I am sure that next year will bring plenty of new challenges and opportunities, but we have a balanced budget and a sound four year financial plan. In addition, with the appointment of Jackie King as our new Chief Executive, we are in excellent position to meet these.
“We are fortunate to have a team of dedicated and loyal staff who will continue to provide quality services to our residents whatever the future may bring.”
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 Jobs
We are looking for an experienced Cemetery Manager to lead a small, dedicated team. You will be responsible for the first-class delivery of cemetery services in Epsom Cemetery and two closed churchyards in the borough, ensuring a high quality and compassionate service for the bereaved.
Find out more about the Cemetery Superintendent role, here.
Closing Date: 17/03/2023
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.
Find out more about the Playhouse Theatre Technician role, here
Closing date: 12/03/2023
Jobs 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.
Own Your Impact: Food Waste Recycling
What you do with your food waste can make a huge difference to your environmental impact. The best way to help the planet is to reduce the amount of food waste you produce and recycle what is left.
It’s easier than you think to own your impact in 2023. With free weekly food waste collections throughout Surrey, all you need to do is place your leftovers in your food caddy and we will do the rest.
Once your food waste recycling is collected it’s taken to an anaerobic digestion facility. Here, food waste is broken down to produce biogas, which is collected and used to generate electricity.
If you are in need of a food caddy, contact your local council today. And remember you can keep your caddy fresh by lining it with a plastic bag. Simply use shopping bags, pedal bin liners or even bread bags.
Surrey Environment Partnership Chair Marisa Heath said: “Too much food is still going to waste and so I would like to remind residents that all food waste can be recycled in Surrey and encourage them to take advantage of their free weekly collection. Every resident can make a difference to the planet in 2023 if they simply caddy what they can’t eat. Please don’t put it in your black bin.”
For more information on food waste recycling as well as tips and recipes to help you reduce your food waste, visit surreyep.org.uk.
