News
Find out what's happening across the wards of Epsom and Ewell
Continuing success in Borough Council elections
The Residents Associations have controlled Epsom and Ewell Borough Council for the past 70 years. On Thursday 5 May 2011, the electors of the Borough again showed their faith in the RA ethos by voting for the RA Councillors to retain control of the Council for another four years.
There are 38 seats on the Council and the RAs now have 26 seats, with the balance made up of 6 Lib Dems, 3 Labour and 3 Conservatives. This is a resounding demonstration of the trust put in the RA concept by the voters of this Borough, which is one of the few in the country to be controlled by RA Councillors.
Death of Alan Lloyd, chairman of Howell Hill Residents' Association
The Residents Associations of Epsom and Ewell learned with great sadness of the death of Alan Lloyd on 23 August 2009 following a short illness. Alan had been chairman of Howell Hill RA for several years and had worked tirelessly for the Association.
Alan's particular interest was to preserve the local area, which he loved, for the benefit of future generations. He was heavily involved in ensuring that new buildings and alterations were compatible with the area and that roads and footpaths were safe for residents to use. He actively supported the successful campaign to save Nonsuch Mansion House and he was widely respected by members of the Howell Hill RA and by his colleagues in the RAs of Epsom and Ewell.
Keith Lugton, chairman of SCoRA, said, "Alan put a great deal of effort into Residents Associations activities in Epsom and Ewell - he was a delightful, dependable, intelligent man who will be sorely missed".
Bill Slaughter, chairman of Stoneleigh and Auriol RA said, "Alan was an extraordinarily kind man, generous in spirit, warm in nature and good-humoured - it was always a very real pleasure to be in his company".
Alan was always keen on sport and was a season ticket holder at Chelsea for many years. It was perhaps fitting that Chelsea went top of the table and England won the Ashes on the day Alan died.
Death of Honorary Alderman Pam Ballard
Many heart-felt tributes have been paid to Honorary Alderman Pam Ballard who died recently.
Pam Ballard was elected an RA councillor for Auriol Ward in 1976 and served the residents of the Ward and the Borough devotedly for 27 years. She served on at least 62 different Council Committees, Boards and Working Parties and chaired many of them. She was Mayor of Epsom and Ewell in 1989 - 1990 and was made an Honorary Alderman in March 2004 having retired from the Council in 2003.
Pam was always popular with her fellow councillors and with the many people who came into contact with her. She will be remembered with deep affection.
Continued success in County Council elections
On Thursday 4 June 2009, the electors of the Borough again showed their faith in the RA ethos by voting for RA Councillors to hold four of the five County Council seats in the Borough for the next four years.
This restored the position which had applied previously of 4 RA County Councillors and 1 Lib Dem. The position had been disrupted by the defection of County Councillor Petrie to the Conservatives, however he was defeated resoundingly when he stood as a Conservative candidate.
The RA County Councillors are part of a group of 10 RA and Independent members of the County Council.
By-election results
Two by-elections have been held - one in Ruxley Ward as a result of the death of Councillor Derek Phillips and one in Court Ward as a result of the resignation due to ill-health of Councillor Elaine Britain.
The by-election in Court Ward was won by the Labour candidate Sheila Carlson who returns to the Council having been a councillor previously. The by-election in Ruxley Ward was won by the Conservative candidate William Keen.
This means that the Conservative Group on the Council has grown by two following the recent defection of Councillor Nigel Petrie.
The composition of the Council is now 23 Residents Association Councillors, 10 Liberal-Democrat, 4 Conservative and 1 Labour.
Death of Councillor Derek Phillips
Tributes have been paid to Councillor Derek Phillips who died recently. Derek had served the residents of Ruxley Ward magnificently and he will be sorely missed.
As a result of the sad death of Councillor Derek Phillips, a by-election was held on 26 February 2009.
Concerts at Epsom Downs Racecourse
A proposal for two concerts over the weekend following the Derby in 2009 was approved by the Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators.
The intention was that the concerts would be held on Epsom Downs Racecourse and would consist of a pop concert on Saturday 13 June 2009 and a classical concert on Sunday 14 June 2009. The type of performers envisaged were the winners of the Brit Awards and the winners of the Classical Brits. While some details had been made public, many details were still to be worked out. The basis was that there would be a full review of the concerts in 2009 before the Conservators decided whether similar events would be allowed in future years.
However the economic climate has led to a review of these plans. It is understood that the concerts will not go ahead in 2009 but will be considered for 2010.
The Conservators are responsible for the maintenance and control of the Downs. More information about the Conservators is given on the Epsom and Ewell Borough Council website www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk.
Agreement to 125-year lease for Nonsuch Park
On 25 March 2008 Surrey County Council agreed to give a lease for 125 years on Nonsuch Park and Mansion House to Epsom and Ewell Borough Council and the London Borough of Sutton jointly. This was the culmination of the battle fought by the Residents Associations to save Nonsuch Park.
The recent history started on 27 February 2007 when Conservative-controlled Surrey County Council's Executive Committee met to vote on their own proposal to dispose of the historic Mansion House and to relocate the Nonsuch Museum elsewhere. More than 300 residents from Epsom & Ewell and Sutton boroughs attended the meeting to protest at the County Council's plans.
Following that meeting the Residents’ Associations fought for the management of the Park and Mansion House to be returned to the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee (which has managed the Park for the last 70 years) and for safeguarding the future of Nonsuch Park and Mansion House for the use and enjoyment of residents and visitors for the years to come. In June 2007 it was reported in the local press that Surrey County Council had called in Bidwells, a firm of commercial estate agents - heightening fears that Surrey County Council intended to press ahead with plans to dispose of the Mansion House for commercial development. In August Bidwells presented a report to Surrey County Council, which was discussed with the two borough councils. The report outlines various options, including converting the Mansion House into a block of offices or a five star hotel or residential apartments.
On 28 September 2007, Surrey County Council issued a press release saying that, "... The county council has decided to offer a long lease to the borough councils for the whole park, the mansion and its associated buildings. The lease would be conditional upon arrangements being put in place that would guarantee the maintenance and integrity of the house, continued public access to the whole park and public parts of the mansion house and its associated buildings."
At a public meeting on 8 October 2007 residents turned out in force and made their views clearly known. The message to Surrey County Council was simply "return the management of the Park to the Joint Management Committee, subject to a lease with conditions which are reasonable and realistic, and do it quickly". This has now happened but it has taken six months even from the time when Surrey County Council issued the press release.
Possible Development of the Durdans and Lavendou Stables
Plans for the redevelopment of the Durdans and Lavandou Stables have been submitted to Epsom and Ewell Borough Council. Opposition to the plans was led by Woodcote RA Councillor Teresa Cass with substantial local support.
A public meeting was held on 28 February 2008 which was attended by representatives of the Woodcote (Epsom) Residents' Society. There is a special article about the issues surrounding this proposed development and actions instigated by the Society's Councillors in the Society's Spring 2008 Newsletter, which can be accessed through the Woodcote page of this website.
Dame Annis Barn application opposed
College Ward Residents Association mounted a vigorous campaign to stop development on the Dame Annis Barn and 18 Burgh Heath Road site.
This issue is of prime importance to all Residents Associations as it seriously questioned the entire concept of a Conservation Area, of which there are 21 throughout the Borough. Granting planning permission would have created an inability for the Council to refuse similar applications on other Conservation Areas in the Borough.
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