Latest SARA News:

27th September 2008: 

MISS JOAN MULCASTER:
The retirement on 6th September of Miss Joan Mulcaster, Epsom Post's long-serving Community Reporter, was announced recently. For many years Joan has made an outstanding and unique contribution to the reporting of local community news. Together with equally excellent reporting by Helen Crane of the Epsom & Banstead Guardian, Joan Mulcaster's coverage of Conservative-controlled Surrey County Council's secret attempt to sell off Nonsuch Mansion House was a major factor in SARA's successful campaign to force the County Council's climb-down. The campaign resulted in an agreement by the County Council to grant a long lease of Nonsuch Park and Mansion House to the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee. We wish Joan every future happiness and send our sincere thanks for her superb reporting of countless important local matters which concerned the local community in Epsom and Ewell.  

12th September 2008: 

COUNCIL GIVES GO-AHEAD TO POP AND CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERTS ON EPSOM DOWNS: 
At a special full meeting of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council on 12th September 2008, councillors voted in favour of a proposal by Epsom & Walton Downs Conservators to allow two days of live pop and classical music concerts to be staged on Epsom Downs next year (13th and 14th June 2009). The Conservators will now award a five-year contract to the concert promoter, for the event to be staged annually. There will however be a contract review following the first concerts next year. If the promoter fails to keep to the agreed contract terms, the Conservators will have the right to cancel the contract. 

 

29th July 2008:

51- 53 RAVENSFIELD GARDENS - THE PLANNING INSPECTORATE DISMISSES APPEAL:
 There was good news for many residents in both Walsingham Gardens and Ravensfield Gardens recently, when an Inspector from The Planning Inspectorate dismissed an appeal by Britannia Builders Ltd against a decision on 18th December 2007 by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council to refuse planning permission for the erection of two semi-detached dwellings in the gardens of the the above properties. The appeal followed a successful campaign by local residents, supported and represented by SARA at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council's Planning Committee meeting, where the application was unanimously rejected. The developer then appealed the decision. On 25th June 2008, the Inspector dismissed the appeal on the following grounds: 
"While the proposed dwellings would be in a similar style to the existing, both the donor dwellings and the proposed dwellings would have plot sizes significantly smaller than occurs in  the surrounding area.
The proposed buildings would also be close the the site boundaries, thus appearing, in my opinion, cramped and out of keeping. The proposal would provide no garaging and one off-street parking space per unit. I concur with the Council that overflow parking in the road could cause a nuisance and harm to the appearance of the street scene. In view of the level of parking in the area which I observed, I consider that the proposed development would have a significant effect in these respects.
I conclude on this issue, therefore, that the proposal would adversely affect the character and appearance on the surrounding area, contrary to Policies BE1, HSG11, DC1, and DC14. 
The Inspector finalised the dismissal by saying, "...For the reasons given above I conclude that the appeal should be dismissed."

Despite a recent government policy change on backland and garden development, the Inspector's decision to dismiss the appeal will hearten all those who deplore the loss of green space land - whether on open land or in back gardens. To view and/or download a full copy of the Inspector's decision, click here > Planning Inspectorate, 25th June 2008. 

24th July 2008:

TWO-DAY WEEKEND 'POP AND CLASSICAL' CONCERTS ON EPSOM DOWNS:
 The Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators held a committee meeting at the Town Hall on Thursday 24th July 2008, to discuss a proposal to allow a two-day concert to be staged on Epsom Downs by an events promotion company, throughout the weekend following The Derby. The contract, if awarded, will be for a five-year period, allowing the event to be staged annually each year. The Conservators agreed to delay a decision on the proposal until September, to allow time for receipt of further representations from residents.

12th July 2008:

NONSUCH PARK AND MANSION HOUSE: It is hoped that the few remaining details will be finalised very shortly and the 125-year lease from Surrey County Council should be signed by all three councils next month. However concerns have been raised that the preferred bidder for the Mansion House catering contract has submitted a request for a significant number of changes to be allowed, if the bid is successful. 

The principal concern is a request to be able to land helicopters in the Park. This could have a devastating effect on wildlife, as well as disturbing the quiet enjoyment of visitors to the Park. Considerable disturbance would be caused to residents whose properties lie adjacent or close to the park. The same disruption would occur if pyrotechnic displays were to be allowed. Many residents take the view that fireworks are entirely unsuited to the environs of the Park and would impact severely on the protection of wildlife. 

SARA's Chairman, Bill Slaughter, had a very useful meeting with Mr David Smith, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council's Chief Executive and Clerk of the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee. Mr Slaughter handed Mr Smith a letter placing our concerns on record, which he very kindly tabled at the JMC meeting on 10th July. We feel sure that everyone who shares our concern to preserve the peaceful ambience of Nonsuch Park and the Mansion house will be reassured by the reply Mr Slaughter received from Mr Smith, following the JMC meeting. Both letters can be viewed by clicking here > Mansion House: Latest News.

30th June 2008:

Councillor Alan Winkworth (pictured left) was elected and installed as Mayor of Epsom & Ewell for 2008/9 at the Annual Council meeting on Tuesday 13 May 2008. Alan Winkworth is one of SARA’s three Stoneleigh Ward RA councillors. 

Councillor Winkworth was, until being elected as Mayor, Chairman of the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee (JMC) and has recently played a major role in making the arrangements for the 125-year lease of Nonsuch Park from Surrey County Council to the boroughs of Epsom & Ewell and London Borough of Sutton. You can read a profile on Alan Winkworth by scrolling down to 29th March 2008.

The Mayor’s Charities for 2008/2009 are:
The Butterfly Appeal, Citizens Advice Bureau and Epsom & Ewell Scouts.

 

We have recently been able to fill the vacant post of Hon Advertisement Manager. John Beckett (pictured left), lives in Auriol Ward and will also be taking on one of the vacant zone representative posts in the ward. John is a former RA councillor in College Ward and was co-opted as our Advertisement Manager at the May meeting of the General Committee. 

‘The Resident’ magazine is delivered quarterly to almost 2,500 member households in Stoneleigh and is the biggest and best residents’ association magazine in Epsom & Ewell. 

To contact John Beckett about booking advertising space in 'The Resident' magazine, click here > 'The Resident' Magazine. 

 

The 75th Annual General Meeting of the Association was held on Friday 25th April 2008 in St John's Church Hall and the meeting opened with a most interesting talk by our Guest Speaker, Mrs Rachel Jackson, Head of Licensing Services at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council. A detailed report on the matters dealt with will appear in the September issue of ‘The Resident'.

A question and answer session followed, during which members were invited to put questions on licensing procedures, all of which were expertly answered by Mrs Jackson. In appreciation of an excellent talk, the Chairman presented Mrs Jackson (pictured left) with a floral bouquet from the General Committee. 

 

Sadly, at the Annual General Meeting, SARA members had to bid a fond farewell to our Hon Secretary, Mrs Vanessa Winkworth (pictured left), who has had to stand down prior to becoming Mayoress of Epsom and Ewell on 13th May when her husband, Councillor Alan Winkworth, was elected as the borough's Mayor. 

Vanessa has served the Association well during the last five years, both as Hon Secretary for the last two years and as Assistant Secretary for the three years prior to that. The General Committee expressed their great appreciation to Vanessa with the presentation of a bouquet of flowers.

However, the blow of losing Vanessa Winkworth's services was softened considerably by the appointment of Mr Mike Sampson as our new Hon Secretary. Mike Sampson (pictured left) will ease very smoothly into the office, having been Assistant Secretary for the last two years. 

Mike Sampson is one of SARA's hardest working officers and has been re-elected as our Railway Liaison Officer and Assistant Editor of 'The Resident' - SARA's quarterly magazine for members.

Mrs Natalie Rogers, a former RA councillor in College Ward, has been appointed as our Registrar for Auriol Ward. Many people in Stoneleigh and throughout the borough already know Natalie Rogers, who for several years has been at the forefront of the on-going campaign to save Epsom Hospital from closure. 

Although no longer a borough councillor, Natalie (pictured left), remains deeply committed to saving Epsom Hospital services and is Lay Representative on the project team reviewing Women’s and Children’s services at Epsom & St Helier NHS Trusts. SARA is enormously grateful to Natalie's predecessor, Mr Mike Sampson, for the tremendous work he did during the seven years in which he held the Registrar's post in Auriol Ward. 

14th June 2008:

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ON FORMER SCHOOL LAND IN CUDDINGTON AVENUE:
With SARA's support, Cuddington Residents’ Association hosted a well-attended meeting at St Mary’s Church Hall on the 5th June, to give local residents a chance to have their say about the highly contentious development proposal in Cuddington Avenue by Fairview Homes. 

Following the public meeting attended by representatives of Fairview Homes, Cuddington RA’s Chairman, Neil Bevan, has written on behalf of both RA’s a strongly worded letter of complaint to the Managing Director of Fairview Homes about the abysmal presentation provided. Neil’s letter – and the reply from Fairview Homes – can be viewed by clicking here > School Land Development.

17th May 2008:

 


CUDDINGTON AVENUE - PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:

Many residents have expressed grave concerns about the building development proposed by Fairview Homes on land adjacent to The Mead School in Cuddington Avenue.

Whilst no planning application has been submitted as yet, a formal application - to build 49 flats with 35 parking spaces - is expected to be lodged with the borough council next month.

Cuddington Residents’ Association has joined together with Stoneleigh and Auriol Residents’ Association (SARA) on this important issue and invited representatives from Fairview Homes to attend their next monthly meeting on Thursday 5th June at 8.00pm, in St. Mary’s Church Hall (at the top of The Avenue).

All concerned residents are warmly invited to attend this meeting. You can have your say about the proposals and hear the views of others. You will also be able to put your questions to Fairview Homes.

Your borough and county councillors will be there to hear your views, but councillors are barred by law from expressing an opinion or commenting on any planning application until it is dealt with at the council’s planning committee. However, they do very much want to hear YOUR views, so please come to the meeting and let them know what YOU think about the proposals. 

EVERYONE IS INVITED AND WELCOME TO ATTEND - PLEASE COME ALONG AND HAVE YOUR SAY.

26th April 2008:

75th Annual General Meeting of Stoneleigh and Auriol Residents' Association (SARA):

The Annual General Meeting was held on Friday 25th April 2008.

Prior to the commencement of the AGM, members were pleased to welcome Guest Speaker, Mrs Rachel Jackson, Head of Licensing Services at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, (see ‘Guest Speaker’ article below), who gave a most interesting talk on all aspects of licensing with special emphasis on the changes to licensing following recent government legislation. The Epsom and Ewell Energy Group kindly hosted a stall in the foyer during the interval before the AGM and members were able to gain advice and insight into energy saving products and home energy improvement.

Guest Speaker:

Mrs Rachel Jackson 
Head of Licensing Services, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council

I was born in the north-west of England, in Bury, Lancashire and first became involved in Local Authority Licensing in 1990, taking up my first role as Licensing Assistant with Bury Metropolitan Borough Council. 
Ten years ago, I moved to London, to take up the role of Licensing Officer with the Hackney Council, and then on to the City of Westminster in 2000, into the role of Licensing Manager, where I was responsible for applications for Entertainment Premises, Door Supervisors, Sex Establishments etc. within Soho and the West End. One of my key successes was managing the transition of the largest partnership venture Westminster Council had ever embarked upon, whereby frontline services were transferred to a private sector partner consortium. 
I was appointed to my current role with Epsom & Ewell Borough Council in September 2003 and I am responsible for managing a service which provides a dedicated licensing service together with a service which provides housing adaptations for the vulnerable. 
My role included implementing the Councils Statement of Licensing Policies under the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005. Both Acts brought about significant changes, with the responsibility for licensing of premises such as pubs, supermarkets and gambling premises transferring from the Magistrates Court to the Local Authority. 
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council was the first Surrey council to work with the Police in securing the first Closure Order of premises under the Licensing Act, following disturbances at the Stoneleigh Inn in 2006. A few more “Surrey firsts” include the first Licensing Act prosecution for trading without a Licence, and also the use of the “Expedited Review” powers which saw a local public house being closed by the Licensing Authority following an application from Surrey Police. 
On a personal level, I am married to Matt, and we live in Epsom. In our spare time we enjoy socialising and I have been responsible for organising fun charitable events at Epsom Council, with monies raised to support worthwhile causes such as the Mayor’s Charities. 

29th March 2008: 

Councillor Alan Winkworth, Mayor of Epsom & Ewell 2008/09:

STONELEIGH WARD RA COUNCILLOR ELECTED MAYOR OF EPSOM & EWELL:
Councillor Alan Winkworth, one of SARA’s three Stoneleigh Ward RA councillors, officially became Mayor of Epsom & Ewell at a special annual meeting of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council at the Town Hall on Tuesday 13th May 2008. 
Councillor Winkworth will serve as the 2008/2009 Mayor of Epsom & Ewell and will perform various duties in his Civic role, from visiting residents, organisations, sports, church and community groups to attending events and activities.
The new Mayor has selected three charities to support throughout the coming year; Epsom & Ewell Citizens Advice Bureau, The Butterfly Appeal and Epsom & Ewell Scouts, and will work hard along with his supportive team of representatives to raise money for these worthwhile causes. He also announced his Chaplain for the municipal year as Reverend Lynn Helmuth from St John the Baptist in Stoneleigh. Alan Winkworth will be accompanied by his wife Vanessa, the Mayoress, and will be supported by outgoing Mayor, Councillor Jean Steer, who becomes Alan’s deputy. 

Alan said, “It is an honour to be Mayor of Epsom & Ewell, but especially because it is a special year in the Borough’s calendar as we celebrate the 75th anniversary since the joining of Epsom with Ewell.
My wife and I are looking forward to meeting as many people as possible over the course of the year and along with the help from my charity committee, hope to raise as much as we can for my three chosen charities. Epsom & Ewell Citizens Advice Bureau helps a lot of people of all ages who may not be able to afford professional and legal advice. Epsom & Ewell Scouts is a charity close to my heart as both my sons were scouts and became leaders and it is a hobby which teaches young people good life skills. 
Cancer seems to affect every one of us in some way and The Butterfly Appeal is an outstanding local charity whose nurses provide excellent palliative care for patients of all ages who are living with cancer." 

Councillor Alan Winkworth is the Mayor of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council for 2008/9 and took up his post at the Annual Council meeting on Tuesday 13 May 2008.

Alan represents Stoneleigh Ward as a Residents’ Association Councillor and is looking forward to representing the Borough in his mayoral duties. The outgoing Mayor, Cllr Jean Steer, will become Alan’s deputy.

Since being elected to the Council in 1999, Alan has held a number of posts. He is currently Chairman of the Leisure Committee, Business Partnership Board and Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee and was also the inaugural Chairman of the Licensing Committee.

Born in Morden and educated in Wimbledon, Alan spent 12 years living in Court Ward before moving to Stoneleigh in 1979. Alan married his wife Vanessa in 1967 and has two sons and two grandsons. Vanessa, as Mayoress, will accompany Alan on his civic duties around the Borough.

Alan built a successful career in banking starting out in 1963 at District Bank. He went on to spend 17 years in the City of London and West End before moving to Epsom as Branch Accountant at Nat West Bank. A promotion saw Alan become an Administration Manager at branches in Banstead and Lewisham, with a further promotion to Manager at Croydon Woodside, Camberwell and Deptford. 

Passionate about sport, in particular archery, Alan became Surrey’s Indoor Longbow champion last year. He is currently Chairman of Surrey Bowmen, the oldest archery club in the country, having been a member since 2002 and has won a series of titles including Surrey Married Couples Championship with his wife Vanessa in 2006 and the Veterans’ Championship, an individual event which he won in 2006 and 2007. Alan’s interest in sports and leisure does not end there, as he is an enthusiastic supporter of all sports especially in the local area and is championing locally the 2012 Olympics.

Alan said: “I am looking forward to my year as Mayor and having the opportunity to meet with people, volunteers and organisations within the Borough.”

15th September 2007: 

Stoneleigh Station:

The rebuilding of the station entrance - as shown in the pictures below - was completed in early September 2007: 

                     

Following completion of the work, Mike Sampson, SARA's Railway Liaison Officer, wrote to Osborne Civil Engineers Ltd - the company that carried out the reconstruction - commending the site manager, Mr Wayne Sheppard and his staff for the manner in which the work was carried out. Mike Sampson also recorded special thanks to Osborne's site foreman, Mr John Blackman, for the cleanliness and administration of the site, even during the early days of demolition. 

10th May 2007: 

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Election Results: 

At the Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Election on 3rd May 2007, all five Stoneleigh and Auriol Residents' Association (SARA) councillors were returned to serve a further term on Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, which continues to be a Residents' Association-led council following the successful election of many other RA councillors across the borough.

 

Left to right: Councillors Ruby Smith, Alan Winkworth, Sandy Sanger (Stoneleigh Ward), 

Robert Leach and Chris Long (Auriol Ward).

FOR FULL DETAILS OF THE ELECTION RESULTS CLICK HERE > 2007 Council Elections


Other breaking news will appear on this page as it happens.