Recent SARA News:

EPSOM HOSPITAL - A PUBLIC MEETING:
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council will host a public meeting on Wednesday 11th November 2009 from 7-30pm - 9.00pm in The Town Hall, The Parade, Epsom KT18 5BY, which has been organised in partnership with NHS Surrey.
Representatives of Epsom and St Helier University Hospital NHS Trust will be in attendance. The meeting will be an opportunity to learn more about the Trust's plans to spend millions of pounds redeveloping the Epsom Hospital site. For more information:
email: communication@esth.nhs.uk
phone: 020 8296 2406
visit: www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk
"SIGNIFICANT" COMPROMISE ACHIEVED ON MANSION HOUSE CAFETERIA LICENSING HOURS:
 A recent chance meeting at Nonsuch Mansion House (pictured left) between SARA's Chairman, Bill Slaughter, and the new catering contractors, Mr Andrew Gray and his wife (who trade under the name of Bovingdons), has resulted in an unexpected but most welcome compromise being achieved, in the wake of widespread concerns over the excessive licensing hours being applied for in respect of the Nonsuch Mansion House Cafeteria. The concerns were aired publicly on 13th August 2009 in an exclusive Epsom Guardian article (see below) by Helen Crane, the newspaper's widely-acclaimed senior staff reporter.

As a result of the discussion, the catering contractors have voluntarily amended their licensing application to exclude the sale of alcohol to the public at the Cafeteria except between the hours of 12noon-3.00pm and a ban on the sale of alcohol to any person under the age of 21 years. In return, SARA agreed not to oppose the licensing application - which it had intended to do.

SARA's Hon Secretary, Mr Michael Sampson, has issued a statement saying, "There has been much concern over the future of catering at the Mansion House since the successful campaign, led by SARA, that prevented the sale of the property by Conservative-controlled Surrey County Council. To learn that a contract had been “awarded” by the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee (JMC) to Bovingdons with seemingly no restrictions on the sale of alcohol to the public did not seem to be in the interests of local residents. It was important that the situation was clarified at the earliest time and to the satisfaction of those members of the public who use the facilities at the Mansion House.
Mr Sampson's statement concluded, "As with the problems that were envisaged with the development in Cuddington Avenue by Fairview New Homes, negotiations can be conducted - and compromises achieved - by face to face discussions. The outcome with Bovingdons, through the efforts of Bill Slaughter, has resulted in a significant compromise that we feel sure will be acceptable to all residents who visit the House. The amended licensing application submitted by Bovingdons should result in a catering format which will provide all the necessary services but without the prospect of excessive alcohol consumption, especially during later hours of the day. Once again the value of dealing with local issues by local organisations such as Stoneleigh and Auriol Residents’ Association (SARA) has proved to be the right formula."

 FROM THE EPSOM GUARDIAN, 13TH AUGUST 2009: 

As revealed exclusively by the Epsom Guardian on 13th August 2009, the chairmen of two residents' associations have expressed deep concern about the licence application that has been submitted by Bovingdons - the husband and wife party-planning and events organisers whose bid for a sub-lease of parts of the Mansion House has been accepted by the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee (JMC).

Mr Keith Lugton (pictured left), who is Chairman of Nonsuch Park & District Residents' Association and also chairs the Standing Committee of Residents' Associations (SCoRA), has submitted a formal representation to Epsom & Ewell Borough Council raising concerns about the number of events that the party-planners would be allowed to hold each year. Such events would often include the erection of a huge 300-seat marquee in part of the formal gardens, which will be roped off and inaccessible to the public.

SARA's Chairman, Bill Slaughter, supported Mr Lugton's concerns and said, "Keith Lugton is absolutely right to draw attention to the fact that the operators have applied for an unrestricted licence which would allow them to stage events and parties for 365 days of the year if this licence is granted as applied for."

EPSOM & EWELL BOROUGH COUNCIL APPOINTS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE:
 Frances Rutter LLB has been appointed Chief Executive of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council at a special meeting of the Council on Tuesday 18th August 2009. Mrs Rutter is only the fifth Chief Executive in the Council’s 72-year history. She has been Interim Chief Executive since 15th December 2008.

RA Councillor Eber Kington, Chairman of Epsom & Ewell's Residents' Association-led Borough Council, said, “We are delighted that Frances has accepted the permanent Chief Executive position at the Borough Council. Her time as our Interim Chief Executive has shown that she has the skills, professionalism, enthusiasm and energy to lead the Council through the many challenges that lie ahead."

Prior to her interim appointment, Mrs Rutter was Assistant Chief Executive at Elmbridge Borough Council. The appointment follows the retirement of David Smith on 31st July 2009.

EPSOM AND EWELL BOROUGH COUNCIL'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE RETIRES:
 David Smith, Chief Executive of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, retired on 31st July 2009 after 23 years of service. The decision to leave follows David’s recovery from a stroke last October. A solicitor with a career in local government, David joined Epsom & Ewell Borough Council as Chief Executive in 1986. He has played an active and integral part in Borough activities ever since.
His numerous local appointments included Chairman or Board member roles for North East Surrey College of Technology (Nescot), Surrey Drug Action Team, Surrey Business Enterprise Agency, Surrey Economic Partnership, Surrey Traveller Community Relations Forum, Safer Surrey Partnership as well as representing the Council at many other forums.
SARA's Chairman, Bill Slaughter, said, "Throughout the last twenty-three years David Smith has played an immense part in shaping the future of Epsom & Ewell. David has an encyclopaedic knowledge of all the legal matters that pertain to running a local council. His seemingly photographic memory enabled him to recall precise details of meetings, events and discussions, that had taken place previously - however long ago.
Nowhere was this more obvious than in the way he led negotiations between Surrey County Council and the two local boroughs in arranging the 125-year lease of Nonsuch Park and the Mansion House to the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee, following SARA's successful campaign to stop Surrey County Council from secretly attempting to sell off Nonsuch Mansion House for private commercial development. The fact that Nonsuch Park - and the Mansion House - is now safe for future generations to enjoy bears testament to his skills and leadership.
On behalf of SARA, we send David and his wife, Jenny, our very best wishes for the future."
 

STATION TICKET MACHINE ROBBERS ARRESTED:
SARA'S Railway Liaison Officer, Mike Sampson (pictured left), has received a response to concerns he raised regarding the recent wrecking of both ticket machines on Stoneleigh Station. Mr Sampson had raised  concerns on behalf of local residents after learning that the Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) had been damaged beyond local repair during the theft of almost  £700 from the cash-ticketing machine.

Stoneleigh Station was one of eight local railway stations targeted by the same gang of thieves. The machines are so badly damaged that they will need to be returned to the manufacturer in Germany for repair - a process that could take 2 - 3 months - but good news was relayed to Mr Sampson in a reply from South West Trains' Area Manager, Mr Matthew Winnie, who wrote, "The good news is that following a targeted operation by ourselves and the British Transport Police, we were able to catch the gang 'in the act'  - thus putting paid to this pattern of vandalism".

Mike Sampson had sought assurances regarding the ability of passengers to travel without a valid ticket - which has led previously to penalty fines being imposed by South West Trains Revenue Protection Officers. Mr Sampson had pointed out that, with the machines being out of order and the booking office only being open at much-reduced times, passengers could be liable for a penalty fine - even though it was impossible to purchase a ticket at the beginning of the journey. In  response to Mike Sampson's query, Mr Winnie has arranged for a notice (pictured below) to be posted on the station advising travellers how to make their journey without a ticket when the booking office is closed.  

The out of service notice. One of the damaged ticket machines. Close-up of the forced opening.

Mike Sampson is advising all travellers using Stoneleigh Station to purchase their tickets in advance of the day of travel whenever possible, during normal booking office opening times.

NONSUCH MANSION HOUSE - CATERING CONTRACT SIGNED AT LAST:
Following SARA's tremendous success in forcing Conservative-led Surrey County Council to abandon its secret plans to sell off Nonsuch Mansion House for private development and the subsequent signing of a 125-year joint lease of Nonsuch Park and the Mansion House from the county council to Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and the London Borough of Sutton, the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee (JMC) has at last, after many months of unexpected delays, awarded the catering contract for the Mansion House. The contract has been awarded to a small, husband and wife-run, events company called Bovingdons - whose initial demands for what they wanted to do at the Mansion House caused great concern to many park users and groups who seek to protect the quiet environs of the much-loved Park and House, who feared that the Mansion House might be transformed into a vulgar and garish 'Caesar's Palace' type venue. Epsom & Ewell Borough Council's press office has published a press release from a PR company retained by the couple, which names them as Mr Andrew Gray and Mrs Julie Gray.

Concerns had been raised following the JMC's failure to conclude the signing of the lease agreed with Surrey County Council for Nonsuch Park and Mansion House. The forecasted three-month timescale from 25th March 2008 for the lease to be signed was exceeded by many months and the lease was finally signed on 12th December 2008. There was widespread speculation that unreasonable demands being made by the preferred bidder - now revealed as Bovingdons - for the Mansion House catering contract were the primary cause of the delay.  The alleged demands included external lighting of the House and walled gardens, restricted public access to certain parts of the Park and the lifting of the fireworks ban, as well as helicopter landings and take-offs in the park.

On 12th July 2008, Mr David Smith, the previous Clerk to the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee (JMC) provided SARA with a written assurance that the JMC remains committed to ensuring the widest possible public access to all parts of the Park. In response to a letter from SARA chairman Bill Slaughter, outlining concerns about the caterer's alleged demands, Mr Smith wrote, "... you raised the question of the chosen caterer seeking permission to close the walled gardens for private events. As I said to you the other day, this has never been the case and would certainly not be agreed by the JMC. The caterers'  proposal is that they be allowed to rope off a part of the gardens immediately adjoining the house to use as overflow for events and, in principle, the JMC has agreed this. The public would still be able to access the walled gardens through the gate and to wander freely around most of the garden." 
The ban on fireworks and pyrotechnic displays was made clear to all bidders during the tendering process and Mr Smith confirmed that the fireworks ban will remain in force. In the same letter, Mr Smith wrote, "I am pleased to be able to tell you that with regard to the fireworks the JMC, in the light of yours and other representations, has reconsidered the informal view it expressed at the previous meeting and decided to confirm the existing ban.

Commenting on the award of the catering contract to Bovingdons, SARA Chairman Bill Slaughter, who led the campaign to stop the Mansion House from being sold off, said, "Everybody involved in the process of securing the long term future of the Mansion House and bringing it back into a good state of repair, whilst retaining a strong element of public access, recognises that the financial return secured by the awarding of the catering contract is key to the success of the JMC's ability to achieve that. However, the catering company should be very aware that if they abuse or breach the terms of the contract there will be such a public outcry that the JMC will have to look carefully at whether or not the contract can be maintained. For the sake of the Mansion House's future I am sure everyone will hope it does not come to that."

TEMPORARY CASH AND CARD TICKET MACHINE INSTALLED AT STONELEIGH STATION:
 Following discussions between SARA's Railway Liaison Officer Mr Mike Sampson and South West Trains' Area Manager, Mr Matthew Winnie, a temporary 'cash and card' Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) has been  re-assigned and installed on Stoneleigh Station. 

The installation of the temporary TVM comes after both Ticket Vending Machines at the station were robbed by a gang of thieves and so badly damaged that they have had to be returned to the manufacturer in Germany for repair (see STATION TICKET MACHINE ROBBERS ARRESTED, below).

Mike Sampson (left) is pictured with Mr Matthew Winnie at the newly-installed temporary TVM on Stoneleigh Station.

 

SARA CHAIRMAN CALLS FOR TORY-LED COUNTY COUNCIL’S “POINTLESS” LEGAL ACTION TO BE ABANDONED:
 The Chairman of Stoneleigh and Auriol Residents’ Association (SARA) has called on the leader of Conservative-controlled Surrey County Council to abandon immediately the county council’s application for a costly Judicial Review of Ofsted’s 1-star rating (the lowest possible) in respect of children’s services provided by the council.

SARA’s Chairman, Bill Slaughter, dismissed the legal action as “pointless” and accused the Tory-led council of “potentially squandering tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds in a cynical and desperate bid to overturn the Audit Commission’s Comprehensive Performance Assessment 1-star rating”. The 1-star Audit Commission rating was a direct outcome of the damning Ofsted report into the provision of children’s services by the council.

Mr Slaughter’s reaction came in response to the county council’s application for a costly Judicial Review of Ofsted’s Annual Performance Assessment of services for children and young people in Surrey County Council 2008, which judged Surrey County Council’s provision of children’s services to be inadequate and 1-star rated for the overall effectiveness of its children’s services. The Council was also rated by Ofsted as ‘inadequate’ for its capacity to improve, including the management of services for children and young people.

In a letter to Conservative councillor Nick Skellett, the leader of Surrey County Council, Bill Slaughter described the council’s application for Judicial Review of the Ofsted rating as a “shameful face-saving gamble prior to the county council elections in June.” Mr Slaughter called on Councillor Skellett “as a matter of conscience and human decency, to order the immediate abandonment of this costly application for a Judicial Review” (which the county council had informed the media would only cost about £50,000) and instead, “use the money involved for improving the children’s services which the council, under your leadership and direction, has failed to provide.”

Condemning the county council’s poor performance, which led it to be rated by the Audit Commission as one of the four worst performing councils in the country, Bill Slaughter also called on Councillor Skellett to “repay the £40,190.00” he received from Surrey County Council in 2007-8 as leader of the council, “with an instruction that both amounts of money be spent on improving and safeguarding the lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in our community that you and the council have let down so badly.”

Bill Slaughter’s letter to Councillor Skellett can be viewed by clicking here > Letter to SCC, 27th March 2009.

COUNTY COUNCIL’S LEADER REPLACED AS LEADER OF THE COUNTY GROUP OF CONSERVATIVES:
 The widely-publicised action by SARA against Conservative-led Surrey County Council’s decision to apply for a costly Judicial Review of Ofsted’s damning report in respect of children’s services provided by the council, has forced the leader of the council, Councillor Nick Skellett, to stand down with immediate effect as leader of the County Group of Conservatives at County Hall.

However, the surprising announcement by Surrey County Council Conservatives makes it clear that, despite all the controversy surrounding Councillor Skellett’s ill-fated leadership of the council - which has seen the council downgraded by the Audit Commission from 4-stars to a 1-star rating in just five years - he will remain as leader until the June county council elections. SARA’s Chairman, Bill Slaughter, had earlier dismissed the council’s legal action as “pointless” and accused Councillor Skellett (pictured left) and the Tory-led council of “potentially squandering tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds in a cynical and desperate bid to overturn the Audit Commission’s Comprehensive Performance Assessment 1-star rating” by risking a costly Judicial Review of Ofsted’s rating. 

In a BBC Surrey interview with Mark Carter on Monday 30th March about the news that Councillor Skellett has been replaced as leader of the Conservative Group on Surrey County Council, SARA’s Chairman Bill Slaughter said, “The problem is that it’s not a resignation at all in that sense, he’s merely been kicked out and replaced as leader of the Conservative group by his fellow Conservative councillors – he hasn’t resigned as leader of the Council and of course he’s going to hang on to that post until the County Council elections in June.”

To hear the BBC Surrey radio interview in full, click here > BBC Surrey radio interview. Bill Slaughter’s earlier letter to Councillor Skellett can be viewed by clicking here > Letter to SCC, 27th March 2009.

CONSERVATIVE-CONTROLLED SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL'S  APPLICATION FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW OF OFSTED'S ONE-STAR RATING IS ''POLITICAL CHICANERY", SAYS SARA CHAIRMAN:
Conservative-controlled Surrey County Council has applied for a costly Judicial Review of Ofsted's 1-star rating (the lowest possible rating) in respect of the council's Children's Services provision. The Ofsted rating resulted in the Tory-led county council receiving the Audit Commission's lowest possible Comprehensive Performance Assessment score - also a 1-star rating. 

In a live interview on Southern Counties Radio on Friday 20th March, SARA's Chairman Bill Slaughter condemned the Conservative county council for indulging in ''political chicanery'' and accused the council of "potentially squandering hundreds of thousand of pounds of tax-payers money."

Describing Surrey County Council's action as "scandalous'' and ''politically-motivated", Bill Slaughter dismissed the Tory council's Judicial Review application as a desperate and cynical "attempt to kick the matter into the long grass until the county council elections (on 4th June 2009) are over." The SARA chairman called on Surrey County Council to abandon the expensive legal action immediately and said that council tax-payer's money being wasted on the Judicial Review "would be far better invested in improving the services for which they have been so roundly criticised." To hear the radio interview in full, click here > Southern Counties Radio interview. 

The Audit Commission, which inspects the finances of local authorities, has given Conservative-controlled Surrey County Council the lowest rating that can be handed to a local authority and it symbolizes inadequate performance over the year. Four stars represent above minimum requirements. Surrey County Council received - a ONE-STAR RATING - in the Audit Commission's 2008 Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA), placing it equal with the three other worst performing local authorities in the country.

The Audit Commission’s summary stated, “Surrey County Council is not improving adequately. Overall levels of improvement and service provision are variable. Services for vulnerable children and young people do not meet minimum requirements and safeguarding is inadequate.”

The Audit Commission’s summary also reported that, “In adult social care, increasing numbers of people have been helped to live independently, but the quality of service and safeguarding for the most vulnerable are inconsistent. The overall rate of improvement in services is just below average and not matching that of comparable councils.”

Conservative-controlled Surrey County Council was the worst-performing Conservative council in 2008 and joint worst-performing out of all 150 councils inspected. Out of the 150 councils inspected by the Audit Commission in 2008, only FOUR councils received a 1-star rating: Haringey (Labour), Doncaster (Labour largest party, No overall control), Milton Keynes (Lib-Dem largest party, No overall control) - and Surrey County Council (Conservative).

Earlier this year the Conservative-controlled County Council was forced to admit that it had investments of £20 million in the Icelandic banks that have gone into administration. A report to the County Council shows that an additional £1 million of interest might also now be lost to the council taxpayer. Residents’ Association-led Epsom and Ewell Borough Council has no investments in Icelandic banks.

NO SURPRISE! (1) - NO-SHOW FROM NO-GO RA DEFECTOR:
Former Residents’ Association Epsom & Ewell Borough and Surrey County councillor, Nigel Petrie (pictured left), who defected to the Tories on Saturday 14th February 2009 after failing to get reselected as the RA candidate for the Epsom & Ewell North East Division at the forthcoming County Council elections, wasted no time in carrying on as previously when he failed to turn up just four days later to a full meeting of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council on Tuesday 17th February 2009.

County Councillor Petrie has a long history of failing to turn up at meetings. He was absent from more than 50% of SARA General Committee meetings in the last two years. Councillor Petrie has certainly given the clearest possible indication to his new Conservative Party political masters as to how, as a defector to their ranks, he intends to conduct himself as a Tory councillor. See Recent SARA News.

PUBLIC MEETING HELD ON 4TH MARCH 2009 - THE PROVISION OF SERVICES AT EPSOM HOSPITAL:
A public meeting at Epsom Town Hall on Wednesday 4th March, organised and jointly chaired by SARA councillors Chris Long and Sandy Sanger, saw representatives of both the Epsom and St Helier University Trust (ESHUT) and the Surrey Primary Care Trust (PCT) face a series of tough questions form residents and councillors on the future of Epsom General Hospital.

The meeting was is line with Residents' Association-led Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s commitment to champion health service improvements, and it was the first time in years that key decision makers faced local people in a public question and answer session.

Following presentations by the PCT and ESHUT, several key commitments were extracted from the Health organisations in regard to the future of our local Epsom Hospital:
~ There will be a consultant-led maternity service at Epsom General Hospital and additional midwives and consultants will be employed to enable this to happen
~ Women and children’s services will be reviewed and upgraded
~ Money is to be spent on improving heart and stroke services
~ The A&E Department will remain at Epsom General Hospital with national standards guaranteed
~ Services provided at the Hospital will be free at the point of delivery
~ In addition there will be a major investment of up to £150 million in new buildings following a review of the site over the next six months.

Commenting after the event RA Councillor Eber Kington (pictured left), Chairman of the RA Group of Councillors said, “It was an achievement in itself to get these key players to a meeting to face the public. We are delighted with the commitments we received, although we need to see the fine detail and there are still some areas of concern”.

Key issues that remain concerns for all Residents' Association councillors include:
~ Whether there will be sufficient consultant support to enable more complicated childbirths to be undertaken at Epsom General Hospital
~ Whether the opening times of A&E will be sufficient to cover the whole week
                                  ~ Whether private sector involvement enhances free national health service provision.

NO SURPRISE! (2) - TORY COUNCILLOR BANNED FROM SPEAKING:
Conservative councillor Sean Sullivan (Woodcote Ward) was banned from speaking during a council meeting on 17th February because of his offensive and disruptive behaviour. Councillor Sullivan said that he left the previous council meeting early because "the mayor was drunk". Many councillors objected to the remark.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jean Steer, asked Councillor Sullivan to withdraw this remark. Councillor Sullivan refused, so RA Councillor Robert Leach (Auriol Ward) moved the motion that "the member be not heard". This was seconded by the council's longest-serving member, Councillor Michael Arthur (RA, Ewell Village), and carried overwhelmingly. Councillor Sullivan was therefore obliged to sit down and not speak further on that item.

Had Councillor Sullivan defied this order, he could have been physically removed from the council chamber. This is the first known occasion that Epsom and Ewell Borough Council has ever used this procedural motion, although it has been part of the council's constitution for as long as anyone can remember.

After the council meeting, Councillor Robert Leach said, "Residents Association councillors believe in democracy. We believe that all properly elected councillors have a right to be heard, however much we may disagree with what they say. However freedom of speech has its limits. Councillor Sullivan abused his position to defame a councillor who was not present. Earlier he had shouted down the deputy mayor who presided at the meeting. This conduct is simply not acceptable. It is an extreme motion to prevent a member from speaking and one I hope it will never be necessary to use again. The Liberal Democrats manage to present their opposing views in a responsible manner; the Conservatives must learn to do likewise."

FOLLOWING THE DECISION NOT TO RESELECT NIGEL PETRIE AS THE RA CANDIDATE FOR THE FORTHCOMING SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTIONS, EPSOM AND EWELL NORTH EAST DIVISION'S COUNTY COUNCILLOR HAS DEFECTED TO THE TORIES:
 Although SARA did not receive the courtesy of a formal notification from him, we understand from a leaflet circulated in Stoneleigh on 14th February 2009 by the Tories that RA Epsom & Ewell North East Division Surrey County Councillor Nigel Petrie (pictured left), has defected to the Conservatives - more than three months before the County Council elections on 4th June 2009.

Many electors will see the defection as a shameful breach of trust with those who voted for a Residents’ Association representative on the Tory-controlled county council. Others may well take the view that Mr Petrie’s action is a cynical and desperate attempt to cling on to a seat on the county council for which, after a competitive interview process, he was not reselected as the nominated Residents’ Association candidate at the forthcoming county council elections.

The Conservative Party has been trying to persuade RA councillors to defect to them for at least the last eight years. Nigel Petrie is the only councillor to have done so.

Immediately following Cllr Petrie’s defection, SARA President and Chairman, Mr Bill Slaughter, issued the following statement:
“Although his defection comes as no real surprise to SARA officers who know Nigel Petrie well, perhaps the only disconcerting factor is that, despite having been elected to represent residents on a non-party political basis, he has opted to join the Conservatives - the very same national political party that is making such an appalling mess of running Surrey County Council.

Councillor Petrie’s long-term personal ambition is obviously not matched by his short-term memory as he appears to have either ignored or conveniently forgotten the fact that a recent damning OFSTED Report into Conservative-controlled Surrey County Council’s Children’s Services for Vulnerable Young People showed the County Council’s services to be inadequate in 4 out of the 6 key categories – including their capacity to improve.

SARA is most grateful to Nonsuch Ward RA Borough Councillor David Wood (pictured left) - our prospective Residents’ Association candidate for Epsom & Ewell North East Division - for agreeing to assist residents with any matters concerning Surrey County Council until the June elections.”

You can view Councillor David Wood’s contact details by clicking here > Borough and County contacts.

 

Epsom Guardian, Letters Page, 12th March 2009:

1st March 2009:

PUBLIC MEETING HELD ON 4TH MARCH 2009 - THE PROVISION OF SERVICES AT EPSOM HOSPITAL:
Local residents have attended a Public Meeting to hear directly from Surrey Primary Care Trust (PCT) about the services they want Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust to provide at Epsom Hospital (pictured left).

Ms Frances Rutter, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Interim Chief Executive said, "We know that our residents are concerned about the future of their hospital and this was a significant step to let them see what is being set out for the future of the local services."

 

 

The meeting took place at Epsom Town Hall on Wednesday 4th March 2009 and was chaired jointly by SARA’s Stoneleigh Ward RA councillor Sandy Sanger (pictured left), who is Chairman of both Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Health Liaison Panel and The Mid Surrey Inter-authority Health Partnership, and SARA’s Auriol Ward RA councillor Christine Long, who is Chairman of the Borough Council’s Social Committee.

Both SARA councillors had been pressing the PCT since before Christmas for the meeting to take place.

 

14th February 2009:

AUDIT COMMISSION TO RATE SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL AS ONE OF THE WORST PERFORMING COUNCILS IN THE COUNTRY:
Surrey County Council is set to receive a ONE-STAR RATING from the Audit Commission - placing it alongside some of the worst performing local authorities in the country. The Audit Commission, which inspects the finances of local authorities, will shortly announce that Conservative-controlled Surrey County Council has been given the one-star rating. It is the lowest rating that can be handed to a local authority and symbolizes inadequate performance over the year. Four stars represent above minimum requirements.

Earlier this year Conservative-controlled County Council was forced to admit that it had investments of £20 million in the Icelandic banks that have gone into administration. A report to the County Council shows that an additional £1 million of interest might also now be lost to the council taxpayer. Residents’ Association-led Epsom and Ewell Borough Council has no investments in Icelandic banks.

1st February 2009:

SARA COUNCILLOR SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON THE MAYOR’S ILLNESS:
Auriol Ward Residents’ Association Councillor, Robert Leach, has set the record straight regarding the Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, Councillor Alan Winkworth (pictured left), who has taken a break from his mayoral duties after suffering from stress and exhaustion resulting from a protracted period of illness. Councillor Leach said, “After seven months in the demanding role of Mayor, during which he fulfilled more than 200 engagements, Alan suffered from stress and exhaustion combined with physical ailments just before Christmas. The Mayor is suffering from a debilitating and protracted bout of bronchitis.”

Councillor Leach’s remarks followed allegations made in a complaint to Ms Frances Rutter, the Interim Chief Executive of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, by Conservative councillor Sean Sullivan, who made accusations about what he called “the Mayor’s drunken behaviour at December’s full council meeting” and alleged that the Mayor “caused disruption and had to be carried out of the meeting.” Councillor Sullivan also made a further complaint, again alleging that the Mayor appeared to be drunk, this time at an event at Epsom Playhouse - and he sent a copy of his allegations to the Epsom Guardian.

Rubbishing the Tory councillor’s accusations, Robert Leach added, “At neither of these events was the Mayor drunk. He was not carried out of the council chamber but walked out normally and was persuaded by a colleague not to struggle on. He went home and went to bed for two days. It was reasonable to assume that this would address the problem but unfortunately it did not. His incoherent speech at the second event was down to very strong antibiotics, bronchitis and exhaustion rather than alcohol. I spoke to him just before each occasion and he was sober but tired.”

SARA Chairman, Bill Slaughter, issued the following statement:
“SARA officers were greatly saddened to learn that the Mayor, Councillor Alan Winkworth, who is one of our Stoneleigh Ward RA councillors, has been suffering from ill health since the Christmas and New Year period. We understand that the Mayor has very wisely decided to take an extended period of rest from his Civic duties while he regains his strength. We have been informed that the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jean Steer, will attend Civic engagements on his behalf during this time. All SARA officers join me in sending our very best wishes to Alan for a speedy return to full health.”

12th January 2009:

MR DAVID SMITH:
 SARA is delighted to report that Mr David Smith (pictured left), Epsom & Ewell Borough Council's long-serving Chief Executive, is making steady progress towards full recovery from the stroke he sadly suffered last October.

David returned home from hospital before Christmas and is continuing with physio and speech therapy treatment.
 

 

2009 POP AND CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERTS ON EPSOM DOWNS CANCELLED:
Epsom Downs Racecourse has announced that the proposed two-day outdoor Concert on The Downs which was to be staged by music promotions company, All the Worlds, will not take place at Epsom in 2009.  

Nick Blofeld, Managing Director of Epsom Downs Racecourse commented; “Sadly we won’t be able to go ahead with this year’s concert due to the changed economic circumstances making it much tougher to find the right level of sponsor for a June 2009 event. We are still very keen on the project and All The Worlds are working hard behind the scenes in planning all aspects of the event for 2010." 

 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 this year (13th and 14th June 2009). 

Epsom Downs Racecourse will have a full racing programme in 2009, with 14 days racing, including the Derby Festival and five music and racing evenings on Thursdays through July. The new season gets underway when the new Grandstand is officially opened at the Spring Meeting on the 22nd April. 

18th December 2008:

CONSERVATIVE-CONTROLLED SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL AND OFSTED:
A damning OFSTED report into Conservative-controlled Surrey County Council's Children’s Services for Vulnerable Young People showed the County Council's service to be INADEQUATE in 4 out of the 6 key categories – including their capacity to improve.

In its latest report, dated 17th December 2008, OFSTED found that; "Surrey County Council delivers services for children and young people which do not meet the minimum requirements for users. The council’s capacity to improve, including its management of services is inadequate." 

The OFSTED report also stated that; "The contribution of local services to improving outcomes for children and young people at risk, or requiring safeguarding, is inadequate." You can read the full OFSTED report by clicking here > OFSTED Report. 

15th December 2008:

EPSOM & EWELL BOROUGH COUNCIL APPOINTS INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE:
 Ms Frances Rutter has been appointed Interim Chief Executive of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council.
Ms Rutter was previously the Assistant Chief Executive at Elmbridge Borough Council and took up her new post on the 15th of December 2008. 

 

12th December 2008:

COUNCILLOR DEREK PHILLIPS: 

SARA officers and councillors were deeply saddened to learn that Councillor Derek Phillips (pictured, left), one of Ruxley Ward’s RA councillors, passed away on the 10th of December following a long and bravely-borne serious illness. Our sincerest sympathies go to his wife Rachel and their two young children.

Derek was one of Epsom & Ewell's hardest working RA councillors and will be sadly missed by all his friends and colleagues in the whole RA movement. His passing will be a great loss to Ruxley Ward residents, on whose behalf he worked so energetically. 

SARA officers and councillors stood and observed a one-minute silence at the opening of SARA's General Committee meeting on the 12th of December, to remember Derek and his family at this very sad time.

29th November 2008:

THE EPSOM POST:
Following the rejection on 9th October 2008 by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council's Planning Committee of the planning application by Fairview New Homes to build 49 flats in two huge three-storey blocks on the former school land in Cuddington Avenue, a front page story headlined 'Residents' Victory' appeared in the Epsom Post on 15th October. A number of anonymous letters have since appeared on the Letters Page of the Epsom Post, some of which falsely suggested that some borough councillors who sit on the planning committee were not impartial in arriving at the unanimous decision to refuse the Fairview application. One of SARA's Auriol Ward RA councillors, Councillor Robert Leach (pictured left), was singled out for criticism and one correspondent even suggested that he took orders from SARA on which way to vote. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Presumably these cowardly authors hide behind anonymous titles such as 'Name and address supplied' or 'By e-mail' because they have vested interests - whether political or commercial. Cllr Leach  has written an excellent letter to the Epsom Post, which was published in the Letters Page on 19th November (headlined, 'Applications will be considered on merit') pointing out, factually, that this Association has, "... never told him how to vote on a planning issue" and, correctly, "because it understands that legally I could take no notice." 

It is a great shame that some people who write letters to the Letters Page can hide behind anonymity when promulgating downright lies and it is very regrettable that the Epsom Post, with its long and distinguished history of reporting local issues, should opt to publish such letters without verifying and publishing the identities of the authors. Those anonymous correspondents should reflect on the fact that Cuddington Avenue Advisory Group's successful campaign to defeat the Fairview application was supported by a record 560 written objections from local residents. The full text of Cllr Leach's letter which sets the record straight, together with the Council's reasons for refusal of the application, can be viewed by clicking here > School Land Development.

13th November 2008:

51- 53 RAVENSFIELD GARDENS:
Following refusal earlier this year of a planning application (and dismissal of an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against the decision) to build two semi-detached houses in the back gardens of the above properties, a new application to build one detached house has now been permitted by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council's Planning Committee.

17th October 2008:

YOUTH CAFE OPENS IN STONELEIGH BROADWAY:
On Friday 17th October, just over two and a half years since the idea was conceived, members of the Stoneleigh Youth Project proudly attended the official opening of Trix Cafe in Stoneleigh Broadway, an after-school drop-in cafe for the young people of Stoneleigh. The original idea for a youth cafe was the brainchild of Reverend Richard King, the former Vicar of St John's Church, Stoneleigh. Richard's wife, Monica, was one of the founder members of the project and everyone was delighted to welcome the couple back for the opening ceremony. The informal opening began with a short speech of thanks to everyone involved by Gill Cammack, the Youth Project's leader, followed by a video presentation showing the various stages of the project from its inception. The Mayor and Mayoress of Epsom & Ewell, Cllr Alan Winkworth and Mrs Vanessa Winkworth, were among the many guests at the Youth Cafe's opening. (Pictured at the official opening: Back row, left to right - Project Secretary, Mrs Jean Tutton, Rev'd Richard King, Project leader, Gill Cammack, Mrs Monica King, The Mayor, SARA President and Chairman, Bill Slaughter. Front row - Some of the young founder members of the project). 

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. 

28th June 2008:

AURIOL BOWLS CLUB - SARA'S PRESENTATION OF NEW PAVILION CLOCK:
It was with great pleasure that, together with SARA's Hon Secretary, Mike Sampson, I unveiled the new pavilion clock, recently donated by Stoneleigh and Auriol Residents' Association (SARA) to Auriol Bowls Club, who play at Auriol Park. The clock has been mounted in the dining area, above a commemorative plaque.

 

SARA Chairman, Bill Slaughter (right), pictured at the unveiling of the new Auriol Park Pavilion clock
with Mr Ken Shute (centre), Secretary of Auriol Bowls Club, together with SARA's Hon Secretary, Mike Sampson (left). 

 

The commemorative plaque below the clock.

The Pavilion in Auriol Park.

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.