Woodcote ( Epsom) Residents’ Society is sorry to announce that Cllr Steve McCormick has left the Residents Association group on Epsom Council and joined the Conservative Group.
This is clearly disappointing news for us but Steve has promised he will remain fully committed to supporting the on-going work of the Langley Vale Action Group to reject the Fairfax housing development proposal at Farm View. There is no reason why any differences in party politics should have any bearing on our local campaign in the forthcoming public Inquiry into the planning appeal.
W(E)RS also wish to emphasise that Cllrs Bernice Froud and Liz Frost will continue to serve you as Residents Association representatives on Epsom Council until it is replaced by the new East Surrey Council in April next year.
Cllr Bernice Froud said: “Whilst I am very sorry to see Cllr McCormick leave the RA, I know we can work with him on all matters concerning our Ward. I am very pleased that he will continue using his vast knowledge of planning law and policy to assise us in the fight against the development at Farm View.
“I will be continuing to work alongside Liz over the next 10 months to represent your views and listen to your concerns. It will be a challenging time as the council changes to become part of the new East Surrey Unitary, but I’ll do my best to get things done in the time that we have left as a Borough authority.
“My appointments to Committees for the civic year are largely the same – Community and Wellbeing, Epsom & Walton Downs Conservators, Epsom & Walton Downs Consultative Committee, Human Resources Panel and Health Liaison Panel.
“Please do continue to reach out to me bfroud@epsom-ewell.gov.uk with any issues that I can help with, and I thank you all for your patience in waiting for successful outcomes.”
Cllr Liz Frost writes: “I can’t remember when I first joined the W(E)RS committee, it was certainly several decades ago. I was honoured to be asked by W(E)RS to stand as one of your Councillors in 2011, to have been elected then, and re-elected in 2015, 2019, and 2023. I want to assure you of my continued commitment to serve the ward as an independent RA Councillor for the remaining time that we have as a Borough Council.
“For this civic year, I am continuing in my role as chair of the Environment Committee. This has responsibility for a variety of services, such as our parks and open spaces, climate change action plan, refuge and re-cycling, and off-street parking. We are continuing to work with partners to both reduce the carbon footprint of the Council services and administration, and to encourage and enable local residents and businesses to achieve greater sustainability in their homes and businesses. We are also upgrading several of our outdoor sport and recreation facilities. My other committee positions are on the Financial Strategy Advisory Group, the Health Liaison Panel and Epsom & Walton Downs Conservators.
“Times are currently tough for local authorities, and this is even more difficult for us as we work towards handing over administration of the boroughs, districts and county to the new unitary authority. The work towards re-organisation is taking significant resources, both financial and officer time – but we are committed to working to represent you, without control from national political party, for the next 10 months. You can contact me at lfrost@epsom-ewell.gov.uk “
