Woodcote Ward Councillor update 23/05/2020

This is a further update on local matters.  The Covid-19 page on the Council website (https://epsom-ewell.gov.uk/coronavirus) is updated frequently, as are social media feeds and the YouTube channel.  Please do look at these for the latest information on services etc.

Waste & Recycling

The Weekly kerbside collections and Garden waste services are operating as normal, although timings may vary slightly.  The bulk waste service is also available.

SCC’s Community Re-cycling Centre (the tip) is open 9-6, seven days a week.  It is currently only accepting garden waste and bagged refuse (black bags)

Cemetery

The cemetery remains open 9-3 on Saturdays and Sundays for those wishing to visit graves.  During the week burials are taking place in line with Government Guidance 

Market

The Thursday and Saturday markets are taking place, with limited numbers of stall holders.  Measures are in place to facilitate social distancing while queueing.  The market gives residents access to fresh fruit and vegetables

Local Businesses

For those running a business in the borough, the Council is providing information and support during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Please see https://epsom-ewell.gov.uk/business/doing-business-epsom-and-ewell

Hospital

Many of you will have attended events and or completed questionnaires during the consultation on the future of our local hospitals earlier this year.  Improving Healthcare Together 2020 to 2030 (IHT) has published the findings of the consultation.  Go to www.improvinghealthcaretogether.org.uk/next-steps-for-specialist-emergency-care-hospital-consultation/ to find out more.  The two Clinical Commissioning Groups’ (South West London and Surrey Heartlands) Governing Bodies will meet on Friday 3 July 2020 to consider feedback from the consultation and all the evidence alongside a decision-making business case.

The Downs

The pubic car parks were closed on the advice of the police and under emergency powers in March.  With the fine weather and the relaxation of the Government restrictions on driving to take exercise, there have been unprecedented numbers of people driving to the Downs.  Many have been parking dangerously, blocking the cycle lanes and damaging the grass verges.  The Downs is in private ownership and is managed by the Conservators under an act of Parliament.  Duties of the Conservators include preserving the Downs in their natural state of beauty and ensuring that racehorse training (which takes place in the mornings) is not interfered with. 

The car parks could not be re-opened without a meeting of the Conservators to decide this.  Therefore reports were written and a virtual meeting of the Conservators took place on the evening of 22nd May when the Conservators decided to open all of the car parks managed by the Borough Council apart from the Top Car Park.  The car parks therefore opened on 23rd May.  Conservators also passed a motion to delegate authority to the Clerk to the Conservators to open or close the Council managed car parks on behalf of the Conservators in cases of emergency or urgency. 

If you are visiting the Downs, they are still likely to be very busy, so social distancing may be an issue.  We would encourage you to visit in the afternoons (or after 9.30 on Sundays) to avoid possible conflict with the race horse training.

Anti-social behaviour

It is sad to hear reports of an increase in anti-social behaviour.  If you come across such instances, please do report them to the police – if they don’t know what is happening and where, they can’t act.  They also need to know the scale of the problems so that they have evidence of the resources they need.  As your Councillors, please would you also let us know about these incidents so that we can log them and discuss priority areas for patrols or other actions with the police.   

Communication Survey

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has launched a short communications survey designed to help it communicate better with their residents.  The survey can be found at www.epsom- .gov.uk/survey and is open till Friday 3rd July.

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