The Epsom and Ewell Talking Newspaper local audio news for the two weeks ending 11th January 2024 begins with news of local residents recognised in the King’s New Year Honour’s List for 2024. We have an appraisal of the latest Surrey Police report and local sites that are included in HIstoric England’s at risk register.
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Surrey County Council News Reports
Council Tax Rate Rise
The Conservative Leader of Surrey County Council warns taxpayers in Surrey that they are likely to be hit with a 5 per cent rate rise because the one-year Government funding package won’t cover the county council’s £13.5 million budget gap.
Surrey NET-ZERO MISSION
Since its declaration of a climate emergency in 2019 Surrey County Council has been on a mission to achieve net-zero status for its own operations by 2030. For more information about the council’s achievements to date and their targets visit Climate Change.
Warm Hubs LOCATIONS
Warm hubs have returned with the winter weather and we have full details of local venues that are offering them and other facilities, with days and opening times. For more information visit Surrey County Council Warm Welcome Venues.
PEEL assessment disappointing
In December Surrey Police released the latest report from His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary. It is known as the PEEL assessment, which stands for police efficiency, effectiveness and legitimacy. We have an appraisal of the PEEL assessment by Councillor Alex Coley (RA Ruxley), Chair of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Crime & Disorder committee and the borough’s representative on the Surrey Police & Crime Panel, which holds the Police and Crime Commissioneer to account.
Historic buildings at risk in Surrey
Historic England has updated its risk register for 2023, highlighting buildings that are at risk of decay in 2024. There are 25 locations listed in Surrey, with the most buidlings in Mole Valley, the list includes Epsom Town Centre, the Horton site and Ashtead Park. For more detailed information visit Historic England Heritage at Risk in the South East.
Motorist asks for help
On the 10th December outside the Aldi supermarket on Kingston Road in Ewell a car accident left John Woods, 84, in shock with minor cuts and bruises though his vehicle has had to be written off. The hit-and-run driver of the other speeding vehicle did not stop. John is asking anyone who has any information to contact the local Epsom police quoting incident number: SYP20231220-0206.
Tony Drakeford’s Nature Notes
In our regularly featured Nature Notes, Tony Drakeford describes the habits of our winter roosting birds and how they widely vary between species.
What’s On!
EPSOM PLAYHOUSE
Epsom Playhouse is looking forward to welcoming residents to their exciting full New Year programme:
The Real Manhunter – Colin Sutton
Colin Sutton was a police officer for 30 years, serving as the head of a Metropolitan Police Murder Squad for the last nine of them. After retiring 11 years ago Colin wrote about two of his major investigations, adapted for ITV’s drama “Manhunt”. In The Real Manhunter show Colin talks through his career, how policing has changed, what it is like to chase a serial killer and how he made the step from policing to story-telling. Thursday 18th January 2024 Ticket prices from £15.
Band of the Coldstream Guards
The Coldstream Guards Band has a worldwide reputation for performing outstanding and spectacular concerts to packed houses in some of the most prestigious concert halls in the world to critical acclaim and now, for the first time, is playing at Epsom Playhouse on Friday 19th January 2024 Tickets £30 but there are only a few left!
For more information and to book tickets visit Epsom Playhouse or Telephone: 01372 742555 / 742227
Listen now for full details of all these reports and events, as well as other stories including how local campaigners against house building on greenbelt land are reacting to Michael Gove’s latest advice to councils and why the Campaign Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE) are worried that a second runway may be sneaked in.
Sources
Many of this fortnight’s news articles come from the Epsom and Ewell Times, Surrey Live, Local Guardian, Local London and Borough Insight.
Community information is available from the websites: Surrey County Council and Epsom and Ewell Borough Council and Leatherhead Living.
The Go Epsom website has the Epsom Going out Guide which features some of the events listed plus other events you may be interested in.
The local news is just one of three sections of the Epsom and Ewell as described on the About Us page.
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