Agenda and decisions

To take any questions or statements from members of the Public.

To receive declarations of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or other registrable or non-registrable interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

This report introduces the draft Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 and seeks approval of the Statement prior to its presentation to Full Council and subsequent publication on the Council’s website.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)       Agree that the draft Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 is referred to Full Council for approval.

(2)       Nominate and Authorise the Head of People and Organisational Development to include the returning officer fees, when received.

This report provides:

• a progress update on the current (previously approved) financial year 2025-26 planned maintenance programme;
• and requests approval for next year’s planned maintenance programme for the financial year 2026-27.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved:

(1)       To note the progress and anticipated spend at the end of the current year 2025-26 as shown in Appendix 1 to the report.

(2)       To note the additional emergency works raised and carried out in the 2025-26 planned maintenance programme.

(3)       To approve the 2026-27 planned maintenance programme at an estimated cost of £757,000 as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, to be funded from planned maintenance budgets and the Planned Maintenance Reserve.

(4)       To nominate and authorise the Head of Property and Regeneration to make changes within the 2026-27 planned maintenance programme to cover unforeseen matters (such as tender price variances) of up to, but not exceeding £20,000 per change, in accordance with Financial Regulations and Contract Standing Orders.

(5)       To agree to transfer the unspent budgets back to the Planned Maintenance Reserve at the end of the 2026-27 financial year.

This report proposes:

(1) The removal of the Council Tax one month empty and unfurnished exemption from 01 April 2026. This means that once a property becomes empty and substantially unfurnished, 100% of the Council Tax will remain payable, from the date the property becomes empty.

(2) Introduction of the 100% Empty Home Premium on properties which have been empty and substantially unfurnished for longer than 1 year, from the 01 April 2026

(3) Introduction of a 100% premium for all second homes from 01 April 2027, in line with the governing legislation.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved:

(1)       Approve the recommended changes to how Council Tax is levied on Empty properties, as set out in Appendix 1, with effect from the 1 April, 2026.

(2)       Approve the recommended changes to how Council Tax is levied on Second Homes in the Borough, as set out in Appendix 1, with effect from 1 April, 2027.

This report sets out estimates for income and expenditure on services in 2026/27 and recommends fees and charges for which this Committee is responsible, with the new charges being effective from 1 April 2026.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)       Recommend the 2026/27 service estimates for approval at the budget meeting of Full Council on 10 February 2026, amended since the publication of the draft budget book, as set out in table 4.6;

(2)       Recommend the 2026/27 fees and charges, as set-out in Appendix 1 to the report, for approval at the budget meeting of Full Council on 10 February 2026;

(3)       Agree the Council Tax Discount bands for 2026/27, as set-out in section 7.

Consideration of options regarding funding the Epsom and Ewell Employment Hub for 2026/27

Following consideration, the Committee resolved with 6 votes for to:

(1)       Agree that Option A as set out in section 5 of the report for the financial support of the Epsom and Ewell Employment Hub in 2026/27 was preferred.

(2)       Agree that the Council continues the delivery arrangements with Surrey Life Long Learning to deliver this initiative.

(3)       Nominate and authorise the Head of Housing and Community, in consultation with the Director of Environment Housing and Regeneration and the Chair of Community and Wellbeing Committee, to enter into a legal agreement with Surrey Life Long Learning to deliver this initiative.

To report to the committee decisions taken by the Chief Executive and Directors on the grounds of urgency, in compliance with the requirements of the Constitution.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved with 5 votes for and 2 abstentions to:

(1)       Note the urgent decision taken since the last meeting of the committee.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 November 2025 (attached) and to authorise the Chair to sign them.