Agenda and decisions

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

There was one statement from a member of the public in relation to agenda item 6 on the agenda, Library of Things at Bourne Hall.  This was read out at the start of that item.

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.

Cllr Julie Morris declared a personal interest in agenda item 8 – Free Summer Tennis – and would leave the room for that item.

Clllr Steven McCormick declared that he had been copied into several emails regarding agenda item 6 – Library of Things at Bourne Hall – but that he came with an open mind. The Chair stated that several other Members had also been copied into the emails.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 4 March 2026 (attached) and to authorise the Chair to sign them.

The Committee confirmed as a true record the Minutes of the Committee held on 4 March 2026 and the Chair signed them.

This report recommends the continuation of a councillor Working Group for 2026/27 to oversee the implementation of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan. It proposes terms of reference for the group to be approved.

Following Consideration, it was resolved to:

(1)       Agree the continuation of the Environment and Sustainability Working Group (ESWG).

(2)       Approve the terms of reference for the Working Group as set out in Appendix 1.

(3)       Agree to appoint the following Members to the Working Group as set out below:

·            The Vice-Chair of the Environment Committee (to preside as Chair of the working group) – Councillor Alan Williamson

·            2 Residents’ Association Group members of the Environment Committee – Councillor Arthur Abdulin and Councillor Steve Bridger

·            1 Labour Group member of the Environment Committee – Councillor Rob Geleit

·            1 Independents Group member of the Environment Committee – Councillor Julie Morris

(4)       To authorise the Vice Chair of the Environment Committee (Chair of ESWG) and in their absence the Chair of the Environment Committee to invite councillors, stakeholders and officers to the Environment and Sustainability Working Group as required.

This report seeks agreement on continuation of the car park working group for 2026/27 and to agree the membership and terms of reference for the group.

Following consideration the Committee agreed to:

(1)       Agree to the continuation of a Car Parking Working Group (CPWG).

(2)       Approve the Terms of Reference for the Car Park Working Group as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

(3)       Agree to appoint members to the working group as set out below.

·                The Chair of the Environment Committee (to preside as Chair of the working group) – Councillor Liz Frost

·                The Vice-Chair of the Environment Committee – Councillor Alan Williamson

·                2 Residents’ Association Group members of the Environment Committee – Councillor Arthur Abdulin and Councillor Christine Cleveland,

·                2 Minority Group Members of the Environment Committee – Councillor Steven McCormick and Councillor Julie Morris.

(4)       To authorise the Chair of the Environment Committee (Chair of CPWG) and in their absence the Vice Chair of the Environment Committee to invite councillors, stakeholders and officers to the car park working group as required.

This report presents the proposed plan by a third party, Epsom and Ewell Climate Action Network (EECAN), to set up an external store within Bourne Hall grounds as part of the operation of a Library of Things (LoT) at Ewell library, located in Bourne Hall.

Following consideration it was unanimously resolved to:

(1)           Agree to enter into a legal agreement at nil rent for 5 years with a 2 year break clause (terminable if the Library of Things (LoT) ceased to operate from Bourne Hall) direct with Epsom and Ewell Climate Action Network (EECAN) for a police approved outdoor store for the LoT, dependant on planning permission being obtained, noting the health and safety risks and legal issues highlighted in this report and agreeing the mitigation measures form part of the legal agreement.

(2)           Delegate authority to the Head of Property and Regeneration, Interim Assistant Head of Service for Venues and Community Commercial Services and Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer to agree the final legal arrangements.

The Environment Agency (EA) has advised that, for safety reasons, it wishes to remove the stepping stones from the Hogsmill River unless another organisation agrees to assume responsibility for their ongoing safety and maintenance.

This report considers the role of EEBC in protecting the stepping stones from removal whilst providing a safe crossing point.

Following consideration the Committee resolved to:

(1)           Agree to Option 3: Do not agree to take on the liability for the steps and stepping stones and acknowledge the EA will remove them and agree to deliver a new footbridge as an alternative safer fully accessible crossing point subject to being granted CIL funding and securing additional funding for the design and planning of a footbridge.

(2)           Note the submission of the CIL application for funding the construction of a new pedestrian footbridge. 

This report reviews the continued success of the Pay-to-Play Tennis Scheme, including participation levels, income generation and investment in court maintenance, and to seek approval for the continuation of free morning tennis sessions during 2026 school summer holidays.

Following consideration the Committee resolved to:

(1)           Note theprogress ofthe Payto PlayTennis Scheme.

(2)           Approve the proposal to offer free morning tennis sessions on all Epsom and Ewell Borough Council owned and managed tennis courts in the borough from 22 July 2026 to 31 August 2026.

In compliance with national monitoring arrangements, this report sets out how the Council intends to discharge its statutory responsibilities in respect of food hygiene in the year 2026-2027 and reports on activities in the previous year.

Following Consideration the Committee resolved to:

(1)       Adopt the service plan for food hygiene.