Agenda, decisions and minutes

To take any questions from members of the Public.

The Committee received one written question from a member of the public and noted that the Chair of the Environment & Safe Communities Committee had responded directly to the questioner. This response had also been published on the Council’s website.

One supplementary verbal question was asked during the meeting and a response was given.

Members are asked to declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in respect of any item of business to be considered at the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made in respect of items on the agenda.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Safe Communities Committee held on 25 January 2022 and to authorise the Chair to sign them.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Environment and Safe Communities Committee held on 25 January 2022 were agreed and signed by the Chair.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Environment and Safe Communities Committee held on 25 January 2022 were agreed and signed by the Chair.

To propose a policy for removal of graffiti in the borough on both public and private assets.

Following consideration, it was resolved:

(1)      To approve the proposed policy for graffiti removal in the borough as set out in section three of the report.

(2)      To approve the proposal to offer a fee-based graffiti removal service for private assets as set out in section five of the report.

The Committee received a report proposing a policy for removal of graffiti in the borough on both public and private assets.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Graffiti removal kits: once the graffiti removal kits for volunteers have been costed, and health and safety guidelines developed, these would be made available to volunteers if the budget permits.

b)            Payment for removal of graffiti from private property: it was noted that the owner of a property would never be compelled to pay for the removal of graffiti. 

Following consideration, the Committee resolved (6 in favour, 1 against, 1 abstention and the Chair not voting) to:

(1)      Approve the proposed policy for graffiti removal in the borough as set out in section three of the report.

(2)      Approve the proposal to offer a fee-based graffiti removal service for private assets as set out in section five of the report.

This is a progress report into the adoption and implementation of anti-idling powers.

Following consideration, it was resolved:

(1)      To note the updates contained within the report

(2)      To approve the steps outlined in section 2.5 relating to communication, engagement and enforcement using these anti-idling powers.

The Committee received a progress report into the adoption and implementation of anti-idling powers.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Signs: Surrey County Council are ready to discuss further with EEBC the amount and location of anti-idling signs and to decide key locations where signage would have the greatest impact. It was suggested Epsom station and local schools would be key locations, and that EEBC would work directly with the latter.

b)            Enforcement: It was confirmed that the powers to enforce anti-idling measures were adopted in October 2021.  Officers in the Environmental Enforcement team will be responsible for enforcement through direct engagement with idling drivers.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the updates contained within the report.

(2)      Approve the steps outlined in section 2.5 of the report relating to communication, engagement and enforcement using these anti-idling powers.

This report seeks agreement for the introduction of occasional street trading and markets in Ewell Village and Stoneleigh Broadway.

These will be set up using Street Traders’ licences or operating under part III of the Food Act 1984.

The report also proposes an option for evening use of Epsom Town Centre Marketplace.

Following consideration, it was resolved:

(1)      To delegate to the Head of Operational Services in conjunction with the Chairman of the Environment and Safe Communities Committee, the power to establish a one-year trial (from commencement of the work) to establish and manage street trading and market days in Stoneleigh Broadway and Ewell Village.

(2)      To approve evening trading, events, and markets on Epsom Town Centre Marketplace with the programme agreed by Head of Operational Services in conjunction with the Chairman of the Environment and Safe Communities Committee.

(3)      To authorise the Head of Service to negotiate pitch fees to build the street trading options in both Ewell Village and Stoneleigh Broadway.

The Committee received a report seeking agreement for the introduction of occasional street trading and markets in Ewell Village and Stoneleigh Broadway, to be set up using Street Traders’ licences or operating under part III of the Food Act 1984.

The report also proposed an option for evening use of Epsom Town Centre Marketplace.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Tree Damage: Concerns were raised regarding continued reports of tree damage caused by market traders’ stalls and push-bikes being leaned against trees. Further consideration would be given to measures to reduce damage, such as the installation of signage, tree-guards and additional bike hoops.

b)            Logistics: It was suggested there may be a need for the use of hard surfacing at The Grove to avoid damage to grass. The costs of the installation of hard surfacing could be met from the Welcome Back fund.  Concerns were also raised regarding the parking of market traders’ vehicles. The committee was informed that these concerns had been considered.

c)            Sustainability: Concerns were raised regarding the sustainability of the proposal in terms of environmental impact. It was put forward that steps would be taken to ensure traders take their own waste away with them, and fines would be issued to traders not separating their waste.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Delegate to the Head of Operational Services in conjunction with the Chairman of the Environment and Safe Communities Committee, the power to establish a one-year trial (from commencement of the work) to establish and manage street trading and market days in Stoneleigh Broadway and Ewell Village.

(2)      Approve evening trading, events, and markets on Epsom Town Centre Marketplace with the programme agreed by Head of Operational Services in conjunction with the Chairman of the Environment and Safe Communities Committee.

(3)      Authorise the Head of Service to negotiate pitch fees to build the street trading options in both Ewell Village and Stoneleigh Broadway.

This report provides an overview of the Surrey Greener Futures Delivery Plan and sets out the Council’s response to the request from Surrey County Council to endorse the plan.

Following consideration, it was resolved:

(1)      To note the content of the Greener Futures Delivery Plan and agree the Council’s response at Appendix 1 to the report.

(2)      To delegate authority to the Head of Place Development and Chair of Environment and Safe Communities Committee to finalise and submit the Council’s response to Surrey County Council.

The Committee received a report providing an overview of the Surrey Greener Futures Delivery Plan and setting out the Council’s response to the request from Surrey County Council to endorse the plan.

Following consideration, it was unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the content of the Greener Futures Delivery Plan and agree the Council’s response at Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)      Approve delegated authority to the Head of Place Development and Chair of Environment and Safe Communities Committee to finalise and submit the Council’s response to Surrey County Council.