Agenda and draft minutes

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.

Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Policy

Councillor Kieran Persand, Other Interest: Councillor Kieran Persand declared that his day job involved consultations with a gambling company. Councillor Persand expressed that he came to the meeting with an open and unbiased mind.

Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles

Councillor Kieran Persand, Other Interest: Councillor Kieran Persand declared that his day job involved consultations with a gambling company. Councillor Persand expressed that he came to the meeting with an open and unbiased mind.

EEBC Strategic Priority - Hook Road Arena

Councillor Bernice Froud, Other Interest: Councillor Bernice Froud declared that she had attended the Football Club some time ago and had  hospitality there and expressed that she came to this meeting with an open mind.

EEBC Strategic Priority - Hook Road Arena

Councillor Neil Dallen MBE, Other Interest: Councillor Neil Dallen declared an interest and trustee of Epsom Fireworks Display which uses the arena. Councillor Dallen also declared that he had met on several occasions with Epsom Football and Netball Clubs officers regarding their plans for Hook Road Arena and had listened to their case and tried to make sure that they understood the processes required. Councillor Dallen stated that he had never expressed a view for or against and was confident that he had an unbiased and open mind.

EEBC Strategic Priority - Hook Road Arena

Councillor Peter O'Donovan, Other Interest: Councillor Peter O'Donovan declared that he is a volunteer at Epsom Football Club on weekends of home matches and some away games and that he was on the committee of the Club for a period of time but was now not on the committee. Councillor O'Donovan expressed he had an open mind.

EEBC Strategic Priority - Hook Road Arena

Councillor Steven McCormick, Other Interest: Councillor Steven McCormick declared that he had some engagement and involvement with the parties and expressed that he came to the meeting with a clear and open mind.

EEBC Strategic Priority - Hook Road Arena

Councillor Tony Froud, Other Interest: Councillor Tony Froud declared that he had attended Epsom Football Club a couple of years ago and had met some of the committee members but expressed that he did not feel it would affect his decision.

Councillor Alex Coley informed the Council that he had been asked by the Chief Executive to make a statement following comments that were made at the Audit and Scrutiny Committee during the previous week.

Councillor Coley spoke to give a statement, following which the Mayor invited the Chief Executive to speak. The Chief Executive spoke in response to Councillor Coley’s statement.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 26 May 2026.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 26 May 2026 were agreed as a true record and the Mayor was authorised to sign them.

To receive such communications or deal with such business as the Mayor may decide to lay before the Council.

The Mayor made a number of announcements relating to noteworthy recent and upcoming events.

This report sets out the questions submitted which have been accepted under FCR 12, Appendix 4 of the Constitution.

One question had been addressed to the Chair of the Environment Committee, to which a written answer had been provided and published. A supplementary question was asked, to which the Chair of the Environment Committee responded.

To receive statements from the Leader and Chairs of the Council’s Policy Committees, briefing Members on current events and issues.

The Council received written statements from the Chair of the Environment Committee and Chair of the Standards and Constitution Committee.

Five questions were asked relating to the statements and responded to by the relevant Committee Chair or Vice Chair. One question was asked by a Councillor to which a response had previously been given by the Chair of the Standards and Constitution Committee. Democratic Services would email the response previously given by the Chair of the Committee to the Councillor.

To recommend the Council adopt the revised Statement of Policy made under the Licensing Act 2003.

Council received a report presenting the revised Statement of Policy made under the Licensing Act 2003.

Councillor Peter O’Donovan MOVED the recommendation in the report.

Following consideration, it was resolved with 25 votes for, 1 abstention and the Mayor not voting to:

(1)           Adopt the revised Statement of Policy attached at Appendix 1 to the report in accordance with the decision of the of the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee on 10 March 2026.

To recommend the Council adopt the revised Statement of Principles made under the Gambling Act 2005.

Council received a report presenting the revised Statement of Principles made under the Gambling Act 2005.

Councillor Peter O’Donovan MOVED the recommendation in the report.

Following consideration, it was resolved with 24 votes for, 2 abstentions and the Mayor not voting to:

(1)           Adopt the revised Statement of Principles attached at Appendix 1 to the report in accordance with the decision of the of the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee on 10 March 2026.

With reference to FCR 2.2.x of the Constitution, Councillor James Lawrence raised a point of order to notify the Council that a recommendation from the Audit and Scrutiny Committee’s meeting on 19 March 2026 relating to the Annual Report of the Committee for 2025-26 was not included in the agenda. In response, the Mayor informed the Council that the recommendation had been omitted from the agenda in error and that it would be included on the agenda for the December meeting.

This report provides a final update on the Council’s Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) Action Plan.

The Council received a report providing a final update on the Council’s Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) Action Plan.

Councillor Neil Dallen MOVED and Councillor Hannah Dalton SECONDED the motion.

Following consideration, it was resolved with 15 votes for, 9 votes against and 3 abstentions to:

(1)       Note the final update on the Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan.

This report asks the Council to approve Hook Road Arena as a Strategic Priority and thereby align available resources to bring forward options for a mixed-use development.

The potential development scheme would comprise playing pitches / sports / recreation facilities and housing as outlined in the submitted Regulation 19 draft Local Plan 2022-2040.

Council received a report requesting it to approve Hook Road Arena as a Strategic Priority.

Councillor Neil Dallen MOVED and Councillor Hannah Dalton SECONDED the motion.

Following consideration, it was unanimously resolved to:

(1)       Approve the addition of Hook Road Arena as an EEBC Strategic Priority.

(2)       Note the progress update outlined in the report.

(3)        Note that any future decision following the outcome of the feasibility work will be subject to complying with the S24 direction.

This report proposes that this Council takes steps to ensure that the Civic responsibilities of the Council are preserved so that the ceremonial office of Mayor of Epsom and Ewell can continue beyond vesting day next April.

Council received a report proposing that it takes steps to ensure that the Civic responsibilities of the Council are preserved so that the ceremonial office of Mayor of Epsom and Ewell can continue beyond vesting day in April 2027.

Councillor Neil Dallen MOVED and Councillor Hannah Dalton SECONDED the motion.

Councillor Alex Coley MOVED and Councillors James Lawrence SECONDED a closure motion under FCR 18.2.i to remit the matter to the Strategy and Resources Committee for consideration.

The closure motion was LOST, there being 4 votes for and 16 votes against and the Mayor not voting.

Following consideration of the substantive motion, it was resolved with 16 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 abstention and the Mayor not voting to:

(1)       Request that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government establish Charter Trustees for Epsom and Ewell by way of legislation;

(2)        Recommend that East Surrey Council consider the request of this Council and support the establishment of Charter Trustees for Epsom and Ewell.

On 22 June and 2 July 2026, the Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators considered the potential implications of Surrey Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) for the governance and operation of the Conservators under the Epsom and Walton Downs Regulation Act 1984. The Conservators were invited to identify any provisions of the Act, or associated governance arrangements, that may require amendment, clarification or further review to support the transition from Epsom & Ewell Borough Council to East Surrey Council on 1 April 2027.

This report presents the outcome of those considerations and seeks Council's approval of any recommendations proposed by the Conservators before they are submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for consideration as part of the legislative changes associated with LGR.

Council received a report seeking the Council's approval of recommendations proposed by the Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators before they are submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for consideration as part of the legislative changes associated with Local Government Reorganisation.

Following consideration, it was unanimously resolved to:

(1)       Approve and adopt the recommendations identified by the Conservators.

(2)       Authorise the Chief Executive in their capacity as Clerk to the Conservators to submit any adopted proposals, following consideration and receiving approval of a majority of East Surrey Council shadow councillors representing Epsom and Ewell wards, to MHCLG for consideration as part of the Local Government Reorganisation legislative review process.