Agenda and decisions

Rescheduled from 07 October 2025, Community and Wellbeing Committee - Wednesday, 19th November, 2025 7.30 pm

Venue: Council Chamber - Epsom Town Hall, https://www.youtube.com/@epsomandewellBC/playlists. View directions

Contact: Email: democraticservices@epsom-ewell.gov.uk tel: 01372 732000

Items
No.	Item
1.	Questions and Statements from the Public To take any questions or statements from members of the Public.
2.	Declarations of Interest View the background to item 2. 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.
3.	Minutes of the Previous Meeting PDF 277 KB The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the minutes and the restricted minutes of the special meeting of the Committee held on 17 June 2025 for the Leisure Centre Contract (attached), the minutes and the restricted minutes of the special meeting of the Committee held on 17 June 2025 for RELATE Funding (attached), and the minutes of the meeting of the committee held on 08 July 2025 (attached), and to authorise the Chair to sign them. Additional documents: Restricted enclosure 4 View the reasons why document 3./2 is restricted C&W Cttee 17-06-2025 RELATE Funding Minutes Public , item 3. PDF 191 KB Restricted enclosure 6 View the reasons why document 3./4 is restricted C&W Cttee 08-07-2025 Minutes , item 3. PDF 206 KB
4.	Museum Policies PDF 340 KB View the background to item 4. View the decision for item 4. The Museum Accreditation Scheme, overseen by Arts Council England, is the UK’s recognised standard for museums and galleries. It ensures institutions are resilient, well-managed, and meet national standards for care, access, and governance. Bourne Hall Museum, operated by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, is due for its accreditation review in early 2026. This is part of the Business as usual for the Museum irrespective of Local Government Reorganisation or the outcome of the options for the future of the museum which is due to come to committee in January 2026. To support this review, four key policy documents and forward plan (listed in the appendices) must be formally approved by the Council. These documents are essential for maintaining accreditation and demonstrating strong governance and strategic planning. Additional documents: Museum Policies Appendix 1 , item 4. PDF 176 KB Museum Policies Appendix 2 , item 4. PDF 175 KB Museum Policies Appendix 3 , item 4. PDF 164 KB Museum Policies Appendix 4 , item 4. PDF 211 KB Museum Policies Appendix 5 , item 4. PDF 900 KB Decision: Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to: (1) Approve the key policy documents for the Museum Service, as set out in the appendices to the report: · Care and Conservation Policy · Documentation Policy · Access Policy · Collections Development Policy · Forward Plan 2025–2029
5.	Homelessness Expenditure & Action Plan update PDF 722 KB View the declarations of interest for item 5. View the background to item 5. View the decision for item 5. The council continues to have a significant financial outlay on temporary accommodation costs to meet its homelessness obligations under the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, and the level of expenditure is set to exceed the budget set for 2025/26. This report sets out the ongoing actions taken to minimise homelessness expenditure and identifies the funding which will be utilised to cover the additional expenditure for 2025/26. Additional documents: Housing Service Review - summary , item 5. PDF 103 KB Homelessness Expenditure & Action Plan update Appendix 1 , item 5. PDF 528 KB Decision: Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to: (1) Note the priority actions points which have been taken to manage homelessness over the past 6 months. (2) Note the use of Homelessness Prevention Grant (HPG) and homelessness grant reserves to cover the anticipated increase in expenditure, for 2025/26, to enable the Council to meet its duties under the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. (3) Agree that a further update regarding nightly paid accommodation (NPA) expenditure be provided at the Community & Wellbeing Committee in March 2026.
6.	Temporary Accommodation Rent Arrears Policy and Procedure PDF 234 KB View the background to item 6. View the decision for item 6. The Rent Arrears Policy and Procedure outlines how the council manages rental income, rent arrears, and possession proceedings for non-secure tenants and licensees living in interim and temporary accommodation provided or managed by the Council. The policy and procedure have been reviewed and updated to reflect current legislation, government guidance and good practice. Additional documents: Appendix 1 - Draft Rent Arrears Policy and Procedure v1.0 , item 6. PDF 494 KB Appendix 2 - Equality Impact Assessment - Temporary Accommodation Rent Arrears Policy and Procedure 2025 , item 6. PDF 897 KB Decision: Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to: (1) Approve and adopt the Council’s new Rent Arrears Policy and Procedure for Temporary Accommodation, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.
7.	2026/27 Budget Targets PDF 238 KB View the background to item 7. View the decision for item 7. This report informs the Committee of the Council’s revenue budget targets presented to the Strategy & Resources Committee in July. The report seeks guidance on the preparation of the Committee’s service estimates for 2026/27. Decision: Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to: (1) Note the implications of the budget targets presented to Strategy & Resources Committee on 15 July 2025. (2) Note that owing to the Council’s projected budget deficit, any additional new revenue growth items (i.e. service enhancements resulting in increased net expenditure) supported by Policy Committees will need to be fully funded from existing budgets.