In an attempt to get "Fair Trade Town" status for Epsom & Ewell, Cllr Jonathan Lees originally presented a motion to the Borough Council in February 2004. At that stage, the ruling Residents Association group limited the council's response to asking the Business Partnership to draw the attention of the business community to the Fair Trade initiative. As a result Cllr Lees helped to set up the Fairtrade Forum which has worked to increase public awareness of Fair Trade issues independently of the Council.
It is now clear that the two controversial planning applications for Rosebery High School and for a supermarket in Upper High Street have both been delayed and will not be heard on 21st July as originally expected. Instead they are expected to come before the next meeting of the Planning Committee on 8th September.
Steve Dixon, the Chairman of Epsom & Ewell Liberal Democrats, has asked the Secretary of State, via the Department for Education and Science (Schools Division), to review the decision to permit the sale of land at Rosebery School. The site, known locally as the "Cabbage Patch", is currently the subject of a controversial planning application that would include the building of 72 dwellings with access from Rosebank.
The latest Planning Application for Upper High Street, Epsom, proposes a Supermarket with four floors of car parking above, replacing Iceland, Allams, part of the car park, the toilets and three houses. This would be instead of the scheme with small shops and flats over them, already approved by an Inspector after being turned down by the Council.
In view of the degree of public interest in Woodcote, Town and Stamford wards about Rosebery High School's proposed developments, Lib Dem councillors took the initiative in calling for a public meeting, which was held at the Town Hall on 24th June at 7.00 pm.
The assertion of local Conservative MP Chris Grayling that Epsom & Ewell is always down the priority list when decisions are taken by Surrey County Council was put to Nick Skellett, the Conservative Leader of the Council by Colin Taylor jointly with the other Epsom & Ewell County Councillors, at a council meeting on 14th June. This assertion, which had been made in literature sent to voters prior to the County Council elections in May, was strenuously denied by Mr Skellett.
The Conservative Executive of Surrey County Council have decided to withdraw large numbers of evening and weekend bus services right across Surrey with effect from September 2003. This was agreed at their meeting on the 10th of June.
Surrey County Council has increased its share of council tax for 2003-2004 by 17.9%. Cllr. Janet Maines, Lib Dem group leader said: "This Tory-run County Council has got to move away from crisis management, with its ever spiralling costs, by investing in preventative measures that are good value for money and that better meet the needs of Surrey residents".
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