Notice of Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Woodcote (Epsom) Resident’s Society (WERS)
Date: Wednesday 22 February 2023 from 7:30 pm
Location: Lower Lounge Methodist Church, 11-13 Ashley Road, Epsom KT18 5AQ
If you are unable to attend in person you can view the proceedings and pose questions on Zoom*
Chairs notice:
On behalf of the WERS Committee, I would like to invite Woodcote residents to attend our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 22nd February 2023 at 7.30 pm to be held in the Lower Lounge at Epsom Methodist Church. The committee is keen to keep Epsom and Ewell an independent Borough in these times of political disarray. At least at the local level we know our own elected representatives will be guided by residents’ needs and not be distracted by national party politics. Indeed, the independent movement within local politics is growing because of their grass root policies. An example of such a policy is the SCHOOL STREETS movement led by the Mums for Lungs campaign. We have invited one of their leading campaigners to speak at our AGM. Let’s move towards protecting the lungs of children aged under 11 years of age from pollution on their own school streets. The evidence is clear, especially in the post Covid-19 era.
The cost-of-living crisis and the effects of raging inflation highlight another difference between national politics and an independent borough. Spend or save? The latter may not be popular, our councillors, however, will continue to be prudent with that diminishing proportion of council tax the government allows them to control.
The Protect Duty is a grassroots phenomenon. Figen Murray’s campaign has inspired many. Single-handed, she will transform this proposed duty into Martyn’s Law in memory of her son who died in the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. This legislation will enhance the safety of all in publicly accessible locations. We all will have a part to play in this duty not least our local authority.
Help keep local politics independent please attend our AGM. You will be most welcome.
Fred Mowbray
Chair
AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence
2. Presentation by Mums For Lungs (mumsforlungs.org)
3. Approval of Minutes of the AGM held on 1 March 2022**
4. Approval and adoption of the accounts for the year ending 31st December 2022 ***
5. Chair’s update
6. Election of the committee and Hon Auditor for 2023-24 ****
7. Reports from your Residents’ Association Borough Councillors
A. Liz Frost B. Bernice Froud C. Steven McCormick (Borough and County update)
8. Adopt candidates for Borough Election 4th May 2023
* Email info@woodcoteespomresidentssociety.org for the Zoom meeting details.
** The minutes are available on our website; paper copies will be available at the meeting
*** Copies of the accounts will be available at the meeting and on the website after the meeting. **** If you would like to receive more information about getting involved with WERS please contact
any committee member – details are on the website www.woodcoteepsomresidentssociety.org
Draft Local Plan – update:
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council will be progressing with its new Local Plan which sets the vision and framework for the development of the borough for the next 15 or so years.
It is a master plan describing what Epsom & Ewell could and should look like in 2040. It is one of the next steps following the borough’s consultation and publication of ‘Future 40’, a vision for the future based on residents’ input. The public consultation on the draft local plan starts on 1st February.
Have you ever considered becoming a Borough Councillor?
There are a few wards across the Epsom & Ewell borough which may have vacancies for councillor candidates. If you are interested to learn more then please get in touch with one of the committee members.
Councillors are elected to the Borough Council to represent their local community, so they must either live or work in the Borough. Becoming a Councillor is both a rewarding and privileged form of public service. You will be able to make a difference in the quality of other people’s daily lives and prospects.
If you are in any doubt about whether you are eligible to stand as a councillor, you should contact the borough council for advice.
Become a councillor –
https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/take-part/become-a-councillor
WERS Subscriptions can be paid to:
A/C 18192577 – Sort Code: 23-05-80 with postcode/ house no. or via the Paypal link on our website.