Would anyone be willing to advise whether my Escallonia Iveyi hedge is suffering from the effects of a cold winter or the dreaded fungal leaf spot disease?

Photos here of the hedge on planting in Oct 11, in summer & now. Picasa Web Albums - Escallonia Iveyi

Or, is it a case of waiting until it starts growing (or not!) to see what happens? Also, would it be worth cutting it back & if so, how hard?

Many thanks.