Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has voted to proceed to the second stage of its community governance review (CGR). The next CGR consultation, running from 16 December 2025 until 1 February 2026, will ask residents if they want two new community councils - Epsom Community Council and Ewell Community Council. Together, the new councils would cover the same area as the current borough of Epsom & Ewell.

If created, the councils would be funded through an additional council tax charge known as a precept, estimated at £43.52–£46.15 per year for a Band D property.

The councils would initially be responsible for allotments and would be statutory consultees on planning matters, able to reflect the concerns and aspirations of residents during any planning application process in the borough. If established, the new community councils could take on responsibility for more services in the future where this is agreed with the new unitary East Surrey Council, such as parks, playgrounds, and community centres.  Elections for the new community councils would be expected to take place in May 2027.

Following the meeting, Councillor John Beckett, Chair of the Standards and Constitution Committee, said:

“From April 2027, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council will be abolished and replaced by a new unitary council, which will be responsible for services across the whole of East Surrey. This will cover Epsom & Ewell, Tandridge, Reigate & Banstead, Mole Valley and Elmbridge—approximately 545,798 people. Because Epsom & Ewell is currently an unparished borough, there will be no lower tier of local government below the new unitary council.

“We believe that new community councils could support local democracy by ensuring the voices of local community groups, businesses and residents in Epsom & Ewell continue to be heard by decision-makers in the new unitary council.”

The CGR consultation will ask residents:

• whether to create two parishes (Epsom and Ewell) served by two community councils, with the associated precept, and if they should be named Epsom Community Council and Ewell Community Council
• about proposed warding arrangements for the new councils, which is for them to remain the same as for Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, meaning eight wards for Ewell Community Council and six for Epsom Community Council
• whether they agree with the proposed number of Councillors, which is two for each ward.

The consultation will be available on the consultation website from 10am on 16 December: https://eebc.inconsult.uk/CGRproposal/consultationHome; paper consultation questionnaires will be available in Epsom Town Hall, Bourne Hall, local libraries across the borough and the Community & Wellbeing Centre, Longmead, during normal opening hours.

Councillor John Beckett continued: “The proposed community councils would support local democracy in Epsom & Ewell, but it is important to note that their creation would have a financial consequence on households in the borough. We encourage residents to share their views by responding to the consultation before it closes on 1 February 2026.”

In January, Councillors will hold a series of events in the borough where residents will be able to ask questions about the proposals for new community councils, their warding arrangements and responsibilities, the precept and more.

Following the consultation, an extraordinary meeting of full Council will be held on or before 20 March 2026 to consider the outcome of the consultation and determine if a Reorganisation Order will be made at that meeting to create the new councils.

Find out about local government reorganisation here: Surrey Local Government Reorganisation Hub – Surrey LGR Hub