Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is consulting on whether to create two new parish areas served by two community councils, Epsom Community Council and Ewell Community Council. The consultation runs from 16 December 2025 to 1 February 2026. This is the second and final consultation to take place as part of the council’s Community Governance Review (CGR).

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

“Local government is changing. Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, which has represented and served its residents for almost 90 years, will be dissolved in April 2027. The borough will be served by a new, unitary council responsible for the whole of East Surrey – some 545,798 people. The number of Councillors who represent the residents of Epsom and Ewell will fall by some 75% from 40 Councillors to 10 new unitary Councillors.

“Epsom & Ewell is currently an unparished borough which means there will be no lower tier of local government below that of the new unitary council. New community councils would help support local democracy and ensure that, in the future, residents’ voices are heard by decision-makers in local government.

“The initial idea is to put into place the infrastructure needed to start up the new community councils. The councils would be a statutory consultee on planning matters, would manage the borough’s allotments and could work with East Surrey Council in the future to undertake any services which it is agreed may be better run at a local level, such as parks, open spaces and community buildings etc.”

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. Any future additional services undertaken by the community councils would require additional precept.

The CGR consultation asks:

• 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 there is agreement on the proposed number of Councillors, which is two for each ward.

Councillor Beckett continued: “Community councils would provide a platform for residents to exercise greater control over local issues and services. They would be a transparent, accountable elected body – giving communities a stronger voice to the new unitary authority.

Residents – you have a choice, and you have a voice. Make sure you’re heard - respond to the consultation today.”

The consultation can be completed online on the consultation website: Community Governance Review - Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Consultations or by completing a paper consultation questionnaire. Paper consultations can be found in Epsom Town Hall, in Bourne Hall, in local libraries across the borough and in the Community & Wellbeing Centre, Longmead (during normal opening hours).

A timeline and frequently asked questions about CGR can be found on the council’s website: www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/CGR. Information about Councillor events, where residents can ask questions about the CGR, community councils, the precept, and more, will be announced on the council’s website and social media.