Community councils proposed after Surrey split

Plans to create two new community councils for Epsom and Ewell after the borough council is abolished will be explored, despite fierce opposition from councillors.

From April 2027, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) will be scrapped and replaced by a new unitary council which will be responsible for services across the whole of East Surrey.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, plans to move to a second consultation were approved on Tuesday, even though many councillors argued the first consultation was flawed and left people without a clear no option.

Councillor John Beckett, chairman of the standards and constitution committee at EEBC, said the new community councils could "support local democracy".

"Because Epsom & Ewell is currently an unparished borough, there will be no lower tier of local government below the new unitary council," he added.

If created, elections for the Epsom Community Council and Ewell Community Council would be expected to take place in May 2027.

EEBC said these councils would initially be responsible for allotments and would be statutory consultees on planning matters, before taking on responsibility for more services in the future where agreed with the new unitary East Surrey Council.

They would be funded through an additional council tax precept, estimated at £43.52–£46.15 per year for a Band D property.

Opponents warned the move could raise household bills, duplicate services and create further confusion for residents already facing major changes under the devolution plans.

Liberal Democrat councillor Julian Freeman said the "flawed" consultation was deliberately to create roles for councillors who may lose their seats under the new unitary structure.

Councillor James Lawrence, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, claimed the proposal would "burden residents in Epsom and in Ewell with the very highest council tax in history".

Defending the proposal, vice-chair of the standards and constitution committee, councillor Rachel King said: "Residents told us they wanted more information.

"This is their chance to shape what local democracy looks like after reorganisation."

A resident consultation on the community council plan will run from 16 December until 1 February, 2026.

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