Epsom and Ewell Borough Council votes to explore two new councils
There's fierce criticism from councillors
Last updated 11 hours ago
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council has voted to continue exploring the creation of two new parish or community councils despite fierce criticism from councillors.
Opposition members warned the move could raise household bills, duplicate services and create further confusion for residents already facing major changes under Surrey’s reorganisation.
The plans were green-lit by a majority vote after a heated debate at a full council meeting on December 9.
The decision means residents will again be asked whether they want new parish councils – one for Epsom and one for Ewell – even though many councillors argued the first consultation was flawed and left people without a clear “no” option.
Councillors said large numbers of residents who tried to respond to the survey found they could not submit their views unless they selected one of the council’s preferred parish options.
Cllr Julian Freeman said the consultation denied residents a genuine right to say no and nobody even asked for it. He called the exercise “flawed” and timed deliberately to ‘create roles’ for councillors who may lose their seats under the new unitary structure.
Councillors supporting the change explained the potential democratic deficit caused by the slimming down of councils has not been understood. Cllr Chris Ames said: “Does anyone want to insult any of our voters or residents anymore?”
Much of the debate centred on the potential cost for households—something councillors said had not been clearly explained to residents.
Opposition members warned the parish tax (precept) had been presented as around £40–£50 a year for a Band D household, while internal council estimates suggested it could be £100–£180 depending on the powers and staff required.
Cllr Alex Coley said residents were already facing cost-of-living pressures, adding: “We should not seek a view from residents with a lower figure and then quadruple that figure subsequently without the public having their say.”
Several councillors said new parish councils could end up managing only small services, such as allotments or community noticeboards, while adding an extra layer of bureaucracy that residents would have to pay for.
Cllr James Lawrence argued residents wouldn’t see improved services, just more admin and more confusion about who does what. He said: “I believe this proposal will burden residents in Epsom and in Ewell with the very highest council tax in history. You will hear protests that this vote is simply for the creation of new councils dedicated exclusively to the provision of allotments, but that is a Trojan horse. I got into local politics to help people, not to squeeze residents until the pips squeak, especially not by stealth.”
With Surrey moving to a new East Surrey unitary council in 2026–27, councillors said residents were already unsure which council would handle bins, planning and local services in future. Cllr Freeman, Cllr Ames and others argued that the CGR should be paused so the council could focus fully on preparing for LGR.
The backdrop of the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) dominated the chamber. Some councillors argued residents were being asked to engage in two major changes at once: whether they want new parish councils, and how services will be delivered under the new unitary system.
Cllr Bernie Muir reminded the council that the creation of Neighbourhood Area Committees (NACs) were meant to plug the local identity gap councillors were so scared of losing. She said: “Overall I think this is a premature discussion potentially adding unnecessary complications and I think we should wait to see how the unitaries and NACs pan out and then move forward if we need to.”
Council leaders rejected calls to abandon the process, saying residents had shown interest and deserved a fully transparent second consultation.
Cllr Rachel King said: “Residents told us they wanted more information. This is their chance to shape what local democracy looks like after reorganisation.”
Cllr John Beckett accused opposition members of trying to “silence the residents’ voice”. He argued that unparished areas risk being “left behind” during reorganisation, pointing to other councils that rushed to form parishes before becoming unitary.
“The key element is this: do we end the process and deny residents a voice, or continue in the true sense of democracy and go back to them?”
So, what will happen next? The council agreed to:
- Continue the CGR and produce a revised, clearer consultation document
- Engage further with residents on costs, governance models and what powers a parish would hold
- Return with final proposals early next year
From April 2027, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council will be scrapped and replaced by a new unitary council which will be responsible for services across the whole of East Surrey.
A resident consultation on the community council plan will run from 16 December until 1 February, 2026.