Community Governance Review

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Epsom & Ewell Community Governance Review (CGR)

The phase two consultation is open now – have your say!

The phase two public consultation is running from 10am, 16 December 2025 to 23.59pm 1 February 2026.
Please access the consultation here: https://eebc.inconsult.uk/CGRproposal/consultationHome

Paper consultation questionnaires will be available in Epsom Town Hall, Bourne Hall in Ewell, local libraries across the borough and the Community & Wellbeing Centre, Longmead, during normal opening hours.

On 9 December, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council voted to proceed to the second stage of its community governance review (CGR). The next CGR consultation 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.

  • The Council report can be found here.
  • The phase one consultation analysis was presented to the full Council and can be found here.

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.

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.

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.

Community Governance Review (CGR) Frequently Asked Questions

We have created some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about CGRs including the one taking place in Epsom & Ewell: Take a look at the Community Governance Review FAQs

Background to the CGR in Epsom & Ewell

On 26 June, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council agreed to undertake a Community Governance Review (CGR) to explore the creation of a parish or community council or councils.

The process for a Community Governance Review (CGR) is set out in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (the 2007 Act). CGRs are reviews of the whole or part of a district or borough area to consider creating, merging, altering or abolishing parishes; creating or dissolving parish councils; and making or altering the electoral arrangements that should apply.

This means making sure that those living in the area, and other interested groups, have a say in how their local communities are represented.

Why is a CGR being carried out?

Once the eleven existing district and borough councils are dissolved in April 2027, there will be no lower tier of local government in the borough below that of the new unitary authority.

Parish councils (which can be named as “Community”, “Neighbourhood” or “Village” Councils) aim to enhance local representation by providing a direct route for the essential voices of residents and local communities to be heard, ensuring that residents are aware of local issues, and that they are involved in decision-making they are affected by.

Speaking at a meeting of full Council, Councillor Hannah Dalton, Leader of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, said “We are navigating the biggest change in local democracy for more than 50 years. As a priority we are working to ensure that, whatever the outcome of local government reorganisation, the voices of our residents and local communities continue to be heard in years to come – this is a vital element of local democracy.”

Estimated timeline for the CGR in Epsom & Ewell