News
Candidates announced ahead of East Surrey and West Surrey Council elections
Names of candidates standing for election in the new East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council elections on 7 May have been published.
In total 379 candidates are standing for 72 seats across 36 wards in the East Surrey Council Elections and 452 candidates are standing for 90 seats across 45 wards in the West Surrey Council elections.
Details of those standing can be found on the Future Surrey website surreylgrhub.gov.uk/elections, where electors can search for who is up for election in their area. Candidates are also listed on the ’Statement of Persons Nominated’ on the district or borough council website for the area in which they are standing to represent.
Those living in areas covered by Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge councils will vote in the East Surrey Council Elections, while those in the Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley and Woking council areas will vote in the West Surrey Council elections.
Electors will be able to vote for up to two councillors to represent their ward in these elections.
What the new councillors be responsible for
Councillors elected to East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council in May 2026 will serve for five years, until May 2031.
In the first year they will work as part of a ‘shadow’ authority. During this period, they will set budgets and council tax for 2027/28, agree staffing structures and governance arrangements, adopt codes of conduct and members’ allowance schemes and prepare for the transfer of responsibilities from the existing councils in Surrey.
The new councils will then officially take over from 1 April 2027, providing all the local council services you rely on including education, waste collection, roads, housing, play areas, children’s services, adult social care and more.
Make sure you’re ready to vote
Mari Roberts-Wood, Chief Executive at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and Returning Officer for the East Surrey Elections said:
“I’d like to encourage you to see who is standing for election in your area and use your vote on 7 May. The election is your opportunity to choose who you want to represent you and the issues that matter to you in your local area for the next five years. Make sure you’re ready to vote in these important elections.”
Andrew Pritchard, Chief Executive of Runnymede Borough Council and Returning Officer for the West Surrey Elections, continued:
“To have your say in these elections, you must be registered to vote and the deadline – midnight on 20 April - is fast approaching. Register now if you aren’t already, especially if you have recently moved house, changed you name or just turned 18. If you’re in any doubt, or have questions, visit the Electoral Commission’s website, or contact your council."
Don’t lose your vote
To be able to vote in these elections, you must be registered to vote by midnight on 20 April 2026. If you’re not already registered, register now at gov.uk/register-to-vote
To vote in person you must bring an accepted form of photo ID. These include a passport, a driving licence or a concessionary travel pass, such as an older person’s bus pass. You can use expired IDs if the photo still looks like you. For a full list of accepted photo ID visit electoralcommission.org.uk/voterid
If you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID, apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) by 5pm on 28 April 2026 at gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate
If you won’t be able to get to a polling station on election day, you can apply online for a postal vote or proxy vote at gov.uk/how-to-vote. Apply as soon as possible to make sure you receive your postal vote pack or proxy vote in good time. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026. For a proxy vote – when a friend or relative you trust casts your vote for you – apply by 5pm on 28 April 2026.
More information
For more about these elections and the upcoming changes in Surrey, visit surreylgrhub.gov.uk/elections
For clear, trusted information about voting and elections, visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk(link is external)
If you don’t have access to the internet, contact your local district or borough council for assistance.
Serve Up Some Fun this Spring: Tennis in Epsom & Ewell
For those looking to embrace spring and get active outdoors, tennis offers an ideal blend of fitness, fresh air, and social connection.
Whether you’re picking up a racket for the first time in months or returning as a regular player, our courts are ready.
There are flexible options available to suit every lifestyle. For those who prefer spontaneity, a pay-as-you-go option makes it easy to fit in a quick session whenever the mood strikes. Alternatively, households can take advantage of an annual subscription, which allows up to five people to enjoy unlimited court access throughout the year - an excellent way to stay active together and make the most of the facilities.
In addition to court access, free weekly coaching sessions are available for players of all abilities. These sessions provide a welcoming and supportive environment to develop skills, build confidence and meet others in the community. Coaching takes place at Auriol Park on Saturdays from 10am to 11am, and at Court Recreation Ground on Sundays at the same time.
With warmer weather ahead, there’s no better moment to get back on court, so book your session now: Epsom & Ewell Parks Tennis | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council
New items for recycling from March 2026
From 31 March 2026 you can add the following items to your recycling:
- Clean and empty cartons such as juice and plant milk cartons
- clean foil scrunched into a ball no smaller than the size of a tennis ball
- clean foil trays
- clean, non-black plastic plant pots
- empty squeezy metal tubes such as tomato puree tubes
- empty squeezy plastic tubes such as toothpaste tubes
- empty aerosol cans care also part of the changes although EEBC already collect those for recycling. You can continue to add empty aerosol cans to your recycling.
This is part of Simpler Recycling which is part of the UK government’s Collection and Packaging Reforms, and will introduce changes to how recycling and waste is collected across England.
Why is Simpler Recycling happening?
Currently, bin collections across England vary between areas, which can create confusion and misinformation among residents. The changes are designed to make recycling the same across all households, reducing confusion and improving recycling rates.
The reforms shift costs to producers to fund improved local authority waste and recycling services and are also expected to lead to the production of fewer hard-to-recycle items.
How should I recycle the new items?
The new items should go in mixed recycling bins in the following ways:
- cartons should be clean and empty
- foil should be clean and scrunched into a ball no smaller than the size of a tennis ball
- foil trays should be clean
- non-black plastic plant pots should be clean
- squeezy metal tubes should be empty
- squeezy plastic tubes should be empty.
Find out more about weekly recycling in Epsom & Ewell here: Simply Weekly Recycling
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council renews its commitment to combatting anti-social behaviour
We have strengthened our commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the borough by renewing the Anti-Social Behaviour Pledge at the latest Crime and Disorder Committee.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Pledge is advocated by charity ASB Help to support and promote the victim’s voice in respect of the ASB Case Review process. This is the process in which victims of ASB can request a multi-agency review of their case.
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council first made the pledge in 2022, and it is one of many initiatives the council and its strategic partners in the Community Safety Partnership have implemented to combat anti-social behaviour.
Another initiative the committee was updated on is Safer Epsom & Ewell, a multi-agency approach to addressing serious organised crime and anti-social behaviour in the borough.
Last year, Surrey Police made a significant number of arrests linked to serious organised crime and county lines, laying the groundwork for the council and its partners to facilitate initiatives aimed at rebuilding a safer environment for residents and businesses.
The latest update on this phase of Safer Epsom & Ewell, included news on funding from the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for two initiatives:
- New Era Academy Training (NEAT), a charity based at Court Recreation Ground that supports young people through sport, mentoring, education, and community programmes, to enable a further 12 months of activity
- Pending final agreement, the partnership will work with Engage Lime, an organisation which operate programmes to develop skills in younger people, to promote positive behaviour change and build better futures.
Community groups and organisations invited to apply for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding
We invite local community groups and organisations to apply for funds raised by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This funding delivers projects that benefit residents and support new development across the borough.
The application deadline is midnight on Sunday 17 May 2026.
When new development takes place, it can place extra pressure on local services and facilities. The Community Infrastructure Levy enables councils to raise funds from development to be spent on the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of local infrastructure—the levy is intended to give councils more choice and flexibility in how they fund the infrastructure required to support local growth.
This will be the final time that Epsom & Ewell Borough Council will run this funding process. From April 2027, the council will be dissolved and replaced by the new East Surrey Council, which will be responsible for delivering local infrastructure projects across the geographic areas of Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge.
How to submit an application form
The bidding process is designed to be a clear as possible and the application form --- available to download from the council’s website, with hard copies at Epsom Town Hall, Bourne Hall and Epsom Playhouse --- aims to help make the process simpler. Neighbourhood CIL Funding | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council
Bids will be shortlisted using the criteria set out in section C of the CIL Spending Protocol (adopted March 2025). More information on the process and prioritisation criteria can be found in section 5 of the CIL Spending Protocol.
To receive funding, all CIL spending applications must be for infrastructure. All bids that pass stage 1 of the assessment process will be examined by the CIL Member Working Group, who will make recommendations to the Strategy and Resources Committee for approval.
It is important for each application to be completed in full. The CIL Spending Protocol (adopted March 2025) needs to be read alongside the application form.
Any questions about the application form or process can be emailed to: CIL@Epsom-Ewell.gov.uk(link sends e-mail).
For more information about the Neighbourhood CIL, including the CIL Spending Protocol and application form: Neighbourhood CIL Funding | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council
Hook Road Car Park now open on Sundays
Hook Road Car Park is now open on Sundays!
Important: The car park will be locked from 5pm, so please make sure you leave before then to avoid being locked in.
Note: Rainbow Leisure Centre members – please remember you have access to discounted parking spaces at the Centre and Hook Road car parks.
To see other council-owned car parks in the borough: https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/car-parks
More hints and tips to help you 'Green Your Home'!
Our Green Your Home Guide is designed to help you take simple, everyday steps that contribute to a healthier environment and help combat climate change. Find some tips below to help you make one small change.
From reducing waste and conserving energy to choosing sustainable transport and supporting biodiversity, the guide highlights how everyone can play a part.
Did you know...
- Draught-proofing and insulating your home is an effective way to stay comfortable while reducing energy use.
- Using outdoor lighting carefully - such as choosing downlighters - helps direct light where it's needed, reduces upward light spill and protects wildlife.
- Installing a water butt onto any downpipe (even a shed roof) allows you to collect rainwater to help your plants thrive naturally. It also reduces tap water use, which may help lower household bills.
- Planting native shrubs, trees and wildflowers provide essential food and shelter for local birds, insects and other wildlife.
- Choosing peat-free compost helps protect vital ecosystems.
If you're thinking about making a change, we suggest you:
Review what you are currently doing
Compare this with other suggested activities
Commit to make one small change
For more information - Green Your Home Guide | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council
Jobs at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council
Our small but ambitious authority offers you the opportunity to become involved in a wide range of varied and interesting work. That, together with an enviable array of staff benefits and a rewarding and challenging career, is our unique offer to you.
If you have the passion and the drive to make a real difference, we really want to hear from you. View a list of all current vacancies at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council.
Local Government Reorganisation
The government is reorganising local councils in Surrey. The current two-tier system where services are split between Surrey County Council and district or borough councils, will be replaced by two new unitary councils - East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council.
East Surrey Council will cover Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge District managing all local services, including housing, planning, waste, education, roads and social care.
Although this may lead to some uncertainty for anyone considering a role with us, we need to continue to provide services. When the new councils are created in April 2027, most staff will transfer to the new council on their current terms and conditions. Being part of a larger organisation may offer additional opportunities for career development and variety.
Our latest vacancies include:
We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic person with experience of working in a similar role in a Local Housing Authority and a good understanding of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended), to join our busy Housing Options team.
Working within the amended legislation as set out in the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 you will interview, assess and be responsible for the issuing of Personal Housing Plans. Previous experience of front-line interviewing within a demanding housing environment whilst applying the Housing Act 1996 Part VII, the Homelessness Act 2002, the Localism Act 2011 and related legislation is therefore essential to ensure customers are being dealt with in the correct workstream.
Find out more about the role here: Housing Options (Single Persons) Officer - 2 Years FTC
We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to assist our Private Sector Leasing & Temporary Accommodation Officer to help manage the Council’s Temporary Accommodation & Private Sector Leasing service for homeless households.
This pivotal role will be responsible for working alongside the Housing Options Team to assist people requiring temporary accommodation.
The role will involve closely liaising with our temporary accommodation providers, arranging placements of interim accommodation and undertaking all aspects of temporary accommodation management including tenancy sign-ups, rent accounting, inventory inspections, day-to-day repairs, voids, dealing with licence /tenancy breaches and health and safety issues.
Find out more about the role here: Temporary Accommodation Officer - 2 Years FTC
Move On (Prevention) Officer - 2 Years FTC
We are looking for a motivated and proactive Move On (Prevention) Officer to join our Housing Services Team. In this vital role, you will provide tailored move‑on and resettlement support to homeless households living in interim and temporary accommodation. Your work will help households to secure long‑term housing solutions, while supporting them to build the skills and independence needed to maintain successful tenancies.
You will play a key part in preventing homelessness, reducing time spent in temporary accommodation, and helping residents access the right support at the right time.
Find out more about the role here: Move On (Prevention) Officer - 2 Years FTC
At Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, we are passionate about maintaining an inclusive workplace for all that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all sections of our community particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, including BAME, LGBTQ+ and those with hidden or visible disabilities.
We are committed to ensuring all our staff – regardless of gender, age, religion, sexuality, ethnicity or disability – can thrive and succeed whilst working with us.
What's On
What's on in Epsom & Ewell
Find out what's happening in Epsom & Ewell
Find out what's happening in Epsom & Ewell in the coming months; take a look at the events page on the Epsom & Ewell Borough Council website.
Here are a few highlights:
Saturday 9 May, 11am-1pm
Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve
Find our more about our traditional orchards with a tour and talk from our Countryside Officers.Learn the history and discover the unusual fruit species with this FREE event. Meet at John Watkins Close, Clarendon Park for 11am
Sunday 17 May, 2pm-4.30pm
Ewell Court House
Enjoy a walk along the Hogsmill with a member of the Countryside Team. Learn about the wildlife found along the river and the history of the gunpowder mills, once powered by the river. Meet at 2pm at Ewell Court House.
Saturday 30 May, 10am-4.30pm
St Martin's Church, Epsom
Price: £25 standard ticket (£20 early bird until 30th April)
Rob Hopkins, bestselling author of 'From What Is to What If' is coming to Epsom to lead a dynamic and hands-on workshop, which will guide us in how to 'fall in love with the future'.
Bourne Hall
Find out what's coming up at the Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell, KT17 1UF. For the full and most up-to-date list, please visit the Bourne Hall website.
Some highlights below include:
Bourne Hall Museum celebrates Surrey Day
Saturday 9 May,
Cost: dependant on event attended.
The theme for the eight annual celebration of our wonderful county is exploring 'underground Surrey'.
Events include 'Archaeology of Bourne Hall' (£6.50), Coin Identification, Be an Archeologist (£6.50 - part of Bourne Hall Kids Club), The Mysterious Discovery of Epsom Aurochs (£6.50) and Secrets of Bourne Hall.
For more information phone 020 8393 9571 or email sdalloe@epsom-ewell.gov.uk
Epsom Playhouse
See what's on at Epsom Playhouse
Markets in Epsom & Ewell
Epsom Markets
Regular markets in Epsom Marketplace take place on Thursday and Saturday.
For information on the weekly markets at Epsom Marketplace take a look here: Epsom & Ewell markets
Farmer's Market - Epsom Marketplace
This market usually takes place on the first Sunday of the month.
9.30am - 1.30pm.
Artisan Market – Bourne Hall
This market takes place the first Saturday of each month, the next one is scheduled for Saturday 2 May 2026.
10am – 2pm
Sunday 3 May, 9.30am-3pm
Epsom Marketplace
Price: Free
The New Year brings news of an exciting collaboration between two of Epsom’s most successful markets. ACVR Events, with their eclectic mix of Antiques, Vintage and Retro items, will link up three times this year with the monthly Epsom Farmers' & Artisan Market run by Surrey Markets.
Find out more at www.surreymarkets.co.uk/event/epsom-market
Explore Epsom and Ewell
Get closer to nature and enjoy the outdoors with our various guided walks. Explore local nature reserves, discover your borough's history and boost your health and wellbeing too.
Visit the walks page on our website to discover a range of walks that take place across Epsom and Ewell.
Epsom & Ewell also has several beautiful open spaces which are great for cycling, including Epsom Downs, Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve, Nonsuch Park, Hogsmill Local Nature Reserve, and Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve. You can find cycling routes for all these places on our website.
ECA supports the preservation and protection of Epsom Common local nature reserve and site of special scientific interest. ECA works in partnership with the Council, the Lower Mole Countryside Management Project and English Nature to contribute to the long term management and conservation of the Common.
Nature walks
ECA organises a number of walks on the Common each year which are led by local natural history experts. The subjects that are usually covered each year include birds in early spring, wildflowers, butterflies, invertebrates particularly bush crickets, bats and fungi.
The EcoVols
If you care about the Common and enjoy its wildlife and beauty why not join the EcoVols, the volunteer group of the ECA. EcoVols carry out a variety of conservation projects on the Common throughout the year in association with English Nature, the Council and the Lower Mole Countryside Management Project. You don’t need any special skills or experience just your enthusiasm and time! For more info and the 2020 EcoVols programme see: Conservation on Epsom Common
