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

Hook Road Car Park now open on Sundays

Hook Road Car Park is now open on Sundays!

• 9am – 5pm
• £3 all day

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:

Housing Options (Single Persons) Officer - 2 Years FTC

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 

Temporary Accommodation 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.