News
Have your say on new parish councils in Epsom & Ewell
We're asking if Epsom & Ewell should have parish councils, giving residents a stronger local voice in the future - let us know what you think by completing our Community Governance Review consultation by 11.59pm on 9 October 2025.
In April 2027, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and 11 district and borough councils in Surrey will be replaced by two or three unitary councils as part of local government reorganisation. This is the biggest change in local government in fifty years.
Currently, Epsom & Ewell has no parish councils which means there is no lower tier of local government below that of the borough council. We are asking residents:
- whether to set up new parish councils
- how many councillors these councils should have
- what the councils should be called
- how they should be organised.
We will use the consultation responses to inform the next stage of the CGR.
How to respond to the consultation
Councillor John Beckett, Chair of the Standards and Constitution Committee, said
“We believe that parish councils would provide an essential link between Epsom & Ewell residents and a new unitary council, which will be responsible for a much larger area in Surrey; ensuring that resident and community voices in Epsom & Ewell are heard and considered by decision-makers in local government in the future.
“Historically, Epsom & Ewell has had a strong local voice, with more than ninety years of continuous service on Epsom & Ewell Borough Council by the elected Residents’ Association majority group.
“We want to ensure that the interests of our residents and local communities have a platform, and that our vital local voice is not lost for future generations.”
More information: Community Governance Review | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council
Local government reorganisation in Surrey
Residents across Surrey are being urged to take part in a landmark Government consultation that will help determine the future shape of local government in the county.
In August, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council responded to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government consultation on local government reorganisation (LGR) in Surrey, in support of the proposal for three unitary councils - East, North, and West Surrey.
Our response highlighted evidence within the proposal, which was supported by nine district and borough councils including Epsom & Ewell, which demonstrated how this structure would reflect how people live, work, and access services across the county.
The proposal also outlines how three unitary councils formed around existing local economies would set the stage for future growth in the county, providing a strong foundation for governance that keeps decision-making closer to residents.
Councillor Hannah Dalton, Leader of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, said:
“Since the LGR consultation began, we’ve been informing residents and stakeholders in Epsom & Ewell that we support the proposal for there to be three unitary councils in Surrey and encouraging them to have their say.
“I’ve spoken to residents at a number of community events about how local government is changing. I’ve heard that people care deeply about their communities and local areas. They want to know their voice will continue to be heard after the changes to local government take place in 2027. This echoes what we found earlier in the year when, as part of the work to develop our proposal, we asked residents to tell us what is most important to them about local government reorganisation.”
This spring, district and borough councils carried out resident engagement to ask people across Surrey how many unitary councils they would prefer, and what their top priorities were in making that decision. A majority - 63% of respondents - said they support the creation of three new unitary authorities. Residents cited understanding of local issues and local decision-making as their top priorities when considering how many new councils Surrey should have.
Councillor Hannah Dalton continued:
“We eagerly await the government’s decision on our proposal for LGR, which we expect to receive in October. We believe that the three unitary model can offer residents the most coherent and future ready solution to the challenges and opportunities that local government reorganisation in Surrey presents.
“Whatever the outcome, I know that we will work with our partners to build a future local government structure that is resilient, delivers quality services and creates opportunity for residents across the county, both now and for generations to come.”
We expect to hear a decision from government in the autumn. Keep up-to-date with how local government is changing here: Surrey Local Government Reorganisation Hub – Surrey LGR Hub
First Water Vole release in Surrey for over 20 years in Upper Hogsmill River!
On 30 July, we joined our partners, South East Rivers Trust and Citizen Zoo, to release the first water voles in Surrey for over 20 years. Around 50 water voles were released onto the Hogsmill river and Chamber Meads wetland at a celebratory event.
The return of this endangered species marks a major milestone for Surrey’s biodiversity and one of the most exciting rewilding projects in the region. The project also underpins our commitment to manage biodiversity and create resilient ecosystems across the borough that support climate change.
This milestone was the result of a pioneering wetland restoration project led by the South East Rivers Trust (SERT) and reintroduction project by rewilding organisation Citizen Zoo, with support from Wildwood Trust, Natural England Species Recovery Programme, Thames Water and Epsom & Ewell Borough Council.
The Wildwood Trust, based in Kent and Devon, is one of the UK’s leading centres for conservation breeding, and bred 50 water voles through its expert captive breeding programme for release on the upper Hogsmill river. Wildwood has played a key role in restoring water vole populations across the UK.
“We are deeply committed to protecting and nurturing habitats that help biodiversity flourish, and we are honoured that the Upper Hogsmill River in our borough has been chosen as the second release site for the reintroduction of water voles.” said Councillor Liz Frost, Chair of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Environment Committee. “They will be the first water voles living in the wild in Surrey for over 20 years. This milestone reflects the strength of our partnerships to create the right conditions for these once-extinct animals to thrive and reflects our borough’s dedication to managing biodiversity and creating resilient ecosystems that play a role in tackling climate change.”
“Water voles were once a familiar sight on the Hogsmill, but due to habitat loss and invasive predators, they died out. Now, after years of dedicated river restoration work, and the creation of the flagship wetland at Chamber Mead, as well as extensive monitoring by a band of dedicated local volunteers , we’re thrilled to have brought them back to the upper Hogsmill in Surrey,” said Dr Bella Davies, CEO of the South East Rivers Trust.
“This is not just a win for water voles—it's a flagship moment for urban river restoration across the UK,” said Elliot Newton, Director of Rewilding at Citizen Zoo. “With the help of local people, we’re giving this species a real chance to thrive again.”
“The UK’s biodiversity is facing a critical decline - putting our ecosystems, food security, and climate resilience at risk,” said Tyrone Capel, Conservation Officer at Wildwood Trust. “Ambitious rewilding projects like this are central to our mission: returning nature to the places it once thrived. We’re proud to support this initiative by breeding water voles for release along the Hogsmill and ultimately reversing the near 20 year extinction of Water voles in Surrey.”
Water voles—made famous as Ratty in The Wind in the Willows—are one of the UK’s fastest-declining mammals, having disappeared from 94% of their former range. Their return to Surrey is both a symbolic and ecological milestone.
Government Nationwide Emergency Alert Test
The UK government is testing the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm.
Your mobile phone or tablet will vibrate and make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent. The alert message will confirm this is a test and that you do not need to take any further action.
Regular testing ensures the system is functioning correctly, should it need to be used in a life-threatening emergency. Find out more at gov.uk/alerts.
You can opt out of the Emergency Alerts, including the national test, but you should keep them switched on for your own safety.
Emergency Alerts will warn you via your mobile or tablet if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. Only the government and the emergency services are able to send them.
There are simple and effective steps we can all take to be more prepared for an emergency. Visit gov.uk/prepare for advice on how you can prepare.
Update your details & continue to vote - Annual Canvass 2025
Every year, we are legally required to contact each household in the Borough to find out if there have been any changes to who is eligible to be registered to vote at each address - this is called the Annual Canvass.
Residents will receive one or more of the below:
- A confirmation letter on green paper sent by post. Residents will be asked to check the names of people living at their address. A response is only needed if there is a change or update to the information printed on the letter.
- A canvass form sent on yellow paper by post. This form will ask the resident to confirm who is currently eligible to vote in their household. By law, a response must be provided to this form.
- An email communication. Residents who have previously provided an email address to Electoral Services may get a communication asking them to check the details for their address.
How to respond
To confirm or update the details for a household:
- Visit www.householdresponse.com/epsomandewell. On the login page, please enter both parts of the security code that is on the letter, canvass form or email you have received.
- If there are no changes, residents can also respond by calling 0800 884 0701.
If any resident is asked to respond to a canvass communication and doesn’t, we will make other attempts to get a response which may include reminder forms, a telephone call or a visit to the property, so please respond as soon as you receive the information request from us.
If any resident has any questions about how to respond to the letter, form or email, please email electoralservices@epsom-ewell.gov.uk.
Court Recreation Grounds works until 6 Oct
Improvements are being made to the football pitch in the Court Recreation Grounds, works will take place until 6 October.
Work is currently underway to prepare the pitch and install a new 3G surface in place of the current astroturf - unfortunately this may cause a little disruption:
- Some car parking spaces will be sealed off.
- The disabled car parking space next to the NEAT HQ will be another space nearby.
- The gym next to the tennis courts will be closed.
Thanks for your patience during this time and sorry for any inconvenience caused.
NEW! 'My Council Services' to report refuse and recycling issues
The way you report issues around refuse and recycling has changed.
If you need to report a missed collections, book a bulky waste collection, sign up for the garden waste service or order a new bin, please use My Council Services.
Rainbow Leisure Centre - where to ask your questions
We recently announced that Places Leisure will replace GLL, known as Better, as operators of the council-owned Rainbow Leisure Centre from 1 October 2025. Please find below information on who you should contact now if you are an existing member or enquiring about new membership.
The council’s Community & Wellbeing and Strategy & Resources committees approved the appointment of Places Leisure, and residents will continue to receive high-quality leisure, health and wellbeing services.
Places Leisure is part of the PfP Group, the UK's leading social enterprise, and their contract lasts for 10 years with an option to extend for a further five years. They will invest their own capital into the leisure centre upgrading the gym studios, swimming changing rooms and more. And will also offer a wider range of health and wellbeing-related activities, delivered both inside the leisure centre and in the wider community.
We would like to reiterate our thanks to GLL for their hard work and efforts in operating the leisure centre over the last 22 years, they have left a positive legacy to build from.
More information can be found here.
Any questions?
Whether you are an existing member or interested in new membership, please email Places Leisure on enquiries@pfpleisure.org.
If you have any further questions then please read through the frequently asked questions - Rainbow Leisure Centre FAQ's | Places Leisure
Our community support services - a helping hand for you and your loved ones
We are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our community and our Community Support Services provide a personal and caring service that helps residents live independently and comfortably in Epsom & Ewell.
Feel free to talk to us if you, or
someone you know, could use:
- Door-to-door transport
- Meals delivered
- A personal alarm
- Respite care at our Dementia Hub
- Friendship and fun at our Community & Wellbeing Centre
More information about these and all support services - Support Services | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council
Home Improvement Agency team update on Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Our Home Improvement Agency team works to assist disabled, elderly, and vulnerable residents with the aim being to help them stay safe and independent in their own homes. Below is our update on our recently ended Epsom & Ewell Boiler Upgrade Grant scheme which ran from April 2024 to June 2025.
Since the approval of the Private Sector Housing Grants Assistance Policy in October 2023, we have undertaken several initiatives. One of these was the Epsom & Ewell Boiler Upgrade Grant scheme, this was delivered by Action Surrey on behalf of Epsom and Ewell Council.
Reducing energy bills and carbon emissions
With central government policy increasingly focused on decarbonisation and moving away from gas heating, limited support options currently exist for residents who are not yet able to transition to low-carbon alternatives but still urgently need functional heating systems.
The purpose of this scheme was to ensure that vulnerable and low-income households had access to safe, reliable, and affordable, heating particularly during the colder months with the aim being to replace broken, inefficient and end-of-life boilers over 10 years old and not A-Rated. By upgrading outdated systems, the scheme also contributed to lower energy bills helping to improve living conditions and reducing carbon emissions.
We successfully installed a total of 65 new, high-efficiency A-rated gas boilers with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating D or below - our initial aim was to assist 50-60 households across the borough.
Resident feedback
The overwhelming majority of feedback from residents has been highlight positive, with many expressing satisfaction not only with the improvements made to their homes but also with the overall service provided throughout the process. Just a few comments from residents are listed below.
Sarah finally got to change her everlasting ancient boiler:
"I am so grateful to have had this work done. My old boiler had been regularly cutting out for several years, with me having to keep resetting it. The people who fitted the new boiler found the old one was dangerously corroded inside, which might explain why it kept cutting out. He had never seen one as bad as mine in all his decades of work. Huge thanks, once again."
Graham is delighted with the result:
“The installation was seamless, and the work completed to a very high standard, I am absolutely delighted with the final result, I could not have wished for a better job. Even all the redundant boiler and associated equipment was all taken away, leaving everything immaculate.
I must thank you and your team for making this grant possible it really has been appreciated, I will not have to spend another winter, using an outdated and inefficient boiler that was well past its best, once again thank you”
For more information on the Home Improvement Agency, please visit our website Home Improvement Agency | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council
Recycling bins & contamination of items
We want to tackle contamination in recycling bins and have produced a handy guide to help you put the right thing in the right bin! Read more below. 
Contamination happens when an item that's added to a recycling bin is not recyclable. This can lead to everything in the bin going to a landfill instead of being recycled!
Thanks for your support.
Jobs at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council
We're recruiting.
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.
Our latest vacancies include:
We are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our community, and our Community and Wellbeing Centre provides vital services to older and vulnerable residents, including those living with dementia. We are now looking for a compassionate and driven Senior Coordinator to lead our Wellbeing Daycare services and help shape the future of community care in Epsom & Ewell.
This key leadership role is responsible for the day-to-day management of the centre and its services, including the Dementia Hub, Community Transport and Meals at Home. You will lead a dedicated team of coordinators, care assistants and service leaders, driver technicians and volunteer ensuring the delivery of high-qualify, person-centred care and support.
Find out more about the role here: Community and Wellbeing Centre - Senior Coordinator
We are a Residents' Association controlled Council which operates a committee system of decision-making. You will be part of a small friendly team, working in a challenging and busy environment. We are looking for someone with experience in a democratic services environment and knowledge of a committee management system.
Your focus will be the administration of committees, supporting an open, legal and transparent decision-making process and supporting the organisation and delivery of elections, you'll work with senior officers across the Council and Councillors.
The ideal candidate will possess excellent written and verbal communication skills with a great attention to detail. You will need to be organised, accurate and able to work under pressure to predetermined deadlines and must have a sound understanding of local government to support the preparation of agendas You'll also provide advice to senior officer and Councillors.
Find out more about the role here: Casual - Democratic Services Officer
Environmental Health Officer / Regulatory Services Officer (1 x full-time and 1 x part-time)
We are looking for two people to join our busy and friendly Environmental Health team - one full-time and one part-time person. you will report to the Principal Environmental Health Officer mainly focused on food safety including carrying out inspections, investigating complaints and reports of food poisoning.
You will need to meet the minimum competency requirements laid down in the Food Law Code of Practice - we also welcome candidates with experience in the enforcement of health and safety legislation whether earlier in your career or more recently.
Find out more about the roles here: Full time role and Part time role
The Epsom Playhouse, situated in Epsom town centre, is a receiving house comprising a 450-seat main auditorium and an 80-seat studio.
We are seeking a multi-skilled and experienced individual to provide technical services to ensure the successful presentation of a wide programme of professional and community performances. You will be responsible for rigging, operating, and de-rigging, lighting, sound, stage and AV equipment for rehearsals and performances, duty stage management, simple maintenance of equipment, and supervision of casual staff, visiting companies and community users.
Read more about the role here: Playhouse Theatre Technician
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.
