Author: adminSURREY

Arts Alive Arts Festival Now On!

Mole Valley’s Arts Alive festival is underway! Throughout October, Mole Valley is home to 135 artistic and cultural events for people to come and experience. Nearly half of these events will be either free, or under £5 to attend. More good news is that you won’t need to wait until October to get started! Arts Alive kicked off with two big launch events in Dorking and Leatherhead that were free to attend.

You can now browse and book sessions you would like to join via the Arts Alive website here. There are plenty of activities for families as well as evening events, and there’s truly something for everyone whether you’re looking to spectate or perhaps try your hand at something artistic! We want everyone to feel empowered to try something new at Arts Alive this year and find a passion that might grow into an exciting new hobby for years to come! Some interesting highlights for this year include:

      • Come and Sing St John’s Passion at St Martin’s Church with Leith Hill Music Festival – 11 Oct
      • The Magic of Bees – Rituals Workshop with The Wild Bee Company – 25 Oct
      • Come and Try Acro, Ballet, Musical Theatre or Tap with Lisa Allen Dance & Arts (LADA) – 4 Oct
      • A number of fascinating talks and events at the newly renovated Pippbrook House including a wine glass painting class and a talk on the work of Agatha Christie.

Helping to promote this year’s festival is Magic Radio presenter, as well as Surrey local, Jack Pepper! One of the UK’s youngest commissioned composers, national radio broadcaster and featured in HM the King’s “35 under 35” list, Jack can now add “2025 Patron of Arts Alive” to his list of accolades, joining such luminaries as Dame Judi Dench, Lorraine Kelly and Gyles Brandreth.

cllr Nick WrightMVDC’s Cabinet Member for Leisure & Community Assets Cllr Nick Wright said: “It’s great to see Arts Alive return in 2025 with a huge variety of cultural activities for people to experience. Supported by Mole Valley District Council, the Arts Alive Festival committee has worked hard to organise a packed itinerary of events for everyone in Mole Valley to enjoy. Whether you’re building on existing interests, knowledge or skills, or would like to experience something new, I highly encourage you to take a look at the programme online and book yourself a place!”

Arts alive now on

Equipment Worth Over £148,000 Donated to Epsom Hospital

Epsom Medical Equipment Fund donates life-saving equipment worth over £148,000 to Epsom Hospital, aided by snooker legend Jimmy White at the Epsom Club on Wednesday, 24th September.

The Local charity, run by Bess Harding MBE, continues vital support for hospital services with major donations including 29 defibrillators, specialist laser equipment, and an advanced eye camera

Life-Saving Defibrillators Replace Ageing Equipment

Following an urgent request from the hospital’s RESUS team, EMEF has purchased 29 new defibrillators at a cost of £44,000 to replace equipment that had reached the end of its useful life. The new AED 3 BLS devices have been strategically placed throughout the hospital in A&E, clinics, and outpatient areas, ensuring life-saving equipment is readily available where needed most.

The presentation of the defibrillators took place at Epsom Club, hosted by Darren Hull, with snooker champion Jimmy White taking time from his busy schedule to present the equipment to Chris Rivers, Estates Director at Epsom General Hospital.

Epsom Medical Equipment Fund Donates Life-Saving Equipment Worth Over £148,000 to Epsom General Hospital

Memorial Donation Enhances Ear Surgery Capabilities

In August 2025, EMEF acquired a £40,000 specialist laser for day surgery procedures on delicate and complex areas of the ear. The equipment has been donated to Epsom General Hospital in memory of Jimmy Hendry, a highly regarded physiotherapist at the hospital who recently passed away. Mr Hendry was known for his innovative approach to patient care, notably inventing the “Hendry Hand” device for wrist injury treatment, which reduces patient discomfort during treatment.

This donation means patients can now receive specialist ear surgery locally without needing to travel to St. George’s Hospital.

Advanced Eye Care Technology Prevents Blindness

EMEF has also funded a specialised eye camera costing £64,000 for the Epsom Eye Unit. The sophisticated equipment enables consultants to capture detailed photographs during examinations, which can be studied independently or collaboratively with colleagues to determine optimal treatment pathways and help prevent blindness.

Community Support Strengthens Fund

The charity has received valuable support from the Ashley Centre, which provided accommodation when EMEF lost its room at the hospital. The centre’s Kids Club has donated money to the fund, and EMEF continues to hold carol singing events at the centre.

Epsom Medical Equipment Fund Donates Life-Saving Equipment Worth Over £148,000 to Epsom General Hospital

Professional Endorsements

Paul Day, Deputy Resuscitation Manager at Epsom Hospital’s Resuscitation Service, commented: “We are delighted to accept this incredibly generous donation of AEDs from the Epsom Medical Equipment Fund. These defibrillators are used in public areas such as waiting rooms and outpatient clinics, and are also mounted on the walls of our corridors. They replace older models, upgrading the existing equipment on the Epsom site.”

Chris Rivers, Director of Estates, stated: “The NHS provides essential equipment for patient care, but charities like EMEF can go further by funding upgrades, improvements, and additional items that enhance safety and patient experience. Thanks to their generosity, we can now offer state-of-the-art AEDs that are intuitive, lightweight, and easy for both the public and healthcare professionals to use. We would like to thank EMEF, particularly Bess Harding and all her supporters, for their hard work in raising funds for this life-saving equipment.”

Epsom Medical Equipment Fund Donates Life-Saving Equipment Worth Over £148,000 to Epsom General Hospital

Rob Chave, Territory Manager for Hospital South London & South East England at ZOLL Medical UK, added: “The AED 3 BLS is a device specifically designed by ZOLL to suit both hospital and community settings. The AED features a dashboard for both skilled rescuers and lay responders, and can be customised to suit any clinician’s preferences. Every cardiac arrest demands high-quality CPR compressions, so ZOLL’s intuitive dashboard provides real-time feedback on depth and rate, along with verbal prompts during resuscitation. We are very proud to partner with Epsom Medical Equipment Fund to renew these AEDs, ensuring the trust has life-saving equipment for the next ten years.”

If you like to donate to EMEF CLICK HERE

 

 

Hobble’ween Returns for Spooktacular Half-Term Fun

This October half-term, the award-winning farm, zoo and adventure park Hobbledown will be transformed into a world of magical mischief, spooky surprises and family fun as Hobble’ween returns from Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November 2025. Families can look forward to a packed programme of immersive activities, live entertainment , hair-raising fun – all included with standard admission.

A Frightfully Fun Line-Up

From bug eating and monster discos to creepy crawlies and mischievous skibblers, Hobble’ween is packed with frightfully good fun for families seeking memorable moments together:

  • • Hobble’ween Storytime – Gather round for enchanting tales from the Hobblers’ world.
  • • Skibbler School – Join the prank-loving Skibblers and master their mischievous ways, from silly walks to cackling laughs.

     

  • • Monster’s Ball – A family-friendly party where fancy dress is strongly encouraged and monster moves are a must.

     

  • • Bug Brunch – Daredevils can sample real dried bugs and gain the title of Bug Champion.

     

  • • Hobble’ween Trail – Explore the park, hunt for hidden clues and reveal the secret word to claim a sweet prize.

     

  • • Skibbler Passport – Collect stickers throughout your visit and trade in your completed passport for a sweet treat – no tricks, just treats.

Add-on Adventure: Trick or Treat Maze Challenge
For just £6 per child, little explorers can brave the Trick or Treat Maze Challenge, held daily at 10:30am to 11:30am and 3:00pm to 4:00pm. Work with the Hobblers to solve the mystery and claim your treats.

Hobbledown Hobble’ween is open from 25th October to 2nd November 2025. Tickets start from £17.50pp when booked in advance online. For more information and to book, visit: https://www.hobbledown.com/epsom/whats-on/hobbleween-at-hobbledown/.

 

Excessive Noise and ASB on the A24

Views Sought on Reported Excessive Noise and Anti-Social Behaviour on the A24

Mole Valley District Council has launched a public consultation to better understand reports of vehicles making excessive noise and carrying out acts of anti-social behaviour on a section of the A24, including roads in Mickleham and Westhumble, and the impact on people using these roads and those who live and work in the local area.

 The feedback received from Mole Valley District Council’s (MVDC) seven-week public consultation, which ends on Friday 31 October 2025, will help inform whether any action is required to be taken in the future by MVDC, which could include the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), should there be sufficient evidence to support this.

PSPOs can be introduced in an identified location to help address specific concerns of anti-social behaviour. PSPOs give MVDC and Surrey Police the power to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice or start formal prosecution if one or more of the specific anti-social behaviour restrictions set out in a PSPO is breached.

The short online survey, which should take no longer than five minutes to complete, is available on molevalley.gov.uk/a24. Alternatively, paper copies of the consultation can be collected from the reception of MVDC’s Pippbrook offices in Dorking and Dorking Halls. For more information, please email [email protected] or call MVDC on 01306 885001.

Councillor Caroline Joseph, MVDC’s Cabinet Member for Services and Security, said: “Before it is decided how best to respond to the issues reported to us and the Police, it is essential that we first listen to the views from as wide a range of voices as possible to gain a clear picture of this matter. One possible outcome could be the introduction of a PSPO, but no decisions have yet been made. We require answers to questions that will help us gauge the impact of these reported issues on those who live, work and use the roads in this particular area of the district. We look forward to hearing from you.”

Views Sought on Reported Excessive Noise and Anti-Social Behaviour on the A24

Arts Alive: The Countdown is On

Arts Alive: The Countdown is On for One of the South East’s Largest Community Arts Festivals!

Mole Valley’s Arts Alive festival is nearly here! Since 1997, Arts Alive has provided a month-long community arts festival where visitors can get hands-on with a range of artistic pursuits. 2025’s festival will kick off with launch events in both Dorking and Leatherhead on the following dates:

      • Dorking: Saturday 13th September – 10.30am – 12.30pm – St. Martin’s Square
      • Leatherhead: Saturday 20th September – 10.30am – 12.30pm – Leatherhead High Street

This year will see a fabulous programme of 135 events taking place across Mole Valley throughout October with historical talks, walking tours, music, comedy, dance and theatrical performances all set to provide unique opportunities for people to follow their passions and engage with the arts. Nearly half of these events will be either free, or under £5 to attend.

There are a range of activities for families to enjoy, including during the October half term week, as well as evening events for adults such as dance classes. There will also be events taking place at the recently-refurbished Pippbrook House. Last year saw 14,800 participants attend across the available events, with event browsing and booking for this year opening to the public in early September on the Arts Alive website.

Helping to promote this year’s festival is Magic Radio presenter, as well as Surrey local, Jack Pepper! One of the UK’s youngest commissioned composers, national radio broadcaster and featured in HM the King’s “35 under 35” list, Jack can now add “2025 Patron of Arts Alive” to his list of accolades, joining such luminaries as Dame Judi Dench, Lorraine Kelly and Gyles Brandreth.

To promote the festival in the run-up to the launch, Jack can be available for radio and other media contributions. Email [email protected] to organise.

cllr Nick WrightMVDC’s Cabinet Member for Leisure & Community Assets Cllr Nick Wright said: “We are delighted to continue our investment in the arts and culture of the district by supporting the annual Mole Valley Arts Alive festival. The Festival is a tribute to all the talent we have in the district so take the opportunity to book onto as many events as you feel you can. You likely to find something that appeals to your current interests, but the Festival also provides the perfect opportunity to try something new and even discover a hidden talent!”

Arts Alive

Epsom & Ewell Young Legends programme

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council launches its Epsom & Ewell Young Legends programme – 9-11 year olds are invited to try something new this autumn

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is proud to announce its new local initiative – Epsom & Ewell Young Legends – an exciting programme of sports and creative activities taking place from 11 October to 24 November 2025. Designed for children aged 9 to 11, this free programme is open to children who live within the borough. Places can be booked on the council’s website and spaces are limited.

The Epsom & Ewell Young Legends programme aims to help children boost their confidence, develop new skills, make friends, and ease the transition for those preparing for secondary school.

A diverse range of activities such as Arts & Crafts – with dedicated sessions for children with special needs, Basketball, Girls Rugby, Judo, Musical Theatre (song and dance), Rap Therapy, and Yoga & Meditation. Delivered by trusted and skilled professionals in a safe and supportive environment, the programme encourages children to try new things and have fun.

The Epsom & Ewell Young Legends programme forms part of the council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy and follows on from the Specsavers Surrey Youth Games.

Ewell Epsom councillor Clive WoodbridgeCouncillor Clive Woodbridge, Chair of the Community & Wellbeing Committee, commented:

“We’re proud to launch our first-ever Epsom & Ewell Young Legends programme – a key step in delivering our Health and Wellbeing Strategy. By offering free access to sports and creative activities for 9 to 11-year-olds, we aim to inspire, build confidence and support them as they take their next steps – including the transition to secondary school.

“Bringing the Epsom & Ewell Young Legends programme in-house has allowed us to tailor it to the needs of local children and align it with our Health and Wellbeing Strategy. We’ve made a conscious effort to reach those facing barriers to participation, including children supported through the government-funded Holiday Activities and Food programme.

“A huge thanks to the coaches and practitioners from Body & Brain Epsom, Cagers Basketball Club, Creative Minds, Laines Theatre Arts, Rap Therapy, Sutton and Epsom Rugby Club and Westcroft Judo Nork, for their support in delivering the Epsom & Ewell Young Legends.

“Whether a child is sporty, creative, or simply curious, Young Legends is about helping children to feel confident in trying new activities, and we warmly invite parents to encourage their children to take advantage of this exciting opportunity.”

Programme timetable & sign-up information

Up to two activities can be selected per child and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. More information including the timetable and sign-up information can be found here – Epsom & Ewell Young Legends | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council. Forms can also be completed at Epsom Town Hall during opening hours.

For any questions, email the council’s Community Development team: [email protected]

Epsom and ewell young legends

Epsom & Ewell Virtual Day Trips

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Launches Two New Virtual Day Trips

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has launched two new inclusive tours, part of their Virtual Day Trips series, in partnership with Whistlestop Tours. These two new virtual tours explore Epsom and Ewell, shining a spotlight on the history and cultural heritage of the two places. The Virtual Day Trips can be watched online for free – from the comfort of home, a school classroom or in shared communal or community spaces.

The tours include film and audio. Immersive resource packs and memory boxes, designed to bring the tours to life, are also available.

The Epsom and Ewell Virtual Day Trips were funded by the Arts, Culture and Heritage UKSPF 2024/25 allocation. The tours sit alongside the Nonsuch Formal Gardens tour produced in 2024.

The project is part of the council’s strategy to widen access to the rich heritage of histories within our borough, allowing people to engage with the information and activities in a way that is comfortable to them.

The tours last for around 30 minutes. Highlights include:

  • architectural elements from Nonsuch Palace that can be found by the Assembly Rooms in Epsom town centre
  • meeting residents and hearing about their passions, from throwing pottery to playing the bandura, the national instrument of Ukraine
  • taking a rare peek inside the Watch House on Ewell High Street
  • hearing ghost stories from residents, and
  • enjoying a behind-the-scenes tour from the Epsom Beekeepers Association.

Ewell Epsom councillor Clive WoodbridgeSpeaking of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Virtual Day Trips, Councillor Clive Woodbridge, Chair of the Community and Wellbeing Committee, said: “I have lived in the borough of Epsom & Ewell for many years, and I found these tours completely fascinating. I thoroughly recommend them, whether you are new to the borough, a long-time resident like me, or someone who is interested in the local area – they can be enjoyed by everyone. These two new inclusive Virtual Day Trips show our commitment to increasing access to our borough’s rich history and cultural heritage. They will help people really get to know our fantastic local area.”

Virtual Day Trips:

Explore Epsom & Ewell here:

https://www.whistlestoparts.org/epsom

https://www.whistlestoparts.org/ewell

The first Virtual Day Trip which was produced was Nonsuch Park, which can be viewed here: https://www.whistlestoparts.org/nonsuch

Digital tours are also available for Horton Country Park and Nonsuch Park on Bloomberg Connects. Take a look:

Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve: Take a Tour of Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve | Horton Light Railway | Bloomberg Connects

Nonsuch Park: Nonsuch Park | Bloomberg Connects

Water Voles return to the Hogsmill

Once extinct in the county, the much loved water vole has made an historic return to the Upper Hogsmill in Ewell. This milestone is 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.

Around 50 water voles were released onto the Hogsmill river and Chamber Meads wetland at a celebratory event. This was the culmination of many years of work by the South East Rivers Trust, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, Citizen Zoo, and partners to restore the river and create the new wetland habitat. 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.

“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. 

Water voles back in the hogsmill 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.

 “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 back in the HogsmillThe creation of the Chamber Mead wetlands and river restoration work undertaken by SERT has improved conditions on the Hogsmill and transformed the area into an ideal habitat for water voles. This work forms part of SERT’s broader vision to revive this rare urban chalk stream and inspire nature recovery in towns and cities.

Citizen Zoo, a rewilding organisation that has delivered a previous successful water vole release along the Hogsmill further downstream in Kingston, led on the reintroduction. The team is now calling for local volunteers to support ongoing monitoring of the population.

“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.” 

Cllr Liz Frost “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—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. 

2 Theme Parks For The Price of 1

Running till the 17th August, the Twice the Fun offer allows guests to plan two unforgettable days out for the price of a single ticket at one of four of UK’s top theme parks including Alton Towers Resort, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, and Thorpe Park.

Families can mix and match their visits across these parks or visit the same one twice, with the flexibility to redeem their second visit at any point before 30th September 2025.

Schools out for the summer! But for many parents that means a full six weeks of keeping the kids entertained which can be a daunting prospect. Fear not, Merlin is here to lend a helping hand in the form of its new money saving offer giving guests the chance to enjoy two of the UK’s top theme parks, for the price of one which means double the fun.

Running till the 17th August, the offer allows guests to plan two unforgettable days out for the price of a single ticket at one of four UK’s biggest and best-loved theme parks including the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Alton Towers Resort, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park.

Whether you’re building memories brick by brick, roaring into action, or flipping out on record-breaking coasters, there’s a world of fun waiting, and with four parks to choose from, families can mix, match, or double down on their favourite.

Guests can simply purchase their Twice the Fun tickets online at the park’s website to unlock free entry to a second day out. And the best part?  Families can extend the summer fun with the flexibility of visiting the second theme park until 30th September.

For the thrill seekers, a stop at Alton Towers Resort is a must. From heart-racing coasters to joy-filled moments that become lifelong memories, there’s no feeling like it! Dive into epic adventures, explore fantastical worlds, take on the world’s first 14-loop rollercoaster, and brave Toxicator – the brand-new ride for 2025 at Alton Towers Resort. Find out more at  https://www.altontowers.com/ . 

Can’t get enough? Head to Thorpe Park, the ultimate destination for high-adrenaline fun. Brave the Big Six coasters, including Hyperia – the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster – or cool off on epic water rides like Tidal Wave, with its jaw-dropping splash! It’s the perfect spot for thrill seekers. See https://www.thorpepark.com/ for details.

Dive into unmissable family fun at Chessington World of Adventures with wild rides for all ages and come face-to-face with over 1,000 majestic animals across Chessington Zoo & SEA LIFE Aquarium. Race through the Jumanji jungle on Mandrill Mayhem and step into the pages of your favourite storybook with The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure, before staring wide-eyed at a tower of Rothschild’s giraffe. Head to https://www.chessington.com/ to find out more.

There’s no better way to cool off this summer than the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort where families can splash about at Drench Towers or slide into fun at Splash Safari. The thrill seekers can experience the world’s first LEGO® duelling rollercoaster, Minifigure Speedway, a high-energy race full of twists and turns. Whether you’re a high-flyer, wave rider, or master builder-in-the-making, there’s something awesome for every adventurer. Visit https://www.legoland.co.uk/ for more details.

“We know how much families value quality time together over the summer, and Twice the Fun is our way of making those magical moments go even further,” said Sabrina de Carvalho – Senior Vice President, Managing Director, UK at Merlin Entertainments. “With two visits for the price of one, it’s double the fun, double the laughs, packed with thrills, chills and smiles for miles!”

Whether you want to discover somewhere new or revisit your favourite theme park again, this is the ultimate summer deal to enjoy two days of thrills for the price of one.

So why wait? Pack your bags and get ready for the ultimate ride of your life!

To book your ticket and get a second visit to another theme park for free, visit one of the following sites the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Thorpe Park, Alton Towers Resort or Chessington World of Adventures. 

 

Epsom & Ewell Consults Residents on New Parish Councils

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council consults residents on new parish councils

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is asking residents and stakeholders for their view on whether to create parish areas, along with a parish council or councils, in Epsom & Ewell. The Community Governance Review (CGR) consultation opens on 17 July and will run for 12 weeks, closing at 11.59pm on 9 October 2025.

Epsom & Ewell is currently an unparished borough which means there is no lower tier of localgovernment below that of the borough council. As part of local government reorganisation in Surrey, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and the other district and borough councils and county council will be dissolved in April 2027. Two or three unitary councils will then be responsible for local government in the county, with each unitary council representing between around 330,000 to more than 650,000 residents, depending on whether the Government opts for a two or three unitary model.

epsom ewell Councillor John Beckett, Chair of Standards and Constitution Committee, said: “We feel it is vital that residents, businesses, and local communities within Epsom & Ewell are given the opportunity to explore the creation of parish councils. This will give them a greater local voice and enable them to stay closer to the decision-making process within local government in the future. A parish council could take on responsibility for parks, playgrounds, community centres and cultural events in the borough, keeping decisions locally on how these are delivered as well as having the ability to drive economic growth by attracting funding and grants that would boost the local economy.”

“Another key factor which is close to the hearts of residents is planning. A parish council would be a statutory consultee on planning matters, and as such would be able to reflect the concerns and aspirations of residents during any planning application process.”

The CGR consultation asks residents:

• whether to create new parish areas and a parish council or councils

• what the geography should be, and

• how many councillors should be elected.

Residents will also be asked, if parish councils are formed, whether they should be divided into wards, and if they should be called parish, community, neighbourhood or a village council(s).

The consultation can be completed online on the consultation website: Community Governance Review – Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Consultations or by completing a paper consultation questionnaire. Paper consultations can be found in Epsom Town Hall, in Bourne Hall, in local libraries across the borough and in the Community & Wellbeing Centre, Longmead (during normal opening hours).

This summer, the council will also hold a series of events across the borough where residents will be able to ask Councillors questions about local government reorganisation and the community governance review, including this consultation, the process and timeline.

Councillor John Beckett continued:

“I urge every resident of voting age within the borough to have their say on the future of your local democracy and representation in your local government for Epsom & Ewell. Tell us what you think by completing the Community Governance Review consultation questionnaire online or on paper and posting it back to us.”

As part of the Community Governance Review a second consultation would take place in early 2026. A timeline and frequently asked questions about CGR can be found on the council’s website: www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/CGR