New community councils could be created in Surrey’s smallest borough

You may have heard of the LGR (local government reorganisation), now this is the CGR, community governance review.

The LGR will see Surrey councils as we know them dissolved into two or three mega councils.

Some people have expressed concern this could leave a ‘democratic deficit’, meaning residents will not get their voices heard at a local level.

To tackle this, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) could be looking at creating new ‘community councils’ to provide a link between residents and the new mega council authorities.

This week, councillors will attend a private briefing on the community governance review (CGR) and will, with the Mayor’s agreement, schedule an extraordinary full council meeting on June 26.

At the public extraordinary council meeting, councillors will agree whether to start a CGR in Epsom & Ewell, that could eventually lead to the creation of new community councils.

Details on the exact function of the ‘community councils’ and how they may differ from current borough and parish councils are scarce.

But an EEBC statement suggests they will aim to “enhance local representation” by giving residents a voice, raising awareness of local issues and be involved in decision-making they are affected by.

Cllr Hannah Dalton, leader of EEBC, 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.

“We will keep residents informed and updated throughout this process.”

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council have published three different options mapping out the potential divisions for two community councils in the borough.