Woodcote (Epsom) Residents Society

Dear Resident,

On May 7th, we will vote for two Councillors to represent Epsom Town & Downs on the new East Surrey Unitary Council. This election is crucial as it will determine policies and services when East Surrey replaces Epsom & Ewell Borough and Surrey County Councils in April 2027.

There is a lot of misinformation about candidates and parties. Our Residents Association candidates, Steve McCormick and Kim Spickett, have run a positive campaign highlighting their track record in local council service and community advocacy. Their manifesto is honest, realistic, and focused on residents’ priorities.

For over 90 years, Residents Associations in Epsom & Ewell have stayed outside party politics, prioritising local people over national agendas. Councillors should represent local interests, not party lines. Steve and Kim are current, well-known Councillors with proven community involvement.

Our ethos is there is no place for party politics in local Councils.  What matters is that Councillors represent the local residents on issues that matter to them.  I have great respect for anyone who offers to stand for election as a Councillor, but surely what matters is a proven history of community involvement.  Our two candidates are both currently serving Councillors and are very well known in the community. 

This contrasts with those standing for election more on national political issues beyond the influence of East Surrey Councillors. Reform has sent only generic letters and one candidate does not live in the Borough. With the Green Party both candidates live outside the Borough.

The Conservatives have not communicated with residents. On social media, they blame the Residents Association-led council for Green Belt protections, ignoring that the previous Conservative Government imposed unrealistic housing targets. The Government-appointed Planning Inspector has made clear that some Green Belt development is necessary to approve the Local Plan—without it, all Green Belt could be at risk.

The Liberal Democrats have circulated misleading claims suggesting only they can win or stop other parties. In reality, Residents Associations and Independents could hold the balance of power.

Trust your instincts and vote for candidates who can best represent your local interests.

John Mumford

Chair Woodcote (Epsom) Residents’ Societ

Chair Residents Associations of Epsom & Ewell 

Epsom & Ewell Times and NESCOT are hosting a public hustings for candidates standing in the forthcoming East Surrey Unitary Council elections. It is taking place on Wednesday 29th April at 7pm at NESCOT (in Theatre 53).

The elections on 7th May 2026 form part of the local government reorganisation across Surrey. It will see the abolition of existing borough and district councils, including Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and the creation of new unitary authorities. The new East Surrey Authority will assume responsibility for a wide range of services currently split between country and borough levels including housing, planning, social care highways and local infrastructure. Decisions taken by the new body will therefore have direct impact on the character, services and finances of Epsom & Ewell.

The hustings offer an opportunity for you to hear directly from candidates in the elections, to understand their priorities, and to challenge them on the issues that matter most to you ahead of polling day.

Councillor Steven McCormick and Councillor Kim Spickett – our two RA Candidates for the new Epsom Town and Downs ward will be in attendance

All residents are encouraged to attend.

The minutes of the 2026 AGM can be found here

The Society’s AGM is taking place next Tuesday 10 March at 7.30pm at the Queens Stand, Epsom Racecourse.

Please attend if you can.

The year ahead is going to be a challenging and vitally important one for Epsom & Ewell and we will be taking the opportunity at the AGM to update you on how the local government reform is going to affect Epsom & Ewell, where the Local Plan has got to; all the planning applications and appeals on the horizon and the arrangements for this years’ Derby weekend.

This may well be the last AGM the Society holds as we will be asking Residents to agree our merger with College and Town Wards to form a unified RA to reflect the new Town and Downs Division of the new unitary authority. Steven McCormick and Kim Spickett, our two prospective candidates in the unitary elections in May, will both be speaking at the Meeting.

Only the RA candidates can be depended upon to represent your priorities and preserve the Green Belt in our area, if the recent Langley Bottom Farm scheme refusal by the Planning Committee is anything to go, and we know that we have further fights ahead in the months and years to come.

We are going to continue to need your support if the RA is going to be able to ensure that your voices are heard on the new unitary council and preserve the character of the town and surrounds we live in and value.

Without your subscription we will be more limited in how we can support you in the year ahead so if you haven’t already paid your subscription please consider doing so.

You can find the AGM papers here and how to pay your subscription here.

We hope very much to see you on the 10th and to hear about your priorities and top concerns/worries for the year ahead.

If you can’t attend we hope you have received our new format newsletter through your door and will take the time to read it.

Woodcote (Epsom) Residents’ Society