East Surrey Council Holds Inaugural Meeting

Published on: 21 May, 2026
Updated on: 21 May, 2026

New leader of East Surrey Council, Cllr Steve Wotton ESC

By Chris Caulfield

local democracy reporter

The first ever meeting of East Surrey Council, described as a “moment and a milestone”, has taken place.

The newly formed council sat on Wednesday May 20 where it went through the formalities of setting up a working constitution, and making key appointments to the top jobs.

Leading the council will be Lib Dem Cllr Steve Wotton with Cllr Kirsty Hewens, also Lib Dem, serving as his deputy.

This was to be expected after the pair were selected as Liberal Democrat group leaders last week following the party’s big election win to give them control of the inaugural council.

Cllr Andy Burton has been appointed portfolio holder for Finance and Resources, and will lead the budget process as authority looks to offset a projected £35 million first year deficit.

Adult Social Care and Health, together with Children’s Services and Education are two of the Lib Dem priority areas in the new council with Cllrs David Buxton and Ashley Tilling being handed the brief of overseeing their transformations.

Potholes will come under the remit of Transport, Highways and Infrastructure, which will be overseen by Cllr Andrew Matthews.

The futures of Dorking Halls and The Harlequin Theatre in Redhill will be in the hands of Cllr Abhiram Magesh after he was appointed lead member for Leisure, Culture and Communities.

The challenge of maintaining net zero targets falls to Cllr Claire Malcomson, who will also have the big job of coordinating the new council’s refuse collections after she was appointed cabinet member for environment, climate and waste.

Housing targets, which have doubled in recent years, putting increasing pressure on councils to green light less than ideal planning applications, will be the remit of Cllr Bradley Nelson as lead member for strategic planning and growth.

While council housing, and maintenance will be the responsibly of new housing lead Cllr Julian Freeman.

East Surrey Council was formed by the mergers of Elmbridge, Mole Valley, Epsom and Ewell, Tandridge, and Reigate and Banstead, together with the east half of Surrey County Council.

It will sit in shadow for its first year until the existing councils are wound up next April. East Surrey returning officer Mary Roberts Wood opened the meeting and said it was “a moment and a milestone.”

Leader of East Surrey Council, Cllr Wotton said: “It was a great opportunity but not without some risks. Decision making in the coming months will shape this council in this part of Surrey for many years to come.”

He said disagreement between parties can be food [for thought] and that he expects to be rightly challenged.

He added: “In this first year and for the first few years after vesting date our initial work will be a change programme while at the same time running services and helping residents.” He said the goal was to have children and adult services people could be “proud off.”

The inaugural meeting of West Surrey Council will take place this afternoon (May 21) at 2.30pm. It will be webcast (please check Future Surrey website).