On Thursday 7 May 2026, eligible voters across Tandridge District will vote for councillors for the new East Surrey Council.
Why you're voting for East Surrey Council councillors
Local government in Surrey is changing. All 11 district and borough councils and Surrey County Council are being replaced with two new unitary councils, East Surrey Council (ESC) and West Surrey Council.
East Surrey Council includes Surrey County Council, Tandridge, Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell, Mole Valley and Reigate & Banstead district or borough councils.
Because of this there are no Tandridge District Council elections this year.
What the new council will do
Each new council will run the full range of local government services. This includes education, recycling and rubbish, planning and building control, roads, housing, play areas, children's services and adult social care. Right now, these services in this area are provided by Surrey County Council and Tandridge District Council.
Councillors, wards and your vote
- Councillors will be elected for a five year term, ending in May 2031.
- East Surrey Council will have 72 councillors covering 36 wards.
- There will be two councillors elected for each of the six wards in the Tandridge District. This means a total of 12 councillors compared with 49 councillors at present (43 TDC and 6 County councillors).
- You can vote for up to two candidates in your ward.
- The two candidates with the most votes will be elected.
Shadow council
East Surrey Council will exist as a shadow council alongside Tandridge District Council (TDC) and the other districts and borough councils and county council before East Surrey Council officially comes into existence on 1 April 2027.
ESC councillors will plan budgets, agree how the council works and prepare services for transfer.
What happens up until 1 April 2027
Your existing county and district councillors will continue to represent you until 31 March 2027. For now, nothing changes in the way you receive services. All councils will continue to deliver services as usual.
Returning Officers
Tandridge District Council’s Deputy Returning Officer is David Ford and Returning Officer is Mari Roberts-Wood from Reigate and Banstead Council (R&B).
Other elections
Also on 7 May there are two other elections:
Residents living in these areas will receive two ballot papers.
To find out more about Surrey's devolution and local government reorganisation, please visit Future Surrey website.