
Elections, Thursday 7th May for: East Surrey Council
Why is this election different?
This year we will be electing Councillors to the new East Surrey Unitary Council which will replace our present County and Borough Councils. The electoral wards are based on the county divisions, as amended by the Boundary Commission in 2024. Each ward will have two Councillors, to be elected on 7th May when every voter has two votes to mark on their ballot paper.
The Councillors elected will work with existing Councillors for a year while organisational elements of the new council are being established. The new council will come into effect in April 2027.
Why vote Residents' Association?
For this election we hope to have your support. If you're unfamiliar with the Residents' Association, here's what puts RAs ahead of other parties:
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- Residents' Councillors live in their ward, putting residents' interests at the heart of everything they do.
- They are independent, not subject to national political party agendas instructing them how to act.
- They are readily accessible and keep in touch through regular local Residents' open meetings.
- Residents' Councillors respond to residents' needs - working hard to get things done!
- Residents' Councillors live in their ward, putting residents' interests at the heart of everything they do.
Residents' Associations and the new wards
Thames Ditton & Weston Green RA's operational area straddles two wards - Thames Ditton & East Molesey ward and Long Ditton, Hinchley Wood & Weston Green ward. In each one we work closely with our neighbouring Residents' Asociations - Molesey RA and Hinchley Wood RA.
Each ward has two Residents' candidates - for your two votes
Thames Ditton & East Molesey ward
Our two TD+EM Residents' candidates are standing under their own party's titles.
Click here to download our Residents' manifesto for TD+EM.
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My family have lived in Thames Ditton for nearly twenty years and our two children both attended our local schools. I am standing for election as I strongly believe it is local independent Councillors who serve our community best, not those prioritising a wider political goal over local issues. I work in Thames Ditton High Street, so I am accessible and well placed to understand its challenges, and how important our businesses, amenities and services are to local people.
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I am not a career politician; I’m a local East Molesey resident who believes in service. Having served in the Army and worked within the NHS, I know what it means to be disciplined, to listen, and to stand up for others when it matters most.
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Our two LD,HW+WG candidates are standing under the banner:
Hinchley Wood Residents - Weston, Long Ditton
Click here to download our Residents' manifesto for LD,HW+WG.
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My family and I came to Hinchley Wood over 20 yrs ago and have always found this a happy place to live. I want to help keep it that way, along with nearby areas in this part of Surrey. Our communities face increasing pressures due to tightened council budgets and over-scaled housing developments, and if elected I aim to ensure these are not allowed to degrade our neighbourhoods. Our homes are much more than a roof over our heads. I shall continue the fight to retain our Green Belt, especially that separating Surrey from London; and I want the new East Surrey Council to be effective for residents from the start, so that local democracy does not become too distant. For this I hope to have your support on 7th May.
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Scott Dodkins
I have enjoyed living in Weston Green for a total of 13 years, bringing up two daughters. I feel deeply about it, and the surrounding areas - it is not only my home, but also of my daughters who have chosen to remain here to bring up their families. So I am fully vested.
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Voter Information
Registration
If you are not already on the electoral register, then to vote on 7th May you must register by 11.59pm on Monday 20th April. You can register online, or request a paper registration form to be sent to you. Go to: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote .
Postal Voting
If you wish to switch to postal voting, you must submit an application by 5pm on Tuesday 21st April. Note that if you have voted by post in the previous election, your postal-vote registration will still be current and postal ballot papers will be sent to you. For more information, go to: https://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/elections-and-voting/how-vote/vote-post .
Voting at a Polling Station - Don't forget to bring photo ID
You must show an approved form of photo ID to vote at a polling station. Acceptable forms of ID are shown on your poll card. For more information, including how to apply for free voter ID document, go to: https://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/elections-and-voting/how-vote/voter-photo-id .
Note - on 7th May you can vote only at your designated polling station - shown on your poll card. Go to: https://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/elections-and-voting/how-vote/polling-stations to find your polling station. If you are unsure where you should vote, email: membership@residents-association.com, indicating your address.
Polling stations will be open 7am-10pm.
Please visit: https://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/elections-and-voting/elections-and-voting/east-surrey-council-elections for further election information.


Kevin Whincup
Simon Crome