EPSOM CONNECTIONS

ROTARY CONNECTIONS - St Josephs Hall Epsom - 23 July 2025

This second meeting was designed to attract local business people to work with and join Epsom Rotary will take place tomorrow.  The following is the article from Epsom & Ewell Times about the event
 

The event, titled “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? Devolution Explained”, will take place at 7.00pm on Wednesday 23rd July 2025 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church St Margaret Dr, Epsom KT18 7JQ, was free to attend and open to all residents and businesses.

The meeting is organised by Rotary Connections, a local initiative of the Rotary Club aiming to bring together businesses, civic groups, and the wider community.

The panel included local councillors:

Eber Kington – Residents Association and Surrey County Council and former long-serving Councillor on EEBC.

Bernie Muir, deputy chair of Surrey County Council, Conservative, who also serves on Epsom and Ewell Borough.

Steven McCormick – Residents Association serving both EEBC and Surrey County Council.

The discussion was also chaired by Lionel Blackman, local solicitor and a director of the Epsom and Ewell Times.

The debate surrounds growing speculation over local government reorganisation in Surrey. Proposals in recent years have raised the prospect of scrapping all district and borough councils in favour of one or more large unitary authorities. Such a move would end the independence of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, which has served the community since 1937.

Supporters of unitary reform claim it could bring savings and efficiency. Opponents argue it risks reducing local accountability and weakening the borough’s unique identity.

There was initial addresses from each speaker organisers followed by  “Question Time” format, allowing the public to pose questions directly to councillors on what these changes might mean for services, representation, and the future shape of local democracy.

The event was well and diversely attended and topped up with a bar and snacks.  Thanks goes to the committee who put the event together and those who volunteered on the panel.