Democracy · 2026
What was delivered
A record of what Epsom & Ewell Borough Council achieved in its final year, with a source for every claim. And, because transparency runs both ways, what still needs watching.
£0 from reserves
Final budget balanced without touching reserves
The 2026/27 budget was set on 10 February 2026 with no draw on the General Fund working balance, the first time in several years that has been possible.
£5,063k → £579k
Three year budget gap cut by 89%
A £5.06m gap forecast in July 2025 was reduced to £579k by February 2026 through savings, released budgets and a favourable funding settlement.
£700k a year
£700k released from budgets no longer needed
A line by line review of capital and planned maintenance budgets identified £700k that could be permanently released from 2026/27.
£1.08m received
Extended Producer Responsibility grant tripled expectations
Packaging producers now fund household recycling costs. EEBC had budgeted £337k and received £1.08m.
+£750k
£750k more for homelessness and temporary accommodation
Community & Wellbeing Committee recommended a net increase for nightly paid accommodation to meet rising demand, alongside £974k in Disabled Facilities Grants.
Unanimous vote
End Poverty Pledge signed
Full Council agreed unanimously on 10 February 2026 to sign the End Poverty Pledge and authorised the Chief Executive to sign on the council's behalf.
Certificate 14 July 2026
2024/25 accounts audited and signed off
Audit findings and the Auditor's Annual Report were issued on 13 February 2026 and the completion certificate signed on 14 July 2026. The unaudited 2025/26 accounts were published on time with the public inspection notice dated 30 June 2026.
2.98% vs CPI 3.8%
Council tax rise kept below inflation
The borough charge rose £6.93 at Band D, about 13p a week, against CPI of 3.8% in September 2025.
150 arrests, 10 county lines disrupted
Safer Epsom & Ewell partnership results
Multi agency policing initiative reported record shoplifting detection rates and disruption of drug supply networks.
Watch list
2025/26 overspend
Q3 forecast showed a £520k deficit, mainly homelessness. It is being met from the Corporate Projects reserve, not the General Fund.
Income below plan
Parking, garden waste, cemetery and trade waste income all came in under earlier assumptions, adding £355k of pressure.
Reserves headroom
General Fund working balance sits £55k above its £1.5m minimum.
Savings still to deliver
£230k of 2026/27 efficiencies are planned but not yet banked.
All from the Budget Report 2026/27, sections 5, 10, 12 and 14.
Follow the money
Every figure on this page comes from a published council document. Read the underlying analysis or check what you pay.