The results of the local elections have been announced. The winning candidates for the Horsleys Ward, which includes Effingham, are Catherine-Anne Young (Residents for Guildford and Villages) and David Timothy Evans (Conservative). The full results for the Horsleys Ward are published here.
The Liberal Democrats won 56 of the 90 seats on the new West Surrey council with a 35.68% vote share. The Conservatives won 20 seats with a 24.9% vote share whilst the Reform Party won 9 seats with a 20.62% vote share. The full results for the West Surrey Council can be read here.
The neighbouring East Surrey Council will also have a Liberal Democrat majority with 40 out of 72 seats. Their results can be read here.
Councillors elected in May 2026 will initially sit on shadow authorities for their respective new councils. During this period, they will:
– Develop budgets and service plans
– Agree staffing structures and governance arrangements
– Prepare for the transfer of responsibilities from the existing councils
– Engage with residents and local partners to shape priorities
The new unitary councils will formally begin operating on 1 April 2027, when all 12 legacy councils, including Guildford Borough Council, in Surrey will be dissolved.