Council support aims for those it is 'missing'

The borough was previously labelled one of the "least affordable in the country" by a planning inspector

A Surrey council is asking residents what community support services it should offer, as it aims to reach those it is "missing".

Elmbridge Borough Council said 13% of children in the borough, which includes the towns of Esher, Cobham and Weybridge, were living in poverty in 2022-23.

Gill Coates, the councillor responsible for community care, said Elmbridge needed to "reimagine" its services to reach more than the 2% of residents currently getting support.

The council said its research showed that at least 9% of residents need help, including young carers, children in poverty and working families.

Ms Coates said the services the council currently, and historically, provided were aimed towards older people including community centres, meals on wheels and community transport.

She said: "We won’t be turning our backs on anybody.

"We will be ensuring that anybody who needs support in Elmbridge continues to get the support they need."

But she said an engagement exercise asking people to share their own needs and experiences would aim to find the "missing 7-8%" of people who may need support.

These might include "working families who are having to make a choice between putting food on the table or switching the heating on", and people on benefits not currently accessing any other council support, she added.

A 2022 report by the Walton Charity said the perception of Elmbridge as a "place of wealth", given its famous residents including Andy Murray and Chelsea footballers, was "not unfounded".

"The hidden challenge of poverty exists under the radar and rates of low income have risen in recent years," the report said.

According to the report, Molesey West and Walton North were the two areas with the highest levels, with 3,613 children in total across the borough living in either relative or absolute poverty.

The borough was also labelled one of the "least affordable in the country" in September, by a planning inspector who told the council it needed to better meet demand for affordable homes.

John Cope, Conservative leader on the council, said he was "acutely aware" from speaking to residents that many were struggling in Elmbridge.

But he raised concerns about the borough's community centres, and added: "The council must be honest about their plans before reducing services further for the elderly and vulnerable, as has happened recently."