Richard Williams

Richard Williams has been our councillor since 2nd May 2019. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, he is now partly retired and actively involved with Samaritans as a listening volunteer.

A member of the Esher Conservation Area Advisory Committee, he has a strong interest in the built environment and protecting our much loved Green Belt. He was relentless in his opposition to the Jockey Club’s plans to develop apartments and an hotel on Sandown Park and has fought to win Local Green Space status for Moore Place Golf Course in the new Local Plan. He played a key role in the rejection of what he describes as “ham fisted development plans for Esher Place House”

On the Council, Richard has chaired a team of cross party members working on the future of the High Street, sat on the Licensing Committee, the East Area Planning sub-committee and the main Planning Committee. He also chaired the Countryside Consultative Committee.

“I’m immensely proud to represent the ERA and all the residents of Esher and Hersham Riverside, no matter what party they vote for – I’m strictly non-political.

I do believe that local politics is better run by committed local people with no dead weight of central party dogma. I get on extremely well with my fellow Esher councillors, David Young and Simon Waugh. We all have the interests of our ward at heart and it’s far better that we put our heads together on things, than battle over political matters”.

Richard was re-elected in May 2023 and was Mayor during 2023/24. He sits on the East Area Planning Sub-committee.

If you need to speak to Richard, call on 07713500772‬ or email at rwilliams@elmbridge.gov.uk

Simon Waugh

Simon Waugh has been a Councillor representing Esher Ward for over 10 years. He has a degree in Urban Estate Management and is a Chartered Surveyor having been a Partner in London Surveyor’s Montagu Evans for over 20 years. He now runs his own Company in Esher.

Simon moved to Esher in 2004 with his wife Heather and two sons, both of whom attended Esher Church and Esher High Schools. A regular walker with his dog Chester, Simon is committed to protecting our open spaces and Green Belt.

Having represented Esher on both Full and Area planning committees Simon has successfully defended inappropriate developments including the proposal to build on the Green Belt at Sandown Park.

Simon is Deputy Leader of the the Council and Portfolio Holder of Leisure, Culture and Commercial Strategy. In addition, he sits on the Planning committee, East Area Planning sub-committee and the Stakeholder (Housing) Committee.

He’s also a Trustee of the Henry Smith Charity and Chairman of King Georges Hall Trust.

If you would like to contact Simon, email him at swaugh@elmbridge.gov.uk or call him on 07818 012425.

Simon Leifer

Simon Leifer was elected on 2nd May 2024. Simon qualified as a solicitor and has worked in the banking industry for most of his career. In his legal career he twice took ground breaking cases to the House of Lords (now the Supreme Court) and also wrote the legal chapter to a banking industry ‘financial bible’.

He is a keen rower and punter and was a member of the 1980 Moscow Olympic rowing team. He is also president of the Thames Punting Club and Hampton Court & Dittons Regatta and enjoys being on the River Thames whenever he can.

Simon and his family have lived in Esher for over 22 years. He is passionate about protecting the Green Belt and re-vitalising the town/village centres.

At the Council, Simon sits on the East Area Planning Sub-committee, the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, the Audit and Standards Committee and the Sports Council.

If you would like to contact Simon, email him at sleifer@elmbridge.gov.uk or esher.ra@gmail.com or call him on 07411 043123.

Council Information

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