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 is our Mayor elect for the coming year.

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

David Young

David Young was elected on 6th May 2021. With a BA in Computer Science and an Executive MBA, he has spent 30 years working in a variety of business and technical roles across the world. He now works part time as an Operations Director for a software firm.

David and his family have lived in Esher for over 10 years. He is passionate about protecting the Green Belt, improving air quality, re-vitalising the town/village centres and making our area safer for families and local residents to walk or cycle.

David opposes the current raft of high-density housing plans and wants redevelopment plans that are more sustainable and in keeping with our current environment.

At the Council, David sits on the Climate Change Advisory Board, the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, the Licencing Committee and the East Area Planning Sub-Committee.

If you would like to contact David, email him at dyoung@elmbridge.gov.uk or dyoung@esher-residents.com or call him on 07743 418123.

Simon Waugh

Simon Waugh has been a Councillor representing Esher Ward for over 10 years. We are immensely proud that he is Elmbridge’s Mayor for 2022/23.

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.

In addition, Simon has been Chairman of the Audit and Standards Committee, and has been a member of many other committees over the years. 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.

Council Information

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