In 2016, all councillors will be fighting tooth and nail to keep their places as the borough “transforms”.

The number of councillors in the borough is to be cut and ward boundaries changed.

This means that instead of a third of councillors going up for election next year, the entire council will be battling for their places.

Councillor Victor Eldridge has represented Molesey South for 21 years and said: “I have gone through Government changes when they changed the constituency boundaries – and parties don’t change them for the benefit of the people, they change them for the benefit of the party. It is a bit of a worry.

“It’s going to transform what I’ve known as Elmbridge.”

Councillor Chris Sadler, representing Walton Central, said of councillors’ reactions: “I don’t think they are upset for themselves – there is concern about the impact it will have on residents.

“I imagine that, in some areas, it is going to cause competition for places.”

Councillor Andrew Kelly, for Walton Ambleside, said: “It will be incredibly competitive and fiercely fought. We will get more nervous as May approaches I’m sure.”

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England proposes Elmbridge Council should have 48 councillors in the future, 12 fewer than now.

The recommendations outline 16 three-member wards across the borough instead of the current 22. The shake-up also means residents may have a say on which ward they could be living in.

Detailed maps are available on the commission’s main website at lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/south-east/surrey/elmbridge.

The deadline is August 24.