Elections for Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) will take place on Thursday 2 May at the same time as the local elections. The PCC oversees crime in the county and holds the police force to account on Surrey residents' behalf to make sure they are providing an effective and efficient service. We encourage residents to turn up and vote.

We are delighted to announce that the pavilion at Priory Park in Reigate is now open for business following a successful refit. The new tenant - trading as Creamy & Bites - is a family run catering business famous for its elaborate range of freshly made products and reliable service. We can also reveal that the lease process for the Lady Neville pavilion in Banstead has completed, and Peregrine is the new tenant. Fit out work is ongoing and is expected to be complete in around two months. The Council is in the process of finalising the lease for Memorial Park Café in Redhill and we will share the news when we are able to.

This Easter holiday, we have a fantastic array of fun activities for children aged 6 months to 14 years. Bookings are still open and many of our activities have provisions for SEND children. There is a 50% discount on all activities for looked after children, and those in receipt of benefits. To see what is on offer and make your bookings, visit our website.

Local sporting talent was celebrated at this year's Reigate & Banstead Sports Awards held at Donyngs Leisure Centre on Thursday 14 March. The awards recognise the invaluable contributions made by sports clubs, coaches, teams and volunteers to the maintenance of sport and physical activity in the borough. There were 11 categories this year and you can find out who won which award and listen to interviews with individual winners in this episode on The Planet Reigate Podcast.

YMCA East Surrey's newly fitted out Y-bus will make its first stop in Redhill on Thursday 11 April around lunchtime. Everyone is welcome to drop by and meet the team. The bus will be taking YMCA's youth workers into the heart of local communities to build positive relationships with young people. It provides a focal point for activities, as well as information, advice and guidance on issues such as staying safe, peer pressure and mental wellbeing. Safer Streets funding has contributed two-thirds towards the cost of the bus and will pay for youth outreach sessions four times a week in the areas where young people are likely to hang out. This is part of the Safer Redhill programme, which brings together the Council, Surrey Police, YMCA East Surrey and other local organisations, businesses and residents to address antisocial behaviour in the town centre and encourage people to take pride in Redhill.

The search is on for the Young Market Trader of the Year 2024 and Redhill will host one of the local heats of this year's national competition on Saturday 22 June. Organised by Food Rocks in association with the National Market Traders Federation and supported by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, this competition is free and open to all traders aged 16 to 30 years.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is marking its 50th anniversary this year. The Borough was established on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, which brought major changes to the local government system and reduced the number of councils from 1,245 to 412. The new Reigate & Banstead Borough Council combined two former districts (Banstead Urban District and Reigate Municipal) and part of a third district (Dorking and Horley Rural District). To recognise this significant milestone, we're planning a series of special events so residents and businesses can help us to celebrate the Borough and the people who have contributed to making it the place it is today. More details to follow shortly but you will soon be able to find out more about half a century of serving our communities and an introduction to our commemorative badge on our website.Save

Work to upgrade Merstham Rec will start before the end of April and will be complete by January 2025. Most of the construction will happen in the north of the park, while the southern area will remain available for use throughout this period. Works will include a new pavilion with a café kiosk, toilets and changing rooms, play area with equipment for children of all ages and abilities and parkour course for over 12s. There will be an outdoor gym, improved network of footpaths with better accessibility for wheelchairs and buggies, a picnic area and community orchard as well as new trees, landscaping and improved drainage.

Are you committed to making a difference in people's lives? We are recruiting for a Greenspaces Business Manager, Senior Customer Contact Adviser, Casual Cleaners and Drivers. If you possess the relevant skills and would like to join us, we would be delighted to receive your application. 

Are you a housing association tenant with one or more spare bedrooms? Does your current home feel too big for you? We may be able to help. We have launched a downsizing scheme to provide support and financial assistance to social housing tenants who want to move to smaller, manageable and more affordable properties. We provide a one off ‘home setup payment’ to help set you up in your new home. You will get £1000 per bedroom released, up to a maximum of £3000 and provide support to relieve the stress of moving such as setting up utilities and liaising with removers.

Cllr Richard Biggs, Leader of the Council, will be available for pre-booked appointments on Tuesday 16 April between 4 and 6pm. If you have a question or an idea that you believe would benefit the borough, this is an opportunity to bring it to his attention. Appointments can be in-person or virtual. You have to be a resident or work in the borough to book an appointment. For an appointment, please email: leadersurgery@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.

Keep Britain Tidy's annual #GreatBritishSpringClean is the nation's biggest mass action environmental campaign and it's great to see the amazing local litter heroes that have been taking part. We've seen community litter picks from Banstead to Horley, Kingswood to Earlswood, and everywhere in between. Thank you for helping to keep the borough clean. If you've been inspired to organise or join a litter pick then visit our website to find out more.

Thinking of starting a food business? Or are you an existing food business that wants to improve? A food hygiene inspection is your opportunity to show that you and your food business comply with food law. Training is available to help you set up and prepare for your first inspection. We will check to make sure that your food is handled safely, equipment, facilities and the building are clean and in good condition, and that controls are in place to ensure food is safe to eat. We issue food hygiene ratings from 0 - 5. Be inspection ready, plan, register and prepare.

Pub in the Park returns to Priory Park from 12 to 14 July. Tickets for the food and music festival are on sale now and the line up includes Sam Ryder, Melanie C, McFly, Gabrielle and Scouting for Girls. For foodies there will be a carefully curated selection of award-winning and Michelin-starred eateries to sample.

Come along to Horley Community Centre on Saturday 20 April, 10am to 2pm for a day of fun. There are lots of activities for the whole family to enjoy, including line dancing and paracise, or Stay and Play and face painting to keep the children entertained. There's also a craft fayre with a St George's Day twist. 

If you live in Surrey and are looking for information to help you or a loved one stay independent, or would like to discover local groups that support unpaid carers or those living with a medical condition, check out Connect to Support Surrey. The new, FREE online directory will help you start exploring the local care and support available in your area.

Young people in Horley, Redhill and Reigate can now enjoy a variety of activities including football, tennis, badminton, ping pong, board games and night time swimming - thanks to an initiative called Friday Night Project (FNP) by Active Surrey. Friday Night Projects are multi-sport and activity sessions designed primarily for young people aged 11 to 16 years. They provide a safe space for young people to hang out with mates or make new friends. In Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, FNPs exist at the MYTI Club in Tadworth, Horley Leisure Centre, St Bedes School, Merstham Primary School, and Woodhatch Community Centre.

The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is the safest and most effective protection offering 99% protection against measles. Two doses of the vaccine offer protection for life against all three diseases. Whatever the age, if you or your child has missed any vaccinations or you're not sure if you're protected, contact your GP surgery.

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a fantastic annual opportunity to raise awareness of bowel cancer, the fourth most common cancer in the UK. The earlier bowel cancer is spotted, the more treatable it’s likely to be. In fact, more than 9 in 10 people survive bowel cancer when it is diagnosed at the earliest stage.Please help spread the word and get the message out there, so that more people can spot the signs early and know what to do.

Would you like to make a difference to local families in Surrey? Community Foundation for Surrey is looking for donations and funding for the Tackling Poverty Campaign. The organisation offers grants to local families experiencing poverty by providing support with a range of essential services, including fuel assistance, provision of warm clothing and blankets, community meal programs, and emergency financial aid. Every pound donated goes towards making a tangible difference in the lives of local people, helping to alleviate the immediate hardships many face.

The Food Standards Agency  has issued new voluntary industry guidance on glycerol in slush-ice drinks, advising that they should not be given to children four years of age and under. Manufacturers are also being advised to tell retailers that they should not offer free refill promotions to under-10s, to prevent young children being exposed to excessive amounts of glycerol. The updated guidance follows an FSA risk assessment which found that children below this age may suffer from headaches and sickness caused by exposure to glycerol.