Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 4 July. If you’re voting in person, don't forget to bring your photo ID to the polling station or you won’t be able to vote. This is a requirement under the Elections Act, introduced last year, and it is the first time in a UK general election that photo ID is required.

Many forms of photo ID are accepted, including your passport, photocard driving license, blue badge, or a biometric immigration document. To see the full list of photo ID you can use, visit the Electoral Commission’s website.

You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it still looks like you. The name on your ID must be the same name you used to register to vote. If you get to the polling station and have not got a valid form of ID, you will be asked to return with a photo ID that is accepted. There will be a private area for people to show their identity if needed, such as those who wear face coverings.

The Electoral Commission has produced a helpful video that shows what to expect at a polling station.

In person voters will have been sent a poll card which will tell them which polling station to go to. Make sure you check it before heading out, in case your polling station has changed since the last time you voted. You do not need your poll card to vote, but it helps if you bring it with you to make the process quicker. If you have not received your poll card by polling day, as long as you have registered to vote, and have a valid form of ID, you will still be able to vote. You can find your polling station by entering your postcode into the Where I Live search bar on our website or at www.wheredoivote.co.uk. You will  need to go to your designated polling station; you can’t go to a different one, for example, near where you work.

As a result of national changes to parliamentary constituency boundaries, some wards in the borough fall under a different Parliamentary constituency than in the past. Please see the 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituencies for a ward by ward breakdown. You can see who is standing for election in your constituency by looking at the Statement of Persons Nominated on the Council's website, and you can find more information about them on the Who Can I Vote For? website. 

Take your time: read the ballot paper carefully and complete it in line with the instructions. Don't write anything else on the paper, or your vote may be spoiled and not counted. If you make a mistake, as long as you haven't already put it in the ballot box, just let the polling station staff know and they can give you a replacement ballot paper. Once you're done, fold your completed ballot paper in half and put it in the ballot box on the desk beside the poll clerks. Staff will be on hand at polling stations to assist voters with any questions about filling out their ballot paper.

If you have opted to vote by post, make sure you return your postal ballot in good time. If you don't get around to posting yours in time, you can hand it in at your polling station or hand deliver it to the Town Hall, Reigate up until 10pm on polling day.

There are changes to handing in postal votes this year, which mean you can now only hand in your own postal vote, and the postal votes of up to five other people. When handing in postal votes, you will now need to complete a form, including your name and address, how many postal votes you are handing in and why you are handing in those postal votes. If you need help completing your postal vote, watch this ‘how to’ video.

If you have applied for someone to vote on your behalf (a proxy), they will receive a proxy poll card telling them where and when to vote for you. If you’re voting on behalf of someone else as their proxy, remember that you need to go to their polling station to do so, rather than yours, and you will need to take your own photo ID to the polling station to be able to vote.

There is also now a limit on the number of people you can act as a proxy for - up to two people living in the UK. If you vote on behalf of UK voters who live overseas, you can act as a proxy for up to four people, but only two of those can live in the UK.

In certain circumstances, where you have an emergency that you are unable to vote in person, you may be eligible to apply for an emergency proxy. Please call our elections line on 01737 276794 or email elreg@reigate-banstead.gov.uk to request an application form.

You can go to the polling station with whomever you like, but only those adults registered to vote at that station will be able to go inside.

You must not be accompanied into the polling booth by another adult, unless you have a disability, in which case you can take someone in to help you, or you can ask one of the polling station staff for their help. Children are welcome. While your child must not mark the ballot paper for you, you can take them into the polling booth with you. Animals, apart from assistance dogs, are not usually allowed inside, so will need to be secured outside if you do decide to take them with you.

You’re not allowed to take photos inside the polling station as it puts the secrecy of the ballot at risk. You are welcome to take photos outside the polling station and share them on social media to let others know you’ve voted and encourage them to vote too.

Our polling stations have ramps, wheelchair accessible polling booths, and visual aids. Polling station staff will be on hand to help anyone who needs it, and carers or support workers can also help. Assistance dogs are welcome too. If you have a visual impairment, you can ask for a large print ballot paper to refer to when you cast your vote, or a special tactile voting device to enable you to mark your ballot paper on your own.

Our school holiday activities are now available for booking over the summer break. We are running a similar programme to last year's with a variety of fun and interesting activities for ages six months to 15 years. Attractions include gymnastics, trampolining, art, craft, multi-sports, outdoor adventure, music, drama and more.

There is a 50% discount on all activities for looked after children, and those in receipt of benefits. Have a look at what's on and book.

Memorial Park pavilion café in Redhill will reopen this month following a re-letting process and redecoration. The new operator, Florrie's, is a local venture owned by Redhill couple Guy Hassell and Kate Chisnall. Florrie’s will offer a range of freshly prepared sandwiches, toasties and salads, as well as pastries, cakes, ice-cream, smoothies and more. Vegetarian and vegan options will be available.

It’s a year since The Light Redhill opened its doors, bringing a state of the art six screen cinema,  eleven exciting leisure activities and an all-day dining offer all under one roof. Whether you’re looking for food, great films, fun with your friends, bowling, climbing or trying their film themed mini golf course, there’s something for everyone. Their summer film line-up includes Inside Out 2, Despicable Me 4, Deadpool & Wolverine, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Joker: Folie a Deux plus much more. The Light’s inclusive approach sees them offering regular baby-friendly, dementia-friendly and senior screenings, toddler and family specials, as well as adapted and relaxed screenings and leisure activities. They also host quiz nights, board games, DJ sets, Toddler Time messy play, and crafting.

Do you have a passion for serving your community? Are you committed to making a difference in people's lives? We are currently recruiting for, among others: a Democratic and Executive Services Manager, an Arborist, Casual Drivers, and a Cleaner. If you believe in public service, please check out the openings and make sure you apply before the deadlines. 

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

Harlequin Outdoors is coming back this summer with a number of shows for all ages at the beautiful Castle Grounds in Reigate. We start on 28 August with a double bill from This is my Theatre who are showing 5 Children & It at 2pm followed by A Midsummer Night's Dream at 7pm. The Duke's Theatre Company will take the reins with their rendition of As You Like It on 4 September at 6.30pm and The Gondoliers on 7 September also at 6.30pm. Book your tickets early to avoid any disappointments. 

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.

Sign up to the Priority Services Register (PSR) to receive extra support from SES Water.The PSR is free to join and enables utility companies like SES to offer tailored support to customers in need due to age, disability, or temporary circumstances.  who have health, access or extra communication needs. This video, recently released by SES and featuring real customers, explains more about what the PSR is, and how it’s helped those on it.

The Mental Health Crisis Helpline offers friendly and confidential support if you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress. It's open day and night and is free of charge. Call 0800 915 4644.