Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has confirmed that Pride in Surrey's next event will be held in Reigate. The announcement follows the completion of a licence application process. Speaking at the launch event held at the Town Hall on 8 June, Council Leader, Cllr Richard Biggs said: "I am pleased to confirm that the license application process is complete and will - subject to some agreed additional conditions – be issued in due course. Our sponsorship of this launch event cements the Council’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. It is also our way of offering support and opportunities to all communities across our borough..."

Redhill library is to benefit from a multi-million pound investment programme into Surrey’s libraries. The Surrey County Council project will modernise services and create flexible, innovative and inclusive spaces that best meet the needs of residents at a number of key facilities. The improvements include meeting pods, flexible meeting rooms with kitchenette, moveable partitions/walls to create agile workspaces, new furniture and a flexible layout with space for events and performances, exhibitions, partner organisations and community use. Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has committed £500k in Community Infrastructure Levy funding towards the Redhill project, which is expected to be complete by the end of 2024.

The three new outdoor fitness areas will feature a wide range of free to use equipment - from touchscreen cross trainers to parallel bars. With a selection of optional ‘smart gym’ functions, you'll also be able to link your workouts to a free mobile phone app or charge your mobile using your own movement. The fitness area at Woodhatch Recreation Ground is now open, with others due to open at Lady Neville Recreation Ground and Priory Park this summer. Outdoor fitness areas like these, and those already available at Nork Park, Preston Park and Redhill Memorial Park, are a great way for young people and adults to exercise for free in our wonderful green spaces!

The Light Redhill opened the doors of its much-anticipated new cinema and leisure experience on 16 June. Situated within the Council’s flagship development named The Rise, The Light is the largest entertainment venue in Surrey with a six-screen cinema, bowling, mini-golf, climbing arena, axe-throwing, karaoke, shuffleboard, interactive darts, American pool, curling, an arcade, bar and dining all under one roof. It is located just a few minutes’ walk from Redhill train and bus stations and in a deal agreed between the Council and The Belfry shopping centre, customers of The Light can get free evening parking after 6pm if they validate their tickets.

Nominations for this year’s Reigate & Banstead Volunteer Awards have been extended by a week to Monday 10 July. Nominees have to live or work in the borough. So if you know someone who deserves recognition for their selfless service, make sure you nominate them.

From 3 July we’re teaming up with Surrey Police, Raven Housing Trust and other local partners for a week of action to highlight anti-social behaviour and how we can tackle it together. Our officers will be at roadshow events in Horley, Redhill and Tadworth to discuss ASB issues. The Joint Enforcement Team and our Dog Warden will also be undertaking extra patrols. Follow us on social media to find out more about the week.

The Specsavers Surrey Youth Games (SSYG) came to a close on Saturday 17 June with calls for youngsters to develop a positive attitude to sport and regular exercise. Cllr Rod Ashford, Executive Member for Communities, Leisure & Culture said: "We all know that keeping active is essential to everyone's mental and physical health...I really hope that participation in these games has inspired everyone who took part, to stay happy and healthy, and to carry on playing their chosen sport.”

Nobody likes litter. It’s unattractive and it’s harmful – for the environment, for animals, and our own health. We think there are no good excuses for littering and are asking all residents and visitors to help keep our borough litter free by putting rubbish in the bin or taking it home. Anyone who does drop litter could face an £80 fine.

We spend over £1million each year keeping the borough’s streets clean and litter free and there are many amazing local groups and individuals who give up their time to help keep the borough tidy too. If you want to do your bit with a local litter pick, we can provide equipment, guidance on doing this safely, and arrange to pick up your filled sacks.

Rethink Waste, a scheme that incentivises you to reduce your waste and help the planet, has landed! Sign up online to access a personalised dashboard where you can find lots of relevant resources and monitor your progress. As a member, you will receive weekly emails with fun activities to help you make small, yet impactful lifestyle changes. You'll also be able to earn points, which can be used to enter competitions for exciting prizes like iPads and TVs, make donations to charities or support local schools. 

Investing in renewable energy generation cuts carbon emissions and can save you money on your energy bills. Solar Together is a group buying scheme where you can come together with others in your community to invest in solar panels with optional battery storage and EV charge points. You can be confident you are paying the right price for a high-quality installation from pre-approved installers. If you already have solar panels, you can also get involved in the scheme to purchase retrofit battery storage to get more from the renewable energy your panels are already generating. It's free to register and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation.   

Have a question about the borough? If you live or work in Reigate & Banstead borough you can put your questions about local issues to Council Leader, Cllr Richard Biggs. The next Leader's Surgery is on Tuesday 25 July 2023. Email leadersurgery@reigate-banstead.gov.uk to book.

We have a number of roles to fill and would love you to join our team if you have the experience. We are looking for among others, a Driver, a Recycling and Refuse Loader, a Street Sweeper Driver, Casual Cooks and more. Please get in touch.

The 2023 Surrey Youth Arts and Culture Festival kicked off on Saturday 1 July in Staines and will come to Redhill on Saturday 8 July. The festival is an opportunity for young people to interact with experts from the arts industry and learn about the creative sectors. It is aimed at 11 to 16-year-olds and will run from 12 noon to 5pm each day. 

Harlequin Outdoors is back this summer and will kick off on Friday 14 July with Comedy at the Castle. This will be followed by among others, Boogie Monsters on Saturday 15, Pride and Prejudice on Sunday 16 to cap the first weekend of outdoor fun. Also included on the line up is Doctor Doolittle,The Great Gatsby, Robin Hood, Sense and Sensibility, Machamlear, The Old Time Sailors, Much Ado About Nothing and lots more. Show times vary so please check your tickets for further information and approximate running times.

Take part in the review of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering Redhill Town Centre by completing the online survey. The PSPO aims to discourage anti-social behaviour in key public areas and gives police officers and the Council powers to intervene early and stop anti-social behaviour before it escalates. The current PSPO covers the pedestrianised shopping area and includes Memorial Park and the area around the railway pedestrian underpass. We are proposing to extend the area to include Clarendon Road car park where there have been reports of anti-social behaviour.

Do you or anyone you may know have an idea or activity that would benefit the mental or physical health of the community? Organisations, groups, or residents can apply for free venue hire at the Woodhatch or Horley Community Centre, funded by East Surrey Place - a place-based partnership of organisations responsible for arranging and delivering health and care services locally. For details, follow the link or contact: communitycentres@reigate-banstead.gov.uk. 

GLL is looking for swimming teachers to join their ranks. If you have a passion and talent for swimming, they would like to hear from you. You would be part of one of the largest swim schools in the UK, teaching people of all ages a valuable life skill. Training will be provided, and successful applicants will be fully funded to complete their STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming. Swimming Teachers can be based at any of the Leisure Centres Across the borough with a salary of up to £15.32 per hour including A/L (once qualified). 

UKHSA, in collaboration with the Met Office, have launched a new Heat-Health Alerting (HHA) system. The alert system follows the publication of the Adverse Weather and Health Plan last month and will focus more specifically on the health impacts that high temperatures could have on the health of the population.

During the core alerting season, which is in place between 1 June and 30 September, UKHSA and the Met Office will monitor the weather forecasts. Where episodes of hot weather are identified, a joint dynamic risk assessment will be carried out and the appropriate alert issued.