The outstanding achievements of local sports clubs, teams, people and coaches were celebrated at a virtual awards evening on 25 February. The nine inspirational winners were taken from a record 70 entries and you can watch the ceremony here.

A new employment website, R&B Works, developed by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council in collaboration with the borough’s major employers, is now live. Residents who may be looking for a job, a career change or wishing to work closer to home can find information about the local employment landscape and opportunities.

The East Surrey Youth Hub aims to help target the significant increase in unemployment among 18-24 years across East Surrey since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Now more than ever, it's vital that correct, consistent information about Covid-19 and wider health-related advice is communicated. Our new volunteer community champions receive weekly updates from us, which they then pass on to their families, friends, neighbours, community networks or workplaces.

Elections take place in May for Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Surrey County Councillors and Reigate & Banstead Borough Councillors. You must be registered to vote to have your say. Polling stations will be safe places to vote but if you want to vote by post instead, please apply as soon as possible to receive your postal ballot in good time. 

Look out for the Spring issue of Borough News dropping through your letterbox from 8 March. This issue highlights the steps we're taking towards making our borough more sustainable, provides an insight into local community organisations and celebrates the beauty of our green spaces. 

Spring is in the air and many of us will want to enjoy the borough's parks and green spaces. Please remember to take your litter away with you, or put it in the bin if there's room.

The Prime Minister has set out the Government's 4 step plan towards easing lockdown, with students returning to school buildings from 8 March as the first step. It's important that we continue to reduce the spread of the virus by following the hands, face, space and ventilate guidance. It is working and you are making a difference.

On 16 February, a further 1.7 million people were classified as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) and advised to shield. This was in response to new modelling that can determine a person's risk of severe illness from Covid-19. Anyone affected should have received a letter from the Government and will have faster access to vaccinations.  Shielding guidance can be found below.

As of 21 February, a total of 284,570 people across Surrey Heartlands CCG have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination.That's over 95% of the 70 and over age group and 85% of those aged 65 to 69. 

A vaccine is the best way to protect you and your family. The NHS will contact you when it's your turn. In the meantime, Dr Sally Johnson, GP and Clinical Lead for Covid Vaccinations in Surrey has tried to answer as many questions as possible that you might have about the vaccine in this short film.

There is a variety of help, advice and support available locally for people experiencing challenges due to the ongoing pandemic. You can search our website and online directory to find out what's available from the Council, as well as through local voluntary and community organisations and businesses across the borough. 

The Council is asking local residents to share their views to make sure that the borough’s three community centres in Banstead, Horley and Woodhatch meet community needs, both now and in the future. The deadline for comments is 22 March. 

The second round of our residents’ survey, gathering views on a range of topics, is currently taking place. If MEL Research contacts you by phone, letter or email or you receive an email from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council about the survey, please consider taking part as we hope to hear from a representative sample of the borough’s residents. 

Census Day is Sunday 21 March. Look out for a letter from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) inviting you to take part online. There's lots of help available to complete your form if you, or someone you know, needs it.

YMCA East Surrey has been awarded a grant of £435,737 from the National Lottery Community Fund to take the role of lead provider in youth work which will benefit more than 1,000 local young people.