In this issue
Borough News
Reigate on Ice cancellation
New law for landlords
Unauthorised encampments
Supporting the annual canvass
Spotlight on....our Modern Slavery campaign
Summer round up
Coming up
Training and guidance

We're currently seeking your input about what sort of communication skills training you'd value - tell us by taking this short survey.

Consultations

We’ll share information here about key consultations – please help us to promote these via your own channels.

For you:

The Leader and Communications team would like Members views on the Council’s corporate identity in advance of a project to refresh it. You can take part here (closing 29 October)

For residents:

We're asking residents for their views on new equipment for the Priory Park play area (closing 26 October)

Get in touch
If you have any feedback or questions about anything in this update, or would like help or advice about anything communications related, please contact the team via communications@reigate-banstead.gov.uk or 01737 276512.
Summer round up
  • Be a Councillor: Thank you to those who helped to promote the #BeACouncillor campaign. Pulled together in a short space of time, the campaign has seen some fantastic results. A full evaluation is currently being prepared but we’ve reached over half a million social media timelines with lots of positive engagement along the way. The majority has been from our target audiences which proves the tactics we used really hit the spot!
  • Open air cinema returned to Priory Park: We supported Luna’s promotion of its open air cinema season in Priory Park with a social media campaign, website banner and distribution of leaflets and posters:
    • June main screenings: 2,245 tickets sold, £5k profit for the Council
    • August kids’ screenings: 1,421 tickets sold, £2k profit for the Council.
  • Remembering Russell Jenner: Environmental Health News and the Surrey Mirror ran tributes to Russell following the Council’s tribute issued in liaison with Russell’s family and colleagues.
  • Ward boundary changes: We used our social media channels to encourage residents to comment on the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s proposals for ward boundary changes, along with direct mail to all households with their annual canvass form. We also asked partner organisations to cascade consultation materials to reach a wider audience.
  • DMP update: To keep residents up-to-date on progress with the DMP, in July we announced the start date for the examination hearing with a news release and social media posts. Messaging continues to focus on our plan-led approach and how residents can engage with the process.
  • Bird box trail promo: The summer holidays provided an opportunity to promote the new bird box trail at Earlswood Lakes, using targeted media relations and social media activity.
  • Piggybacking awareness days: We used national and regional awareness weeks to push messages about several of our services through social media. For anti-social behaviour awareness week, we provided bite-sized facts clarifying facts around what counts as anti-social behaviour and how to report it – something residents are not always clear on. We shared Surrey Police’s emotive video campaign for domestic abuse awareness week.
  • Food safety: We promoted food safety messaging throughout the summer, beginning with food safety week in June and following up with information on preventing food poisoning from barbeques and picnics. 

  • Pest control service: Complementing the summery theme, we used Facebook, Twitter and our website to publicise the council’s pest control service for treating wasps’ nests.
  • Mayor’s Volunteers Awards: The annual celebration of volunteers’ contribution to the community was shared with local media and our followers on social media.
  • Tribute to Cllr Mrs Mill: Following the sad passing of Cllr Mrs Mill the council issued a tribute to local media and local government trade media, which was shared on our website and via our social media channels.
  • Remembering WWI: Over 200 seats were booked for the free screening of War Horse and a historical talk at the Harlequin as part of the council’s First World War centenary commemorations. Our social media posts received high engagement, particularly those about the raffle prize of two Michael Morpurgo signed books.

  • Heritage on show: Residents came out in force to see behind the scenes of the Town Hall for Heritage Open Day. Our news release received coverage in the Surrey Mirror’s feature about the initiative as well as local news websites, and our related social media post ranked second highest by clicks during August, and achieved high reach.