Bookings are now open for Arts Takeover - a week-long celebration of art, comedy, drama, fashion, music and more - which will take place in and around Redhill from 4 - 11 October. The creative festival is inclusive and there are plenty of low-cost activities and workshops to try, such as dancing, drumming, writing and crafts. Highlights include the award-winning Comedy Cottage and a Battle of the Bands hosted by Redstart Community. There will be free performances to enjoy too, from the bands playing live on the outdoor music stage, to local groups dancing at The Light, including a singing flash mob in the Belfry. With 11 venues taking part so far, and dozens of events, this year's Arts Takeover is going to be bigger and better.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has officially been awarded the Silver Award by the Ministry of Defence as part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).

The award recognises strong and sustained commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community, including reservists, veterans, service leavers, and military families. It is testament to the Council's commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant through the promotion of inclusive recruitment, flexible HR policies, and being a forces-friendly employer. The award was presented to Councillors James King and Cllr James Baker by representatives of the Ministry of Defence at the official Silver Award signing ceremony in Portsmouth on Wednesday 3 September 2025.

Cllr Richard Biggs, Leader of the Council, will again be available to take your questions, on Tuesday 23 September between 4pm and 6pm. If you have questions and/or ideas that you would like to put to him, this is your opportunity. Appointments must be pre-booked and can either be virtual or in-person. You have to be a resident or work in the borough to get an appointment. To book, please email: leadersurgery@reigate-banstead.gov.uk

Whether you're planning a party, special event, workshop or meeting, our community centres at Banstead, Horley and Woodhatch have the perfect space for you! We offer a range of room sizes to suit any occasion, from small meeting rooms to spacious halls, all at very competitive rates. Our venues are clean, accessible, and conveniently located - making them ideal for both one-off events and regular bookings. Importantly, we also take bookings at weekends? Get in touch today to find out more or to book your space. Visit our website or email communitycentres@reigate-banstead.gov.uk 

Would you like to make a difference in people's lives? We are recruiting for a Food Safety Support Officer, Customer Contact Adviser, Homeless Prevention & Relief Officer, HGV Mechanic, Assistant Transport Manager, Enforcement Officer, and a Reserve Driver. Please take a look at our vacancies.

If you’ve received a reminder from us asking you to check important electoral registration details, please make sure you take action to make sure you can have your say in future elections. We’ll soon be calling or visiting households that are yet to reply. The annual canvass helps us to keep the electoral register up to date and invite people to register if they aren’t already. Elections for a new shadow unitary authority to replace the existing county, borough and district councils will take place in May 2026, so this is an important opportunity to make sure you can take part.

We're undertaking a borough-wide review of the most suitable ways to represent residents at a community level. For Horley and or Salfords & Sidlow, which are already served by a town or parish council, we are asking whether existing arrangements continue to be appropriate or if they should be updated. For other areas, the review will consider whether local communities would be better served by having a parish or town council. The first consultation phase for the Community Governance Review closes on 18 September. Carrying out the review now allows local people to consider parish and town councils in light of the local government reorganisation, which will see all 12 councils in Surrey abolished and replaced with three or two unitary authorities.

We're carrying out a borough-wide review of the most suitable ways to represent residents at a community level. For Horley and or Salfords & Sidlow, which are already served by a town or parish council, we want to know whether the existing arrangements continue to be appropriate or if they should be updated. For other areas, the review will consider whether local communities would be better served by having a parish or town council. Proposals can be submitted by individuals, or groups of individuals, up until 18 September. 

We are currently seeking the views of residents on our draft air quality strategy and action plan for the period 2025-2030. The strategy primarily focuses on reducing pollution from road traffic via increasing EV charge point provision and the use of hydrogen fuel cells in the bus fleet, including examining the impact of ultrafine particle pollution from aircraft on residents in Horley.

A full copy of the draft air quality strategy and action plan can be found here. If you would like to make any comments on the draft strategy please email the council by 13 October 2025.

Whether you're a beginner, a seasoned or a veteran runner who loves the local scenery, Run Reigate is a much loved community event that has a fantastic buzz. You can choose to run a 5k,10k or a half marathon, and there are junior and kids' races too. The annual event in Priory Park also boasts an all day Event Village with a range of food, drinks, entertainment and activities for everyone to enjoy - runners or supporters. Further information, including on routes, cheer points, road closures and parking, can be found on the website.

We will, in partnership with Banstead Primary Care Network and GP Health Partners, be holding a Community Health and Wellbeing Event on Wednesday 8 October at Tadworth Leisure Centre from 10am to 3pm. All are welcome to drop in and discover the wide range of support available locally. The event brings together healthcare professionals and support organisations to offer advice, information and practical help. It is an opportunity to speak directly with professionals. There will also be scheduled talks throughout the day. For more information, contact Eleanor at eleanor.parker-jones@reigate-banstead.gov.uk

The Banstead Pantry, run by the Good Company, is making a real difference to local people struggling with the cost of living. As one new member put it: “This place is a lifesaver and always filled with the most warm and welcoming people. Such a good place for the local community to have.” Findings from the newly published Banstead Impact report 2025 show that:

• 90% say they are less anxious about feeding themselves and their families
• 68% of members now feel more in control of their finances
• 59% feel better informed about where to get help

East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services (ESDA) are conducting a survey to understand how technology shapes and affects young people's relationships. Help them understand this by taking their survey. Your responses are completely anonymous and confidential and your honest feedback will help ESDA better understand the dynamics currently faced.

The UK Government will carry out a national test of the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm. This may pose a risk to people experiencing domestic abuse who use a hidden mobile phone or device as part of their safety plan. If you’re a survivor of domestic abuse and use a hidden or emergency phone, please be aware that a loud siren will sound on ALL phones, even those on silent.
To stay safe:
• Switch off or use airplane mode on hidden devices
• Share this message with anyone at risk
• Safeguarding professionals – please inform your clients in advance
For help and support you can phone the Surrey Domestic Abuse Helpline provided by Your Sanctuary: 01483 776822 (9am to 9pm, 7 days a week) or visit the Healthy Surrey website. 

Surrey County Council has received £13.9 million in government funding to help residents looking to make their homes more energy efficient. The Warm Homes Local Grant is now open to people living in homes with an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of D to G, and a gross annual household income of less than £36,000. The funding is available for properties on all fuel types. Eligible residents can express an interest in the scheme by emailing:energy@surreycc.gov.uk or calling Surrey County Council's contact centre on 01483 404505.