The new play area coming soon to Lady Neville Recreation Ground in Banstead will see ocean waste and recycled plastic transformed into more than 65 new play features. Work is expected to start 20 February and will take approximately three weeks. The upgrade is part of the Council's ongoing investment in the borough's play facilities and follows the recent installation of new sensory play equipment at Priory Park.  

You will need to show photographic ID to vote at a polling station in this year’s local elections, after new rules were introduced by the Government. This will apply for the first time in England at the local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023. We are urging residents to make sure they are ready to vote by checking now that they have an accepted form of ID. If you don't have one, you will need to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. 

Work is due to start imminently on the £150,000 refurbishment of Preston Park skatepark in Tadworth. Funded by our Preston regeneration programme, the work is expected to take around four weeks, during which time the skatepark will be closed. The nearest alternative skatepark in the borough will be Priory Park, Reigate. We expect the new park to be open in time for the Easter holidays. For updates please follow us on social media or visit the website.

A new ambulance centre, community building refurbishment and even a new tractor! Just some of the ways local people benefited from developer contributions in 2021/22. We collect money from developers every year for strategic and community projects, and we have collected £11.9 million since 2016. You can nominate future local projects and learn about completed and planned schemes.

This year’s National Apprenticeship Week will start on Monday 6 February through to Sunday 12 February 2023 under the theme - Skills for Life. It is an opportunity to highlight the many successes of apprenticeship programmes, and to showcase how technical education can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career. It is also a time to show the business benefits of apprenticeships and how employers are using them to fill skills gaps. 

Is your little one a dancer or are they into trampolines? The Council's R&Be Active school holiday activities are available during the February half term with a variety of choices for two to 12-year-olds that include street dance, gymnastics and indoor games at various venues across the Borough. There is a 50% discount for those in receipt of benefits or with a looked after child.

The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will take place on Saturday 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey. Across the country, celebrations will be punctuated by a series of events, including the Big Lunch on Sunday 7 May 2023 (followed by a special coronation concert that evening at Windsor Castle), and a community event dubbed The Big Help Out on Bank Holiday Monday 8 May 2023. Residents are encouraged to take part in the celebrations, and details of planned activities in the Borough will be released in due course. 

The Council is making a time limited offer to match fund donations made into the Community Fund for Reigate & Banstead up to a maximum contribution of £13,000. The offer is available until Friday 31 March 2023. The Community Fund for Reigate & Banstead exists to improve the lives of local people and has handed out over £60,000 in grants since its launch in 2019 – helping more than 22,000 people and supporting 21 vital projects such as community sports clubs, and various wellbeing projects.

There are just three weeks left to apply for a grant to help make your home warmer and more energy efficient. People living in hard-to-heat homes and on lower incomes could receive grants between £10,000 and £25,000 to improve insulation and install renewable technology – helping to save energy, reduce emissions and combat rising energy prices. Residents can check if they are eligible by visiting the Action Surrey website – www.actionsurrey.org, or calling them on 0800 783 2503. Sustainable Warmth Grant applications close on Friday 17 February 2023.  

Have a question about the Borough? If you live or work in Reigate & Banstead Borough Council you can put your questions about local issues to RBBC Leader, Cllr Mark Brunt. The next Leader's Surgery is on Tuesday 28 February 2023. Email leadersurgery@reigate-banstead.gov.uk to book.

If you or someone you know is looking for a new career challenge, why not take a look at the varied opportunities available at the Council. Current vacancies include positions for an Arts Development Officer, an Emergency Planning Officer and Casual Cleaners.

The Mayor Cllr Frank Kelly and the Mayoress Anne Kelly are hosting a black tie ‘Dress to Impress’ Mayoral Ball on Saturday 13 May 2023, to raise funds in aid of the Mayor’s charities – Include Choir, and the East Surrey Hospital Charity (SASH). Tickets are £65 and include a drinks and canapes reception on arrival, followed by dinner and dancing.

Popular food and music festival, Pub in the Park, is coming to Priory Park for the weekend - 23 to 25 June. Just announced, your Reigate chef hosts are Michelin-Starred chef Tom Kerridge, Sunday Brunch’s Simon Rimmer and Saturday Kitchen presenter and chef Matt Tebbutt. The Reigate musical line up includes Bananarama, Example, Toploader and Norman Jay. Second release tickets will be on sale from 12pm on Friday 3 February 2023.

There is still time to complete our short survey on the vision for a new Design Code for the Redhill to Horley corridor. We are keen to understand your ambitions for the future of the area and encourage you to share your views to shape this vision, developed through previous community engagement. The deadline is Monday 13 February 2023. The Design Code will help to guide street character, building type and layout, use of public space, and the sustainability of new development. It will also ensure that all types of development encourage sustainable travel, including walking and cycling. Read more about the project and vision.

We want East Surrey business owners to tell us what they need to help their businesses to grow. You can help us to set priorities for how we support the local economy by taking part in this short survey. It only takes 10 minutes to complete and closes on Thursday 16 February 2023.

There is already significant demand for NHS services this winter and you can help the NHS to help you by using the right service: 

• Pharmacists are trained experts and can help with many common problems. Pharmacists are available on every high street and in supermarkets, with many open evenings and weekends. Search www.nhs.uk to find a pharmacy near you.
• NHS 111 - if you’re not sure which service you need, or need urgent advice in the evening or at the weekend see www.111.nhs.uk or call 111
• In a medical emergency always call 999 or go to the Emergency Department.

From 1 January to 31 March 2023, a single bus journey will cost no more than £2 on selected routes. Local bus operators so far signed up to the Department for Transport scheme, which aims to help people save money and reduce car journeys, include: 

• Compass operating in Cranleigh, Dorking, Godalming, Guildford, Redhill and Reigate
• Metrobus operating in Banstead, Caterham, Epsom, Horley, Leatherhead, Lingfield, Redhill and Reigate
• Southdown operating in Caterham, Horley, Lingfield, Oxted, Redhill and Reigate

For more information about all the bus operators and for other help for transport costs you can visit the government's Help for Household web pages.