Reigate & Banstead councillors across all political parties will consider the latest proposals for local government reorganisation at a Full Council meeting on 6 May. The Council’s Executive will make the final decision on 7 May about supporting submissions to Government. The proposals expand on the interim plans submitted to government last month. They include replacing the existing twelve councils in Surrey with a three unitary council arrangement (authored by district and borough councils), a two unitary proposal (authored by Surrey County Council) and an additional report that sets out the case for bringing Reigate & Banstead and Crawley together into the same unitary authority. Similar discussions will take place at other council meetings across the county in advance of the submission deadline of 9 May. The proposals have been informed by results from our recent public engagement on local government reorganisation, as well as from the joint Surrey borough and district council survey.

Cllr Richard Biggs, Leader of the Council, will again be available to take your questions on Tuesday 13 May 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

In the by-election for a Surrey County Councillor in the Nork and Tattenhams division, held on 1 May 2025, Peter Harp of Nork & Tattenhams Residents’ Associations was elected. For the full results by candidate, see our website.

Are you passionate about public service? Would you like to make a difference in people's lives and be part of an effective council which is committed to delivering the best for its residents? We are currently recruiting for: a Housing Register Officer, Council Tax Recovery Officer, and a Caretaker/Cleaner/Driver. Please take a look at our vacancies. 

A by-election for a Horley Town Councillor in the West Ward will be held on Thursday 5 June 2025. We will be in touch with registered electors in the area in due course. In the meantime, make sure that you’re registered to vote by midnight on 19 May. If you're not already registered, please do so at gov.uk/register-to-vote. To vote by post, apply as soon as possible but by 5pm on 20 May. For a proxy vote (someone to vote on your behalf) apply by 5pm on 28 May. If you will be voting in person and don’t have an accepted form of voter ID, apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate by 5pm on 28 May. Apply at gov.uk/how-to-vote.

An agreement between councils and NHS services in Surrey will help people with mental health needs find housing and avoid delays in leaving hospital. The Joint Mental Health and Housing Protocol sets out how services will work together to support people who find it difficult to secure long-term housing because of the mental health challenges they face. By strengthening coordination between health, social care and housing, the protocol aims to help people find accommodation to aid their recovery and reduce the risk of becoming homeless.

Priory Park will once again host the YMCA's annual Fun Run this Sunday (4 May) and we wish all the runners the best of luck! Don't forget there is also a Festival of Sport where we'll be hosting a sports club showcase and an extreme mountain bike show. Children can also take part in free taster activities such as a climbing wall and soft archery. There will also be prizes for those who complete an activity passport.

Our Ageing Well Event is a fantastic opportunity to find out more about the activities and support available for older people locally. Around 20 of the organisations delivering services across the borough will be on hand 
for a face to face chat. Everyone is welcome to attend on Friday 9 May at the Town Hall, Reigate, between 2 and 4pm. The event is free to attend and there's no need to book.

This is my Theatre returns to The Castle Grounds, Reigate this summer with three productions. On 7 June there will be performances of 'The Three Musketeers', and Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’. In celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary year, there will be a very special ‘Audience Choice Austen’ on 15 August, where the audience will be asked to choose between a performance of Pride & Prejudice or Emma. Tickets for all shows are available to book now. 

Join us in the park for a celebration of poetry and spoken word on Sunday 8 June. It's a chance to experience talented and up-and-coming performers for free and in the wild, including local favourite and award-winning Flo Poet, Woodzy; and London-based, critically acclaimed, Paul Lyalls. Open mic slots will also be offered (people can sign up in advance or on the day) and refreshments will be available at the fabulous Florrie's Café.

The festival is a celebration of Reigate's creativity, bringing together an abundance of local talent for one unmissable weekend of culture in and around the town centre. The free entertainment takes place over four stages and a Fringe Trail. The organisers are still keen to hear from people who would like to be involved or want to support this community event.

We are reviewing our taxi and private hire policies to create a modern, fair, and sustainable framework for vehicles, drivers, and operators. This is an opportunity to influence the future of taxi and private hire services in our borough. Survey only takes 10-15 minutes. Please take part, and spread the word to help create a transport system that is safe, inclusive, and environmentally responsible.

If you run a business in the borough, please take part in our business survey before it closes on 6 May. Maintaining a strong local economy is vital for our borough both in terms of employment and wealth generation. As part of our work to develop our emerging Local Plan, we are preparing an Economic Needs Assessment to understand how our local economy, employment and economic links to the wider area are changing. This survey will help us to identify the type and amount of commercial floorspace needed  as well as employment supply and demand, through to 2043. 

The Council is proposing to remove permitted development rights to convert ground floor commercial units to residential properties. Implementation of the planning proposal would prevent the automatic development of commercial premises like shops, restaurants, banks and launderettes to residential use, and instead, a full planning application would need to be made. You have until 13 May 2025 to give your comments on the proposal.

The NHS, in conjunction with Alliance for Better Care, is offering free walk-in Covid-19 vaccinations to those aged 75 and above at the Belfry Shopping Centre in Redhill. Vaccinations started on Friday 4 April (10am-12.30pm) and will run until 6 June. If you are unsure about your eligibility for any of the vaccinations, please come along and speak to a member of our team or call 119.

Did you know that 86% of all melanoma cases are preventable? As the warmer days of summer approach, please do these two things to help yourself and your loved ones stay safe: check your skin and wear SPF 30+ sunscreen. 

The UK Health Security Agency is running its annual campaign to encourage tick awareness. Ticks are most active in the UK from March to October, with most bites commonly reported during May and June. Ticks can carry pathogens (microorganisms that cause disease) such as Lyme disease and, more rarely, tick-borne encephalitis. Ticks live in many different outdoor environments, but they are particularly common in grassy and wooded areas. You can reduce your chances of being bitten by covering up bare skin, applying repellent, and seeking advice if bitten.