The Reigate & Banstead Business Awards are back! With nine award categories this year, there are plenty of opportunities for businesses of all sizes and types in the borough to enter. Anyone can enter a business for any number of categories and businesses are able to enter themselves. Applications close on 14 November. The event will take place on 27 January 2022 at Reigate Manor. 

The Council's refurbishment of its Tattenham Way play area is complete! The space has been given a significant refresh adding lots of new and accessible equipment using more environmentally friendly materials. Thanks for bearing with us while the site was closed. We hope local families enjoy using the new equipment.

In August, the Council pledged to accommodate three refugee families who had to flee their homes in Afghanistan. It has been working closely with local partners, however, as yet, has been unsuccessful in securing suitable homes for these families. The Council is appealing to private landlords with vacant, or soon-to-be vacant, two, three or four-bedroom homes for rent in the borough, to help us find much-needed homes for these families. 

Looking for your next job? Don’t get stuck with a long commute when there are so many exciting jobs locally. Our borough is home to all sizes of businesses and a variety of industries from finance and insurance, technical and digital, to health and caring. Our Reigate & Banstead Works website is a great place to find employment within the borough.

Your annual printed guide to waste and recycling will be coming through the door soon. It's got everything you need to know about your waste and recycling service in Reigate and Banstead so why not pop it on your fridge to keep it handy!

Tech angels, Alex and Maya from Tech to Community Connect, visited our community centre in Horley this month as part of Get Online Week. If you, or someone you know, needs a bit of help to make the most out of being online, our community centres in Horley and Woodhatch near Reigate offer friendly support and advice during their regular computer sessions.  

Residents are being urged not to lose their voice on decisions that affect them by making sure their electoral registration details are up to date. The annual canvass ensures the Council can keep the electoral register up to date, identifying any residents who are not registered to vote so that they can be invited to do so ahead of borough council elections next year.

If you or someone you know is looking for a new job, check our website for our latest vacancies. Current roles include a family support worker to join our Family Support Team, as well as stage technicians to join the team at Redhill's Harlequin Theatre & Cinema.

Are you meeting friends or family on Halloween or Bonfire Night? Remember, remember that meeting outdoors is safer. If you do meet indoors, let fresh air in. Please be mindful of your neighbours when letting off fireworks at night and that the noise can be stressful for pets.

Public services will be held on Remembrance Day at war memorials in Banstead, Horley, and Redhill on Sunday, 14 November. Everyone is welcome to attend the events, which will all start at 10.30am, with a two-minute silence to be held at 11am.

If you spend time with your grandchildren on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning why not try one of the new Stay & Play groups at our community centres in Horley and Woodhatch, near Reigate. Pre-school children can enjoy crafts and free play, snacks and circle time between 10am and 12 noon. Costs £2.50 per child (£1 per sibling).

Gatwick Airport is asking for comments on their proposed major infrastructure project for the Northern Runway. Their consultation runs until 1 December, and you can also discuss the proposals when their Mobile Project Office visits our borough. The Council will respond formally after we’ve reviewed all the information.

The flu virus kills almost 11,000 people and hospitalises tens of thousands more in England in an average year. It’s more important than ever to get your flu jab this year.

Find out if you're eligible for a free flu vaccine.

Vaccinations continue to offer our best chance for a return to normality. Parents can now book Covid-19 vaccinations for their children online with appointments available over the half-term as the vaccination rollout continues. Letters have been sent to parents and guardians of 12-15-year-olds, inviting them to book their vaccination online through the National Booking Service.

Covid rates are rising fast across all areas of Surrey - please celebrate Halloween and Bonfire Night safely. If you can, meet outdoors but if you do celebrate indoors, don’t forget to let the fresh air in. It’s important we all keep practicing the key safety behaviours to help minimise the spread of the virus over the winter months.

If you do develop any Covid symptoms, or have a positive LFD test, you must self-isolate and book a PCR test.