The latest Strategic Infrastructure Programme for 2023-2027 was approved by the Executive on Thursday 23 March 2023 and will see fifty-one local projects benefit from the £50.89m Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The money will be used to improve community buildings, local transport, education, health, sports facilities, flood risk, open spaces, and the environment. According to Andrew Benson, Head of Planning, “The Strategic Infrastructure Programme (SIP) is a framework to manage the larger CIL fund allocations from developer contributions. It enables the Council to release money at the right time and provides a clear set of agreed schemes that bring wider benefits for more communities across the borough.”

With less than three weeks left until the voter registration deadline on Friday 17 April 2023, we are urging residents to check that they are not just eligible but ready to vote on Thursday 4 May 2023. You will need to show photographic ID to vote in person at a polling station under new government rules. If you don’t have one of the accepted types of ID, you need to apply for a free Voter Authority certificate by Tuesday 25 April 2023. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023. You don't need a photo ID to cast your vote by post but the postal vote application deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 18 April 2023. 

The major refurbishment of the play area has finished in time for the Easter holidays. Ocean waste, such as discarded fishing nets,and food packaging has been transformed into an exciting new play area with an important message about waste and recycling. Children of all ages and abilities can have fun and challenge themselves on more than 65 new play features, including a toddler play zone, high play tower, accessible wheelchair ramp and inclusive carousel. A new scooter zone, with road markings and a mini roundabout, has also been created near the tennis courts.  

Surrey County Council have taken back responsibility for the management of on-street parking and the enforcement of related parking regulations. The switchover, which is countywide, came into immediate effect on Saturday 1 April 2023. The enforcement of parking regulations in the borough's car parks will continue to be a responsibility of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council.

It is now just over a year since the Homes for Ukraine scheme was launched by the government. Many of our residents offered their homes to help those fleeing war. These unsung heroes among us deserve praise and we would like to thank them for everything they have done over the year. Some of these residents continue to offer support but, as the war rages on, Ukrainians and other refugees living in the borough need more support. We are looking for more sponsors as well as landlords. If you are an existing landlord or would like to become a landlord to some of these refugees, we would like to hear from you.

Twenty-five voluntary and community sector organisations, including Bloomin' Arts Dance Company (pictured), benefited from East Surrey Place (ESP) funding. This partnership of health and care organisations - including the Council – work together to plan and deliver services that improve the health and wellbeing of local communities. Managing this fund is just one of the ways that our Community Partnerships team works with others to support those most in need. It’s fantastic that this money will help so many people across the borough!

A new playing pitches and sports facilities study has been published by the Council. The study - which was undertaken in collaboration with Sports England, national sports bodies, local clubs, facility owners, managers and education providers - looked at the use and quality of existing facilities across the borough, as well as the need for new ones to support residents’ health and wellbeing. It will help inform future investment plans from the different organisations, as well as the Council's next local plan.The study looked at council-owned properties and those owned privately and by other institutions to identify facility requirements and upgrades needed for the next twenty years.

Our recycling and refuse service will carry on as usual over the Easter holidays, so there will be NO CHANGE to your bin collections. Around 80 million chocolate eggs are sold in the UK over the Easter period – which is a lot of work for the Easter bunny and a lot of waste too! Hopefully not too much chocolate will end up in your food recycling but remember to recycle as much of your Easter waste as possible.

This month Surrey County Council (SCC) has taken over responsibility for the county’s 3,000 miles of highways, verges and roundabouts. Supporting the national Blue Campaign, SCC aim to improve biodiversity by cutting the grass less in some areas to benefit insects and encourage wild flowering. From now on you should report any issues with grass cutting on highway verges to Surrey County Council.

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 25 April 2023. Email leadersurgery@reigate-banstead.gov.uk to book.

We have a number of roles to fill and would like to hear from you if you have experience in project management, woodland management or customer service. This is a chance to join our fantastic team, serve the community and be part of delivering the Council's five-year plan. We are looking for a Tree and Woodlands Officer and a Countryside Officer to work in our Greenspaces Team; a Project Manager and a Logistics Assistant in our Facilities Team, and more.   

Our R&Be Active team are running a number of holiday activities this Easter half-term from Monday 3 April 2023 to Sunday 16 April 2023. There is a wide range of choices to pick from including street dance, indoor golf, parkour, trampolining and animazing - a mobile and interactive experience which brings children closer to nature. We are also offering free tasters for judo, boxing and basketball.

Time to get your picnic mats and running shoes ready! The Fun Run & Sports Festival will take place this month on Sunday 30 April 2023 at Priory Park in Reigate. With over 20 sports clubs now confirmed, 11 of which will be offering activities, it looks like this will be a brilliant day out for everyone. The festival is free to attend and everyone is welcome. However, if you are planning to take part in the 5 or 1 mile Fun Run, please remember to book your tickets in advance as they are slightly expensive on the day.

Training for the Specsavers Surrey Youth Games 2023 starts this month after Easter. The games are free for 7-16 year olds from across Surrey, and aimed at those children who are not members of any sports clubs, or may have previously been put off sport due to the fear of competing against others. The games run from April to June and activities include street basketball, boxing, GoTri, boccia, judo, girls’ rugby, tennis and inclusive dance. 

Come along to the Woodhatch Recreation Ground for an Easter Egg hunt, games and entertainment. Then join us at the Woodhatch Community Centre for a Spring Fayre, with craft activities, refreshments and Easter treats. The fun takes place from 10am to 3.30pm.

The Pub in the Park food and music festival is coming to Priory Park on 23 to 25 June. The Reigate chef hosts are Michelin-Starred chef Tom Kerridge, Sunday Brunch’s Simon Rimmer and Saturday Kitchen presenter and chef Matt Tebbutt and the festival menus have just been announced! and you can find out what's on offer here. 

Natural England has launched a statutory and public consultation on extending the existing Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) by 25%. Launched on Tuesday 7 March 2023, and set to remain open for fourteen weeks, the proposal will see the AONB increase by over 100 square kilometres. It is thought to be part of an ambitious programme of landscape designation and is one of four new designation projects aimed at helping deliver on the Government’s commitment to safeguard more of England’s beautiful and iconic landscapes for future generations.

The pump track in South Park opened in December 2021 and we want to know what you think. Designed for riders and skaters of all abilities to improve their skills and build confidence, your views can help us make sure it’s the best it can be. If you use the pump track please take two minutes to complete the short survey.

The Light is opening a new cinema and leisure venue at The Rise, Redhill in early summer - and  offering one lucky winner a six month VIP membership, which includes unlimited access to films and fantastic discounts. All you need to do is subscribe to The Light's newsletter. The Rise will also be holding two recruitment days in May - so if you’re interested in working at The Light, send an email to: jobs@thelight.co.uk. You can also search for local jobs on our dedicated jobs website Reigate & Banstead Works.

The government's new Emergency Alerts system, which warns people when lives are in danger, will be tested nationally on 23 April. Emergency Alerts are sent to compatible mobile phones within an area of risk. They don’t track your location, need your phone number, or collect personal data, and only the emergency services can send them. You can check an alert is genuine at gov.uk/alerts. An Emergency Alert is a loud, siren-like sound with a message on your screen with advice about how to stay safe.