On 24 January our Community Partnership team hosted the third Working Better Together conference. It was attended by over 140 people, most of them residents. Participants also included representatives from the NHS, public sector partners, local voluntary organisations, and council staff. Through a series of speakers and workshops, we heard about the power of community action to tackle health inequalities and improve people’s wellbeing. Three local residents - Trish from Merstham, Mahjubeen from Redhill and Bola from Horley – gave inspiring talks about how volunteering has improved their own wellbeing, as well as that of their communities. The event highlighted the strength of collaboration between our Community Development Workers, local Growing Health Together GPs and local communities. 

Free space is being made available for selected sports clubs to start new activities following a deal between the Council and it’s leisure provider, Better. The Club Start up Scheme was launched in November 2023 and aims to support new sports activities to improve residents’ wellbeing. The Scheme will be operational at all three of the Council’s leisure centres: Tadworth Leisure Centre, Donyngs Leisure Centre, and Horley Leisure Centre.

Got a question or an issue you would like to raise with the Leader of the Council? You can book an appointment for an in-person or virtual audience with Cllr Richard Biggs on Tuesday 20 February from 4-6pm. For an appointment, you have to be a resident or work in the borough. To book an appointment, please email: leadersurgery@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.

Blakedown Landscapes – an award-winning landscaping specialist with over 50 years experience - has been picked to do the much-anticipated Merstham Rec refurb. The award is subject to contract and we will provide a detailed update once we know when the work will kick off and what the works programme will be.

We have some money saving tips and advice to help you stay warm this winter. Improving your home's energy efficiency will reduce your carbon footprint too. Information about saving energy, energy-efficient home improvements, renewable energy, and some of the funding schemes available can be found on our website.

There are many reasons why people find themselves without a safe place they can call home. If you’re concerned about someone you believe is sleeping rough, please report it directly to our outreach service online via Streetlink. The Council’s outreach service,  East Surrey Outreach Service (eSOS) works with people sleeping rough and those at risk of becoming homeless. Renewed Hope East Surrey is a local charity providing support to the homeless, vulnerable and isolated.

We are currently recruiting for an Accommodation Officer to join our Homelessness Prevention and Relief team, a Streetsweeper to join our Cleansing team, Casual Drivers, and a Cleaner for our Woodhatch Community Centre. If you possess the relevant skills and are committed to making a difference in people's lives, we would like to hear from you.

As part of the Elections Act, changes to postal and proxy voting have come into force. You can now apply for a postal or proxy vote online. This will be a similar process as registering to vote and you will need to provide your National Insurance number, as well as your signature to prove your identity. Postal voters will need to renew their application every three years. If you already hold a postal vote, you will not need to reapply before 31 January 2026. Voters will not need to show photo ID in order to apply by post or proxy, however anyone acting as a proxy to vote on someone’s behalf will need to show their photo ID  at the polling station. As a proxy, there are now limits to how many people you can vote on behalf of.

Many of you have been fantastic in rallying together to make our Ukrainian guests feel welcome. Thank you to those who have provided Ukrainian guests with shelter and accommodation, helped them find employment, and other assistance navigating everyday life. We are continuing to look for sponsors as many Ukrainian families still need safe places to stay. There is a monthly thank you payment available for sponsors to compensate for the rise in energy and fuel bills. If you would like more information please email: resettlement@reigate-banstead.gov.uk  

This half term, check out the activities we have on offer for children aged 18 months to 13 years. Whether your little one fancies a game of indoor golf, contemporary dance, or they are a budding performer at home, we have a number of activities to suit their needs. Remember, there is a 50% discount to anyone in receipt of benefits, or those with looked after children. For details of what is on offer, and to book activities, check our website. 

Active Surrey has partnered with Merstham Primary School to provide a number of activities for FREE. They want to encourage more movement and physical activity in Surrey. The project started on 8 Jan and is funded through the Department for Education, GLF School Foundation and Active Surrey. Activities include: Yoga, Inner Balance Pilates, Friday Night Academy, Southern Martial Arts - Karate, and Southern Martial Arts - Kickboxing. For more information email: PE@mersthamprimaryschool.org

Surrey County Council is seeking views on the county’s Rights of Way to help drive improvements. Residents are invited to feedback their views on Surrey’s Rights of Way network, sharing how they use them, their importance, what, if anything, may prevent residents from using them and how the council can support their needs. All views will help inform the new Rights of Way Improvement Plan which will be produced at the end of 2024.The survey is open until 10 March 2024.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is seeking applications from people willing to serve in a voluntary capacity on the board of Banstead Commons Conservators. Banstead Commons is a body established under the Metropolitan Commons (Banstead) Supplemental Act 1893 to oversee 1350 acres (550 hectares) of open green spaces comprised of four separate areas; Banstead Heath, Banstead Downs, Park Downs and Burgh Heath. If you would like to become a Conservator, send your application highlighting your skills and experience to: democratic@reigate-banstead.gov.uk by no later than midnight on Sunday 18 February 2024.

The Cold-Health alerting system went live on 1 November. We are encouraging stakeholders to sign up for email alerts as the weather is especially cold at this time.Currently, there are yellow alerts in place for the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, East of England, and London.There are amber alerts in place for the East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, South East and South West.

Are you a talented athlete from the UK? If so, you are invited to apply for a range of support awards, including financial help, access to sport facilities, physiotherapy, lifestyle mentoring and mental health aid - all part of the GLL Sport Foundation's initiative to support young athletes achieve their full potential. Applications opened on 20 December and will close on 20 February 2024. Successful applicants get access to all the 250 leisure and sports facilities operated by GLL across the UK. Apply now or spread the word.

First Community Health and Care provide community-based NHS healthcare services across East Surrey and West Sussex, which includes a Minor Injury Unit (MIU) based at Caterham Dene Hospital. The MIU is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm (last patient 7.30pm). It can treat minor injuries for those aged five and above and minor illness for those aged 18 plus. If you would like to have an input into the way community health services are developed, the First Community Network gives people a choice of how they would like to be involved. You can find out more about First Community Health and Care, including the range of clinical and non-clinical job roles available, on their website. 

Around 1 in 14 homes suffer from water losses, like dripping taps, leaky loos, outdoor taps and hoses. Colder temperatures and changeable weather can cause a leaky pipe to freeze, and sometimes burst, which could lead to a hefty repair bill or impact your water supply. This winter, prepare your home by checking for leaks and insulating pipes. If you are having trouble paying your bills or are in need of some extra assistance, you may be eligible for one of SES Water support schemes. We are here to help.