Please note that there are no changes to household bin collections over the Easter break as our collection crews will be working the bank holidays. Remember that it's a good time to make sure you're recycling as much as you can: 
✅ We don't expect there'll be much chocolate in your food waste, but YES please to eggshells, tea bags, leftovers, peelings and more
✅ Clean aluminium foil can be recycled in your mixed recycling bin. Do the scrunch test to check - if it springs back, it's not aluminium
✅ Put your eggstra cardboard in your paper and cardboard recycling box

On 26 March, the Council agreed final recommendations for all areas of the borough to be represented by a town or parish council. These were put forward by a cross-party working group of councillors and shaped by two rounds of public consultation. Thank you to everyone who took part.

In summary, the community governance review concluded that there should be a new Banstead and The Villages Council, a new Redhill Town Council, and a new Reigate Town Council, plus minor changes to Horley Town Council and no changes to Salfords & Sidlow Parish Council. The next step will be to prepare a draft legal Order for the new East Surrey Council, which will have the legal power to implement these changes.

Write Out Loud is a brand-new initiative to give local writers and performers a platform on which to showcase a 15-minute extract of their work in front of a real audience as part of Arts Takeover 2026. In collaboration with local partners, we're looking for new and emerging voices from across East Surrey to share original stories that are rooted in the area. Work could be at any stage of development - from an original concept right through to complete work. Performances will take place in Redhill on the first Saturday of Arts Takeover, 5 September. Register your interest on our website.

Registration is now open for the next round of our popular talent show Star for a Night. This year, we are collaborating with the Reigate School of Ballet, for what promises to be a great show. Registration is free, and everyone taking part in the project will receive weekly tuition in dance, singing and drama for over 10 weeks, and have the opportunity to take part in a live show finale at Chipstead Theatre on Friday 14 July. Star For a Night is open to young people aged 10 to 15 (or up to the age of 18 for young people with learning difficulties). Register today or pass the message on.

Local elections will take place on Thursday 7 May 2026 giving Reigate & Banstead residents the opportunity to vote for the councillors they want to represent them on the new East Surrey Council. You need to be registered to be able to vote. If you aren't already registered, you can do so online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. The deadline to register for these elections is midnight 20 April 2026. You can vote in person, by post or by proxy (when you appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf). You can find all you need to know to get ready to vote on 7 May, including forms of acceptable ID, your polling station, who is standing, and more on the elections pages of the Future Surrey website.

Cllr Richard Biggs, Leader of the Council, will be available to take your questions, on Tuesday 28 April 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

Works to improve Horley High Street started on March 16. The section between Lumley Road and Albert Road will become one-way for traffic travelling west, with no entry from Albert Road. Whilst these works are taking place, the junction of High Street and Consort Way East will reopen, and on-street parking will be temporarily suspended. These changes are expected to be in place for around 4 months while workers widen the pavement on the north side of the High Street, adding new paving, planting areas and street furniture.

The works are part of Delivering Change in Horley Town Centre programme - a series of interrelated projects that aim to deliver an improved town centre to meet the needs of our communities, support economic prosperity and provide a safe, welcoming and healthy environment for residents and visitors. Further updates will be shared ahead of the next phase.

If you're looking for something to keep your children active and entertained, we have spaces still available on some of our holiday sessions. From Athletix Kidz to Jam Coding; Circus Skills to Squash, we have a variety of options to choose from for young people up to age 16, including some specifically for children with SEND. We try to keep our holiday programme affordable to all and, if you're in receipt of means-tested benefits you may also be eligible for a 50% discount. 

Would you like to work with us? We are recruiting for among others, an Operations Team Leader (Waste and Recycling), a Cafe and Catering Assistant, Support Officer (Finance and Administration), an Arboriculture Grounds Person, and Skilled Operatives (Playground Repairs, Grass Cutting, Gardener, Tractor Operator, and Sports). If you are interested in any of these roles, we would like to hear from you. Please take a look at our current vacancies page and apply.

The Reigate Garden of Remembrance received a South and South East in Bloom Silver Gilt award last year and was praised for its layout and the good mix of planting. However, the rose garden, which is used for the scattering of ashes with commemorative plaques, was identified as an area needing improvement. We now plan to carry out essential works to some of the older rose beds (those used between 1953 and 1977). This includes replacing the rose bushes that are in poor condition with a rose tree and carefully repositioning commemorative plaques around it.

You can find out more about the works on our website, including how to contact us if you want to discuss the plans.

Our three community centres in Banstead, Horley and Woodhatch, play an important role in local life and we're inviting you to help shape their future. You can complete a short survey to give us feedback about the services, activities and facilities currently available. Whether you’re a regular visitor, drop in from time to time, or haven’t had the chance to visit yet, your perspective is genuinely valued. You can complete the survey online by 24 April or pop into one of the community centres for a paper copy and say hello!

This Is My Theatre returns to the borough this month with a production of Charlotte Bronte's timeless classic, 'Jane Eyre'. A great opportunity to see passion, mystery, and resilience collide in this sweeping story of self-discovery and courage - all brought to life in a bold new adaptation with traditional folk music woven throughout. Performances will take place at the Town Hall in Reigate on Wednesday 8 April with two shows, one at 5pm and the other at 7.30pm. Tickets are selling fast so book now to avoid disappointment.

Redhill Rising is an exciting youth arts project, led by Franklin Music CIC in partnership with R&Be Creative and Include Choir that celebrates Redhill’s evolving identity through music, drama and community collaboration. Throughout spring 2026, young people in school years 5 to 9 have been taking part in dynamic workshops and learning an original song, Redhill Rising. This will culminate in a mass community performance at The Belfry Shopping Centre, Redhill, on Thursday 16 April 2026 at 11am. A key legacy of the project is the launch of the Franklin Music Youth Choir, offering ongoing opportunities for young singers to develop their voices, build confidence, and perform at community events.

I Choose Freedom and Home-Start East Surrey are organising a fun-filled Charity Race Night to raise money for great causes. Scheduled for Friday 17 April at the Town Hall, the show will see punters bet and cheer on favourite cartoon characters as they race to victory with proceeds going to the two local charities. The event will be held at the Town Hall starting at 7pm. Entrance is £5 per person and first to cross the line wins. There will also be a fully stocked bar taking card and cash payments. This event is for over 18s only. 

This annual, inclusive running and sporting event has plenty to keep the whole family entertained. The five mile and one mile charity fun run is organised by YMCA East Surrey and races take place throughout the day. Our Sports Festival is free to attend and gives you the chance to meet your local sports clubs and have a go at a variety of sporting activities. There will also be arena performances taking place throughout the day. 

MHA Communities East Surrey supports older people in the local area to live later life well and has 250 members, with an average age of 89 (oldest 102, youngest 55). Community-based activities, including lunch clubs, befriending, dementia support, chair based exercise, music and outdoor sessions, help to combat loneliness and enable connection. These take place every day of the week across four hub areas in Tadworth, Redhill, Horley and Reigate.

Many of the activities are volunteer supported with volunteer cooks, tea makers, befrienders, drivers, chatters, fundraisers and event supporters. These committed and kind volunteers really make a difference to members’ quality of life. If you have time to volunteer or if you, or someone you know is feeling isolated and in need of social contact they would love to hear from you – call 07720 680 550 or email eastsurrey@mha.org.uk or visit the website below.

The Community Foundation for Surrey (CFSurrey) has launched its winter fundraising appeal to support young people transitioning out of the care system. With nearly 1,000 children currently in care and over 750 young people leaving care, the funds will help care leavers stay in education or training, receive trauma-informed support, access mental health counselling, and build the skills and stability they need to thrive. This is a critical time for these young people - 20% of whom are not in education or training, and 11% in unsuitable accommodation. The Foundation aims to raise £25,000 to support this vital work, and thanks to match funding, every £1 donated will be doubled thereby maximising donors’ impact.

Millions of families claiming Child Benefit will see an increase in their payments from next week, as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) encourages those yet to claim to use the HMRC app or go online to claim theirs today. From 6 April, claimants will receive £27.05 per week - or £1,406.60 a year - for the eldest or only child and £17.90 per week - or £930.80 a year - for each additional child, with no limit as to how many children parents can claim for. 

The quickest and easiest way for parents and carers to claim, view and manage Child Benefit payments is by downloading the free and secure HMRC app or by using the digital service.