We’re celebrating our most successful year to date in the South & South East in Bloom competition with seven of our green spaces achieving the prestigious gold standard. Gold was given to the borough's most visited parks: Priory Park (Reigate), Memorial Park (Redhill), and for the first time, Lady Neville Park (Banstead). Our commitment to environmental sustainability and biodiversity also helped secure gold for three of our countryside areas – Earlswood Common, Reigate Heath, and Tanyard Meadows. Other important community facilities were also recognised, with Redstone Cemetery achieving a gold again and the Castle Grounds and Garden of Remembrance (both in Reigate) receiving Silver Gilt. We'd like to thank our Greenspaces team and all the volunteers for their passion, commitment, and hard work.

We've now allocated £104k from our new Thriving Communities Fund to support 27 organisations working in the local area. With each of the successful organisations match funding the money received, projects across the borough will benefit from more than £200k. The scheme, which launched in April, aims to contribute towards projects than enable strong inclusive communities and empower local people. The wide variety of the projects now confirmed, will benefit people of all ages, faiths and abilities. There are projects promoting environmental sustainability, healthy living and cultural activities as well as those providing support during significant life events or hardships. We look forward to following their progress.

Our new Greenspaces Strategy, a first for the borough, was approved by the Executive on Thursday 23 October. It recognises the vital role that our much-loved parks and open spaces play in improving environmental sustainability, and our residents' quality of life. The new strategy takes a long-term view and sets out a clear and structured approach to managing all the green spaces that we maintain for the next 10 years. It prioritises activities that can help to address many of the key challenges facing the borough – such as improving mental and physical health and our resilience to the changing climate. We'd like to thank everyone who took part in the consultations. 

Cllr Richard Biggs, Leader of the Council, will again be available to take your questions, on Tuesday 25 November 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

If you have a postal vote and applied for yours on or before 30 January 2024, you’ll need to re-apply by 31 January 2026. Otherwise, your postal vote will expire, and you will need to vote in person. The changes were introduced as part of the Elections Act. We will be emailing or writing to you if you’re affected by the changes – look out for it and make sure you take action. However, you don’t need to wait for us to contact you, you can re-apply online now. If you don’t have a postal vote already but would like one, you can also apply online. There are also paper applications for those who cannot apply online.

Time is running out to make sure your details are correct on the electoral register. Please check the details and reminders we’ve sent to your household and respond as soon as possible so you can have your say in future elections. The annual canvass allows us to keep the electoral register up to date and invite people to register if they aren’t already. We’re almost done for this year, and are doing our final checks before the register has to be republished. With elections for a new shadow unitary authority to replace the existing county, borough and district councils taking place in May 2026, make sure you can take part.

Local community groups and organisations are being invited to express their interest in taking over some of the Council’s community assets to support the needs of local people. The ambitious programme will empower them to keep these publicly owned facilities that benefit the local community, such as sports pavilions and community halls, in local control after the Council is abolished in 2027. A grant scheme is available to support local organisations who already own community assets to help them improve those assets and secure their future for the long term. Smaller groups may be eligible for guidance and targeted grants to help ensure their success. Groups submitting proposals must demonstrate they can manage the asset in a financially sustainable way whilst delivering benefits to the area.

We are recruiting for a Service Desk Analyst, and Streetsweeper/Driver. Please take a look at our vacancies and apply.

As part of the Delivering Change in Horley Town Centre project, 15 map-based wayfinding signs have been installed at key locations, including the High Street, Horley station, car parks, the footbridge and on Victoria Road. The signs will help people find their way around, and support the next phase of town centre improvements. In addition, electric vehicle charging points installed at Central Car Park are now fully operational. This work is part of previously completed upgrades to the car park, including resurfacing, larger family parking bays, safer pedestrian routes and new landscaping and greenery. The Borough Council, Surrey County Council and Horley Town Council continue to work together to deliver the wider public realm improvements along the High Street, expected to begin in early 2026.

Taking on a building project can sometimes feel like an uphill task, but it doesn't have to be that way. Southern Building Control is our trusted Local Authority Building Control service offering a number of services, including experienced surveyors with local knowledge; an understanding of local ground conditions, flood risks and community needs; and legal powers if things go wrong. They are a not for profit company accountable to residents and offer professional support on projects from start to finish. If you are a homeowner considering an extension, or a builder or an agent in need of support, you can contact them on 0330 024 9355 or email them at: theteam@southernbcp.co.uk.

Last month, we had the privilege of attending the Employer’s Challenge Day, hosted by the Armed Forces South East, alongside colleagues from across sectors. The event was a fantastic opportunity to experience the teamwork, resilience, and leadership at the heart of the Armed Forces ethos — qualities that align perfectly with our values as a local authority. As a Silver Award holder under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme, we’re committed to supporting reservists, veterans, cadet instructors, and military families within our workforce and our wider community. Days like this remind us how much we can learn from the Armed Forces’ approach to collaboration, problem-solving, and mutual respect. 

Pop along to The Light in Redhill on Tuesday 18 November for free, independant advice tailored for you and your home. The event is supported by lots of local organisations, including Energy Manage, Surrey Climate Commission, St Matthew's and Redhill foodbanks, Citizens Advice, Raven Housing Trust, Energy Action Redhill and Reigate, SES Water, Tech Angels, Marie Curie, Surrey Age UK, Clarion Futures. They will be able to help you with low cost ways to save money and stay warm. You can also find out more about local grants and support available, including help with energy and water costs.

Our community centres are getting ready to celebrate the festive season with a variety of events for you to enjoy:

• At Banstead Community Centre, celebrations begin on Saturday 29 November with a Christmas Fair from 10am to 2pm, offering plenty of seasonal cheer and local stalls. Banstead will also be hosting two Christmas Lunches on Thursday 11 December and Tuesday 16 December.
• Horley Community Centre will be getting into the Christmas spirit with Christmas Lunches on Tuesday 16 December and Wednesday 17 December, providing a warm and welcoming setting for residents to come together and celebrate.
• Over at Woodhatch Community Centre, the festive fun begins on Friday 21 November with a lively Light Switch-On Event from 4pm, a fantastic opportunity for anyone who would like to be Santa! The celebrations continue with Christmas lunches on Tuesday 9 December and Thursday 11 December. 

For more information please email communitycentres@reigate-banstead.gov.uk or visit our website (click below)

Gatton Community Theatre's latest production, part funded through the Thriving Communities Fund, is taking place Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 December and Thursday 11 to Sunday 13 December. Taking place inside All Saints Church, south Merstham, it promises to be a Nativity play where you can 'expect the unexpected'.

Surrey Connect is an on-demand bus service from Surrey County Council, helping you travel around local towns and access key services. The new service means you can book a bus for when you need it and in areas where there aren't any normal bus services. You can travel around Reigate, Banstead, Tadworth, Merstham, Redhill, Salfords and Horley at a time that suits you. Buses run Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm and Saturdays from 8am to 6pm. If you have a free bus pass or a Surrey LINK card (for anyone aged 20 and under) you can use these on this service. Journeys must be booked at least 30 minutes before travel and can be booked online or via the Surrey Connect app - available from Google Play or the App Store. Surrey Connect is not available if a current local bus route can be used for the same journey.

Did you know Age Concern Merstham Redhill and Reigate have been supporting older people in our borough for over 65 years? Their services help reduce social isolation amongst the older members of our communities, helping them to stay independent longer. Day Centre members are picked up by minibus, treated to tea and biscuits, a two-course lunch and a game of bingo. There's also a Men's Shed for woodworking projects, a Befriending Service, seated exercise classes, NHS hearing aid batteries and retubing service, as well as a charity shop. You can find out more about supporting this wonderful charity including volunteering, by visiting the link below or calling 01737 645636.

This autumn/winter it’s essential you protect yourself and others against flu. Remember, you can give flu to your family without having symptoms. Get your free flu vaccine as soon as you’re offered it, if you are eligible.

The Surrey Hills Symposium returns on 19 November at the University of Surrey, exploring the theme of Growing Together: Finding Adventure and Purpose in your National Landscape. Hear from expert speakers, join fire-side discussions, enjoy live performers, discover community-led nature initiatives, and find out how you can get involved. A photography competition invites you to share your favourite Surrey Hills adventures. Winning entries will feature in the Surrey Hills Management Plan, be displayed at the event, and could win you a Surrey Hills hamper. Enter online or on social media, by tagging @surreyhillsnl with #SurreyHillsAdventure.

Pension Credit does more than provide direct financial help – it unlocks a range of support that could save eligible pensioners hundreds of pounds each year. If you are in receipt of a pension, you may be able to save on housing costs including council tax reduction, housing benefit if renting, or Support for Mortgage Interest if you own your home. You may also be eligible to additional energy support through the Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payments during particular cold spells. Pension credit may also provide access to essential free NHS services including dental treatment as wel as help with transport costs for hospital appointments.