The Government’s Household Support Fund aims to support those most in need with the rising cost of living. To distribute our allocation of the fund, we’re contacting households with someone over 65 years old that currently claims Council Tax Reduction to offer a one-off payment of £110. In addition, Food Clubs operating in Reigate & Banstead are receiving more funding to increase their food supply and local voluntary sector partners are receiving funding to support the offer of fuel top-up payments to those residents struggling with the cost of pre-payment fuel top-ups. 

If you are on a low income or out of work and struggling with the cost of food you may be able to access a supermarket voucher. If you are a Raven tenant please contact Raven Moneywise on 0300 123 3399, other borough residents should contact Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead on 0808 278 7945.

Please note that the Household Support Fund will close on 30 September 2022 and no further applications can be accepted after this date.

To help celebrate England's largest festival of history and culture, the Town Hall in Reigate will open its doors for free, pre-booked, public tours on Saturday 10 September, from 10am to 12 noon. The Grade II Listed building, completed in 1901, originally housed the Town Hall, law courts, police and fire stations - the 70-foot former fire station tower is still a major exterior feature today. To find out about other venues open for Heritage Open Days visit the Heritage Open Days website. 

The first of our three community centre open days took place at Woodhatch last Saturday, but there's still time to come and discover what's going on at Banstead on Thursday 15 September and Horley on Friday 30 September. The Open Days will be showcasing the community centres as vibrant places where people of all ages can connect, relax or try something new.

Reigate & Banstead residents are being urged to check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote on decisions that affect them. The annual canvass allows us to keep the electoral register up to date and to people to register before it’s too late. With Borough, Town and Parish Council elections taking place in May 2023, this is an opportunity for residents to make sure they can take part.

We're asking local people for their views to help develop a new ‘design code’ that will shape new development and create a ‘green corridor’ between Redhill and Horley.

The code aims to make the area work better for pedestrians and cyclists, improve access to open spaces and parks, raise the quality of design and identify opportunities for development. You can find out more and have your say at our consultation portal - the deadline for comments is 30 September.

Initial designs for improvements to Horley High Street and subway went on display at Horley Library earlier this month. The improvements are part of a project to help the town centre better serve local people, make it more attractive and boost the local economy. The designs have been worked up based on feedback to the Council’s consultation on improvement ideas in the spring (2022). The designs will make for an attractive, safer and greener town centre that reduces the dominance of the car and provides more space for people to enjoy. 

The 24 August was Ukraine Independence Day in commemoration of the Declaration of Independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. To mark this important day we welcomed Ukrainian guests and their hosts to a special event with traditional Ukrainian dishes, games, arts and crafts. The event was a partnership with Tandridge Council and Rotary South D1145. 

If you want help launching your new business idea there's still time to join the 2022 Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s Entrepreneur Academy. The free six-month course helps you gain the essential skills needed to set up a new business – and could even see you win up to £5,000 to make your idea a reality. Starting in October, the programme is run in partnership with hosts East Surrey College.

If you're looking for your next career move, keep up to date with our current vacancies on our website. We're currently recruiting for an Electoral Services Trainee.  

The hugely successful Syrian Feast pop-up restaurant is returning to The Harlequin on Friday 21 October. The special evening celebrating Syrian food and culture offers people a flavour of the delicious cuisine cooked by Syrian families resettled into the area. The three-course feast starts at 7pm (with doors opening at 6.30pm) and includes delicious vegetarian and meat dishes and a range of meze and baclava. Tickets cost £20 per person and the venue will seat up to a maximum of 100 people. 

The second of this year's community centre open days will take place on Thursday 19 September. So come along to discover what's going on at Banstead Community Centre - we think you'll be surprised! There will be refreshments, games and you'll be able to have a go at some of our regular activities and meet the team. Drop in between 10am and 4pm. 

The last of our community centre open days takes place on Friday 30 September. With activities for all ages, affordable and healthy snacks and lunches, there's a lot to discover. Drop in between 10am and 3pm to try some activities, sample the new menu, join us for fish 'n' chips,  and meet the team.

Come along to Redhills first Vegan Market on Sunday 18 September from 10am to 4pm. Ethical Vegan Events are putting on a trail Vegan Market with tasty food stalls and other ethical goodies to buy. 

Composting is the most environmentally friendly method of disposing of your food and garden waste. Between 27 August and 2 September you can grab a 220-litre compost bin for just £15.40 or a Green Johanna hot composter for only £59.99, reduced from £129.99, in Surrey Environment Partnership’s summer sale.

Horley Town Council recently published it’s Town Plan 2022-2027. The plan sets out, amongst other things, the Town Council’s vision, key priorities and future projects for the next five years, with a focus on environmental activities to tackle the climate emergency. You can read the plan online, or pick up a paper copy from the Town Council’s offices at The Albert Rooms, 92 Albert Road, Horley, RH6 7HZ.