This year there will be no bin collections on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day.

• If your bins are due to be collected on Monday 25 December, they will be picked up two days earlier than usual on Saturday 23 December.
• From 26 December, all collections will be one day later than usual, with crews working on Saturdays.

Normal collections will resume on Monday 8 January.

Don’t forget that you can recycle your Christmas tree through our Garden Waste Service by taking the trees to your local Community Recycling Centre once normal service resumes on Monday 8 January. Details of the Earlswood and Epsom centres are available via this link.

Thinking about New Year resolutions? You could always make it about recycling more by joining our Garden Waste Service.

To help you prepare for a greener and more planet friendly Christmas, the Surrey Environment Partnership has seven sustainable tips on how people can own their impact as they prepare for the festive season. These include avoiding cards and gift wrap containing non-recyclable glitter, foil or plastic; having a go at homemade presents and wrapping; as well as some recipe suggestions to transform your festive leftovers. Remember, placing the wrong items in a recycling bin can spoil the rest of the recycling, so use Surrey Environment Partnership’s handy recycling search tool to check any items you're not sure about.

Got question or an issue you would like to raise with the Leader? Why not meet with him virtually or in-person on Tuesday 12 December between 4-6pm to discuss these directly with him? You have to be a resident or at least work in the borough. To book an appointment with Cllr Richard Biggs, please email leadersurgery@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.

Do you know any local unsung sporting heroes, clubs, volunteers, coaches etc who deserve more recognition for the work they do? Now’s your chance to put them forward for recognition in the Reigate & Banstead Sports Awards. Nominations opened on Monday 27 November 2023 and will close on Sunday 28 January 2024. There are 11 categories this year, so plenty of chances to win. To be eligible, nominees must reside, or be part of a club that is based in the borough. 

You can make your home cosier this winter with The Great British Insulation Scheme. If your property has a low Energy Performance Certificate and is in Council Tax band A to D you may be able to get money towards loft, cavity wall, solid wall, roof or floor insulation. Insulating your home can cut your energy bills; keep your home warmer and fight climate change by lowering your household emissions. Action Surrey use trusted installers to deliver the scheme locally and you can choose to apply through them or directly through the national scheme. 

This winter, if you are feeling cold and in need of a warm place to be, we can offer you a warm welcome. Our three community centres in Banstead, Horley and Woodhatch are operating as warm hubs Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. Feel free to drop in to get warm, meet others over a hot drink, and try out some of the many activities we offer.

Remember, there is support and information available on our Help with energy bills web page if you are worried about energy bills and the cost of staying warm this winter. We also have information about some energy saving tips, including details of warm welcome venues across Surrey.

We have a number of roles available and would like to hear from you, if you possess the relevant skills. We are looking for a Community Centres Project Officer, a Community Centres Support Officer, a Customer Contact Adviser, a Planning Technician and Drivers. For a list of available roles including specific requirements, please see our website for details. 

The Town Hall and our three community centres will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period. The Town Hall will be closed to visitors from Christmas Day through to New Year's Day and will reopen again as normal on Tuesday 2 January 2024. However, our Customer Contact Team will be available as usual on 28 and 29 December during usual opening hours (Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm).

You can also contact us online.

While we are closed, our out of hours service will be available for emergencies only.

Violence experienced by women and girls takes many forms. Some behaviours and words may seem 'harmless' but normalising them ignores the short- and long-term effects on women and can lead to more violence. This White Ribbon Day and 16 days of action is about committing to #ChangeTheStory for women and girls so they can live their lives free from harassment, abuse and violence. A recent YouGov survey of 500 people showed 1 in 4 women in Surrey experienced street harassment in the last 12 months and 47% of respondents said they wouldn't feel confident stepping in if they witnessed it. Would you know what to do? Find out how you can help by taking a survey or attending a webinar.

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.

Sing for the Soul, our feel good singing group, will be taking place at The United Reform Church, Shaw's Corner in Redhill from Tuesday 23 January 2024. This is a free to attend weekly activity aimed at boosting residents' health and wellbeing through singing, relaxation, and breathing exercises. Doors open from 6.45pm. Come along for a chance to boost your mood and release those endorphins. To reserve a space please email: arts@reigate-banstead.gov.uk. 

The Belfry Lights are on and so are all the lights in our town centres - Banstead, Horley, Redhill and Reigate. As Christmas gets closer, we thought we would let you know about the events happening across the borough. It is also a chance to remind everyone to shop local and support local businesses as they are the backbone of our communities.

❄️9 December -  #DestinationRedhill festive celebration. A Christmas themed event by the Redhill Business Guild. Attractions include a Christmas market, live music, and late night shopping

❄️9 December - Horley Association of Traders' Christmas Fair. Live music, stalls, Santa's grotto, mulled wine and games. Horley Town Centre 10am to 4pm

There will be free parking in council car parks in respective towns on the day, but we encourage people to walk or use public transport where they can. 

This year’s Harlequin Theatre pantomime is the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast. With the Harlequin still closed due to RAAC, we didn't want to disappoint our loyal pantogoers.  So, please join us at The Big Top in Redhill Memorial Park between 8 – 31 December for some traditional festive family fun as we regale the classic fairy tale story of Beauty and the Beast. Redhill’s favourite Dame, Simon Bashford, returns as Dame Cheri Trifle alongside Phil Reid, back by popular demand. CBeebies presenter Joanna Adeyinka-Burford and children’s TV legend Dave Benson Phillips join Neighbours’ Colette Mann to round out our spectacular panto cast. Tickets are selling fast so please book yours today if you haven't already and prepare to be amazed. Oh, and just a note that there will be no cash transactions so please remember to bring your bank cards. 

The Mayor's Community Carol Service will take place on Sunday 17 December at Banstead Methodist Church. The service starts at 10.30am and all are invited. A list of the Mayor's public engagements over the festive season is available on our website. If you would like to invite the Mayor to an event, please visit the inviting the Mayor webpage. Similarly if you would like to arrange a for your group/organisation a free visit for your group/organisation to the Mayor's parlour for a thank you from the Mayor and a tour of the Town Hall please email the Mayor's office: mayor@reigate-banstead.gov.uk. You can also follow the Mayor on social media: @RBBCMayor (Facebook) and @RBBCMayor (Twitter/X).

Calling all Santas! The YMCA Santa Run is returning to Reigate’s Priory Park on Sunday 10 December! Santas of all ages and abilities are invited to sign up for a 1 or 3-mile run or walk to raise money for YMCA East Surrey and spread some festive cheer. The event starts at 10.30am and costs £12.50pp and includes a free santa suit (if required), drink and medal.

The Christmas period can be a lonely time for some. Sight for Surrey will be hosting an online Christmas day chat between 10am and 11am. All are welcome and a British Sign Language (BSL) interpretater will also be provided. To register and request a joining link, please contact Sight for Surrey by emailing communications@sightforsurrey.org.uk

We are carrying out an interim review of polling districts and polling places and are asking residents, disability groups and other interested parties to give their views. The review looks at the size and boundaries of polling districts (the areas created by dividing electoral wards into smaller sections with roughly the same number of electors) and the location and suitability of polling places (the buildings in which polling stations are situated) with particular regard to access for residents with disabilities. The deadline for comments is 30 November 2023.

You're invited to give us your views on the Council's draft budget for the financial year 2024 to 2025. The eight week consultation launched on 20 November and will run until 12 noon on Monday 15 January 2024.

Surrey County Council has launched a consultation on primary school provision in the Reigate area and we encourage residents to have their say. The consultation runs until 23.59 on 21 January 2024. The first public consultation event is on Wednesday 6 December 6.30pm at Reigate Priory Junior School, however space is limited, so please book your place via Eventbrite. There will also be engagement events at each of the impacted schools for parents and carers. A community Facebook page has been set up to provide updates during the consultation.

Could you buy a gift for an adult or child escaping Domestic Abuse this Christmas? Survivors of domestic abuse and their children who come into refuge usually arrive with very little, sometimes in only the clothes they are wearing. Each year refuges strive to give families the best Christmas they can. Families in the borough are supported in the community by our domestic abuse outreach services - I Choose Freedom and East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services. Find out how you could help bring some festive joy and treats to Surrey families, by donating a gift. Thank you.

The borough's food banks will be a lifeline for people struggling to keep up with the cost of living this winter. Food banks rely on donations to provide food and essential items to people referred to them by local agencies. If you’d like to donate to a food bank they update their websites regularly with items that are in demand and we have included links to the food banks operating in the borough on our website.

Age Concern Banstead is a small independent charity providing help to older people in the north of the borough. With very few paid staff, but an amazing team of more than 70 volunteers, they deliver some fantastic services, including taking people to the hospital or GP and dentists, and more. There is a befriending service for those who are unable to get out; a regular lunch club for the very frail; a monthly group for older men; and a very busy service to help people access disability related benefits such as Attendance Allowance. They also offer a bereavement café with volunteers trained by Princess Alice Hospice and a dementia support group.

Surrey Coalition of Disabled People is looking for volunteers to join their Active Buddy movement. Active Buddies support disabled people and those living with long term health conditions to take part in activities within the community. If you can spare at least two hours each week to help others to get more active, Surrey Coalition would like to hear from you. For more information and to sign up, email: getactive@surreycoalition.org.uk or phone/text: 07434 865062.