Two exciting new initiatives to help drive business forward in the borough and provide more opportunities for residents launched this month. The Youth Hub provides local young residents who are not currently employed with coaching, mentoring and soft skills development tailored to meet their career aspirations. Email youth.hub@reigate-banstead.gov.uk to contact a Youth Hub advisor. RB Works is a local employment website created in collaboration with the borough's major employers. With employers looking for staff and many residents looking for a job or a career change, 'Reigate & Banstead Works' - is dedicated to mapping the local employment landscape and employment opportunities.

Last week was Recycle Week 2021 and we took a look at just how much waste we recycled over the last year and what happened to it. Although the volumes of household waste collected in 2020/21 were higher due to the pandemic, more than 53% of it was recycled into new packaging and products, energy, construction materials, and more. Almost all of your recycling was processed locally. Recycling as much of our waste as possible and processing it locally into valuable new products helps to preserve the earth’s precious natural resources. 

New guidance to ensure that local new developments help tackle climate change and meet the highest standards of sustainable construction has been adopted by the Council. The Climate Change and Sustainable Construction Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) will help to support environmental sustainability across the borough and improve the environment for everybody. Thank you to everyone who commented. 

This month we welcomed our 'Class of 2021' to the Reigate & Banstead Entrepreneur Academy at East Surrey College. The six-month course gives residents an opportunity to gain the essential skills needed to set up a business and ends with a special ‘Dragon’s Den’ style competition, where entrants pitch their business proposals to a panel of established local business leaders for a chance to win £5,000 in funding. The free scheme is a cornerstone of the Council’s commitment to support small businesses in the borough.

If you're reading this, you're off to a good start in keeping up to date with the Council's latest news - but if you want to hear even more about what we've been up to, check out the latest edition of our Borough News magazine! The magazine is currently being delivered to all homes in the borough and this time contains an update on our latest regeneration projects, as well as details of our vital refugee support, a guide to help you prepare for winter, and a special feature telling you all about our waste and recycling process.

Residents are being urged not to lose their voice on decisions that affect them by making sure their electoral registration details are up to date. The annual canvass ensures the Council can keep the electoral register up to date, identifying any residents who are not registered to vote so that they can be invited to do so. With borough council elections taking place in May 2022, this is an important opportunity for residents to make sure they can take part.

If you or someone you know is looking for a new job, check our website for our latest vacancies. Current roles include a Web & Digital Officer to join our communications team and a Development & Operations Manager and Marketing Assistant to help run our three community centres.

Are you looking to put more fun into your day? During ‘Living and Ageing Well Week’ (Monday 27 September to Friday 1 October 2021)  you can try out a variety of activities, including a quiz, dancing or even a a 60s-themed lunch. You can also find out about volunteering opportunities or get to know local groups, where people can share their interests, learn new things, and make friends. Most activities are for free, while the lunches and dinners cost up to £12. 

The Harlequin Theatre & Cinema has a brilliant season lined up to keep you entertained as the nights draw in. The packed schedule offers something for everyone – drama, live music, dance, comedy and family shows – along with a sprinkling of magic and nostalgia! In December the long wait for a dose of panto fun is over with a magical production of Aladdin. Genie-us!

On Friday 15 October we are hosting a Syrian pop-up restaurant at the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill. Guests will enjoy 3-courses of tasty Syrian dishes created by our incredible Syrian refugee chefs. Tickets cost £17 with proceeds going towards projects to increase skills and work experience supporting Syrian refugees resettled into the area.

If you spend time with your grandchildren on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning why not try one of the new Stay & Play groups at our community centres in Horley and Woodhatch, near Reigate. Pre-school children can enjoy crafts and free play, snacks and circle time between 10am and 12 noon. Costs £2.50 per child (£1 per sibling).

If you have experience of contacting or working with our Housing Service, we would like you to help shape our Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022-2027. You can take part in our survey and find out more about how we have developed the draft strategy so far on our Housing webpage. The survey closes on 14 October 2021

Unpaid carers in Surrey are being encouraged to take up the offer of a free flu vaccination as a priority, not only to protect themselves and the people they care for, but to help reduce hospitalisations during a time that we expect will be especially busy for the NHS and social care. If you are an unpaid carer looking after someone who is elderly or disabled, you can ask for a flu jab at your GP practice or take a Surrey Carers’ Flu Jab Voucher to your nearest participating community pharmacy to get a free vaccination. 

Surrey County Council is asking for feedback about a proposed new Gypsy, Roma and Traveller transit site in Tandridge. The site would be the first in Surrey and is close to the eastern side of our borough next to Tandridge district, near Merstham. Along with other districts and boroughs, we are also involved in this Surrey-wide project aiming to reduce the impact of unauthorised encampments on our residents and green spaces. You will be able to give views until the consultation's closing date on 8 October.

Horley Lions Club is helping vulnerable residents who live in Horley, Redhill, Reigate, and surrounding villages with winter fuel payments. The club is working with the Citizens Advice organisation and local food banks to help identify people most in need and there are a number of ways to support the campaign. 

The Government has published its Covid-19 Autumn and Winter Plan 2021 setting out a Plan A and a Plan B to steer the country through the autumn and winter months. 

Vaccinations continue to offer our best chance for a return to normality. Booster doses are being offered to over 50s and other priority groups and 12-15 year olds will be offered a first dose. 

From 4 October, there will be new rules for travelling or returning to England.

Infection rates remain high across the country so please stay cautious to protect yourself and others. Remember: 

• fresh air
• test & isolate
• hands / face / space
• NHS mobile app 

If you do develop any Covid symptoms, or have a positive LFD test, you must self-isolate and book a PCR test.