Voluntary, community and not-for-profit organisations across the borough are invited to apply for a new grant scheme to improve local community assets. The £200,000 fund offers grants of between £3,000 and £20,000 for improvements to facilities that support residents and bring communities together. Applications are now open and will close early next month (2 November 2026). The scheme builds on the success of the Council’s recent Community Asset Transfer and Support Programme, which has made offers to 25 organisations to take on community assets - including sports pavilions and scout huts, village halls and green spaces. Details of scheme and how to apply are available on our website.

On 13 September, the East Surrey Shadow Authority Executive approved plans to implement the final recommendations from our recent community governance review (CGR). This decision means that legal and practical preparations for new and amended parish arrangements can be put in place for 1 April 2027, which is also the day that the new East Surrey Council will take over delivering services from the county, district and borough councils in the area. Elections for the new and existing parish and town councils will take place on 6 May 2027. 

The recommendations that came out of the CGR, which included two rounds of public consultation, will see the whole of the Reigate & Banstead area represented by five parish or town councils. Three new councils will be created – Banstead and The Villages Council, Redhill Town Council, and Reigate Town Council - with minor changes to Horley Town Council. There will be no changes to the existing Salfords and Sidlow Parish Council. 

Join us at 1pm on Sunday 11 October when we will be recognising a number of local cadet groups with the Freedom of the Borough, for their outstanding contribution to young people and civic life in our communites. The units receiving this honour are Reigate Sea Cadets (TS Ark Royal), Redhill Detachment Princess of Wales Royal Regiment, Banstead Detachment, A “Anzio” Company, Surrey (PWRR) ACF, and 135 (Reigate & Redhill) Squadron RAF Air Cadets. Before the ceremony, the units will muster in Bell Street car park and march into Priory Park, where they will form up in front of Priory School (opposite the fountain). There will be a service after which the Mayor will present each unit with a scroll bestowing the Freedom of the Borough. Everyone is welcome to attend and we would like as many people as possible to come and support the cadets. For details: mayor@reigate-banstead.gov.uk

If you've not done so yet, there's still time to submit a bid for a share of money raised from new developments to fund improvement to your local area. The funds come from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) - a charge on developers of new homes and businesses to help pay for infrastructure, facilities and services. A portion of this funding is used to support small local projects identified by the community in the neighbourhoods where development has taken place. If your local village hall needs improving, the route to your school or local shops needs upgrading or your shopping parade needs new benches, submit your bid. 

We have got lots of fun and interesting events and activities taking place at our three leisure centres this autumn - all aimed at helping you stay active, connect with others and access support. Whether you’re a regular visitor wanting to try a new activity or interested in coming along for the first time, you can expect a very warm welcome. Highlight activities include meditation and relaxation at our Banstead centre, knit and knatter in Horley, and aerial arts – an exciting blend of acrobatics and strength for children aged 8 to 13 years at Woodhatch. There are also regular support groups, such as Andy’s Men Club, The Surrey FND Community Group’s Drop-in and Chat, and the Neurodivergent Café. We also have Food Clubs and community fridges. Please take a look. 

The Council's Executive Committee has approved the award of contract to remove an extensive number of ash trees affected by ash dieback in three large areas of the borough’s countryside. The affected areas include Banstead Downs and Park Downs, Burgh Heath and Banstead Heath, and Reigate Hill. We will now work closely with the specialist contractors, the Forestry Commission and Natural England to remove the trees identified as posing a high risk to public safety. 

These works will form part of a wider programme of ash removal taking place this winter, when it will be least disruptive to wildlife. We understand the impact of this disease on our much-loved countryside may seem devastating, and it will take many years for areas to regenerate naturally, however it is essential work to keep our communities safe. We will support the long-term recovery of affected woodlands in the years to come, with replanting if necessary, so that these woodlands can be enjoyed by future generations.

We’re entering the final phases of the works to improve Horley High Street. Pavement works in the High Street have been completed and furniture and planting will be installed this month and in November. Works between Consort Way East and Yattendon Road have begun and are also expected to be completed in November. Our High Street Car Park has now reopened following a brief closure for works to the road and footway across its entrance. A reminder too that our offer of free one-hour parking to everyone in all council-owned car parks across Horley continues. Drivers must obtain and display the free ticket. We will let you know when and if this offer ends. 

Would you like to work with us? We are currently recruiting for an Interim Town Clerk, Community Centre Manager, and a HGV Mechanic. If you are interested in any of these roles, please take a look at our current vacancies page and apply. 

Redhill Arts Takeover 2026, which took place 5 to 12 September, saw hundreds of people of all ages come together to enjoy music, dance, drama, poetry, and more. Walkabout performances from a 13-foot puppet was one of 40+ events that took over venues across the town centre, spilling out onto the streets and throughout The Belfry Shopping Centre. The week-long programme celebrates the power of art and culture to make people feel good and support a thriving town centre. Local businesses reported record-breaking sales and positive feedback. We want to thank all the amazing artists, local organisations, venues and businesses that made it such a success!

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. We’re required to call or visit households that are yet to reply. The annual canvass allows us to keep the electoral register up to date and invite people to register if they aren’t already. Elections for existing and new parish and town councils will take place in May 2027, so this is an important opportunity to make sure you can take part.

On Thursday 1 October, a motion proposing a vote of no confidence in the Council Leader was debated at Full Council. It did not receive a majority vote, meaning the current Leader, Cllr Richard Biggs, remains in post. 21 councillors voted in favour of the motion and 21 voted against it. However in accordance with the Council’s constitution, the Mayor exercised his casting vote resulting in a final vote of 21 in favour and 22 against. 

This October we have two weeks' of low-cost activities to help your children stay active and creative during the holidays. Back by popular demand we have Film School, trampolining, gymnastics, circus skills, block printing, LEGO and SEND craft and multi-sports. New for this half term we have mainstream multi-sports, intergenerational Jingle Bugs classes, African mask making and family pickleball. If you are in receipt of means-tested benefits, have a looked after child or are a young carer you can receive a 50% discount. Please email leisure.services@reigate-banstead.gov.uk with proof of benefit or an address.

We know it's early but tickets could sell out fast, as the critically-acclaimed theatre company, This Is My Theatre, returns to the Town Hall in Reigate with a stunning one-act adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic 'A Christmas Carol'. Packed with charm, cheer and, of course, plenty of carols, this production is sure to spread joy and warm hearts in the run up to Christmas.

The magic of the circus comes to Redhill, 15 to 18 October, for a show celebrating the 40th anniversary of Zippos Circus. Featuring the Zippos Riders and the Globe of Death, clowns, aerial acts, contortion, unicycle, and much more. Tickets on sale now. 

We’ve launched the first consultation on our new Local Plan which is your chance to tell us what the plan should focus on before more detailed proposals are prepared. The local plan will guide how the borough grows and changes up to 2044 – including new homes, jobs, transport links, community facilities and services – while protecting the environment, heritage and the character of local places. Our ‘scoping consultation’ seeks feedback on these topics along with the challenges and opportunities facing the borough and how the council should engage with local people in the plan-making process. Have your say by 5pm on 26 October 2026.

Did you know the Council and its committees meet regularly and make key strategic decisions about the the borough and the services we provide? These are public meetings which can be attended in person or watched via webcast. Here are some of the upcoming meetings, but you can find the full list online:

• Thursday 19 November, 7.30pm - Executive

The East Surrey shadow authority has a calendar of public meetings and is focused on preparing the new councils ahead of their formal launch on 1 April 2027, known as Vesting Day. Upcoming future meetings, include:

• Cabinet Executive (Shadow) - Tuesday 13 October, 2pm
• East Surrey Shadow Authority - Wednesday 18 November, 2pm

The Banstead Pantry, run in partnership with the Good Company, provides affordable, healthy groceries alongside information and advice, opportunities to volunteer and learn new skills, and a network of support. It’s a community-focused food shop where access to affordable groceries acts as a tool for building community, resilience and hope. This summer, the Banstead Pantry was able to provide extra support for families struggling with the cost of living when their children are not eating in school, thanks to funding from Surrey County Council. Members were able to select extra items for healthy kids meals and snacks and take up a summer family membership. Children in Banstead also enjoyed a couple of afternoons of arts and crafts workshops put on by Steering Group members. If you’re interested in becoming a member, a volunteer, or donating, click on the link below.

Surrey’s Public Health Team is encouraging the 80,000 people in Surrey who still smoke to quit for good this Stoptober. Quitting smoking can be challenging, which is why the message is: you don’t need to do it alone. With the right support, you are three times more likely to quit successfully. While Stoptober is an annual campaign in October, free support is available all year round from One You Surrey’s stop smoking service and the Smoke Free app.

Flu spreads more easily in winter when we spend more time together indoors, and it can cause serious illness. It is important to get protected, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year. If you are vaccinated and catch flu this winter, you are likely to have milder symptoms and recover faster, cutting your risk of being hospitalised.

The flu vaccine programme focuses on those at greatest risk of getting seriously ill. Those eligible for a flu vaccine include: children aged 2 and 3 years old on 31 August 2026, school age children up to year 11, people aged 65 and over, people with certain long-term health conditions, pregnant women, care home residents, carers, people experiencing homelessness, and frontline health and social care workers. All those eligible are urged to have their free flu vaccine to help them stay strong this winter – don’t put it off, book your appointment today and help protect against the risk of severe illness.