Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s 2024/25 budget was agreed at a Full Council meeting in February. A balanced budget has been achieved, in a challenging financial climate and in a way which protects both core services and the additional support the council provides for our communities. The Borough Council’s element of Council Tax will increase by 2.99%. For an average band D household this is an annual increase of £7.47 – or an extra 14p a week. Investment into the borough was also a key element of the new budget with an updated Capital Programme which will see £53.680 million of investment over the next five years. The money will be used among other things to upgrade parks, play areas and town centres, increase the supply of temporary and emergency housing, and maintain buildings. Leader of the Council, Cllr Richard Biggs said: “We are committed to becoming a more efficient and sustainable Council, investing in projects that will save us money, and benefit the environment in the long run.”

Thank you to all our litter picker heroes across across our beautiful borough who help reduce litter all year round. With the Great British Spring Clean taking place from 15 to 31 March, could you do your bit to Keep Britain and in particular our borough tidy? The theme this year is The environment belongs to everyone and tackling litter is everyone’s responsibility. To participate, simply go to the Keep Britain Tidy website and pledge to collect bags of litter. We’ll provide the equipment and collect all the rubbish you pick.

Cllr Richard Biggs, Leader of the Council, will be available for pre-booked appointments on Tuesday 19 March between 4 and 6pm. If you have a question or an idea that you believe would benefit the borough, this is an opportunity to bring it to his attention. Appointments can be in-person or virtual. You have to be a resident or work in the borough to book an appointment. For an appointment, please email: leadersurgery@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has been awarded £47,000 in Government funding for innovative software to help modernise the planning process and make it easier for communities to engage.The award is part of the PropTech Innovation Fund – the UK Government’s largest funding programme for local authorities. It is aimed at enabling local authorities to work with industry at pace and scale, to transform how communities can engage in planning processes. Once operational, the software is expected to expedite site selection processes, enable the Council to define development targets, up skill officers, and create officer capacity.

Local businesses are encouraged to apply for our newly launched fund to help local small businesses.  The £100,000 business, employment, growth and skills grant (BEGS) is available to small businesses of up to 49 employees who can demonstrate real growth. Local businesses can apply for grants of up to £5000 per application, to fund new or improved equipment like machinery. The Council will favourably consider applications that reduce the environmental impact of business and or products.

Many of you have been fantastic in rallying together to make our Ukrainian families feel welcome. Thank you to those who have provided guests with shelter and accommodation, helped them find employment, and other assistance navigating everyday life. We are continuing to look for sponsors as many Ukrainian families still need safe places to stay. There is a monthly thank you payment available for sponsors to compensate for the rise in energy and fuel bills. If you would like more information please email: resettlement@reigate-banstead.gov.uk  

Are you committed to making a difference in people's lives? We are currently recruiting for a Sports Development Officer to support the implementation of our wellbeing projects, a Democratic Services Officer,  a Projects and Performance Team Leader, an Environmental Health Team Leader, Street Sweepers, a Cleaner, and Casual Drivers. If you possess the relevant skills and would like to join us, we would be delighted to receive your application. 

Are you a housing association tenant with one or more spare bedrooms? Does your current home feel too big for you? We may be able to help. We have launched a downsizing scheme to provide support and financial assistance to social housing tenants who want to move to smaller, manageable and more affordable properties. We provide a one off ‘home setup payment’ to help set you up in your new home. You will get £1000 per bedroom released, up to a maximum of £3000 and provide support to relieve the stress of moving such as setting up utilities and liaising with removers.

If you haven't been to one of our three community centres you can now take a peek inside before visiting in person. Virtual 360 degree tours are available of all three centres in Banstead, Horley and Woodhatch using google maps. These community centres provide a variety of services, activities and resources, including room hire, that contribute to the overall wellbeing and development of local communities. Click on the link below to take a virtual tour and see for yourself.

Householders will receive their annual Council Tax bills this month and if you signed up for e-billing before 22 February you'll receive yours by email. E-billing helps us to reduce our carbon footprint as it saves precious resources, such as trees, water and energy. It also helps us to save taxpayers' money on printing and postage, money that can spent other public services instead. With an online Council Tax account you can view and download copies of your bills whenever you want.

We have got some funding support for residents who were significantly flooded between 2 and 12 January 2024. Severely flood-impacted households can apply for up to £500 cash to help with costs. They could also be eligible for 100% Council Tax relief for at least three months.To be eligible to apply, one of the two criteria below must be met: evidence that flood water entered the habitable part of your main residential property or the operational areas of your business, and or flood water did not enter into habitable areas, but the local authority regards that the residence or business was otherwise considered unliveable or inoperable for period of 48 hours or more.

Sarah Humphreys, the Mayoress of The Borough of Reigate & Banstead, is hosting a Ladies Charity Lunch on Wednesday 20 March 2024 to raise money for the Lucy Rayner Foundation and the Royal British Legion. The lunch will take place at Ciao Italia Restaurant in Banstead with fashion designer Marielle Wyse guest speaking. Tickets are £40 per person and they include a welcome drink and a two course meal.

Pub in the Park returns to Priory Park from 12 to 14 July. Tickets for the food and music festival are on sale now and the line up includes Sam Ryder, Melanie C, McFly, Gabrielle and Scouting for Girls. For foodies there will be a carefully curated selection of award-winning and Michelin-starred eateries to sample.

Parking charges in all Council managed car parks are set to rise in April  and we would like your views on the matter. The move is aimed at raising more money to maintain and improve car parks, support the Council's budget, and encourage more people to use alternative forms of transport. A  Notice of Proposals and Statement of Reasons have been published and are available to view on our website. If you would like to make representations or express a view on the proposed increase in charges, we encourage you to do so now. 

Surrey County Council is seeking views on the county’s Rights of Way to help drive improvements. Residents are invited to feedback their views on Surrey’s Rights of Way network, sharing how they use them, their importance, what, if anything, may prevent residents from using them and how the council can support their needs. All views will help inform the new Rights of Way Improvement Plan which will be produced at the end of 2024.The survey is open until 10 March 2024.

Surrey residents are being asked for their views on a new road safety plan for Surrey which aims to eliminate road collisions resulting in death or serious injury by 2050. Surrey County Council has partnered with Surrey Police (including the Police and Crime Commissioner), Surrey Fire and Rescue, and National Highways to draft a Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy. The consultation remains open until 24 March.

Youngsters in Horley, Redhill and Reigate can now enjoy a variety of activities including football, tennis, badminton, ping pong, board games and night time swimming - thanks to an initiative called Friday Night Project (FNP) by Active Surrey. Friday Night Projects are multi-sport and activity sessions designed primarily for young people aged 11 to 16 years. They provide a safe space for young people to hang out with mates or make new friends. In Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, FNPs exist at the MYTI Club in Tadworth, Horley Leisure Centre, St Bedes School, Merstham Primary School, and Woodhatch Community Centre.

Food Rocks - the organisers of the popular Redhill Market is offering a special deal to new traders. Throughout March, any new traders wishing to put a stall at the Redhill Market on the designated trading days (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday) will only pay £60. The offer only applies to new traders and will only be available in March. The Redhill Market is a weekly event which specialises in crafts, local produce, street food, meat, and bread among other things. It operates on Redhill High Street from 9am to 5pm.  

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has published its advice for this year's COVID-19 vaccine programme. If you belong in the following categories, you are advised to take the offer of the COVID-19 vaccine this spring: adults aged 75 years and over, residents in a care home for older adults, individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed.