Over 140 staff from Surrey councils, including 20 RBBC colleagues, are taking on the second Surrey Public Sector Challenge on Saturday 26 September, walking 15 or 8 miles across the North Downs in aid of the British Heart Foundation and Cancer UK. In 2025, an incredible £9,000 was raised for these fantastic charities, and we're keen to achieve that again in 2026!  

If you’d like to support our fundraising efforts. You can donate via our online Givewheel fundraising page. All proceeds raised from the event will go to Cancer Research and the British Heart Foundation. Every step our walkers take will help raise vital funds and awareness for these two brilliant charities.

Please feel free to spread the word and share this link with friends, family and colleagues who may wish to support us.

The East Surrey Shadow Authority approved our plans to implement the final recommendations of our recent community governance review. This decision means that legal and practical preparations for new and amended parish arrangements can be put in place for Vesting Day on 1 April 2027. Elections for the new and existing parish councils will take place on 6 May 2027 and East Surrey Councillors with wards that include the new parished areas will represent them as transitional councillors from 1 April 2027 until the newly elected parish councillors can take up their posts on 10 May 2027.

The final recommendations from the CGR will see the whole of the Reigate & Banstead area represented by parish councils. Three new councils will be created – Redhill Town Council, Reigate Town Council, and Banstead and The Villages Council – and minor changes made to Horley Town Council. There will be no changes to the existing Salfords and Sidlow Parish Council.

Redhill Arts Takeover 2026 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!

The first consultation on our new Local Plan launched on 14 September and we would be grateful if Members could help spread the word to residents, businesses and community groups in their respective wards. The ‘scoping consultation’ runs for six weeks until 5pm on 26 October. It gives people the opportunity to share their views on what the plan should focus on and seeks feedback on a range of topics, including housing, the local economy, transport, community infrastructure, climate change, the natural environment, heritage and health and wellbeing.

The easiest way to take part is online. The consultation materials are also available to view at the Town Hall, Reigate and borough libraries, together with hard copy surveys to pick up. Please share our social media posts, and we have posters and flyers you can share, available from the Planning Policy team. 

Residents across Reigate & Banstead and East Surrey are being encouraged to explore local volunteering opportunities at the East Surrey Volunteer Fair on Saturday 26 September 2026, from 11am to 3pm at The Belfry Shopping Centre, Redhill.

Delivered by Voluntary Action Surrey East (VASE) in partnership with Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and Tandridge District Council, the event will bring together charities, community groups and voluntary organisations to showcase a wide range of volunteering opportunities and highlight the positive impact volunteering has on individuals and communities.

Members may wish to share details of the event with residents, community groups and local organisations in their wards.