The Council’s Employee Assistance Programme includes a dedicated manager advice line. While HR can support you with managing situations and applying RBBC policies, there may be times when you prefer to speak with someone external. This could be for emotional support, to look after your wellbeing as a manager, or to gain practical tips for handling challenging or stressful situations.

The ICT team is upgrading your old Windows 10 laptops to the latest Windows 11 devices. This essential update ensures improved security and enhanced usability across the organisation. The rollout will start on 6 January and run until 31 March 2026. To receive your new laptop, you’ll need to book into one of the two daily handover sessions - either 9am or 1pm.

On 27 November, the unions and council management met to continue negotiations on the proposed Pay Award for 2026/27. Following these discussions, and within the boundaries of what is affordable to the authority, the council has revised its offer for the 2026/27 Pay Award.

Is there a project or campaign your department, your team or service want to shout about? We want to hear your ideas for our programme of Bitesize Briefings in 2026. Bitesize Briefings are scheduled throughout the year and are an opportunity for services to engage staff with campaigns, service updates and news. 

The rising cost of living has made life more challenging for many households. Please remind and signpost staff of the support and benefits that are available through the council to help ease some of these pressures.

From 2 January 2026 there are some important changes to our off-payroll appointment processes. 

Off‑payroll individuals are those who carry out work for the council but are not directly employed by us, and typically not paid through the RBBC payroll, such as interims, temps, agency workers, consultants, locums, or freelancers. 

Service Desk has introduced new steps for password resets. This now includes an additional check via your manager, team leader, or supervisor, who will confirm your identity using your ID badge number.

This is to ensure we are absolutely certain that the person requesting the reset is who they say they are. Staff should always carry their ID badges while at work, including when working at sites such as Community Centres.

From time to time, we experience delays in getting ICT equipment back from leavers, including staff and contractors. Chasing this takes up a lot of ICT’s time, and when a laptop isn’t returned, ICT currently has to cover the replacement cost, which is approximately £1,000.

All the latest updates regarding Local Government Reorganisation are available on the LGR Hub on the Knowledge including FAQs, recordings and presentation slides from the recent information sessions about TUPE.

Terence Herbert, Chief Executive of Surrey County Council, has been appointed by the Government as Senior Responsible Officer for Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey. On 11 December, an update from him was shared with staff in all Surrey Councils.

His update provides further detail about how the Chief Executives of all Surrey councils have been working together since the Government announced its decision It also explains what governance arrangements are being put in place and outlines the steps being taken to set up the Local Government Organisation Implementation Team.  The full update is on the Knowledge and managers were sent a printable version for offline teams.
 

If you or your team have any questions about LGR, please email yourLGRquestions@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.

• Hybrid working
  
  
• Employment contracts