Reigate & Banstead Borough Council

It was great to be part of the celebration of 50 years of district councils with the District Councils' Network last night in Whitehall. We took the opportunity to showcase the partnership work we do in our communities to create healthy and safe places for residents to thrive. We believe it is by coming together across statutory and voluntary organisations and crucially working alongside local residents that we can really make a lasting difference. Jim McMahon, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, was at the event and we were able to highlight to him the importance of hyper-local place based working. As ever, thank you to all of our partners, together we make great things happen!

Are you looking to join a committed and ambitious Legal Service? We are looking for a paralegal to join and support the legal team in enforcement and contentious matters plus drafting witness statements, conducting legal research and providing high quality legal advice to clients within the Council. A Bachelor’s degree in Law or other equivalent degree is essential. This role is being offered on a permanent, part-time basis (2 or 3 days per week). Find out more and apply by 1 December 2024: https://orlo.uk/tg6IE

Harlequin Theatre update: We’ve received initial findings of the intrusive survey to further investigate RAAC in the venue, with a further detailed analysis of the RAAC panels due later this month, both jointly commissioned with the building’s head leaseholder. Results of a full building condition survey are expected in early December. Thank you everyone who took part in an engagement activity in October as part of this - the results of which are now on our website here: https://orlo.uk/BMzfJ Once we’ve received all the reports and before decisions can be taken, we will need to consider the scale, costs and implications of all the findings, in association with the head leaseholder. These will form part of a report to the Council’s Executive in January 2025. For more information see https://orlo.uk/QgCM5

Lucy Pevensie returns to the popular Narnia trail at Banstead Woods. Chainsaw sculptor, Ella Fielding, has recreated the carving of Lucy and the lamppost, which was removed in 2021 due to natural decay. Now visitors to the trail can step through the wardrobe and meet Aslan the Lion, the White Witch and, of course, Lucy herself. The trail, inspired by ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’, was officially opened in June 2017 to mark the designation of Banstead Woods and Chipstead Downs as a local nature reserve. Find out more: https://orlo.uk/mDtf5

??Community partner shoutout! We’re proud to put a spotlight on the work of Stripey Stork, our local baby bank in Reigate & Banstead, who are doing amazing work supporting families with children aged 0-18. In the last 12 months they have helped over 11,000 families across Surrey and Croydon. If you’ve got preloved kids' items to donate or some time to volunteer, they’d love to hear from you. Local health and community professionals can also refer families who need a bit of extra support. Find out more at https://orlo.uk/ILmul #DonateVolunteerRefer #FamiliesInNeed #CommunitySupport #StripeyStork

? Help shape next year’s Council budget ? Every year we plan to make the most of the money and resources available, to deliver over 50 different services to our 156,000 residents – everything from waste & recycling collections, street cleaning and homelessness services to business support and community safety. We welcome and value everyone’s views on our draft budget for 2025-26. You can give us your feedback during our eight-week consultation, finishing at 12 noon on 13 January 2025. Your responses will help inform next year’s budget, ahead of the final decision at the meeting of the Full Council in February 2025. For details and how to have your say ?? https://orlo.uk/AZJes

Planning on eating out this Christmas? Check out your restaurant's food score to avoid the risk of food poisoning. Our food safety team says you should look before you book! Remember, you can’t tell a restaurant’s hygiene standards by how clean and tidy the staff look, nor by how busy it is. The festive season is a time to enjoy good company and good food with friends, family and colleagues without worrying about food poisoning. It only takes a few minutes to check your favourite restaurant's food hygiene rating. Check before you book: https://orlo.uk/19r6l

We’re lucky as a Council to work with amazing local partners. Over 20 organisations attended yesterday’s Get Connected network event at Woodhatch Community Centre. We heard updates on the wide range of work underway to engage with young people on the topic of community safety. There was also an opportunity to go on the YMCA Y-Bus and visit a range of partner stalls. Partners committed to getting back together next year and felt that youth voices must continue to be central to our partner approach.

Give your views in our polling districts and polling places review. We are carrying out a review of polling districts and polling places and are asking residents, disability groups and other interested parties to have their say. The review looks at: ? the size and boundaries of polling districts, which are the areas created by dividing electoral wards into smaller sections with roughly the same number of electors. ? the location and suitability of polling places, which are the locations, normally the buildings, in which polling stations are situated, in particular, access for residents with disabilities. The deadline for comments is 16 December 2024. For more information see https://orlo.uk/Z3Tgf

Over the next five years some people will face particular challenges and may need help to access the same opportunities and wellbeing as others. Our draft corporate plan, Reigate & Banstead 2030, commits us to be ready with the additional support those in the most difficult circumstances may need. This includes: ?? Work to increase and manage the availability of affordable housing and help those at risk of homelessness. ?? Work with communities in areas where there are higher levels of inequalities. Find out more about our priorities for the next five years and have your say before 20 November here: https://orlo.uk/cEUs5