Here are a few New Year’s resolutions to help everyone get into the habit of reducing waste:

• Reduce your waste – buy only what you need and try to buy with little packaging.
• Reuse what you can – buy products that can be reused (rechargeable batteries, bottles instead of cans etc), take old carrier bags or reusable bags with you when you go shopping and use cleaned bottles and jars to store odds and ends in. Donate your old clothes and books to charity shops.
• Recycle as much as you can – and buy products with recycled content. Use our current recycling service and bring sites to recycle things.
• Donate your furniture – if you’re looking to replace your fridge or freezer this year but it’s still in working order, don’t throw it away; donate it to the Surrey Reuse Network instead. Check out Furnistore, a furniture re-use charity, who are based in Redhill.
• Look out for details over the coming months of what you can recycle as part of the Council’s new recycling and refuse collection service, which will collect more materials from your home, and pledge to recycle more when it starts.

For more information, please visit the Borough Council’s new recycling and refuse collection service page or scan the links on the right for relevant local websites.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is offering loads of exciting activities across the borough for 7 to 15 year olds this October half term.

The school holiday fun includes trampolining, the gymnastic sport parkour, film animation, indoor rock climbing and modern pentathlon. Activities run from Monday 24 to Friday 28 October.

“Our youth holiday activity programme is always hugely popular,”

said Cllr Adam De Save, Executive Member for Healthy Communities.

“Places are limited so I’d advise everyone to book as soon as they can to ensure they can take part.”

For the full activity programme and to sign up, visit www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/youthactivities, or contact Sue Sergeant, Leisure Development Officer, on 01737 276700 or email leisure@reigate-banstead.gov.uk

Priory Park has won a gold South & South East in Bloom award. The award, the third the park has scooped in the past month, is for the large park category.

Judges branded it a superb example of a park being bought up to date and providing just what the customer wants. The play area was also praised as being one of the best in the south east.

The park’s display of colourful wild flowers, plants and sports facilities all impressed the judges. The community work that has been done with residents and schools and the park’s overall management were also commended.

Horley Recreation Ground and Horley town centre also picked up silver gilt awards for their excellent maintenance, cleanliness and floral displays. Horley was one of seven town centres across the region to receive a silver gilt award and the Recreation Ground was one of just four.

“Our Grounds Maintenance Teams work extremely hard all year round to maintain the borough’s parks and streets to a high standard”,

said Cllr Adam De Save, Executive Member for Healthy Communities.

“This is the first time that we have achieved gold since becoming involved with the In Bloom competition and this award is a testament to the staff’s outstanding efforts.”

South & South East in Bloom promotes, supports and encourages community activity through gardening, horticulture and environmental sustainability.

Residents are being asked by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council to have their say on a number of important issues that will affect how the borough changes over the next 15 years.

The Council is consulting on the outstanding issues to be decided in our Core Strategy and wants to know what is most important to local people as we plan future development, such as meeting local housing needs, supporting economic growth and prosperity or protecting the environment.

We are asking residents to give their views on:

• how many new homes should be planned for and where they be directed
• in which areas should economic development and employment land be focussed
• where new shops should be provided
• the infrastructure and services required to support future development.

The Core Strategy is the Council’s planning policy document which sets the long-term framework for development in the borough to 2027. It will include information about where development will go, and will include policies to protect and improve our towns, villages and countryside.

Cllr Mike Miller, Executive Member for Prosperous Borough, said:

“Our Core Strategy has been shaped by what residents have told us in previous consultations.  We are seeking to balance the need for new housing for our growing population and a strong local economy, whilst protecting the character of our urban areas and green spaces and maintaining the good quality of life that Reigate and Banstead offers.

“By taking a realistic approach to development it will allow us to retain control and make sure that development happens in the right places and at the right times.  I urge people to have their say on these important issues because what is decided now will shape the borough for years to come.”

The Core Strategy Outstanding Issues Consultation runs from Friday 30 September to Friday 11 November 2011. More information is available on the Council’s website www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk or from the Town Hall, Help Shops and Libraries across the borough.

After the consultation, the Council will finalise the Core Strategy, taking into account responses to the consultation. A statutory ‘pre-submission’ consultation on the whole Core Strategy document will then take place in early 2012 before it is submitted it to Government in the spring.

Once submitted, the plan will be subject to public examination by an independent inspector before being formally adopted by the Council in December 2012.

Notes:

• The Executive approved the consultation at their meeting on 22 September 2011.  For further details about the proposals and the consultation please see the Core Strategy page of the Council’s website: http://www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/planning/planning_policies/local_development_framework/coreexamin/index.asp
• Changes to regional and national policy mean that in the future, local authorities will be responsible for setting their own housing targets. The Core Strategy proposes that between 420 and 500 homes per year should be provided in the borough.  This is lower than the level of house building in recent years, but demonstrates that the Council is serious about meeting local housing needs and supporting the local economy.
• For the next 10 years, it is proposed that new housing and employment development be focused in built up areas.  Beyond 2021, some development may need to be provided in areas adjoining our existing towns – known as ‘sustainable urban extensions’.
• The Council is also clear that new development needs to be supported by investment in new or enhanced infrastructure and services. We have worked closely with providers to identify what facilities and services will be needed and a plan has been drawn up on when they will be delivered and how they will be funded.

Heritage open days will take place across Reigate & Banstead between Thursday 8 and Sunday 11 September giving local residents free access to historic buildings, medieval caves, churches and museums not normally opened to the public.

The historic Town Hall in Reigate is opening its doors to the public on Saturday 10 September from 10am to 2pm. The Grade II listed building was built in 1901, the main rooms are splendid with many containing historic photographs of Reigate Town and a collection of paintings by the artist William Tatton Winter.

Cllr Adam De Save, Executive Member for Healthy Communities said:

“The Heritage Open Days are a great opportunity for people of all ages to explore the wealth of historic, cultural and architectural landmarks on their doorstep such as Barons’ cave in Reigate. It’s an opportunity not to be missed.”

Heritage Open Days are held annually and these events are collaboration between the Council, English Heritage, The Reigate Society and owners of various properties, local historians and amenity societies

For more information on participating venues in the borough visit www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk or for more venues in other areas visit www.heritageopendays.org.

Don’t forget or miss out on giving your views on the proposals by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and Raven Housing Trust to regenerate the area in and around Portland Drive at the public consultations being held on the dates below.

To find out more, details of the proposals will be on display at the Merstham Community Facility until 20 September 2011 during opening hours.

There will also be a number of staffed sessions so that local people have the opportunity to talk to Borough Council and Raven staff and ask questions.  These will be on:

*       Tuesday 6 September, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
*       Sunday 11 September, 11am – 3pm
*       Tuesday 13 September, 10am – 1pm

The session on 11 September coincides with Happy Healthy Merstham family day.

Cllr Natalie Bramhall, Executive Member for Priority Places, said:

“Don’t miss your chance to tell us what you think about the plans.  We will use your views to refine the development proposals before we take them back to Councillors for approval.”

We will also be asking residents for their views on the sort of shops and services that are most important to them; the services they would like the community hub to offer and how the environment in and immediately surrounding Portland Drive could be improved.

Residents can give their views online at www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/mersthamregeneration or by completing a feedback form, available from Merstham Community Facility.  The consultation ends on Tuesday 20 September 2011.

Merstham Community Facility is located at 44 Portland Drive and is open from 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday.

Jonathan Higgs, Raven Chief Executive said,

“The views of local people are really important.  In addition to the consultation, the Council and Raven is asking residents to join a Resident Consultative Group to help shape the future design proposals.  If you live in Merstham and are interested in getting involved, we’d like to hear from you.”

Residents interested in becoming part of the Residents Consultative Group can find out more about it at the exhibition.

Following the consultation, feedback will be used to finalise the proposals, formally known as a Planning Framework, and Councillors will be asked to agree the proposals in November. Once finalised, the Planning Framework will be used to guide decisions on planning applications for the various sites.

Raven is starting the process of finding a suitable developer.   When that process is complete, we will know for certain whether the proposals can be delivered.

Once a suitable development partner is found, plans will be drawn up and a further consultation of the design of the scheme is anticipated to take place next summer.

Full article here.

The Planning Inspector’s decision can be found at this link:  Decision Notice

Visitors to Priory Park can swap their leftover loaves for a free bag of bird food next week to feed the ducks that live on the lake.

The Council is holding its annual bread amnesty from Monday 25 July to Friday 29 July to celebrate Love Parks Week.

Visitors to Priory Park can swap their bread at the park office, inside the Pavilion, for a free bag of special bird food, from 25 July between 9am and 5pm.

Cllr Adam De Save, Executive Member for Healthy Communities, said:

“Priory Park attracts thousands of visitors every year and part of their enjoyment is feeding the ducks and swans at the lake.

“Bread contains very little of the vital ingredients to provide wildfowl with the energy they need to breed and feed. It is like junk food – it tastes good but has no nutritional value.  The special food we will be supplying during Love Parks Week is much more nutritious for them.

“Our bread amnesty is about encouraging people to feed the birds the right food whilst still enjoying a great visit to the park.

Outside of Love Parks Week, bird seed is available free from the park office in the Pavilion.

If visitors want to feed the ducks bread, please ensure that it is still fresh and preferably one of the healthier multi grain varieties.

No dogs in the lake

The Council would also like to remind all dog owners to take responsibility to ensure their dogs are under full control when in the park.

Dogs must not swim in the lake at this important nesting time, as it can disturb the wildfowl and sometimes cause them to abandon their nests.
Free dog waste bags are also available from the park office.

There are loads of activities for all ages to enjoy in the Councils latest guided walks and events programme. You can download the programme from www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk, or pick up a copy from one of our Help Shops.

The Mayor of Reigate & Banstead, Councillor Brian Stead, is encouraging all residents, community groups and voluntary organisations to nominate their dedicated volunteers to receive a Mayor’s Volunteer Award, in recognition of the valuable work they do.  The deadline for nominations closes on 29th July.

The Mayor said:

“Volunteers provide an outstanding level of care throughout our borough.  They are a selfless group of individuals who do admirable work, which serves the community.  I urge residents, community groups and voluntary organisations to nominate a volunteer they feel should be honoured for their service, and to receive the recognition they deserve.”

Volunteers can be nominated in five award categories:
*Young Volunteer Award – for volunteers under 25 years of age who have completed a minimum of two year’s voluntary service.
*Individual Volunteer Award – for those volunteers who have completed a considerable length of voluntary service and have made an exemplary voluntary contribution.
*Team Award – for a team of volunteers who have excelled in their provision of help to a community association or charity.
*Individual Trustee Award or Trustee Team Award – this category would include the Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary or Board of Trustees who have shown due diligence, good governance and commitment in the running of a voluntary organisation.

An award for Outstanding Voluntary Contribution will be chosen by the Mayor’s Awards Panel (if appropriate) from the entries received for the other award categories and awarded to the volunteer who the Panel feel has made a significant impact on the community through their work.

Volunteers must live or work in the borough and not receive any remuneration for their time.   Nominations must be received by Friday 29 July 2011.

The annual award scheme, now in its eighth year, was set up to recognise the unsung heroes who do a great amount of valuable work for the borough and its community and to show appreciation for their selfless service.  The scheme is organised by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council in partnership with Reigate and Banstead Voluntary Service.

Des Shepherd, Manager of Reigate and Banstead Voluntary Service said:

“Awards such as these are a wonderful way of rewarding people who give up their time for others without seeking financial gain.  Hopefully, it will inspire others thinking of volunteering to take the leap, and gain valuable life skills.”

For further information or to download a nomination form visit the Council’s website: www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/mayorsawards2011.  Alternatively you can request a nomination form by emailing award@rbcvs.org.uk or by calling Reigate and Banstead Voluntary Service on 01737 763156.

Nominations should be sent to The Manager, Reigate and Banstead Voluntary Service, Victoria House, Brighton Road, Redhill RH1 6QZ.   Nominated volunteers should not be informed of their nomination unless deemed absolutely necessary.

Successful nominees (and the nominating person or organisation) will be invited to a special awards ceremony, hosted by the Mayor, at the Town Hall, Reigate, in October.

The regeneration of Merstham estate could move a step closer next week. Proposals for improvements to the estate, particularly the Portland Drive area, are to be discussed by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s Executive at their meeting on Thursday 21 July.

The proposals detail where new building might take place and what sort of developments might be able to secure planning permission, including:

• Redevelopment of the flats and shops in Portland Drive and the Purbeck Close site to provide a mix of new private and affordable homes.
• A local shopping centre on the corner of Portland Drive and Bletchingley Road made up of five to seven shops, including a small mainstream food store, public square, car parking and recycling centre, to better meet the everyday shopping needs of residents.
• A new community hub to bring together a range of local services, including the Borough Council’s Help Shop, the Merstham Community Facility and a new library, to improve community facilities.
• Improvements to public spaces and pedestrian links

“The Council and its partners are firmly committed to regenerating Merstham to improve the area for residents.  These proposals seek to improve the heart of the estate to provide better housing for local people, create more centralised facilities, improve the quality of the retail offer and enhance public spaces and links between homes and facilities.

“If the proposals are agreed, we will talk with local people to see how we can best meet their needs and work closely with Raven Housing Trust and other public and voluntary sector partners to identify what can be achieved in the current economic climate.

“We will be asking residents for their views on the sort of shops and services that are most important to them, the services they would like the community hub to offer and how the environment in and immediately surrounding Portland Drive could be improved.”

“At Raven, we are committed to investing in homes and neighbourhoods to develop local communities where people want to live.

“Our success in Merstham will depend on us working with residents, the Council and local groups to effect the changes they would like to see. We are excited about developing these recommendations and look forward to working with local people to bring about some real and lasting change for the Merstham estate.”

• The Merstham Estate Regeneration Plan sets out the actions the Council and other public and voluntary sector service providers will take to improve the Merstham Estate for the benefit of its residents.
• The plan aims to improve public services and facilities; make the estate cleaner and safer; improve youth provision; provide support to families in need; improve health; help local people to develop their skills and reduce unemployment; and help vulnerable people, such as the elderly.
• The plan was drawn up by the Borough Council in partnership with Surrey County Council, Surrey Police, NHS Surrey, Raven Housing Trust, Reigate and Banstead Voluntary Service and other key voluntary sector service providers.
• The Council has committed up to £570,000 of New Growth Points funding to the Merstham Community Hub project, up to £200,000 of section 106 contributions (developer infrastructure contributions) and £50,000 of capital funds to relocate the Help Shop from Portland Drive shopping parade.  The Executive will be asked to  reaffirm this commitment at their meeting.