Newsletter - Mon 6 Oct, 2025

By David Grantham

In this issue: the borough’s Conservatives scraped a win in the recent no-confidence vote, 21-20, thanks to the backing of four out of the six Residents Association councillors present; there’s a planning application at the former TA centre off Chart Lane; and an application to convert offices to flats near the level crossing has been turned down (though regular readers will know that 2025 has seen schemes at three other buildings on that road approved). More on these stories after a round-up of news.

Community groups to be invited to bid for local assets

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is to launch a community asset transfer programme, in which local groups and organisations will be able to bid to own and run assets such as community halls, allotments, sports, pavilions and open spaces.

As part of local government reorganisation, Surrey’s boroughs and districts are set to merge with the county council in April 2027, and Reigate & Banstead says (Si apre in una nuova finestra) that it wants community assets to remain in the control of local communities.

Assets used for key council services, which produce significant profitable income, or are needed for future strategic reasons, won’t be included.

Groups will need to show that they can manage the asset in a financially sustainable way while also delivering benefits to the area. Training, guidance and targeted grants will be available for smaller groups.

In a two-stage process, groups will be able to express an interest in any council asset, and then, if the asset is deemed suitable for transfer, later submit a full bid.

Full details are expected soon, and groups can sign up to receive these, or ask questions, by emailing the council (Si apre in una nuova finestra).

Biofuel switchover for refuse trucks

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has received its first shipment of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), for use in its 28 bin lorries instead of diesel.

The council expects the switch in fuels (Si apre in una nuova finestra) to cut carbon emissions of each of the 26-tonne trucks by at least 76% and reduce the council’s total operational carbon emissions by one quarter.

HVO, also known as renewable diesel, is made from waste products such as cooking oil, and is compatible with the council’s fleet without any conversion costs.

The council has also been trialling electric bin lorries, but says there are none on the market suitable for current household recyclable and non-recyclable collections. However, for garden waste vehicles an electric option is being procured.

Changes have been made, says hotel fined over food safety

Langshott Manor hotel in Horley has carried out improvements to rebuild trust and confidence, says its owner, following food hygiene failings in 2023 that led to a fine this August of £80,000 (plus costs) at Guildford Crown Court.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council recently published details (Si apre in una nuova finestra) of its successful prosecution of Utopia Leisure Ltd, who pleaded guilty to failing to train and supervise food handlers, failing to comply with a Hygiene Improvement Notice, and failing to comply with food safety requirements.

Cllr Kate Fairhurst from Reigate & Banstead said that the council aimed to support local business, and offer guidance, but would “come down heavily” on those that failed to comply with legal requirements, “as we did in this case, to ensure public safety”.

Utopia Leisure said last week: “We deeply regret the incident in 2023 that led to this case and apologise to our customers, staff, and community.”

The company said that while the failings occurred during the employment of a temporary member of staff, “we take full responsibility and have since taken significant action.”

They added: “For the past two years, we have worked with an independent food safety compliance company and have now appointed an in-house Food Safety Officer. Every site in our group receives frequent, unannounced inspections. Langshott Manor has a new General Manager and Head Chef committed to the highest standards and restoring the hotel’s reputation.

“Public health and safety remain our top priority, and we are determined to rebuild trust and ensure complete confidence in the food we serve.”

Arts Takeover 25 is under way, in which 11 venues in and around Redhill are hosting art, comedy, drama, fashion, music and more, until Saturday 11 October. Details here (Si apre in una nuova finestra).

Reigate Hill has its new surface, with currently no works listed for the next three months on the Surrey Roadworks map (Si apre in una nuova finestra).

Children can enjoy a half-term Halloween afternoon tea at Reigate Manor hotel, 27 - 31 October, raising funds for Reigate-based baby bank Stripey Stork. The tea service will “delight both adults and children alike”, says the hotel, adding: “in addition to the delicious food, we’ll have spooky decorations and activities to keep everyone entertained.” Prices and booking are here (Si apre in una nuova finestra).

The Your Fund Surrey Small Community Projects Fund, which can provide £1k - £50k of funding, has opened again (Si apre in una nuova finestra) until March 2026. Since its launch in 2023, the scheme, run by the county council, has awarded £6.9 million to over 500 community projects across the county.

Nearly a quarter of fatal or serious injury collisions involve 17 to 24-year olds, and with that in mind Surrey Fire & Rescue has given its backing (Si apre in una nuova finestra) to a new national website that contains information on keeping new drivers safe. The Protect Young Drivers site (Si apre in una nuova finestra) calls for the introduction of Graduated Driving Licences, which some countries have found cut accidents, by placing restrictions on drivers in the first months after passing their test.

Office block conversion rejected