Welcome to the latest issue of the Member sustainability newsletter.

As we prepare our last Environmental Sustainability (ES) Annual Report as RBBC, it has provided us the opportunity to reflect back on achievements since the ES Strategy and Action Plan were first adopted in 2020. Some highlights include:

• Reducing Council emissions by installing PV on six buildings and switching the refuse fleet from diesel to HVO.
• Helping over 500 local households access support and external funding for energy efficiency improvements, cutting bills and carbon, with the highest grant take-up among Surrey district and borough councils.
• Installing solar on 13 homes to help tenants reduce energy bills and cost-of-living pressures.
• Commissioning essential feasibility studies to provide a blueprint for decarbonising operational assets.
• Working with Sustrans to reach over 5,000 residents through the Active Travel project, promoting walking and wheeling over private car use, reducing carbon, and improving health and wellbeing.
• Enhancing the natural environment through 12,000m2 of new pollinator and native species planting and more than 11,000 new trees.
• Embedding sustainability in corporate processes and decision-making, including the adoption of a Sustainability Impact Assessment.
• Building strong staff engagement through sustainability induction for 70 new starters, regular communications and engagement activities and the creation of a Staff Sustainability Network.

The ES Annual Report will be presented to the Executive on 24 September 2026. Alongside an update on progress during 2025/26 and a review of achievements over the lifetime of the Strategy, the report also looks ahead, setting out actions for delivery by RBBC during 2026/27 and proposing next steps to support the future East Surrey authority in advancing this agenda.

Schemes that help residents save energy, reduce bills and cut carbon

Ofgem recently announced a 13.5% increase to the energy price cap, which will raise the average annual dual-fuel bill for a typical household in England by £221. The Warm Homes Local Grant is available for fully funded measures including insulation, heat pumps, solar PV, smart controls, and other home energy performance improvements such as draft proofing, windows, and doors. Eligible households include low-income residents living in privately owned EPC D-G homes. Household energy efficiency measures worth £441,593 have already been approved in our borough and we’ve had the most validated homes of any Surrey borough through the scheme so far.

The fund will be available until March 2028 and is being delivered by Surrey County Council. Guidance for residents and an application form are available online: Warm Homes Grant | My sustainable home | Reigate and Banstead

Meanwhile, the Library of Things has just been launched in Redhill! Run by community volunteers, the first LoT in the borough loans out useful, everyday household items. Benefits include:

• Helping the environment by reducing waste and emissions from production and repair of new items.
• Saving money by avoiding the purchase of expensive equipment you might only need once or twice.
• Saving space by avoiding storage of bulky tools you rarely use.

Check out Redhill LoT website for more details including opening times and a list of items available to borrow.

As we approach Father’s Day on Sunday it is time for the annual London to Brighton bike ride. There will be multiple road closures enroute.

If you wish to see it the nearest viewing sport is by The Dog and Duck pub at Outwood.

just a quick reminder that this Saturday we have the well-being walk and community cuppa events taking place.

The community walk starts at 10:00 at the playground on Bushfield Drive and finishing in time to enjoy a cuppa at the village wall.

Please be advised that BT have been contacted about the manhole cover they replace a few months ago on the hospital roundabout. A work order is being raised to replace the tarmac that has broken up surrounding their manhole.

cyclists and motorcyclists should taken care to avoid this dip

Our county councillor Catherine Baart is also chasing up the repairs from the roundabout towards the arches.

Report, reduce and prevent domestic abuse during the World Cup

Did you know that reports of domestic abuse increase by 38% when England lose a match? Even in the event of a win, there is still a 26% increase. Alcohol Concern Cymru has also pointed to evidence from police which shows a link between major sporting occasions, heavy drinking and a surge in reports of abuse.

Events like the World Cup should bring people together, but this data shows we need to look out for vulnerable families. Crimestoppers is encouraging everyone to call time on abuse, recognise the signs, and report anonymously. Find out more. 

Members of the public have reported 55.7 million suspicious emails to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS). The free service was created by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in 2020 and since its launch has resulted in the removal of 250,000 scams across 443,000 malicious websites.

Why you should report phishing scams

'Phishing' is when criminals use scam emails, text messages or phone calls to trick their victims. The aim is often to make you visit a website, which may download a virus onto your computer, or steal bank details or other personal information.

The NCSC is a UK government organisation that has the power to investigate and take down scam email addresses and websites. Reporting a scam is free and only takes a minute. By reporting suspicious emails, messages and calls, you can:

• reduce the amount of scam communications you receive
• make yourself a harder target for scammers
• protect others from cyber crime online

How to report suspicious emails and text messages:

If you’ve received an email or text message that doesn’t feel right, STOP!

• break the contact – don’t reply, click on any links, call any phone numbers or make any payments
• check if it’s genuine: contact the organisation directly using an email address or phone number you know is correct, e.g. from your utility bills, via a search engine, on the back of your card or by calling 159 for banks
• Report suspicious emails by forwarding them to: report@phishing.gov.uk
• Report suspicious text messages by forwarding them to: 7726 (it’s free of charge)

How to report suspicious phone calls:

If you’ve received a phone call that doesn’t feel right, STOP!

• hang up
• check if it’s genuine: contact the organisation directly using contact details you know are correct, such as those on a utility bill, official website, the back of your card or by calling 159 for your bank
• don’t trust the Caller ID display on your phone – it’s not proof of ID
• report it by sending a text to 7726 with the word ‘Call’ followed by the scam caller’s number

If you have been a victim of cyber crime or fraud, tell the police at www.reportfraud.police.uk.

For advice and guidance on what to do if you have been a victim of fraud, please visit: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk/recovery-from-fraud/

Please see below information of upcoming carriageway works on Bushfield Drive, Redhill.

Road Closed

27 May

For 1 day

8am to 5pm

No Parking

See below for a map of the extents for our works:Approx 20m from junction of Three Arch Road.

Sometimes our plans must change, often due to bad weather or problems on other works in the same programme which can have a knock-on effect. If anything changes with the details of these works, we will let you know. 

What to support local farmers within a 30 mile radius of Redhill?

Rmaining 2026 dates:

• Sunday 3Ist May
• Sunday 28th June
• Sunday 26th July
• Sunday 30th Aug
• Sunday 27th Sep
• Sunday 25th Oct
• Sunday 29th Nov
• Sunday 20th Dec

@earlswoodfarmersmarket

What advice on heating and energy efficiency?

Got a job you need to do but don’t want to buy tools that you will not need to use regularly? Here is a new service that could be of use to you.

As the roadworks on reconstructing the pavement approach the hospital roundabout please be aware that a full closure of the road may be imposed between the junction with Bushfield Drive and the roundabout.

If using the buses please note you may wish to check the service disruption page of the Metrobus website or see their app to confirm that buses will call on the estate. 

Earlswood and Reigate South - results

Neha Boghani

The Green Party

1783

20%

Elected

Robin Whitwell

The Green Party

1627

18%

Elected

Chris Byrne

Reform UK

1240

14%

Not elected

Joseph Brian Fox

Reform UK

1148

13%

Not elected

Janis Colella

The Conservative Party

842

10%

Not elected

Brian O`Neill

The Conservative Party

795

9%

Not elected

Chris Kelly

The Liberal Democrats

446

5%

Not elected

Robin Timothy Lawrence

The Liberal Democrats

365

4%

Not elected

Linda Ann Giles

The Labour Party

289

3%

Not elected

Marc Patrick Gainsford

The Labour Party

271

3%

Not elected

Voting Summary

Seats = 2

Total votes = 8806

Electorate = 9958

Number of ballot papers issued = 4499

Number of ballot papers rejected = 6

Turnout = 45%

Earlswood and Whitebushes - results

RobinWhitwell

The Green Party

1587

48%

Elected

Joseph Brian Fox

Reform UK

715

22%

Not elected

Brian O`Neill

The Conservative Party

514

16%

Not elected

Chris Kelly

The Liberal Democrats

246

7%

Not elected

Elliott James Wragg

The Labour Party

223

7%

Not elected

Voting Summary

Seats = 1

Total votes = 3285

Electorate = 7166

Number of ballot papers issued = 3297

Number of ballot papers rejected = 12

Turnout = 46%

Our Emergency Department is very busy - please only attend our Emergency Department for life-threatening illnesses or injuries.

Please do not attend the hospital if you have, or have had in the last 48 hours, diarrhoea or vomiting.

For urgent care, please use:

- Your GP

- Your local pharmacy – expert advice for several ailments through Pharmacy First https://bit.ly/4duHKcu

- NHS 111 – online or by phone, available 24/7

- Urgent Treatment Centre at Crawley Hospital

- Minor Injuries Units at Caterham Dene, Horsham Hospital and Queen Victoria Hospital

Choosing the right service helps us keep ED free for those who need it most. Thank you for helping us help you. Find out more here: 

https://www.surreyandsussex.nhs.uk/our-services/medicine-emergency/accident-and-emergency/alternatives-ed

We are pleased to announce the new look Jaconellis coffee shop at the East Entrance at East Surrey Hospital has reopened. 

The refreshed look and upgraded equipment will deliver a massively upgraded facility.

In response to the continued high levels of Norovirus across our hospital, sustained demand in our Emergency Department, and the challenges we are facing moving patients around the site in line with necessary infection control measures, the Trust has declared a Critical Incident.

Please only use our Emergency Department (ED) for serious or life-threatening emergencies. For all other urgent health needs, consider these alternatives:

- Your GP

- NHS 111 - online or by phone, available 24/7

- Your local pharmacy – expert advice for several ailments through Pharmacy First https://bit.ly/4duHKcu

- Urgent Treatment Centre at Crawley Hospital

- Minor Injuries Units at Caterham Dene, Horsham Hospital and Queen Victoria Hospital

Choosing the right service helps us keep ED free for those who need it most. Thank you for helping us help you.

Find out more - https://www.surreyandsussex.nhs.uk/latest-news/trust-declares-critical-incident-due-norovirus-outbreak

March 2026 sees Cllr Ruth Ritter step down as a councillor for Earlswood & Whitebushes after 7 years of service to our community. However, if you want to catch up with her still is looking forward to continuing to be a member of the Kiln Community Garden team.

Ruth’s departure message is in a previous post.

We also see at the end of the month Conrad, Raven Housing Trust’s neighbourhood warden retire after serving the estate and it’s residents for 15 of his 19 years with Raven.

Please see the separate article from Facebook below to read about his amazing work across not only our estate but across a wide area.

He will be succeeded by Steve who we welcome.

Help in the bushes wishes to thank both Ruth and Conrad for their work on the estate.

We are pleased to announce that Andy’s man’s club has arrived at Woodhatch Community providing a free and safe space for men to talk about their mental health needs.

We are also pleased to to announce starting in March 2026 there will be a walking club operating prior to the community cuppa at the village hall on the first Sat of the month.

meeting point is the playground on Bushfield Drive and walks will last 45 minutes to 1 hour taking into account the ability of group members.

Information from Reigate and Banstead Borough Council social media team:

What does the Government’s announcement on local elections mean for Surrey?

🗳️  Elections for the new East and West Surrey councils are still going ahead on 7 May as planned.  

From April 2027, the existing county council and 11 district and borough councils will be replaced by two new unitary councils – East Surrey and West Surrey. 

On 7 May 2026 you will get the opportunity to vote for two candidates in your ward. They will represent you in your new East or West Surrey council, depending on where you live.

The councillors elected in May 2026 will work as part of 'shadow authorities' for one year. They'll be working with the existing councils on moving to Surrey's new local government structure. They will continue to represent East Surrey and West Surrey after April 2027. This is when the two new unitary authorities will take over delivering all local services in your area.  

Your existing county, borough and district councillors will continue to represent you until 31 March 2027. Therefore, as planned, there will be no elections for the 12 existing county, borough and district councils in Surrey this year. This includes Reigate & Banstead Borough Council. If a by-election is needed in a particular ward, that will still take place.

There is no disruption to council services during this process. We remain focussed on delivering services as usual until the new councils take over in April 2027.

More information about May’s elections in Surrey and how to vote can be found here: https://orlo.uk/9PgfE

Today Open Reach following a call by Help in the bushes member Robin Whitwell, attended the hospital roundabout and have initially said to me that they will be deploying a road plate over the noisy manhole covers as a temporary fix but subsequently called back to say that they will seek to permanently repair it on Monday night, subject to permits, under either a diversion or more likely 4 way traffic lights. They hope that the work will be completed in one night.

Also reported:

Potholes between the roundabout and bridge

Road sign supports corroded by the tip

Help in the bushes invite you to join us this coming Saturday between 11:00 and 12:30 for the monthly coffee morning at the village hall at the junction of Masons Bridge Road and Three Arch Road.

Pedestrian access available along the path at the side of the common.

If you are free on the first Saturday of the month and love gardening or are interested about learning about gardening please come down to the Kiln Community Garden by the footpath at the side of the common.

The team will be there on Saturday 7th February from 10:00 to 12:00 and have added work to do this month so all offers of help are welcomed.

Following representations to help in the bushes we have asked Borough Councillors Gillian Vischer and Ruth Ritter plus County Councillor Catherine Baart to look at the footpath from the estate across the common towards the Canada Drive entrance to the hospital To see if there are any improvements that we can make to protect this vital route to the hospital.

We appreciate that there are a large number of hospital staff living on the estate the who use this route. If you have any further information or stories of how it is impacting your journey that you wish to share with the councillors please feel free to email them.

Surrey County Councillor:

Catherine.Baart@surreycc.gov.uk

Reigate and Banstead Borough Councillors:

Cllr.Vischer@reigate-banstead.gov.uk

Cllr.Ritter@reigate-banstead.gov.uk

📚✨ Loving the new Book Swap in Whitebushes! ✨📚

It's great to see the Book Swap in the Whitebushes play area!

Have a book you’re finished with? Pop it in!

Looking for something new to read? Help yourself!

Small things like this make a big difference to local life. It would be fantastic to hear from anyone who uses it. 💛

Post from Facebook by Charlie Griswood, Community Development Worker.

Following the planning enquiry requested by Solum (owned by Kier Property and Network Rail) which ran from September to November 2025 the outcome has now been decided. 

The inspector following a review of all the fact refused the application.

Special thanks go to Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Redhill Residents Action Group for their work defending the councils decision to initially refuse this with over 2,000 objections. In addition to the expert witnesses, a number of local individuals including Whitebushes resident Robin Whitwell, Councillors Stephen McKenna and Jonathan Essex, Surrey Coalition of Disabled people, Shop mobility, Redhill Reigate and District Rail Users Group and others made statements and were cross examined by the UK’s leading planning barrister.

Another Little Library ready to flege the Men's Shed nest, this time heading to Whitebushes Common Playground.

Thanks to the CIL team at the Reigate and Banstead Borough Council for getting us involved in, and for funding, this great community project.

Love Reigate and Banstead

Shared on behalf of Men’s Shed and Age Concern Merstham, Redhill and Reigate

Looking for a rewarding volunteering opportunity locally?

Following significant work across our services and with our partners to manage the exceptional levels of demand, the Trust have now stood down the Critical Incident declared at East Surrey Hospital. However our services remain very busy, and challenges persist across the system. 

We therefore continue to as our local communities to help us help you by only using our Emergency Department (ED) for serious or life-threatening emergencies. For all other urgent health needs, consider these alternatives:

- Your GP

- NHS 111 – online or by phone, available 24/7

- Your local pharmacy – expert advice for several ailments through Pharmacy First https://bit.ly/4duHKcu

- Urgent Treatment Centre at Crawley Hospital 

- Minor Injuries Units at Caterham Dene, Horsham Hospital and Queen Victoria Hospital

Choosing the right service helps us keep ED free for those who need it most.

Thank you for helping us help you. Find out more https://www.surreyandsussex.nhs.uk/late.../important-message

Help in the bushes are pleased to advise you that the building at Nutfield has been made safe and the A25 between Redhill and Nutfield has reopened.

Metrobus services have returned to their normal routes with the exception of in Godstone where the sink hole road closure remains in place.

Salfords and Sidlow Parish Council have shared the following news re Three Arch Road roadworks:

As part of Surrey County Council’s commitment to improving roads and pavements, Three Arch Road has been selected for carriageway patching works.

The work will take place Monday 19 January for 2 days – working hours: 10am to 4pm.

Delays Possible whilst works are carried out from east of junction with Bushfield Drive.

SCC will make sure you can get to and from your house or business when it is safe to do so. Please talk to a member of  staff on site if you need help – they are keen to deliver the work with minimal disruption to you.

It is essential to keep the road free from parked vehicles to enable the work to proceed as planned. The work is weather dependant and can be delayed by bad weather or other factors. Please look at our information boards on site for date changes.

Help in the bushes will update this page when we know what impact this will have on buses services on the estate.