Photo credit:  Reigate and Banstead Borough Council

The borough of Reigate and Banstead will soon see changes to domestic and commercial waste recycling services. 

The Simpler Recycling legislation in the UK aims to make it easier and more consistent for everyone by March 2026.  Although the Council’s household collection service already fits this model for over 80% of properties in the borough, there remain 5,500 properties, mainly flats, where it is more difficult for the recycling vehicles to access or where there are limited bin storage facilities.  Newly available funding will speed up the process for the Council to fully comply with the legislation. 

The trade waste service to 650 business customers will be gradually withdrawn and an alternative provider will be sought.  The collection service for schools and colleges will continue and will be moved to the Council’s existing domestic rounds.

A new banking hub has been announced for Dorking. 

LINK, an organisation that helps people across the country to access cash, recommended the permanent provision of the hub.  Mole Valley District Council has confirmed that the setting up of the banking hub will be led by Cash Access UK and is expected to be in place in Dorking in a matter of months. 

The Council which has been pushing for banking hubs to replace closed bank branches in the district since July 2022, thanked everyone who sent messages to LINK during the assessment period.

Tandridge District Council has referred itself to the social housing regulator for failing to carry out mandatory electrical testing at its residential properties.

The council said it had begun a “major programme” to complete electrical installation condition reports after discovering that testing had not been carried out properly.

Thr local authority will be contacting tenants to tell them when their property will be tested.