Latest news with #ReigateBanstead
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Harlequin Theatre to stay closed until 2027 over RAAC issue
A Surrey theatre is expected to stay closed for at least another two years, a council has announced. Redhill's Harlequin Theatre suddenly closed in 2023 after it was found to be riddled with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), which can pose safety risks. The future of the theatre, cinema and community space has hung in the balance ever Reigate and Banstead Borough Council has said it expects the theatre to reopen in late spring 2027 if everything goes to plan. The local authority said it will set aside £4.5m to remove the RAAC from the theatre's roof. Senior councillors have said this move will eliminate the risk of it having to close again. Plans to modernise the building, which could have run alongside repair works as part of a previously announced £10m project, have been put on hold, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS). The council said it wants to consider whether it should hand over control to a private the meeting was told, would save the theatre from any future funding cuts. Councillor Ben Green, portfolio holder for finance and assets, said the local authority would "authorise work as soon as possible", though it "may not be able to make a decision that everyone is going to agree with". He added the "elephant in the room" was that "many people had been justifiably upset or angry with the council's delay in dealing with the RAAC issue"."There is no escaping that this matter is complicated to resolve," Mr Green added. The decision was broadly supported by opposition groups.
BBC News
17-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Kingswood recycling centre closes due to repeated fly-tipping
A recycling centre in Surrey will permanently close because of ongoing fly-tipping problems, a council has & Banstead Borough Council said it had been trying to reduce fly-tipping at the site in Stubbs Lane, Kingswood, with fixed-penalty notices and signs introduced last year warning that the site could close if problems the authority now says it will be closing the facility on Monday to prevent non-recyclable items contaminating rubbish which can be council said it would continue to monitor the Stubbs Lane site after its closure to deter any future fly-tipping. Hannah Avery, the council's executive member for neighbourhood services, said: "We're grateful to the many residents who do the right thing when recycling their waste."Unfortunately, fly tipping at our recycling sites, which can contaminate this recycling, undermines the efforts of the responsible majority."She said: "I want it to be easy for residents to recycle as much as they can, so am really pleased that all households in the area local to Stubbs Lane can now use our full collection service and are able to recycle all the materials collected at Stubbs Lane, with the exception of textiles, from home."Residents with additional recycling can use the council's other sites in the borough or the community recycling centres operated by Surrey County can lead to a £400 fixed penalty notice and anyone who witnesses it is asked to report it to the council.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Crawley and Reigate & Banstead: Should two councils become one?
Should two become one? Councils consider combining 6 minutes ago Share Save Jack Fiehn BBC Surrey, political reporter Share Save Getty Images Crawley Borough Council and Reigate & Banstead Borough Council say there are economic benefits to forming a unitary authority. Two councils in south-east England are considering asking the government to allow them to combine. Crawley Borough Council (CBC) and Reigate & Banstead Borough Council (RBBC) have put together a proposal about forming a new unitary authority. The councils say their aim is to get the economic benefits of being part of an economic area close to Gatwick airport. Government ministers have said they want a major redesign of local government, with the two-tier council system being scrapped and areas having elected mayors. RBBC approved the plan on Tuesday. CBC is meeting on Wednesday. But why are the two boroughs considering this idea? Reigate & Banstead is also supporting a proposal to have three unitary authorities across Surrey. You could say that officials at Reigate and Banstead are trying to ride two horses at the same time. On one hand, they are backing the plan – now supported by nine of the borough and district councils – to split Surrey into three unitary authorities. On the other, they are looking at working with Crawley. Arguments in favour include growing the economy of the two boroughs, the potential to develop road and rail transport links, such as the M25 and the North Downs line, and having a stronger voice on the future of Gatwick. A report also says the proposal would help with building new homes in places like Redhill Aerodrome and land near Salfords, although some councillors have raised concerns about losing green spaces. The government has asked for more details about the plan, including some of the financial aspects, such as dealing with the debts of councils in Surrey, and also the provision of services Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
