Reigate & Banstead Borough Council

About Reigate & Banstead

Regional Context

Reigate & Banstead is located in the County of Surrey, due south of London and largely within the Metropolitan Green Belt. Predominantly open countryside, the Borough is traversed by the North Downs escarpment - a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - and the Greensand ridge.

The Borough covers 12,900 hectares and encompasses the main village of Banstead in the North, the towns of Reigate and Redhill in the centre and Horley in the South. It shares borders with Greater London to the North, Epsom and Ewell to the North-West, Tandridge to the East, Mole Valley to the West and Crawley to the South.

The People

The Borough covers 12,900 hectares and encompasses the main village of Banstead in the North, the towns of Reigate and Redhill in the centre and Horley in the South. It shares borders with Greater London to the North, Epsom and Ewell to the North-West, Tandridge to the East, Mole Valley to the West and Crawley to the South.

Mid-2007, the population of the Borough was estimated to be 132,300, with two-thirds residing in the four main settlement areas and the rest in the other villages or outlying areas.

The Economy

The Borough is recognised as an important part of the national economy. Particular emphasis is given to the importance of the M23/A23 corridor linking London, Gatwick Airport and the South Coast.

The local economy is buoyant, with activity concentrated in the Redhill/Reigate and Horley areas. The attractiveness of the local environment and its accessibility to London, the M25, Heathrow and Gatwick airports have attracted a number of major national and international companies.

As well as an attractive physical environment the Borough offers:

• Low unemployment – currently 0.8%
• A wide range of housing in both urban and rural locations
• Low levels of crime – Surrey has the third lowest rate of reported crime of any provincial force in England
• A range of leisure and shopping facilities in the main population centres
• Easy access to London, and the south coast, and excellent road, rail and airport links.

The Council’s mission is to improve the quality of life for residents and employees within the Borough and to become one of the Country’s leading local authorities.

About The Council

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is a Conservative-controlled council, comprised of 51 democratically elected councillors accountable to the residents in their ward.

The Council currently is made up of 41 Conservative, 1 Labour, 2 Liberal Democrat and 6 Councillors from Residents' Associations.

Together, they form the Council, which determines the policy framework and decides all major strategies and plans for the borough.

To find out more about the council visit www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk

Conditions Of Employment

We employ approximately 560 people and are one of the largest employers in the area.

• Friendly, informal working atmosphere
• Up-to-date technology
• Flexible working hours
• Excellent Final Salary pension scheme (optional)

Employment Service Areas

Staff are employed within four Service areas:

Chief Executive – Head of paid service, Community Planning & Community Liaison Officers, Democratic Services / Elections, Mayoralty, Member Support, Corporate Planning & Information, Performance Management, Communications.

Services to the Community- Customer Interface, Taxation, Benefits, Refuse & Recycling, Cleansing / Streetscene, Maintenance, Parking Management, Drainage, Engineering Works, Community Safety Strategy & CCTV, Environmental Health, Sustainable Energy.

Development – Overview & Scrutiny, Policy Development, Local Plans, Local Cultural Strategy, Community Initiatives, Leisure Services, Harlequin Theatre, Community Centres, Development Management & Control, Building Control, Housing Strategy, Housing allocation, Homelessness, Housing Development.

Resources – Finance / Section 151, Legal / Monitoring Officer, Business Solutions, IT & E-Government, Property / Facilities, Procurement, Personnel, and Training Services, Support Services, Emergency & Business Continuity Planning.

To find out more about the council visit www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk