A local women’s refuge will be featured in a Channel 4 documentary tomorrow.  

The Channel 4 Dispatches programme has been filming for the last year at Reigate and Banstead Women’s Aid; a refuge for women and children fleeing domestic abuse.  “Safe At Last: Inside A Women’s Refuge” will be shown on Channel 4 tomorrow at 10 pm. The programme is narrated by Dame Julie Walters and follows the stories of women and children from when they first arrive at the local refuge to when they leave.  

It also highlights the funding issues faced by the refuge. There is more information on how to donate to the cause on RBWA.org.uk .

Plans to build a new café and pavilion at Horley Recreation Ground have moved a step forward.  

Horley Town Council has approved the appointment of a contractor to build the café, subject to funding being secured.  The expected total cost of the project is £603,000. Borrowing approval of up to £500,000 will be sought from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.  A further £130,000 will be funded from the Town Council’s reserves.

Those interested in operating a café concession lease can make an expression of interest by the 15th March. The café is expected to be ready for operation later this year.  

Council tax in the Tandridge District will increase by 3.95% for a Band D property in 2019/20.  

Tandridge District Council has agreed a council tax increase of 2.99% for properties in Band D for its share of the council tax for the next financial year.  Surrey County Council has also agreed an overall council tax rise, including social care, of 2.99%, while the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner agreed an increase of 10.15%.  This year’s total band D Council Tax will be £1930.05 an increase of 3.9% for these three services. However this Band D figure does not include parish precepts, which will vary across the district. Therefore the total average increase across the district including parish precepts is 3.95% for Band D.