Surrey County Council’s Cabinet has agreed plans to relocate Reigate Priory Junior School to a new, purpose-built school building at Woodhatch Place on Cockshot Hill.

Key factors behind the relocation is the longstanding safeguarding concern arising from the public right of way that currently runs through the school grounds as well as the increasing challenges of maintaining the historic priory building.

The purpose-built facility will offer spacious classrooms, improved areas for whole school activities and a design that prioritises accessibility and safeguarding.

A comprehensive package of highway improvements will be introduced in the local area to help ensure the school’s relocation has minimal impact on residents.

A prolific shoplifter has been jailed after his latest run of crime in Crawley.

37-year-old, Ben Gladman, was arrested for breaching two criminal behaviour orders, assaulting and emergency worker and five shop thefts.

He pleaded guilty at Crawley Magistrates Court on 14 January.

Gladman was sentenced to six months in prison.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is celebrating the impact of its solar compacting litter bins across the borough with a prestigious Green World Award.

The award, which is part of a global campaign to find the world’s greenest countries, companies and communities, was recently presented to the Council and its supplier partner, Future Street, at a ceremony in the House of Lords. It recognises the joint project to install more than 120 solar compacting big belly bins during November 2024.

The solar-powered bins automatically compact waste to provide increased litter storage and alert the Council’s Cleansing team when they reach 80% capacity so that they can be emptied before they overflow. This has significantly reduced street litter and fly tipping in the borough’s four town centres, particularly at weekends. For example, following the 2025 Reigate Christmas Fayre, which takes place on the first Saturday of December, there was two-thirds less street litter left behind than in pre compacting bins years.

Since the installation of the bins, the Council has estimated that it spends around 50% less time emptying litter bins in town centres which has saved on fuel requirements and reduced C02 emissions. It has also freed up cleansing staff to concentrate on other areas, such as leaf blowing, litter picking and street sweeping.

Cllr Hannah Avery, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “The compacting big belly bins, which have smart technology, allow our Cleansing team to maximise their efficiency and help us to reduce our carbon footprint.

“We have located the 120 solar-powered bins where they are needed most and where they make it easier for people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly at any time of day or week. Since they were installed, the bins have made a big difference in keeping our town centres and popular parks looking good and litter free.

“I’d like to thank all those involved in project – in particular our supplier partner, Future Street, and our Cleansing team – and, of course, everyone who is using the big belly bins to improve the local environment for everyone.”

The litter bins, provided and installed by Future Street, were funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This is a charge on new developments which funds improvements to our Borough and the infrastructure needed to support new homes and businesses.

The project competed against more than 500 other nominations in the Green World Awards 2025 and took away the silver award within the category ‘Utilities: Environmental Improvement’. The awards are organised by The Green Organisation – an international, independent, non-political, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world, and are supported by the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution for Wastes Management and other independent bodies.

The Tandridge Together Community Fund has awarded £23,000 in grants of up to £2,000 to 16 local organisations delivering community projects that will make a meaningful difference to residents’ health and wellbeing.

Projects include:

• Expansion of a Memory Cafe for people with dementia.

• Counselling workshops for domestic abuse survivors.

• Music and theatre workshops for disabled adults.

• Events, outings and activities for isolated residents.

• School shoes for over 1,000 children from low-income families.

• Physical activity and social opportunities for young people.

• Online safety education in schools.

The grant fund is generated from tickets sold through the Tandridge Together Lottery, with 10p from every £1 ticket sold allocated to the fund. Additionally, a further 50p from each ticket goes directly to the player’s chosen local good cause.

Councillor Deb Shiner, Chair of the Community Services Committee, said: “Once again, players of the Tandridge Together Lottery are helping to make a real difference in their community. These grant contributions enable community projects to provide a wide range of support to residents who need it most.”

Residents can play the Tandridge Together Lottery and support the Tandridge district.

A section of railway track between Dorking and Horsham has had to be closed due to a landslip.

Network Rail have confirmed there will be no trains running between the two points until at least 30^th January, but a rail replacement bus service is in operation.

Southern rail have described the landslip as substantial which has severely affected the track due to earth which has shifted.

Passengers are being advised to check Southern or National Rail websites before they make any journeys.