The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates an annual Heat-Health alert system in England from 1 June to 15 September. The Heat-Health Alert system compromises four levels of response based upon temperature thresholds reached and an assessment of impact by UKHSA and the Met Office. For more information about the Heat-Health Watch scheme visit the Met Office website.

Older people, those who live alone, younger children and babies and those with serious illnesses find it particularly hard to cope when the temperature rises, so it’s important to look out for those people in our community. Check in on friends, family and neighbours who may struggle in the heat.

To help spot the signs of someone with heat exhaustion or heatstroke, check out this guidance from the NHS.

If someone is unwell or needs further help, the NHS is here to help. Call NHS 111 or speak to your local pharmacist.

When a heatwave does occur, it is important to be prepared and take steps to reduce the risks both for yourself and those friends and relatives that may be vulnerable. There are many simple ways to do this and you can find easy to follow guidance through these links:

• Beat the heat: staying safe in hot weather – GOV.UK
• NHS Choices website: Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather
• Healthy Surrey heatwave advice

Council services affected

During extreme hot weather some council services may be affected. Please see below for details of where to get up to date information for some key services.

• Schools
• Community Recycling Centres
• Libraries closures – temporary closures in some libraries on Saturday 27 June due to extreme heat.
• Rubbish and recycling collection
• Roads
• Buses

Visit the summer advice hub for more information about keeping up to date.

Schools

To check if your child’s school is closed please refer to their school’s website.

If you are unsure of their website, please refer to our schools directory to find your school.

Rubbish and recycling collection

This is the responsibility of Borough and District Councils but collections may start earlier in the mornings. Please make sure you put your bins out for collection the night before to ensure they are emptied. For up to date information visit the borough and district council responsibilities web page.

Roads

We have a supply of grit that is ready to be spread on any roads that may be susceptible to melting. Our highways teams are carrying out regular inspections and remain on standby to repair where necessary.

You can report a highways issue on FixMyStreet or, if it needs more immediate attention, you can contact us by phone. In an emergency, always dial 999.

Buses

Please use our bus service disruption due to bad weather web page to see details about local bus providers. Please check your local providers website, bus tracking map or social media for any service updates or cancellations.

Local campaigners, including Dame Judi Dench, have marked the 1000^th day since Redhill’s Harlequin theatre closed (on September 26, 2023), by sending an open letter to the leader of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, demanding action to finally reopen the theatre.

The letter points out the economic damage to the borough of the continued closure – which had lasted 1,000 days on June 22 this year – and questions why the council has missed its own deadline of last month to start construction work.

It calls for the council to explain the reasons for the delays so far and to commit to a reopening date.

The Redhill Business Guild estimates that the Redhill economy loses an estimated £744,810 per year because of the absence of the theatre, with local restaurants, coffee shops, pubs and accommodation providers missing out on the money the visitors to the Harlequin would have spent in the town.

A national report says that every £1,000 of turnover generated by the theatre ecosystem in the UK leads to £1,909 turnover in the rest of the economy

Economic Impact Assessment of UK Theatre Sector On Behalf of
UK Theatre and The Society of London Theatre: 8th June 2023

The economic damage is especially acute in Redhill because the annual panto has not happened for two years and is not expected to take place this Christmas either.

The cumulative economic loss is estimated to have reached more than £2million by next year.

“Redhill has lost far more than a theatre,” says the letter to Councillor Richard Biggs, leader of the Conservative-led council. “Local businesses have lost customers, the town centre has lost footfall, and our community has lost one of its most important cultural assets.

“The people of Redhill have waited long enough. It is time to provide certainty, accountability and a credible plan to bring our theatre back.”

The letter was written by the Green and Independent Group on RBBC. It has been signed by Dame Judi Dench and all the major arts organisations that use the Harlequin, including Sajeela Kershi, organiser of the Comedy Cottage, which has taken place at the Harlequin for more than a decade.

Residents can add their names to the letter by emailing [email protected]

Cllr Elly Heaton, Green councillor for Redhill West and Meadvale on the shadow East Surrey Council, said: “The Harlequin has always been much more than an entertainment venue. It brings people together, supports local businesses, and gives Redhill a sense of identity and pride. After nearly three years of closure, local businesses have lost an estimated £2.5 million in trade, and residents deserve greater transparency about what happens next. Publishing a detailed reopening timeline would be an important first step towards rebuilding trust and demonstrating that the Harlequin remains a priority for the area.”

Cllr Mark Smith, Independent councillor for Redhill West and Wray Common, said: “The people of Redhill are still waiting for a clear plan. This isn’t just about a theatre; it’s about confidence in our town centre, support for local businesses, and keeping promises made to residents. We are simply asking the council leader to publish a detailed timetable for reopening by July 22 so everyone can see exactly where the project stands and when this vital community asset will return.”

Cllr Jonathan Essex, Green borough councillor for Redhill East, said the ongoing closure of the Harlequin contravenes the council’s own Leisure & Culture Policy, published in 2023 to recognise the need for a strong leisure and culture offering for the borough.

He added: “Now the new unitary council has publicly said it won’t block the Harlequin’s reopening, the Conservatives must stop hiding their dithering and delay with empty promises and a wall of silence, and let the public know when they will see construction work start and when they will be able to book a show.”

The open letter, with all signatories so far, can be seen at https://eastsurreygp.org.uk/esw/1000-days-with-no-harlequin-local-community-wants-answers/.

It’s been reported that American Mink are running riot on Britains Waterways including areas of Surrey.

Environmentalists say the animals can kill hundreds of native species every year and local anglers have been asked to help eradicate them.

Members of the Dorking and District Angling Society will be acting as eyes and ears along a stretch of the River Mole to protect water voles, swans and herons.

If anyone spots an American Mink, they pass on the location to the Waterlife Recovery Trust who will then take suitable action.

The tennis courts at the Memorial Park in Redhill have now been completely refurbished.

Cllr Nadean Moses, Executive Member for Greenspaces, joined Alexander and Harry, from Boom Tennis, at Memorial Park in Redhill. She said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to refurbish our tennis courts across the borough and think they look very smart.

“I hope that more people are inspired by these new-look courts, as well as the sunshine, to come and enjoy playing tennis or Pickleball. We might even have a future homegrown Wimbledon star in the borough!”

Tennis and Pickleball sessions across the borough are included in the council’s school holiday activity programme this summer, although spaces are booking up fast. You can see what’s available and book at www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/school-holidays

In total, the council has upgraded 14 tennis courts at Howard Close, Lady Neville Park, Memorial Park, Priory Park, Tattenham Way Recreation Ground and Woodmansterne Recreation Ground.

The makeover included new fencing, as well as court surfacing, posts, nets and line marking.  Pickleball lines have also been marked out on the courts at Priory Park, Memorial Park and Lady Neville Park.

All the council’s tennis courts, including those at Merstham Rec and the courts managed by Horley Town Council at Horley Recreation Ground, are free to use and there is no need to book. You can find out more about tennis court locations and other activities in the council’s parks using our Parks Directory.

The tennis court refurbishment programme was funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy (a charge that local authorities can set on new development to help fund infrastructure, facilities and services in the area).

A multi-agency operation has been attempting to crack down on the rogue parking operators around Gatwick Airport.

In one search, West Sussex Trading Standards and police found 150 vehicles next to a scrapyard, with cars parked bumper to bumper, despite their owners having been told it was “premium parking”.

Other holidaymakers have returned home to find companies have simply left their vehicles at the airport short stay, where they picked up a fine.

Oliver Bedford, director of airport access, marketing and commercial products at Gatwick Airport, said: “ the airport was working with Trading Standards and police to crack down on the rogue operators”