Weekly update - 26 July 2010
This week’s update is about the new leisure centre in Horley, the Surrey Future Jobs Fund project for 18-24 year olds and a forthcoming community engagement programme.
Horley regeneration
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has appointed Pellikaan Construction Ltd. to start building the new £7.5m Horley Leisure Centre in November. Pellikaan has completed over 900 leisure centre projects across Europe and has recently been awarded construction contracts with Lewisham Council and Farnham Town Council valued at £16m and £9m respectively.
This new leisure centre is a next step in a wide-ranging regeneration programme that will create new employment opportunities, housing, community, cultural and social opportunities for the people of Horley.
Council Leader, Cllr Joan Spiers, said, ‘We have consulted extensively with local residents on this development and are confident that, thanks to their feedback, the new leisure centre will significantly improve the quality of daily life for people in Horley and surrounding areas. We strive to create a safe, green, clean and healthy environment for local people and this new leisure centre, together with up to 15 new affordable homes on the site, is an excellent example of the Council promoting essential economic prosperity through the regeneration of our town centres.'
Creating local employment
The Surrey Future Jobs Fund project supports local 18 – 24 year olds who have been unemployed for 6 months+ back into work.
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, working in partnership with Surrey County Council, has secured funding to take 14 young people off Job Seekers Allowance and help them develop new skills and work experience to obtain permanent jobs with other employers. The Council’s Leisure, Neighbourhood and Commercial Waste services will benefit from these apprentices, who will work for RBBC for 25 hours per week for 26 weeks.
‘Meeting the needs of all local residents – young, old, unemployed and successful entrepreneurs – is integral to creating thriving, sustainable communities,’ Reigate & Banstead Borough Council Chief Executive John Jory said. ‘We are delighted to offer these young people apprenticeships and look forward to working in partnership with local agencies to reduce unemployment and improve the quality of life for our residents.’
Councillors, staff and residents have their say
A series of nine staff forums are being held across all Reigate & Banstead Borough Council facilities, to enable the Council’s new Chief Executive to discover the issues and opportunities facing frontline staff and encourage them to help shape the Council’s strategic plan. One is also being held for Borough Councillors.
The Council will also be running a wide-ranging public engagement programme over the next few months, to ensure that service provision is in line with residents’ requirements.
John Jory, Chief Executive, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, said, ‘Community and staff engagement is an integral process when developing the Council’s strategic plan for the next five years. Our service provision must meet the needs of all of our diverse local communities. This input is particularly critical now, as public sector organisations need to achieve economies while working more efficiently for the public we serve.’
John Jory and Council Leader Cllr Joan Spiers welcome opportunities to visit local businesses and partners. To contact them or arrange a meeting, please email: mary.nicholls@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.
Last updated : 02/08/2010
