Equality Objectives Annual Report 2025-26

This equality objective aligns closely with objectives 1.4.1 and 2.1.2 of the Corporate Plan, regarding communication accessible to all and providing accessible services.

The Council makes use of a wide variety of communication media and channels for residents to access services, as identified within objective 1.4.1, with measures in place to help ensure no-one is excluded from accessing information and services practically and easily. This includes digital and non-digital options, access to additional support measures, and content designed to be understandable and easy to find. Additional targeted engagement can also be undertaken to reinforce coverage for especially critical information, or where there are potential limits on communication. Although the print version of the borough magazine will not continue, there may be need for other print materials in the future.

Web content is prepared and reviewed in line with external accessibility standards, and training is provided for staff on how to write, format documents, and ensure material is compatible with tools such as e-readers.

For matters relating to local government reorganisation and its implications, there has been additional joint working in the last year to coordinate information provision, and ensure that it remains similarly accessible for all residents and interested parties.

With regard to accessible services, provisions in place include assisted bin collections, free clinical waste collection, options for home visits from officers where required, wheelchair and limited vision accessibility at the town hall, community centres and other customer-facing sites, and options to access services with support those with limited version or hearing, as well as language assistance on request.

The Council also webcasts committee meetings, which helps to enable residents to more easily engage with local democracy and topics of concerns. The Council Chamber also includes a hearing loop to support assistive devices.

Feedback from residents indicates mixed levels of satisfaction with council and local amenities. Satisfaction levels with amenities, as reported in the 2026 residents’ survey, are set out below:

• Online services: 43% satisfied, 38% neutral, 19% dissatisfied.
• Community centres and leisure facilities: 45% satisfied, 34% neutral, 22% dissatisfied.
• Parks and open spaces: 50% satisfied, 23% neutral, 26% dissatisfied.
• Council car parks: 38% satisfied, 25% neutral, 37% dissatisfied.
• Public toilets: 7% satisfied, 21% neutral, 71% dissatisfied.
• Town centre pavements and crossings: 20% satisfied, 23% neutral, 57% dissatisfied

This indicates that improvements to the accessibility of some locations may be an important future consideration, particularly around public toilets and town centre pavements and crossings. Most pavements and crossings are primarily a county level, rather than Reigate & Banstead, responsibility, but the information gathered is provided here for context.

Service accessibility is also supported using information from customer-facing officers across the organisation, particularly including the Customer Contact team and Community Partnerships. Where new issues arise or there are repeated concerns, these can be raised and steps taken to address as required.