Runnymede Borough Council

Congratulations to everyone involved in our Civic Awards, which were a real success again this year. Huge credit goes to our small staff team who organise the event and make it such a great celebration. This work is all carried out in addition to people’s daily duties. Their contribution speaks to the culture we are creating here at Runnymede, where our people take pride in their work and being a part of a successful and community-minded borough. Well done to all involved.

We had 170 nominations for our Civic Awards this year, and the judges had the difficult decision of shortlisting just 46 of them. Everyone that was shortlisted for our Civic Awards impressed our judging panel - it's not just about the winners. That's why today we want to give a shout out to those who were Highly Commended; the people and organisations who are doing so much to change and inspire those around them. Arts Group of the Year: • Susan Roberts Academy • Runnymede Art Society Young Sportsperson of the Year • Adam Letras • Sophie Clark • Tiana Hall-Duffy Sports Coach of the Year • Ian Selley, Abbey Rangers Football Club • Kyle Francis, Runnymede Raptors Basketball Club Health and Wellbeing Award • Cheryl Richards and Emily Perrier • Tiny Terrapins Swim School Sports Volunteer of the Year • Sue Blesset, Chertsey Bowls Club Sports Club of the Year • Core Judo • Runnymede Raptors Basketball Club Environment & Sustainability Award • Chandos Road Toad Patrol • Runnymede Junior Rangers Making a Difference Award • Chrissy McCourts, The Hope Hub • Valerie Verity Young Volunteer of the Year • Cameron Maddison-Butcher, 1st/4th Addlestone Spinney Hill Beaver Colony, 1st Virginia Water Beavers • Charlie Smyth Volunteer of the Year • Annie Moore, Holme Farm • Catherine Foster, The Thursday Club Volunteer Group of the Year • Hope Café at St John’s Church, Egham • Royal Holloway Tea Parties Project Service to Community – Individual • Mrs Chambers - The Lollipop Lady • Monica Kitchenside, Addlestone Community Centre Service to Community – Organisation • County Care Independent Living - Addlestone Project Café & Enterprise • St John’s Community Fridge Volunteers Well done for being Highly Commended and thank you for what you do! Go to our website to find out more about our winners and highly commended: https://lnkd.in/eBAcsW37

#IWD at RBC This year we wanted to mark International Womens Day by hearing what some of our wonder female colleagues had to say to their younger selves.... lots of advice for all of us..... and something we will keep for colleagues to refer to the whole year through. Thank you to all those invovled Chrissy Ellera, Shamshaaade Wilde, Amy Gibson, Wen Zhao, Emma Lyons, Stephanie Broadley, Kate Hall, Viktoriia Stetts, Katy McManus, Katie Walker, Iqvinder Sokal and Sarah Herbert one of our fabulous HR BP's who created this video... enjoy https://lnkd.in/emDKPM3q 👇

We're pleased to be at the District Councils' Network conference today to talk about how we’re helping to create the environment which supports our borough’s economy. Our staff are also on hand to discuss the leadership and culture programme we've been delivering. This aims to create an organisation where everyone enjoys working and is proud to be a part of, so we can achieve the best for residents and businesses. Our Co-Leaders are also at the conference to talk about how our four co-leader model is working.

We’re looking forward to the District Councils' Network conference later this week, where our colleagues Ed Bowen IRRV (Hons) and Linda Norman will be talking about our Financial Inclusion Pilot programme. Recent research showed that across the UK, up to £23billion of benefits are going unclaimed, meaning potentially hundreds of people in Runnymede could be missing out. To tackle this in our area, we’ve invested in a new Financial Inclusion and Welfare Support Officer, whose role is to work with financially vulnerable residents and help them to apply for the benefits they’re entitled to. We’re using more software packages to help identify people who may be in need, and the Council has created a benefits calculator, which residents can use to calculate if they may be entitled to any unclaimed funds. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gtN6D6Sh

Wow! A fantastic evening at our Civic Awards last night, where we celebrated local people who have excelled across our community, sports and fitness, and the arts. Congratulations to all our winners and highly commended - people and organisations who give up so much time week in, week out to support and inspire others. The winners were: 🌟Cultural Organisation of the Year - Pride hub 🌟Young Musicians of the Year – Abigail Shaw and Seren Stirling-Williams 🌟Arts Group of the Year – Nikki Rutter, Spotlights at Surrey Choices 🌟Sportsperson of the Year – Amanda Heath 🌟Young Sportsperson of the Year – Emily Nicholas 🌟Sports Coach of the Year – Nick Ingham, Knowle Hill Tennis Club 🌟Health and Wellbeing Award – Rosie Williams-Taylor 🌟Sports Volunteer of the Year – Pauline Carter, Egham Constellations 🌟Sports Club of the Year - Manorcroft United Football Club Junior Football Club 🌟Environment and Sustainability Award – Richard Emmett 🌟Making a Difference Award – Jonathan Fisher 🌟Young Volunteer of the Year – Thomas Lane, Matthew Lane and Megan Grummett, Holme Farm 🌟Volunteer of the Year – Chrissie Webster, Rivermede Court Care Home 🌟Volunteer Group of the Year – Runnymede Games Club 🌟Service to the Community (Individual) – Christine Leach, Chertsey & Addlestone Good Neighbours 🌟Service to the Community (Organisation) - White Lodge 🌟Special Recognition Award - James Acab 🌟Special Recognition Award - Sharon Vincent 🌟Mayor’s Special Recognition Award - Ian and Carol Hughes This year, we had more nominations than ever before. 170 people and groups were recognised for their contributions to Runnymede, and we are thrilled to see such appreciation and community spirit for the borough’s unsung heroes. Read more about winners and Highly Commended: https://lnkd.in/eBAcsW37 Thank you to everyone who made the evening such a great success, including those who nominated to ensure these people get the recognition they deserve, and to our sponsors Avery HealthCare, Stanhope-Seta, Heathrow, Foxhills and Brooklands Radio.

We’ve just launched a brand new corporate induction programme! The experience new employees have during their first days and weeks at the Council is really important to us. We want to create a happy, informed and effective team; helping people understand the way the Council works and how everyone contributes to its success.   The new induction programme has been created by Abigail Lowless, one of our National Management Trainees on the Local Government Association Local Government Graduate Programme. It’s part of our Organisational Development Strategy and includes input from our senior managers and colleagues from across the organisation.

Tonight’s the night! Our 2025 Runnymede Civic Awards will be hosted at Foxhills and we’ll shine a spotlight on those making a difference in the borough. With more nominations than ever before, it shows the great community spirit we have here in Runnymede. Good luck to our finalists! Keep an eye on our socials to see who takes home the awards and who receives special commendations.

Council Tax bills are due to be delivered this week. When yours arrives, you’ll see Runnymede Borough Council’s share of the bill will increase by just £5.69 per year on average from April. And the total bill for an average Band D home will rise by less than five per cent from £2,272 to £2,380 for the year. From the total bill: ➡️ Surrey County Council and Surrey Fire and Rescue will be given £1,846. ➡️ Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner will be given £337 to fund Surrey Police. ➡️ Runnymede Borough Council will keep £196. *Residents in Runnymede will still pay the lowest overall Council Tax in Surrey.* You can pay your bill over 10 months or choose to pay over 12 months. https://lnkd.in/eJxWUePZ Please talk to us if you find it difficult to pay your Council Tax, there are support schemes which you may be able to use: https://lnkd.in/eVTQr7Hg Our video explains more about your bill and how the money you pay contributes towards the cost of running local public services ⤵️

We raised the flag for Commonwealth Day today! The theme for this year is ‘Together We Thrive’. This celebrates the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth Family – 56 independent member countries united by shared values enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter. The theme reminds us of the importance of strong, connected communities who support and empower their members. Commonwealth Day is an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to the principles of unity, peace, and equality. This year’s theme encapsulates the strength of the Commonwealth Family – a network of nations working together to uplift all citizens and build a future defined by opportunity and resilience.