An Independent councillor on Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has crossed the floor to join the Green Party.

Cllr Jenny Orchard, who represented Redhill West and Wray Common as a Town & Village Independent, will now sit as a Green councillor, increasing the size of the Green group to 14.

Meanwhile, her fellow Redhill West and Wray Common ward councillor, Cllr Mark Smith, has agreed to work closely with the Green group, while remaining as an Independent.

Cllrs Smith and Orchard were both elected as Labour councillors – in 2023 and 2024 respectively – but resigned from the Labour Party in July 2025 to sit as Independents, leaving Reigate & Banstead Borough Council with no Labour councillors.

Jonathan Essex with new Green councillor Jenny Orchard. Picture contributed

placeholder image — Jonathan Essex with new Green councillor Jenny Orchard. Picture contributed

Cllr Orchard, who left the Labour Party because “they had lost their way and no longer represented my values”, said: “I am delighted to join the Greens as a councillor.

“After feeling very negative about politics from my previous experiences in the Labour Party I feel like I have hope again.

“I am looking forward to working with other Green councillors to make our residents’ lives better.”

Green Group leader Cllr Jonathan Essex said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Jenny to the Greens.

“We have been working closely with her and Mark over the months since they left the Labour Party, and their support and contributions will be invaluable.”

The political make-up of the council is now: