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Author: admincomms@aldenham-pc.gov.uk

Have your say on Hertfordshire County Council’s budget spending (2023-24)

We want to hear your views on how we can make the fairest decisions possible as we develop our budget plans.

Like all organisations across the country the ongoing impact of increasing inflation has added significantly to the pressures on Hertfordshire County Council’s budget. Having set a balanced budget for the next two years as recently as February 2022, we have since seen this position changing at pace with inflationary pressures having an impact on the day-to-day costs of our services.

In short, it’s costing a lot more to simply provide our services at current levels. For example, the bill to keep streetlights on has increased by 60%, that’s an extra £2.3 million a year just to keep the lights on after dark. Despite this, thanks to close control and financial forecasting it has been possible to manage the in-year potential over-spend of £23.5million.

The Leader of our council has lobbied for the county via the Local Government Association, County Council’s Network, working with MPs and directly to Government to make it plain that an enhanced financial settlement is essential in order to keep the vital services running for the people of Hertfordshire.

Last week, the government announced that it will provide us with flexibility to set our levels of council tax. However, before any decisions, we want to hear from you.

Your feedback via this consultation will inform the discussions that our county councillors will have throughout January at public panel meetings and help decide the budget that is set for the council in the February 2023 Full Council.

The budget survey is open to all residents, town and parish councils, parish meetings and organisations in Hertfordshire and can be found here www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/budgetsurvey

Phillimore Recreation Ground Improvements

Aldenham Parish Council (APC) is continuing to progress with the Phillimore Recreation Ground improvements. This project has four phases:

  • Phase 1 – installation of café to improve the experience of visiting the recreation ground
  • Phase 2 – improvements to the entrance into the car park
  • Phase 3 – improvements to the children’s play area to make it accessible to more people all year round (this is currently being discussed, further details to follow soon).
  • Phase 4 – to provide an access path around the main field to make it accessible to all, all year round.

In relation to Phase 1, APC carried out a consultation in Autumn 2021. Since then, we have been working with the project manager to respond to some of the concerns raised by residents. The planned built area has been reduced and the path connecting the café to the multi- use games area and public toilets has been relocated to inside the community wood, to the side of the proposed café. This will have the effect of reducing the amount of hardstanding that is being introduced onto the main grassed field.

The plans above were approved by APC Full Council on 28 September 2022, and an application for planning permission has been submitted to Hertsmere Borough Council. If permission is granted, then the next step will be to draw up tenders for operators to provide the catering facility as well as contractors to build the café.

In relation to Phase 2, an architect, IID, has been appointed to draw up plans for improvements which will be shared with residents, in due course.  

Winter Fair

We are almost ready for the Winter Fair at the Radlett Centre this Sunday. Hope to see you all there for an enjoyable afternoon from 2pm until 5pm with the light switch on at 4:45pm by the famous pantomime’s Dame Marc Kelly. There will be lots of festive attractions including Santa’s Grotto, bumper carz, bouncy castle, art and crafts stalls and much more. The tickets for all rides and Santa’s grotto will be available to purchase from the box office (£1 – all rides, £2 – Santa’s grotto), payments to be made by CASH ONLY please.

We are committed to make the Winter Fair an event that is accessible to everyone. Should you need help and support during the event please find a member of staff at the box office. For more details please visit www.aldenham-pc.gov.uk

Please could we ask that you do not attend this event if you are displaying any Coronavirus symptoms or have tested positive.

Carers Camera Club

“A Day in the Life…” Photo Exhibition
Carers in Hertfordshire Carers Camera Club.
The Carers Camera Club will be holding its third exhibition, “A Day in the Life…”, in The Radlett Centre. The exhibition is a way to give a voice to the carers in the Carers Camera Club by showing people what being a carer means. It allows members to show their work, and demonstrate their talents.
Dates: Thursday 5 January – 30 January 2023
Venue: The Radlett Centre
1 Aldenham Avenue
Radlett, Herts. WD7 8HL
https://www.radlettcentre.co.uk/
If you look after someone and would like to find out how Carers in Hertfordshire can help you or ask them about a caring-related query, or would like to support their work, please get in touch. Call – 01992 58 69 69, or email contact@carersinherts.org.uk
Charity Registration No: 1085491