Have your say on new guidance aimed at helping Hertsmere to lower its carbon emissions and achieve net zero by 2050 from today.
We’ve published three draft Supplementary Planning Documents, which provide detailed advice or guidance on our current planning policies. They include how we intend to: promote sustainable transport and parking through changes to off-street parking requirements for new developments, including new requirements for electric car charging points, and the provision of electric car clubs and bike hire schemes in some developments; set up a carbon offsetting fund, which will collect payments for carbon emissions, where they can’t be avoided, and use the payments for carbon reduction projects; ensure biodiversity net gain by requiring developments over a certain size to result in an increase in biodiversity. In 2019, we declared a climate emergency and committed to achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050. The guidance is one of many ways we’re exploring to help us meet this pledge.
Hertsmere Borough Council is working in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council to offer residents the chance to claim free trees as part of the ‘Your Tree Our Future’ scheme.
By giving residents the opportunity to plant trees, the council hopes to meet some of its sustainability aims, as tree planting has a positive impact on air quality, helps reduce the carbon in our atmosphere, supports biodiversity and can help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. In addition, access to natural features has been linked with benefits to physical and mental health.
Councillor Seamus Quilty, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with neighbouring authorities and Hertfordshire County Council on the Your Tree Our Future initiative and I hope Hertsmere residents take advantage of the scheme to help create a greener Hertsmere. In addition to the 10,000 trees being given away as part of the county-wide scheme this year, we are giving away an additional 4,000 trees to Hertsmere residents.
“Trees are so important to improving air quality, increasing natural habitats for our wildlife and helping to combat environmental issues, which is why we have committed to this initiative. Each tree sapling planted locally will help in the fight against climate change and will benefit local biodiversity, as well as air quality, for years to come.”
Hertfordshire residents can visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/yourtree where they will be able to choose from a selection of eight different native species, or a hedgerow pack, which will be provided on a first come first served basis. Residents who have successfully requested a free tree will receive an email from the county council with details of how to collect them from a local pick-up point in December 2022.
The ‘Your Tree Our Future’ scheme was created as part of Hertfordshire County Council’s Tree and Woodland Strategy, which sets out how the council will increase tree cover in the county. The project will be delivered in partnership with all ten district and borough councils.
To download a copy of the logo, please click on the image below.
Notes to editors: The Your Tree Our Future project will run for four years, starting in Autumn/Winter 2022 where 10,000 trees will be available. A further 30,000 trees will be available each year for the following three years.
Residents will be able to choose from eight different species, all of which have been chosen for their suitability for planting in Hertfordshire: • Crab apple • Field maple • Hawthorn • Hazel • Hornbeam • Rowan • Silver birch • Wild cherry
A limited number of hedgerow packs which include 30 trees (enough to plant 5-6 metres of hedgerow) will also be available.
World Alzheimer’s Month is a global opportunity to raise awareness around, educate, encourage support of and demystify dementia. World Alzheimer’s Day takes place on 21 September as part of World Alzheimer’s Month.
The theme for World Alzheimer’s Month in September 2022 is ‘Know dementia, know Alzheimer’s’. This year it has a special focus on post-diagnosis support.
There’s a lot to think about after receiving a diagnosis of dementia. But you are not alone. The Alzheimer’s Society, among the charities, can help people adjust to a diagnosis and access support.
Your GP can also provide support by offering treatments, referrals, advice and information to manage the condition and live well with dementia.
The APC Access for All Working Party want to support everyone in the community to the best of its ability, whether that be through sign posting, sharing information or just hear what we can do to make our community a better, more accepting and accessible place to live.
Please contact Cllr Clare Diskin Cllr.Clare.Diskin@aldenham-pc.gov.uk – we want to hear ALL your ideas.
Dementia support
Call: 0333 150 3456
If you are affected by dementia, worried about a diagnosis or a carer, trained staff are ready to give you the support you need.
Every September, people come together from around the world to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and challenge the stigma around dementia.
This year, Dementia UK are raising awareness of the stigma that affects so many people with Alzheimer’s disease and their loved ones. This stigma can make it hard for people to speak up about dementia and put them off seeking a diagnosis or support and this can leave families feeling overwhelmed and unsupported.
Follow Dementia UK on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see how they’re challenging the stigma around Alzheimer’s disease this month and how you can get involved. Please visit their website here.
Communities 1st have partnered with The Alzheimers Society and Dementia Adventure to run a Dementia Friends Information session. This session will give you the opportunity to learn more about what it is like to live with dementia and turn that understanding into action. The online session will be taking place on 21 September 11am-12pm via Zoom. To book the session or to find out more please call 01727 649900, email or visit Communities 1st website here.
Aldenham Parish Council’s tree contractors, Turneys, are scheduled to carry out works to some of the trees in Scrubbitts Wood week commencing 5th September 2022.
This is a result of the arboricultural surveys carried out by the Council as part of the maintenance and sustainability programme for the woods.
There will be barriers in place, but please keep any dogs on leads and supervise any children.
British Sign Language (BSL) users can now communicate more easily with the emergency services following the June launch of the 999BSL video relay service.
The free-to-use nationwide service can be found online at 999bsl.co.uk or downloaded as an app and enables a BSL user to connect to a BSL interpreter video call in an emergency. The interpreter then calls 999 using a landline to relay the conversation to the emergency services operator.
The new service is a lifeline for people who only communicate using BSL. Now they can independently contact emergency services if they need to. The service is available 24/7, 365 days a year and there’s no need to register.
The launch of 999BSL comes after Ofcom announced last June that telephone and broadband companies must carry the service. NHS 111 already operates a BSL video call option.
Abigail Gorman, public affairs and policy manager at SignHealth, the deaf health charity, said: “This is a breakthrough for deaf people that will save lives and means one more step forward towards equality. We won’t be satisfied until deaf people have full and equal access, particularly to life saving health services.”
Here for you Give us a call to find out more or to book your appointment.
Give us a call on: 01923 372101 (Radlett) or 01462 506074 (Hitchin)
We’re back with another clothes swap event in Radlett.
A clothes swap event is a great way to update your wardrobe for free! You simply bring along clothes you no longer wear and swap them for somebody else’s.
The event takes place on Saturday 24 Septembery at The Radlett Centre. The event starts with shoppers dropping off a maximum of ten items of clothing between 10am and 11am. For each donated item you can choose a new item, for free! Swapping takes place between midday and 1.30pm. It’s simple and sustainable!
The aim is to divert the amount of perfectly usable clothing from unnecessarily ending up in landfills, but also make it more accessible for people that want new clothes but possibly can’t afford them.
Research shows that 30 per cent of what is in our wardrobes hasn’t been worn for over a year, so why not swap those clothes for something new to you.
There are some ‘rules’ to ensure the swapping event goes well: Maximum of 10 items per shopper All items must be good quality – only bring what you’d be happy to take home Nothing too worn – no bobbles, no rips, no stains Adult clothes only – no shoes, jewellery, underwear, swimwear or children’s clothes. We cannot guarantee sizes/categories of clothing at each event, it is all dependant on what people bring on the day. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment, i.e. first come, first served – we do not hold stock back. We cannot provide credits or return items if you do not find an equal number of items to take home as the number you brought to the swap.
Any leftover items at the end of the swap will be saved for future events or donated to a local charity. Remember to bring your own reusable bags to take items home in. To find out more about the clothes swapping event, please visit: www.hertsmere.gov.uk/clothesswap
Shape Up is a 12 week FREE weight loss course aimed at men aged 18 to 65 who have a BMI of 30+.
The course starts Monday 12 September and runs at Allum Manor in Allum Lane, Borehamwood, 7-8:30pm. During the course, you can find out about simple lifestyle changes you can make to help lose weight in a safe, friendly way.
If you, or anyone you know could benefit from this course then contact Shaun Murphy at shaun.murphy@watfordfc.com or 07938 486378 now to secure your place.
Shape Up is run by the Watford FC Community Sports and Education Trust. If you would like further information on this programme, please visit their website.
Have your say on new guidance aimed at helping Hertsmere to lower its carbon emissions and achieve net zero by 2050 from today.
