Local News and Events

There is a meeting tomorrow at HertsCC to discuss the possible sale of the land at Radlett Airfield please see the link below for details

click here to view agenda reports and other papers

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

“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

Dear Watch Member,

We have been alerted to reports of a criminal group who are mimicking the email domains of reputable law firms, attorneys, and debt collecting agencies to send emails asking for overdue payments.  They are indiscriminate as to which industry they target.

The emails are designed to look very similar to those of the reputable organisations they are mimicking.  They use “social engineering” to convince the recipient to carry out a particular action, such as to pay an outstanding invoice. Invoices are sent as a PDF file and appear the same as a legitimate invoice but the banking details have been replaced with those of the criminal group.

Indicators of “spear phishing” emails:

• Suspiciously spelled email addresses.
• Use of language prompting urgency or risk such as: “Urgent!” “Overdue!”
• Unexpected change of payment details.
• Threats that the “problem” will be raised to a manager or executive.

If you believe you have found a suspicious email: 

• Do not reply, click on any links or open any attachments
• Compare the email address with a previous known contact address.
• Confirm any requests through a separate email address or phone number found on the company website or from previous correspondence known to be genuine (do not use contact details on the suspicious email).
• Escalate concerns to a colleague or line manager (but do not forward the email).
• Report suspicious emails by forwarding them to: report@phishing.gov.uk.

If you believe you have sent money as a result of a suspicious email, contact your bank immediately.  You can report incidents of cyber crime to ActionFraud.police.uk  By doing this, you’ll help to prevent others becoming victims of cyber crime.

Please only reply if you have information that the sender has asked for by tapping on this email address: wlo@herts.pnn.police.uk. If you want to discuss anything else or report a crime, please refer to the Police Contact Advice below. Regards,
Derrick Sweeney
Watch Liaison Officer
Email: wlo@herts.pnn.police.uk

Come along to this FREE safety information, help and advice event being run by Hertsmere’s Community Safety Partnership for people aged 60+.

The event takes place Thursday 3 November, 9:30am-1:30pm at The Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue. The day will include safety talks and information, a hot lunch and refreshments provided by Herts Independent Living Service. See further details of the event in the flyer, pictured below. Spaces are limited so please secure your place by calling 0208 207 7801 or email linda.hammond@hertsmere.gov.uk.