Local News and Events
Residents in Hertsmere urged to check their registration details
 Hertsmere residents are being warned not to lose their voice on decisions that affect them by making sure their electoral registration details are up to date. With whole council elections taking place in Hertsmere in May 2023, this is an important opportunity for residents to make sure they can take part. The annual canvass ensures that we can keep the electoral register up to date, identifying any residents who are not registered to vote so that they can be encouraged to do so. In 2020 the government introduced new legislation on the way local authorities deliver the canvass. Only households that have been identified as potentially having changes will receive the traditional canvass form. Recent home movers in particular are urged to check their details. Electoral Commission research has found that recent home movers are less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time. In Great Britain, 92% of those who have lived in their home for 16 years will be registered, compared with 36% of people who have lived at an address for less than a year. Information on registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website. If you want to register to vote, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Residents who have any questions can contact the elections team on 020 8207 7481 or email elections@hertsmere.gov.uk. You can also find out more on our website: www.hertsmere.gov.uk/annualcanvass |
Holiday meal scheme launches for local households
 Free hot meals for families and individuals will be available from hubs across Hertsmere from Monday (25 July) thanks to a community-driven initiative. Anyone who wants a meal for themselves and their family over the summer, whether or not they are currently claiming benefits or free school meals, will be able to collect from hubs based in Borehamwood, Potters Bar and Bushey every week day until Friday 2 September, excluding the August bank holiday. This initiative has been made possible with funding from GMSP Foundation and The Childhood Trust, with support from the Akshaya Patra Foundation and is being organised via the Hertsmere Food Poverty Alliance in partnership with InspireAll. Set up by us, the Food Poverty Alliance is a subgroup of the Hertsmere Health and Wellbeing Board committed to working with organisations across Hertsmere to help tackle food poverty in the borough. Council staff will be volunteering at the hubs, alongside volunteers from Communities 1st and St. Michaels Church. The meals will be hot, vegetarian and high on nutrition and prepared by chefs working for The Akshaya Patra Foundation. The Akshaya Patra Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation headquartered in Bengaluru, India, which strives to eliminate classroom hunger. GMSP, who is funding the meals is a family foundation set up by Ramesh and Pratibha Sachdev that partners with grassroots organisations working in communities to support marginalised people. Funding was matched by The Childhood Trust, London’s child poverty charity, dedicated to alleviating the impact of poverty on children and young people living in the capital. Whilst there is no limit to the number of meals that can be collected, residents are encouraged to only take what they can eat for the day’s lunchtime period. There is a limited supply per day. The hubs will operate on weekdays between 12pm-1pm at: Bushey Community Centre (25 – 29 July) High Street, Bushey WD23 1TT St. Michaels Church, Brook Road, Borehamwood WD6 5EQ Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur, London Spiritual Centre, Falconer Road, Bushey WD23 3AD The Clayton Centre 32 Barnet Road, Potters Bar EN6 2QU BECC Family Centre Shakespeare Drive, Borehamwood, WD6 2FD For information on all financial support available to residents, visit All Financial Support – Hertsmere Borough Council |
We’re supporting ASB Awareness Week 2022
 We have joined a national campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and keep people in Hertsmere safe. Running from 18 to 22 July, ASB Awareness Week 2022 aims to encourage communities to take a stand against anti-social behaviour and highlight the actions that can be taken by those experiencing it. Organised by Resolve, the UK’s leading ASB and community safety organisation, the week features a series of events all across the UK involving councils, police forces, housing associations, charities, community groups and sports clubs. We will be using our social media channels to share examples of the work that has been done to make the borough safer, including: The installation of new CCTV cameras in Borehamwood Outcomes from the Adult and Youth Multi-Agency Risk Reduction Group Promotion of activities for youths Recent YouGov research commissioned by Resolve found that more than half of people (56%) believe that ‘more needs to be done’ to tackle anti-social behaviour in their community. However, after they witnessed or experienced anti-social behaviour, a similar proportion of the public (57%) said that they did not report it to anyone. We are urging members of the public not to suffer in silence if they experience anti-social behaviour. Incidents can be reported to our Community Safety Team or to the police if there is an immediate risk or danger. Our Community Safety Team will be attending events across the borough during ASB Awareness Week 2022, including the Hertfordshire Satellite Law Clinic at Borehamwood Foodbank and engagements being held by the Hertsmere Safer Neighbourhood Policing Teams. For more information about ASB Awareness Week – visit www.resolveuk.org.uk/asbawarenessweek To find out about Hertsmere Community Safety Partnership, please visit: www.hertsmere.gov.uk/csp |
Citizens Advice
There will be no Citizens Advice at The Radlett Centre today, Tuesday 19th July. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
If you do have any problems please call 0208 207 6875 and someone will call you straight back.
Green scheme funding has been extended
 Do you want to install a composter at your scout group? Perhaps your school wants to create a wildlife area? Or does your community group have plans to run a recycling competition? Whatever your green scheme, Hertsmere Borough Council can help with funding. To help more green schemes in Hertsmere, we have extended the applications deadline for our new Climate Action Community Grant to Friday 22 July. Local community groups, PTAs and organisations are invited to apply for funding of up to £500 to help launch or continue a scheme that will make a positive change to help our environment. The aim is to encourage residents, volunteers and communities to take action through a range of initiatives, including energy efficiency measures; renewable energy; promoting active and sustainable transport; reducing waste; improving the use of resources; enhancing biodiversity; reducing carbon emissions; through to supporting local, sustainable or seasonal food production. The grant is for any local community group, PTA or organisation that needs help to run a green project. The grants will support practical measures such as tree planting and habitat improvement; education programmes to increase awareness and the skills needed to change and adapt lifestyles; green travel and transport schemes; energy saving in community buildings; local food initiatives; and recycling and reuse projects. The closing date for applications is Friday 22 July. Decisions will be made towards the end of July and grants allocated in August. To find out more about the Climate Action Community Grant or to apply, please visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/CACG |
Justice Bus coming to Borehamwood!
| A Hertfordshire Law Clinic has been set up by the University of Hertfordshire and is organising satellite clinics to improve access to justice for communities across Hertfordshire. The Law Clinic will offer FREE advice to members of the public on a range of legal issues including family, employment, housing and consumer. All advice is provided by solicitors, or trained law students working under the supervision of qualified lawyers. Law Students will endeavour to offer signposting to other organisations if for any reason the clinic cannot assist. The Justice Bus will be at Borehamwood Foodbank on Thursday 21 July 10am – 12.30pm. If you would like to book an appointment to guarantee you are seen at their satellite clinic please contact the Law Clinic on 01707 284115 or by email. |
Claim your Council Tax Energy Rebate
 Are you missing out on your council tax energy rebate? If you pay your council tax online, over the phone, at the post office or by PayPoint, we’ve set up a quick online application form so you can claim the £150 rebate quickly and easily and help protect your household from rising energy costs. You have until Thursday (30 June) to apply for the rebate if you have not already received it. If the rebate goes unclaimed, the £150 payment will instead be used to credit your council tax account for this financial year 2022/23. New bills will be sent to those affected. To be eligible for the rebate, properties must be valued at council tax bands A to D, the property must be the main or sole residence of the council tax payer or occupant, and the property must be chargeable. To find out more and apply for your rebate go to www.hertsmere.gov.uk/taxrebate |