We’ve made considerable progress with administering the government’s energy rebate scheme to support households with rising bills.
Our revenues and benefits team has been paying out the £150 rebates to eligible households in council tax bands A-D in recent weeks. The vast majority of council tax payers who paid their bills via this route in April should now have received their rebate.
If you do not pay your council tax by direct debit, we will need your bank details so that we can verify the information before awarding the rebate. This means you need to complete an online form and provide us with evidence of your bank details. Please click the blue ‘Apply for Council Tax energy rebate’ button on our energy rebates page to apply. We will then carry out pre-payment checks before awarding your rebate. Please allow at least 10 working days before chasing applications.
Hertsmere pledges continued support for Ukrainian refugees Unanimous agreement has been given by Hertsmere Borough Council to a cross-party motion strongly condemning ‘Putin’s imperialist invasion of Ukraine’ and resolving to support Ukrainian people who have been displaced into the borough’s communities.
The motion, which was presented at a full council meeting on Wednesday 27 April, expressed ‘full solidarity with the people of Ukraine’ and highlighted Hertsmere’s proud record as a place of sanctuary and support for those displaced by conflict, including those from Afghanistan and Syria in recent years.
Before the motion was heard at the meeting, members heard from Ukrainian refugee Alla Karimova who’s currently residing in a local hotel with other Ukrainian women and children. She spoke of how she had fled her home country and of the support she had received since arriving in Hertsmere. Her words were warmly received in the council chamber and a standing ovation followed.
Measures agreed include immediately making £50,000 available for the council to support Ukrainian refugees both directly and in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council. Funds from the council’s reserves and contingency budgets were also pledged to help speed up suitability checks regarding offers of accommodation, along with measures to actively promote through the council’s communications channels the help that the council and other partners can provide.
Cllr Paul Morris, Conservative councillor for Bushey Heath, who proposed the motion, commented: “We’ve been truly appalled by this shocking display of aggression by Putin and the war crimes being perpetrated on men, women and children by Russian forces. Through this motion we were able to set out our commitment as a council to how we will offer our solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”
Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Labour councillor for Borehamwood Cowley Hill and Leader of the Labour Group in Hertsmere, seconded the motion and added: “Hertsmere is open to refugees. Once again, as we did for those fleeing oppression from Syria and Afghanistan, local people are providing generous support and temporary homes for Ukrainian refugees. Council staff and partners are working hard to support these efforts. Putin may capture Ukrainian land, roads and bridges but he will never capture the hearts and minds of Ukraine’s people. As Putin resorts to even more desperate and barbaric crimes, we in Hertsmere stand as allies of Ukraine.”
Aldenham Parish Council’s Access for All Working Party is delighted to extend this crucial call to anyone who is interested in making a powerful difference to the lives of the elderly in our community.
For the older generation, some living in extreme isolation, a local lunch club is a great way to meet new people, try new activities and feel the warmth of the community around them.
Once a week, there is a small lunch club in Radlett, operated entirely by a team of dedicated volunteers. For a small fee, elderly members are collected from their homes, treated to a hot lunch, pudding and a cup of tea – and a lovely time with friends.
Radlett Lunch Club needs volunteer drivers, cooks and washers-up, on a rota basis (not every week) so their incredible service can continue to thrive. For your chance to be a part of such a worthwhile activity, please contact Anne Newton ASAP: apnewton60@gmail.com
An important decision has been made unanimously to ‘set aside’ the current version of Hertsmere’s new draft Local Plan but continue the plan-making process, so that future development in the borough remains under local democratic control.
All 39 councillors were asked to vote on the future of Hertsmere Borough Council’s draft plan at a meeting last night (27 April). Three potential ‘next step’ options were considered by the Executive Committee earlier in the evening. They were to continue to work on the current version of the plan; to set aside the current version of the draft plan, but continue the plan-making process; and lastly, to cease all work on the new plan and rely on the existing adopted Local Plan, which will become increasingly out-of-date. Councillors voted to proceed with the second option, which had been recommended for implementation by the Executive.
Hertsmere’s draft plan was published last year and set out how the borough could grow over the next 15 years and beyond, by providing homes for the next generation as well as the infrastructure and jobs needed to support this growth. Nearly 18,000 responses were received on the draft plan during a public engagement last autumn – which is the highest response rate for any engagement, planning or non-planning, ever undertaken by the council.
Cllr Morris Bright MBE, Leader of the council and Portfolio Holder for Communications and Consultation, said: “Last year’s public engagement on our draft plan was one of the most successful engagements we’ve ever undertaken.
“We’re grateful to all those who made submissions. Those submissions have given us and will continue to give us a valuable insight into the views and opinions of residents, businesses and other stakeholders about how the borough might develop in the future.
“It is clear from an initial analysis that a key theme was an objection to the level of development proposed in the draft plan, in particular that related to housing, and the impact on the Green Belt from that proposed growth.
“We have now prepared a report on the future of the draft plan which set out three potential next step options. Councillors were asked to consider these options and decide on the best way forward.”
Cllr Dr Harvey Cohen, Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: “We asked councillors to make a decision on the future of the draft plan, in light of the wide range of issues which were raised during the last public engagement.
“They had to take account of several issues, including the interim findings from the engagement on the draft plan, while balancing the statutory obligation we have as a Local Planning Authority to proactively prepare for growth in Hertsmere, in a way which enables local people to have as much control over the future of their borough as possible.
“Whilst we have responded to local concerns in setting aside the current version of the plan, it’s also clear that if we don’t have an up-to-date plan, there will be a risk of speculative applications for development coming forward, which might not benefit our local community or consider local infrastructure.
“By opting for this next step, we are resolving to put aside the current version of our plan, but continue the plan-making process, while taking into account any planning reforms announced by the government.
“It shows we are committed to doing all we can to positively shape growth in the borough and ensure local people can have a say on where they want development to happen, and how much.”
Additional funding was also agreed at the meeting in order to support the ongoing work on the engagement responses and further technical work.
The full report on the draft plan is available to view here. It also includes an interim review of the public engagement undertaken on the draft plan.
Unsung heroes have been recognised for their efforts and positive contributions to the local community at the Mayor of Hertsmere’s Civic Awards Ceremony.
The Mayor, Councillor Anne Swerling, presented eight Civic Awards to members of the public at a prestigious ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel held on Sunday 24 April. Each winner received a framed certificate and glass award in front of a distinguished audience of dignitaries, councillors and community members.
Among the individuals recognised for their hard work and contribution to society were: Danny Hunter, Chair of Boreham Wood Football Club following the team’s historic run to the fifth round of the FA cup; Elaine Miller from Elstree, a primary education teacher who, along with a cohort of colleagues, has been helping Afghan refugees housed locally; Bianca Sakol, founder of Borehamwood-based children’s charity Sebby’s Corner; Granville Taylor, Chair of Reveley Lodge Trust in Bushey; Luke Saydon, a musical director for a number of inclusive choirs in Potters Bar and Tracey Schapira from Borehamwood, who organised a Covid-19 vaccination service, which included a safe space for needle-phobic residents. Additionally, the Youth Civic Award was given to Abigail Jacobs from Borehamwood. The 14-year-old raised more than £12,500 for cancer charities after she was diagnosed with Leukaemia.
Lastly, The Dave Rankin Award for community safety was presented to Jeremy Kaye, a Special Sergeant and part of the Safer Neighbourhood Team for Radlett and Bushey who set up “Coffee with the Coppers” to build relations between the community and police.
Nominations for the awards were invited in January 2022 and the winners were selected by a panel of judges. Each award winner’s story has been captured in a short film clip, shot and edited by Written Records Ltd and available to view on our YouTube channel or on our website at www.hertsmere.gov.uk/civicawards
Pictured left to right: Danny Hunter, Bianca Sakol, Abigail Jacobs, Cllr Anne Swerling, Elaine Miller, Tracey Schapira, Luke Saydon, Jeremy Kaye and Granville Taylor. Unsung heroes have been recognised for their efforts and positive contributions to the local community at the Mayor of Hertsmere’s Civic Awards Ceremony.
The Mayor, Councillor Anne Swerling, presented eight Civic Awards to members of the public at a prestigious ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel held on Sunday 24 April. Each winner received a framed certificate and glass award in front of a distinguished audience of dignitaries, councillors and community members.
Among the individuals recognised for their hard work and contribution to society were: Danny Hunter, Chair of Boreham Wood Football Club following the team’s historic run to the fifth round of the FA cup; Elaine Miller from Elstree, a primary education teacher who, along with a cohort of colleagues, has been helping Afghan refugees housed locally; Bianca Sakol, founder of Borehamwood-based children’s charity Sebby’s Corner; Granville Taylor, Chair of Reveley Lodge Trust in Bushey; Luke Saydon, a musical director for a number of inclusive choirs in Potters Bar and Tracey Schapira from Borehamwood, who organised a Covid-19 vaccination service, which included a safe space for needle-phobic residents.
Additionally, the Youth Civic Award was given to Abigail Jacobs from Borehamwood. The 19-year-old raised more than £12,500 for cancer charities after she was diagnosed with Leukaemia. Abigail was 18 when she was nominated for the award.
Lastly, The Dave Rankin Award for community safety was presented to Jeremy Kaye, a Special Sergeant and part of the Safer Neighbourhood Team for Radlett and Bushey who set up “Coffee with the Coppers” to build relations between the community and police.
Nominations for the awards were invited in January 2022 and the winners were selected by a panel of judges.
Each award winner’s story has been captured in a short film clip, shot and edited by Written Records Ltd and available to view on our YouTube channel or on our website at www.hertsmere.gov.uk/civicawards
Pictured left to right: Danny Hunter, Bianca Sakol, Abigail Jacobs, Cllr Anne Swerling, Elaine Miller, Tracey Schapira, Luke Saydon, Jeremy Kaye and Granville Taylor.
A fly tipper has received a £300 fine after being tracked down by Hertsmere Borough Council’s environmental health team.
A member of public reported the dumped rubbish in Newberries Car Park, Radlett on 22 March.
A resident at an address in Potters Bar was served a £300 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). Another resident from Enfield has also received a written warning after using a rogue waste carrier who then dumped his or her household waste alongside.
Fly tipping is a serious crime that negatively affects residents, businesses and the local environment, as well as diverts valuable resources from the delivery of frontline services at a time when the council must continue to make efficiency savings.
Around two thirds of fly tips are household waste, so the council is reminding residents to dispose of their waste responsibly by using their kerbside waste and recycling bins, taking items to their local recycling centre, using the council’s bulky waste collection service, selling or donating unwanted items or using a registered waste carrier.
Householders can be issued with a £300 fixed penalty notice – reduced to £200 if paid within 10 days – or a criminal conviction in court if their domestic waste is fly tipped. Always use a registered waste carrier to collect your rubbish.
There are some simple steps – using the SCRAP mnemonic – you can take:
Suspect all waste carriers; do not let them take your waste until they have proven themselves to be legitimate. A professional waste carrier should happily answer reasonable questions.
Check their waste carrier registration details, then verify them by searching the Environment Agency website or by calling 03708 506 506. Note down the registration number of the vehicle used to take your waste away.
Refuse unexpected offers to have any rubbish taken away. If you do not trust that someone who you have spoken to will be disposing of waste legally, report their vehicle registration and name to the Environment Agency.
Ask what will happen to your rubbish and seek evidence that it is going to be disposed of appropriately.
Paperwork should be obtained. Make sure you get a proper invoice, waste transfer note or a receipt for your waste removal. This should give a description of the waste and provide the waste carrier’s contact details.
Hertsmere is an active member of Hertfordshire Fly Tipping Group, a multi-agency taskforce set up to tackle fly tipping.
As part of the ‘Let’s SCRAP fly tipping’ countywide campaign we’re reminding Hertfordshire residents that if they see fly tipping in progress to call 999 immediately and report the incident using our online form – www.hertsmere.gov.uk/reportit – or calling our customer service team on 020 8207 2277.
For more information on how to dispose of your waste responsibly or find a registered waste carrier, please visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/flytipping.
