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Local News and Events

Join together to invest in renewable energy

 
Solar panel
Hertsmere residents can come together to invest in renewables through a group-buying scheme for solar panels and battery storage.

Solar Together Hertsmere (www.solartogether.co.uk/hertsmere) helps homeowners feel confident that they are paying the right price for a high-quality installation from pre-approved installers.

This innovative scheme builds on six years of a highly successful Solar Together programme run across the UK. To date Solar Together has delivered over 22,000 installations and over 460,000 tonnes of avoided lifetime carbon emissions. 

Residents in Hertsmere can join the group-buying scheme, which offers solar panels with optional battery storage and EV charge points, as well as retrofit battery storage for residents who have already invested in solar panels and are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate, as well as increase their independence from the grid. It is free to register and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation.   

How does it work?
Householders can register online to become part of the group for free and without obligation. Pre-approved UK solar PV suppliers participate in a reverse auction. They are able to offer competitive pricing as the volume and geographic concentration makes it possible for them to realise greater efficiencies, which they pass on with lower prices for installations. After the auction, registered households will be emailed a personal recommendation which is specific to the details they submitted in their registration. If they choose to accept their recommendation, the specifics of their installation will be confirmed with a technical survey after which a date can be set for the installation of their solar PV system. Telephone and email helpdesks are on-hand throughout the whole process which, together with information sessions, will allow households to make an informed decision in a safe and hassle-free environment.

To find out more visit: www.hertsmere.gov.uk/solartogether
 

Setting the wheels in motion for new 84B bus route

24 August 2023

A critical bus link between Potters Bar and Barnet will start in September, following the council’s ‘bold and innovative’ decision to allocate developer funding.    

Starting from Monday 4 September, the 84B bus route will restore direct access to and from Potters Bar train station and Barnet Hospital, six days per week.  It will provide an invaluable link for hospital users and visitors, schoolchildren, local businesses and residents. 

The decision to fund the route through Hertsmere’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) scheme was made at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 23 August.  

The Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Cllr Jeremy Newmark, commented: “We’ve moved speedily to meet a key commitment made by our partnership administration to reverse this bus cut dating from 2022.    Reliable, affordable and sustainable public transport is a key driver of wellbeing for local people.  Our investment will connect communities across municipal boundaries.  We’ve taken a bold and innovative decision to use developer funding to support local transport infrastructure.  I urge local people to support this route so that it remains sustainable in the future.”

Cabinet Member for Planning, infrastructure and transport, Cllr Nik Oakley, added: “The withdrawal of the 84 bus link in 2022 between Potters Bar and Barnet caused great distress to many in our communities with several instances of children needing to move schools and NHS staff needing to pay for taxis.  Potters Bar residents without access to cars and public transport who need to use Barnet Hospital have been compelled to rely on taxis at a cost of £20-£30 or a very lengthy journey involving two or three buses via Cockfosters.”

“We were committed to providing this service using CIL funds and we have expedited this very quickly, delivering the new route in time for the start of the school term and a new direct link to Barnet Hospital. I know that many in our local communities will be absolutely delighted by this decision.”

The route will be operated by Galleon Travel (Central Connect) and details of the route and timetable can be found by visiting:https://www.intalink.org.uk/services/86b0bf30-0d54-4c22-8dbe-fd28f49b6610?date=2023-09-04&direction=outbound 

The CIL funding, totalling £183,600 will be for an initial period of 12 months.  Further funding streams are being explored with other partner authorities and agencies, with the ultimate aim that the route should be self-sustaining. 

Annual Canvass

The annual canvass is the process of updating the electoral register. Every year, we must ensure that our register is as complete and accurate as it should be. This process usually takes place between July and November.

By law, we must send a Household Enquiry Form to every residential property within Hertsmere. These forms may be different depending on the response we need from each property. As a result, your neighbours may receive different communications than you do.

Hertsmere Borough Council will be using different types of canvass communications;

text
email
posted enquiry form
telephone canvass
household visit
The best thing to do is to respond as soon as you can to avoid further canvass enquiries.

If you have a query or need further information, please contact the registration team by emailing elections@hertsmere.gov.uk or call 020 8207 7481