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Hertsmere Together’ – Communities unite in response to the Hamas terror attacks and resulting war

Faith and community leaders joined representatives from Hertsmere Borough Council and Hertfordshire Constabulary on Monday (16 October) to underline messages of reassurance and to foster ongoing co-operation following the appalling terror attacks by Hamas in Israel and the resulting conflict in the region. 

The meeting was convened by the Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council and Chair of Hertsmere Together, Cllr Jeremy Newmark who was joined on a panel by Hertsmere’s Chief Inspector Mark Bilsdon representing the Constabulary and Neil Rosen from the Community Security Trust.  

A variety of faith group representatives, including the Hertsmere Forum of Faiths and community leaders from across the borough joined the delegates, along with cabinet and senior staff members from the council including the Managing Director, Sajida Bijle.   

Cllr Newmark commented: “Hertsmere is home to one of the UK’s largest Jewish communities and I know they, in particular, are feeling intense pain and vulnerability in the wake of the dreadful atrocities committed in Israel, as are other faith and non-faith groups and individuals across our borough.

“We are sensitive to these concerns and mindful of the need to cultivate and foster positive relations, bring people together and comfort those feeling fear and pain.  Through our Local Strategic Partnership, Hertsmere Together, we already have well-established networks to enable us to respond and communicate effectively, supportively and pragmatically. 

“At our meeting, as well as sharing information, listening to concerns and answering questions, we also agreed a pathway for ongoing communication and engagement amongst us.”

Chief Inspector Bilsdon updated delegates with the Constabulary’s response to the atrocities, including reassurance patrols in the wake of a threefold increase in antisemitic incidents, whilst Neil Rosen from the Community Security Trust (CST) gave an overview of the advice and practical support the CST has been offering to Jewish and multi-faith groups. 

In response to a request from those present, Hertsmere Borough Council will be working with partners to explore bolstering mental health-related provision for any members of the local community impacted by current events.

Faith and community leaders issued the following joint statement following the meeting:

“We are grateful to Hertsmere Borough Council for convening this meeting and providing an invaluable opportunity for us all to gather, listen, exchange views and build a constructive plan to engender continued dialogue and support to each other and our communities.

 “At the meeting we were united in our condemnation of the terrorist attacks launched on Israel by Hamas, a terrorist organisation, which has caused numerous casualties.   These events have, of course, created fear among Jewish communities across the world, including here in Hertsmere. 

“We thank councillors of all political groups for supporting Israel’s right to self-defence and their rejections of any suggestions of any moral equivalence. 

 “We were also united in our support for those innocent Palestinians trapped in Gaza and for the wider Muslim community, which is integral to our diverse population in Hertsmere.  

“We are united against all forms of terror and hate and uphold the human rights of all. Collectively, we will support all faiths and communities to build a safe and resilient Hertsmere.”

Hertsmere councillors are also supporting a ‘Yes to Peace and No to Terror’ solidarity event and vigil outside the Civic Offices this evening (Wednesday 18 October) where local MPs and community leaders from across Hertfordshire will make public addresses. 

Council chamber meeting delegates

Grisly murder that put Radlett on the map

Radlett and District Museum’s latest exhibition explores a grisly murder which took place in the village two hundred years ago.

The exhibition explores what took place in Gills Hill Lane on 24 October 1823, which raised issues at the time about illegal entertainment, the power of the press, the administration of justice and the law.

Councillor Parveen Rani, Portfolio Holder for Street Scene, Parks, Leisure and Culture, said: “This latest exhibition is an interesting look at an event which took place 200 years ago and captured the public’s attention at the time. There is an extensive display on all aspects of the murder with contemporary illustrations to accompany the text.

“The dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers at Radlett and District Museum are always looking for new and interesting ways to explore our village’s history. The volunteers have worked hard to put together this latest exhibition. Their work is rewarded by people coming through the doors and enjoying the town’s history – so why not visit?

“All four of our museums always need more volunteers, so if you’re interested in joining our friendly and welcoming teams, please contact the museum you’re interested in supporting.”

The museum also has artefacts, documents, photographs and pictures reflecting the rich history of Radlett and the surrounding area.

The museum is situated in the garden behind the Radlett Village Institute. It is open between 10am and midday on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Admission is free.

To find out more, go to Radlett and District Museum’s website: www.radlettmuseum.com.

The conspirators

Free Women’s Safety Talks

Women's safety talks poster for Radlett and Bushey events
Would you like tips to help keep you safe day-to-day? If so, please come along to one of our FREE women’s safety talks in Radlett on Tuesday 10 October or Bushey on Sunday 15 October.

These stay safe sessions will cover risk awareness, safety on the street, stalking, conflict management and much more. We will discuss personal safety in both your professional and personal life; including public transport, traveling to and from home, lone working and work visits. We also look at how to use technology to assist with your safety and avoid pitfalls.

Free refreshments will be available and anyone aged 18 or over is welcome to attend. Free parking and disabled parking are available at both venues.

If you would like to book onto one of these events please visit:
Radlett FREE women’s safety talk registration
Bushey FREE women’s safety talk registration

The safety talks are being coordinated by Hertsmere Community Safety Partnership (CSP) in partnership with the Community Safety Trust’s (CST) SAFE Programme. CST is a charity that protects British Jews from antisemitism and related threats. The SAFE Programme was established in 2019 to help communities in the UK to access relevant security advice. SAFE shares the CST’s security knowledge with groups outside the Jewish community that are vulnerable to violence, extremism or hate crime.

To find more SAFE safety advice, please visit: https://linktr.ee/SAFE_CST If you have any questions about these events, please email community.safety@hertsmere.gov.uk

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.