COMMUNITY NEWS FROM NORTH DISTRICT COUNCIL OUTLOOK #LOVEPARKS ANNUAL REVIEW MEET AND EAT WHAT’S ON

AMAZING GRAZING IN

AUTUMN 2017 www.north-herts.gov.uk AUTUMN 2017 OUTLOOK 1 FROM THE LEADER

In this edition of Outlook you A larger example where we are trying Finally, in other will find our Annual Review, to reduce costs is in awarding a joint news, while we which should give you a flavour of contract with East Herts Council do not yet have the projects we have been delivering for our waste and recycling service. an opening for residents over the last year and We had a huge response to our date for the an update on our finances moving consultation on potential options for new North forward. With the money we receive the contract, the results of which we Hertfordshire from central Government significantly are currently analysing. I would like to Museum, the fit out is now nearly declining year on year, we are in thank everyone who responded, we complete and so we are offering a challenging position whereby we really value your feedback. A special members of the public guided need to find ways to reduce our costs Cabinet meeting will be held in the behind the scenes tours, so that and also increase our income. We are Autumn, where the new contract you can see what a fantastic doing everything we can to try and will be awarded and the options facility this will be. See minimise the impact on residents. agreed. There are clearly difficult opposite for details. One small example of a saving decisions to be made, as we do we have recently made is that we need to find savings wherever we CLLR LYNDA NEEDHAM, will be reducing the frequency of can, however your feedback will LEADER OF NORTH this magazine from four to three be invaluable to Councillors as they HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL editions a year. weigh up the options.

In this issue... PAGE. 6 Waste & Recycling PAGE. 3 North Hertfordshire Museum PAGE. 12 Annual Review PAGE. 5 Nature Reserves PAGE. 18 What’s On

DIRECT LINES • North Herts Leisure Centre, 01462 679 311 CONTACTING NHDC Benefits 01462 474597 letchworth@- Most NHDC services can be accessed online. Careline Community Alarms leisure.co.uk Find out the date of your next waste collection, 0300 999 2 999 • Royston Leisure Centre apply for a licence, report an issue, register 01763 255 190 Housing Advice 01462 474 682 to vote or pay a bill, all through our website: [email protected]

www.north-herts.gov.uk Waste and Recycling Collection including: OTHER CONTACTS: • Missed bins • Street cleaning HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY • Graffiti • Litter COUNCIL • General waste & recycling queries call: Veolia 0800 328 6023 To report issues with streetlights,

OUT OF HOURS potholes, traffic lights and other highways issues, use the Herts Out of Hours in an Emergency: Highways fault reporting system Homelessness, Environmental www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/faultreporting Health, Street Cleansing, Parks, Public Buildings and Car Parks: For general enquiries contact 0300 777 4125 0300 123 4040 OTHER WAYS TO CONTACT US: LEISURE CENTRES Phone: 01462 474000 NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE HOMES www.facebook.com/northhertsDC Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL) manage NHDC owned Leisure Centres. Tel: 0330 343 0016 Email: [email protected] www.nhh.org.uk @NorthHertsDC • Swim Centre 01462 441 646 HOWARD COTTAGE Our Customer Services Centre is currently based • Archers Fitness Centre, HOUSING ASSOCIATION at Town Lodge, Gernon Road, Letchworth, while Hitchin 01462 437 111 Tel: 01462 683307 our offices undergo refurbishment. [email protected] www.howard-cottage.co.uk

2 OUTLOOK follow us on twitter @NorthHertsDC AUTUMN 2017 #LoveParks summer fun North Hertfordshire in North Hertfordshire Museum – see behind the scenes! There were many reasons to residents to share on social #LoveParks in North Hertfordshire media why they love their parks. In the run up to the opening of the new this Summer, the first of which There are many reasons to North Hertfordshire Museum in Hitchin, was a week long celebration love your local parks, from we are now offering ‘Behind the in July. superb play areas to splash Scenes’ guided tours of the two main parks, to areas for quiet galleries, ‘Discovering North Herts’ and NHDC joined in with Keep Britain relaxation or sporting ‘Living in North Herts’. Tidy’s national Love Parks Week, activities, there is something which ran from 14-23 July, by The Museum will display collections for everyone. promoting the wide range of from the old Letchworth and Hitchin park activities run by Active For more information about museums and many items from around North Herts, such as yoga and Active North Herts visit: the District that have never before been boxercise. We also encouraged www.activenorthherts.co.uk on public display. The free tours are running from 2pm - 3pm on Mondays, 10am -11am on Wednesdays, and 5pm - 6pm on Thursdays. Places are limited to 12 people per tour and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please note access to the upper floor for the tours is by stairs. Much of the museum is now complete, and it really is fabulous. The tours will give people an exclusive opportunity to see the displays and exhibits that have been completed so far.

For more information about the Museum and to book a place on the tour, please visit: https://www.facebook.com northhertsmuseum

open spaces in the UK for having Five North excellent facilities, being well Hertfordshire Parks managed and maintained and for engaging the local community. awarded Green The parks awarded were: Ivel status Springs in , which received We are very lucky in North the award for a third year. Howard Hertfordshire to be blessed with Park and Gardens in Letchworth fantastic parks and open spaces, and received the award for the fourth we are delighted to announce that year running and Norton Common Common in Hitchin retained its we have retained ‘Green Flag’ status in Letchworth and Priory Memorial award for another year. All five at five of our open spaces this year. Gardens in Royston received the sites are among a record-breaking The Green Flag Awards Scheme national award for their eighth 1,797 UK parks and green spaces to recognises the best parks and consecutive year. Oughtonhead received this prestigious Award. follow us on twitter @NorthHertsDC AUTUMN 2017 like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/northhertsDC OUTLOOK 3 ADVERTISEMENT

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4 OUTLOOK AUTUMN 2017 Exploring Purwell Valley A chain of wetland sites runs through already easy to see. Later in 2017, the heart of Hitchin, along the rivers new interpretation entrance signs and Purwell and Hiz, offering a great benches will be installed, along with opportunity to explore nature close the replacement of steps, with an to the town centre and providing a easy access ramp at a key entrance valuable series of stepping stones for to the Common. wildlife along the valley. Just to the North, Burymead Springs Within a couple of miles, you can is a haven for wildlife in an industrial visit Purwell Meadows, Walsworth setting, sandwiched between the Common, Cadwell Lane Playing Field Hitchin railway flyover and a scrapyard. and Burymead Springs, all owned Its reedbed, a rare habitat in and managed by NHDC working in Hertfordshire, supports breeding reed partnership with the Countryside warblers and sedge warblers in the Management Service (CMS). Summer and roosting reed buntings in the winter. CMS are currently writing At Walsworth Common, a £10,000 a new green space action plan for project supported by the Tesco Bags Burymead Springs on behalf of NHDC of Help scheme, is underway to and would welcome any comments enhance habitats and access across you have on its future management. the site. An overgrown pond has already been restored by clearing scrub around it and removing silt. For more information, visit the This has increased light levels and CMS website: www.hertfordshire. created areas of deeper water, gov.uk/cms email: northeast.cms@ helping the pond support a greater hertfordshire.gov.uk or tel: variety of wildlife – the benefits are 01992 588433 Cows moooove in to North Herts Cows on our nature reserves are extended to include wet fenland now grow in abundance. Grazing saving our traditional landscapes and grasslands in danger of will help encourage other wild and rarest wildflowers. being lost. flowers and protect the archaeology from heavy machinery. Traditionally, animals were grazed Purwell Meadows has a long history on land that was wet, steep or of grazing, with a local farmer Stock checkers difficult to plough. Over time these grazing his cattle throughout the Animals need checking daily to places became rich havens for our summer months. ensure their wellbeing, a task wildflowers and the myriad species Weston Hills has important areas undertaken by trained volunteer that rely on them. Reductions in of chalk grassland. In 2012 sheep stock checkers. If you’d like to grazing in favour of arable crops returned to Gibbet Hill, special for its get involved please contact and mechanised mowing led to wildflowers including small scabious, CMS on 01992 588433 or email our meadows being lost, but things clustered bellflower and orchids, [email protected] are changing. whilst cows graze the gentler slopes. With the help of the Countryside Four longhorn cattle recently Management Service (CMS), four arrived at Ivel Springs for the first of NHDC’s nature reserves are time. Its wildflower meadow was enjoying a renaissance. recreated from an arable field Cattle were re-introduced to to protect a Scheduled Ancient Oughtonhead Common in 1996 Monument, a Romano-British and stay on site all year round. settlement, which lies beneath. Recently grazing areas were Cowslips and bird’s-foot-trefoil

AUTUMN 2017 like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/northhertsDC OUTLOOK 5 ADVERTISEMENT A BIG WASTE & thank you!

RECYCLING We would like to thank all residents who took part in our recent consultation on options for the new waste Your waste and recycling and recycling contract with East Herts Council. We had questions answered a fantastic response and the results will be used to help These are the top five questions you asked us at our Councillors make decisions summer roadshows: on the options we will take forward when awarding the 1. What can I do if I have extra recycling that doesn’t fit in my grey contract this Autumn. recycling bin? Extra recycling can be placed in a suitable container such as a cardboard box or plastic storage tub, next to your grey bin on collection day. If your box is reusable it will be emptied and returned with your bin for next time.

2. Where can I buy compostable liners? Compostable liners are now widely available in shops and supermarkets. You can Do you run find them in the aisle with the bin liners. They can also be purchased cheaply in bulk online. It is important they say a business? ‘compostable’ and should display the seedling logo to ensure they compost properly. Biodegradable products are not suitable as this Know your waste means they simply break down, whereas compostable items break down into nutrients under special conditions and do not leave responsibilities toxic residues. If you run a business, you have a legal responsibility for the safe 3. How can I avoid shredded paper disposal of your business waste. being blown away when I place it Taking business waste home, putting in my blue box for recycling? The it in a street litter bin or disposing of best way to stop shredded paper recycling in public recycling banks are from blowing away is to empty illegal disposal routes. your shredder onto a few sheets of newspaper and wrap this to The Council runs a trade waste and form a ball of paper. This makes recycling service which can provide it heavier and stops individual you with affordable, legal and strands being blown down the street. reliable collections, tailored to meet your business’ needs. 4. Why should brown paper go in the grey bin not the blue box? All paper and cardboard is made from fibres squashed together. Call us on 0800 3286023 or email The fibres in brown paper are more similar to cardboard than to commercial.waste@north-herts. paper. Please place all white and coloured paper into your blue box. gov.uk to make an enquiry for your business. 5. What should I do with household batteries, light bulbs and other electrical items? Batteries can be taken to special battery disposal boxes at many shops which sell batteries, or at the Council offices in Letchworth. Light bulbs and electrical items should be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC). Please do not put any of these items in your purple bin, as they contain valuable metals which can be recycled and dangerous chemicals which should be treated properly.

6 OUTLOOK follow us on twitter @NorthHertsDC AUTUMN 2017 Understanding symbols Recycle Week on packaging 2017 is coming- 25 September- Some of the symbols put on can be recycled as not all plastic packaging may look like they’re items have the code on them 1 October telling us to recycle the item but and they can sometimes be very Make the effort to recycle one they actually mean something hard to read if they do. more thing each day and discover different. This can be confusing It is easier to think if a plastic how easy it can be: as we can end up putting an item is a pot, tub, tray or bottle, item in our recycling bin which Monday Newspaper sat around it can be recycled within our is not currently recyclable in from the weekend? kerbside service. Anything plastic North Hertfordshire. Check below Place in your blue box that scrunches should be put in to see if you know what these the purple bin. Tuesday Empty shampoo symbols actually mean. bottle in the bathroom? Mobius Loop Place in your grey Recycle Right recycling bin This indicates that an object Wednesday Need new batteries in is capable of being recycled - the TV remote? - Take not that the object has been used batteries to the recycled or will be accepted in supermarket all recycling collection systems. Thursday Emptying the fridge? This symbol can often be seen Remove packaging and on polystyrene, but we can’t place food waste in the currently accept polystyrene The Material Recycling Facility brown bin within our recycling services. (MRF) where your mixed recycling Friday Take away trays is sorted, have told us that The Green Dot (plastic or foil, not currently between 4% and 8% of polystyrene)? Rinse The Green Dot is a the recycling we send is made up and place in your symbol used on packaging in of non-recyclable items. grey bin many European countries and The most common ‘incorrect’ Saturday Doing some gardening? signifies that the producer has items are: plastic bags and soft, Remove any soil from made a financial contribution scrunchy plastic film, crisp packets, plants before placing towards the recovery and recycling wood, polystyrene, pill packets in the brown bin of packaging, not that the item and nappies. These should all be Sunday Clearing out the itself can be recycled. placed in your purple rubbish bin. wardrobe? Place Plastics Please make sure you don’t put textiles in a plastic bag any of these items in your grey (not black sack) next This symbol is a mixed recycling bin as this costs to your recycling bin ‘Resin Identification more money to sort and can cause Code’. It is found on some plastics. problems at the recycling facility. The number between 1 and 7 If in doubt, leave it out of your If you need to dispose of defines the resin used. We don’t recycling bin or check our recycling needles, syringes or other suggest residents look for certain A-Z online at www.north-herts. clinical waste please do this numbers on plastics to see if they gov.uk/recycleguide safely. Even if parts of these are plastic, they cannot be recycled in your recycling bin; instead you can arrange a clinical waste collection by calling us on 0800 328 6023.

follow us on twitter @NorthHertsDC AUTUMN 2017 like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/northhertsDC OUTLOOK 7 RX-8711 Your Councillors Guide 2017-18_v4_HR_Layout 1 18/08/2017 11:08 Page 1

Your North Hertfordshire Councillors 2017/18

WARDS

Royston & District Baldock & District 6 Ermine 1 Weston & Sandon R1 Royston Palace 9 Arbury At present the R2 Royston Meridian B1 Baldock Town B2 Baldock East District Council comprises R3 Royston Heath Letchworth Hitchin Southern Rural Conservative 34 L1 Letchworth Wilbury H1 Hitchin Oughton 2 Codicote L2 Letchworth Grange H2 Hitchin Bearton 3 Hitchwood, Offa and Hoo L3 Letchworth East H3 Hitchin Walsworth 4 Chesfield L4 Letchworth South East H4 Hitchin Highbury 5 Knebworth Labour 12 L5 Letchworth South West H5 Hitchin Priory 7 Kimpton 8 Cadwell

Liberal Democrats 3 Cllr Lynda Needham is Leader of the Council Cllr Alan Millard is Chairman of the Council

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved 100018622 2007 www.north-herts.gov.uk @NorthHertsDC www.facebook.com/northhertsDC 8 OUTLOOK AUTUMN 2017 RX-8711 Your Councillors Guide 2017-18_v4_HR_Layout 1 18/08/2017 11:09 Page 2

Your North Hertfordshire Councillors

ARBURY LETCHWORTH GRANGE LETCHWORTH SOUTH WEST Janine Paterson (C) Paul Marment (C) Lynda Needham (C) 11 Ashwell Road, 101 Jarden, 68 Broadwater Avenue, Bygrave, Baldock, Letchworth Garden City, Letchworth Garden City, Herts SG7 5DT Herts SG6 2NZ Herts SG6 3HJ Tel: 01462 491880 Tel: 01462 671534 Tel: 01462 491880 Tel: 01462 676834 Email: janine.paterson@ Email: Email: Email: north-herts.gov.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] LEADER OF THE COUNCIL BALDOCK EAST LETCHWORTH GRANGE LETCHWORTH WILBURY VJoahlenn Htianrer iSsh (Can) ley (C) Clare Billing (LAB) Gary Grindal (L&C) 104 CRaivleiftotr Cnlioas, eB,a Bldaoldcokc, k , 19 Bingen Road, 122 Mullway, Herts SG7 6TNWU Hitchin, Letchworth Garden City, Herts SG5 2PP Herts SG6 4BE Tel: 071743612 68592371371 Emaiill:: john.harris@ Tel: 01462 629432 Tel: 01462 636587 nvaolretnht-ihner.sths.agnolev.yu@kn orth-herts.gov.uk Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

BALDOCK TOWN LETCHWORTH GRANGE LETCHWORTH WILBURY Jim McNally (C) Sandra Lunn (L&C) Deepak Sangha (L&C) 7 South Lodge Mews, Baldock, Herts 2628 RWoebsetertr nS aWunayd,e rs Court, 44 Maylin Close, SG7 6FB ULentwchinw Colrothse G, arden City, Hitchin, SG4 0NQ LHeetrcths wSGor6t h4 SGLarden City, Tel: 01462 441683 Tel: 07977 543189 Herts SG6 3RU Email: Tel: 01462 481632 Email: [email protected] TEeml:a 0il1: 4s6a2n d2r3a4.4lu9n2n@ [email protected] nEmoratihl:- [email protected]

BALDOCK TOWN LETCHWORTH SOUTH EAST HITCHIN PRIORY Michael Muir (C) John Booth (C) Ray Shakespeare-Smith (C) The Nook Barn, North Road, 83 Pixmore Way, 102 Bedford Road, Baldock, Herts SG7 5DW Letchworth Garden City, Hitchin Herts SG5 2UE Herts SG6 3TP Tel: 01462 892222 Tel: 01462 453823 Email:[email protected] Tel: 01462 682061 Email: ray.shakespeare-smith@ north-herts.gov.uk Email: [email protected] BALDOCK AND DISTRICT COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR POLICY, CHAIRMAN TRANSPORT AND GREEN ISSUES BALDOCK TOWN LETCHWORTH SOUTH EAST HITCHIN PRIORY Michael Weeks (C) Julian Cunningham (C) Richard Thake (C) 3 Hadrian Way, Baldock, 14 Blackmore, Letchworth Garden Hindsmount, Maydencroft Lane, Herts SG7 6AW City, Herts SG6 2SY Gosmore, Hitchin, Tel: 01462 490166 Tel: 01462 678566 Herts SG4 7QB Email: [email protected] Email: Tel: 01462 434711 [email protected] EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR WASTE Email: [email protected] MANAGEMENT, RECYCLING AND EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR FINANCE AND IT ENVIRONMENT AND DEPUTY LEADER OF THE COUNCIL WESTON AND SANDON LETCHWORTH SOUTH EAST HITCHIN OUGHTON Steve Jarvis (LD) David Levett (C) Frank Radcliffe (LAB) 26 High Street, 172 Rushby Mead, c/o NHDC Council Offices, Graveley, Hitchin, Letchworth Garden City, Gernon Road, Letchworth Garden City, Herts SG4 7LA Herts SG6 1SQ Herts SG6 3JF Tel: 01438 727122 Tel: 07787 513292 Tel: 07746 964959 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR PLANNING [email protected] AND ENTERPRISE LETCHWORTH EAST LETCHWORTH SOUTH WEST HITCHIN OUGHTON Lorna Kercher (L&C) Mike Rice (C) Martin Stears-Handscomb (LAB) c/o NHDC Council Offices, 57 Blackmore, 26 Farthing Drive, Gernon Road, Letchworth Letchworth Garden City, Letchworth Garden City, Garden City Herts SG6 3JF. Herts SG6 2SZ Herts SG6 2TR Tel: 01462 678813 Tel: 01462 678813 Email: Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] [email protected] LETCHWORTH COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN LETCHWORTH EAST LETCHWORTH SOUTH WEST HITCHIN HIGHBURY Ian Mantle (L&C) Terry Hone (C) Paul Clark (LD) 7 Wilbury Road, 15 Lapwing Dell, Letchworth 7 Kipling Close, Letchworth Garden City, Garden City, Herts SG6 2TE Hitchin, Herts SG6 4JW Tel: 01462 679649 Herts SG4 0DU Tel: 01462 620127 Email: [email protected] Tel: 01462 457342 Email: [email protected] FINANCE, AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE Email: [email protected] CHAIRMAN

www.north-herts.gov.uk

AUTUMN 2017 OUTLOOK 9 RX-8711 Your Councillors Guide 2017-18_v4_HR_Layout 1 18/08/2017 11:10 Page 3

HITCHIN HIGHBURY CODICOTE HITCHWOOD, OFFA AND HOO Simon Harwood (C) Jane Gray (C) Faye S Frost (C) 18 Dale Close, Hitchin, Abbotshay Farm, Tanyard Lane, Codi- Glebefield, Herts SG4 9AS cote, Lilley Bottom, Herts AL6 9BS Nr Luton LU2 8NH Tel: 01462 452741 Email: Tel: 01438 829219 Tel: 01462 768888 [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR LEISURE

HITCHIN HIGHBURY CHESFIELD HITCHWOOD, OFFA AND HOO Nicola Harris (C) Terry Tyler (LD) Claire Strong (C) c/o NHDC Council Offices, 34 Merrick Close, Ashroy, Pirton Road, Gernon Road, Great Ashby Holwell, Letchworth Garden City, Herts SG1 6HG Herts SG5 3SS Herts SG6 3JF Tel: 07868 016401 Tel: 01462 712438 Tel: 01462 730635 Email: Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] HITCHIN COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN HITCHIN BEARTON CHESFIELD KNEBWORTH Judi Billing (L&C) Cathryn Henry (C) Steve Deakin-Davies (C) 73 Whitehill Road, 19 Mount Keen,Great Ashby, 33 Woodstock, Knebworth, Hitchin, Herts SG1 6BP Herts SG3 6EA Herts SG4 9HP Tel: 07711 395437 Tel: 07949 435435 Email: Email: Tel: 01462 624010 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Email: judi.bil OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN HITCHIN BEARTON KIMPTON KNEBWORTH Ian Albert (LAB) John Bishop (C) Steve Hemingway (C) 20 Holdbrook, 8 Cresswick, Caxton Villa, Hitchin Whitwell, Park Lane, Knebworth, Herts SG4 9QW Herts SG4 8HU Herts SG3 6PF Tel: 07946 594 248 Tel: 01438 871349 Tel: 01438 940594 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

HITCHIN BEARTON ROYSTON HEATH ROYSTON PALACE Adrian Smith (LAB) Sarah Dingley (C) Jean Green (C) c/o NHDC Council Offices, 51 Green Street, 2 Burloes Cottages Gernon Road, Royston, SG8 7BB Newmarket Road, Royston Letchworth Garden City, Herts SG8 7NJ Tel: 01763 233267 Herts SG6 3JF Email: Tel: 01763 249886 Tel: (07875) 160163 [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

HITCHIN WALSWORTH ROYSTON HEATH ROYSTON PALACE Bernard Lovewell (C) Fiona Hill (C) Ben Lewis (C) 23 Milton View, 17 Lindsay Close, 51 Kneesworth Street, Hitchin, Herts SG4 0QD Royston, Herts SG8 5EF Royston, Tel: 01462 642045 Tel: 01763 246777 Herts SG8 5AQ Email: Email: [email protected] Tel: 07831 569152 [email protected] Email: [email protected] EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HITCHIN WALSWORTH ROYSTON MERIDIAN ERMINE Alan Millard (C) Tony Hunter (C) Gerald Morris (C) 15 Franklin Gardens, 1 Cowslip Close, Royston, Herts SG8 9TJ Howletts Farm, Gas Lane Hitchin, Herts SG4 0BS Tel: 01763 245237 Barkway, Royston Email: Herts SG8 8ET Tel: 01462 623740 [email protected] Email: Tel: 01763 848450 [email protected] EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY Email: [email protected] ENGAGEMENT AND RURAL AFFAIRS CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL ROYSTON AND DISTRICT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN HITCHIN WALSWORTH ROYSTON MERIDIAN Elizabeth Dennis (LAB) Bill Davidson (C) 15 Royal Quarter, 5 St Mary’s Park, 98 Ickleford Road, Royston, Hitchin, SG5 1TF Herts SG8 7XV Tel: 07886 034 103 Tel: 01763 221431 Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected] Council Offices CADWELL HITCHWOOD, OFFA AND HOO Gernon Road Letchworth Garden City Harry Spencer-Smith (C) David Barnard (C) Tingley House, Hexton Road, Lodge Cottages, Lilley Bottom, SG6 3JF Pirton, Hitchin Herts SG5 3BJ Nr Luton, LU2 8NH Tel: 01462 768888 Tel: 01462 712344 www.north-herts.gov.uk Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected] Call: 01462 474000 SOUTHERN RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN PLANNING CONTROL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

@NorthHertsDC www.facebook.com/northhertsDC

10 OUTLOOK AUTUMN 2017 RX-8711 Your Councillors Guide 2017-18_v4_HR_Layout 1 18/08/2017 11:10 Page 3 RX-8711 Your Councillors Guide 2017-18_v4_HR_Layout 1 18/08/2017 11:10 Page 4

HITCHIN HIGHBURY CODICOTE HITCHWOOD, OFFA AND HOO Simon Harwood (C) Jane Gray (C) Faye S Frost (C) 18 Dale Close, Hitchin, Abbotshay Farm, Tanyard Lane, Codi- Glebefield, Herts SG4 9AS cote, Lilley Bottom, Your Council Herts AL6 9BS Nr Luton LU2 8NH Tel: 01462 452741 Email: Tel: 01438 829219 Tel: 01462 768888 [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Councillors are elected by the registered EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR LEISURE electors of the local community to HITCHIN HIGHBURY CHESFIELD HITCHWOOD, OFFA AND HOO represent you in geographical areas Nicola Harris (C) Terry Tyler (LD) Claire Strong (C) Corporate Plan and Objectives c/o NHDC Council Offices, 34 Merrick Close, Ashroy, Pirton Road, known as wards. Gernon Road, Great Ashby Holwell, Letchworth Garden City, Herts SG1 6HG Herts SG5 3SS NHDC is committed to working with its local communities, Herts SG6 3JF Tel: 07868 016401 Tel: 01462 712438 to continue delivering good quality services that reflect Tel: 01462 730635 Email: Email: Email: [email protected] the local priorities and the resources we, and our delivery [email protected] [email protected] HITCHIN COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN partners, have available to us. We use a range of HITCHIN BEARTON CHESFIELD KNEBWORTH information to identify priorities such as consultation with our residents, local businesses and population data to Cathryn Henry (C) Steve Deakin-Davies (C) Judi Billing (L&C) inform the Council’s current work and to use in its 73 Whitehill Road, 19 Mount Keen,Great Ashby, 33 Woodstock, Knebworth, Hitchin, Herts SG1 6BP Herts SG3 6EA planning for the future. Herts SG4 9HP Tel: 07711 395437 Tel: 07949 435435 Email: Email: Tel: 01462 624010 [email protected] The three objectives for the Council during the period Email: [email protected] [email protected] OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE 2017-2022, are: CHAIRMAN HITCHIN BEARTON KIMPTON KNEBWORTH At North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC), Councillors • Attractive and Thriving Ian Albert (LAB) John Bishop (C) Steve Hemingway (C) serve a term of four years before retiring or standing for To work with our partners to provide an attractive and 20 Holdbrook, 8 Cresswick, Caxton Villa, safe environment for our residents, where diversity is Hitchin Whitwell, Park Lane, Knebworth, re-election. NHDC elects in thirds, which means that every Herts SG4 9QW Herts SG4 8HU Herts SG3 6PF year about 1/3 of the 49 Councillors are up for election. welcomed and the disadvantaged are supported Tel: 07946 594 248 Tel: 01438 871349 Tel: 01438 940594 On the fourth year there are no district elections, although Email: [email protected] Email: • Prosper and Protect Email: [email protected] this is when elections for the County Council take place. [email protected] To promote sustainable growth within our district to ensure economic and social opportunities exist for our HITCHIN BEARTON ROYSTON HEATH ROYSTON PALACE For the civic year 2017/18 the political composition of communities, whilst remaining mindful of our cultural the Council is 34 Conservative, 12 Labour, and 3 Liberal Adrian Smith (LAB) Sarah Dingley (C) Jean Green (C) and physical heritage c/o NHDC Council Offices, 51 Green Street, 2 Burloes Cottages Democrat Councillors. Gernon Road, Royston, SG8 7BB Newmarket Road, Royston Letchworth Garden City, Herts SG8 7NJ Tel: 01763 233267 • Responsive and Efficient Herts SG6 3JF In England and Wales, elections take place on a ‘first past Email: Tel: 01763 249886 To ensure that the Council delivers cost effective and Tel: (07875) 160163 [email protected] Email: [email protected] the post’ system. This means that the candidate with the necessary services to our residents that are responsive to Email: [email protected] highest number of votes is elected to represent the ward developing needs and financial constraints HITCHIN WALSWORTH ROYSTON HEATH ROYSTON PALACE they are standing in. Bernard Lovewell (C) Fiona Hill (C) Ben Lewis (C) We also deliver a wide range of services including waste 23 Milton View, 17 Lindsay Close, 51 Kneesworth Street, NHDC operates under the ‘Leader and Cabinet’ system of collection, street cleansing, food inspection, collection of Hitchin, Herts SG4 0QD Royston, Herts SG8 5EF Royston, governance. The political party with most Councillors elects Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rates and finding temporary Herts SG8 5AQ Tel: 01462 642045 Tel: 01763 246777 a leader, who, in turn, appoints Councillors to the Cabinet. and permanent homes for residents. When we deliver Email: Email: [email protected] Tel: 07831 569152 [email protected] Email: [email protected] The Cabinet is made up of eight members of the ruling these services day to day, we are not complacent about EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR HOUSING group (including the Leader), which in North Hertfordshire AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH their individual cost to residents and constantly look for is Conservative for the civic year 2017/2018. Cabinet more economic, efficient and effective ways of delivery. HITCHIN WALSWORTH ROYSTON MERIDIAN ERMINE members are given different responsibilities – or ‘portfolios’ Alan Millard (C) Tony Hunter (C) Gerald Morris (C) – to manage, such as leisure, finance, housing and so on. The three objectives have been adopted for at least a five 15 Franklin Gardens, 1 Cowslip Close, Royston, Herts SG8 9TJ Howletts Farm, Gas Lane The Cabinet develops policy within the framework set out Hitchin, Herts SG4 0BS Tel: 01763 245237 Barkway, Royston year period with an option to review then, or earlier Email: Herts SG8 8ET by the Council and has decision-making powers. Tel: 01462 623740 should external circumstances dictate. [email protected] Email: Tel: 01763 848450 [email protected] EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY Email: [email protected] NHDC has five area committees: Baldock & District, Hitchin, ENGAGEMENT AND RURAL AFFAIRS Whilst there remains uncertainty regarding central CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL ROYSTON AND DISTRICT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Letchworth, Royston & District, and Southern Rural. government funding it is important that the Council has its HITCHIN WALSWORTH ROYSTON MERIDIAN These area committees meet periodically throughout the priorities and medium term financial strategy aligned to year and are made up of all Councillors within the Elizabeth Dennis (LAB) Bill Davidson (C) ensure sufficient stability in the delivery of our services to 15 Royal Quarter, 5 St Mary’s Park, designated area. Each deals with community consultation our residents. 98 Ickleford Road, Royston, and the allocation of community grants. Hitchin, SG5 1TF Herts SG8 7XV If you have any thoughts or comments regarding the Tel: 01763 221431 Tel: 07886 034 103 The Council also has a Planning Control Committee, which Email: Email: [email protected] Council’s ‘Priorities for the District’, please get in touch [email protected] Council Offices makes decisions on planning applications. using the contact details provided on pagepage 2. Gernon Road CADWELL HITCHWOOD, OFFA AND HOO High standards of conduct by Councillors are promoted and Letchworth Garden City Harry Spencer-Smith (C) David Barnard (C) maintained by the Standards Committee. Tingley House, Hexton Road, Lodge Cottages, Lilley Bottom, SG6 3JF Pirton, Hitchin Herts SG5 3BJ Nr Luton, LU2 8NH Tel: 01462 768888 All Council, Cabinet, and committee meetings are held in Tel: 01462 712344 www.north-herts.gov.uk Email: Email: public and usually take place on weekday evenings at [email protected] [email protected] Call: 01462 474000 SOUTHERN RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN 7.30pm. If you would like further information on any of PLANNING CONTROL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN these committees or dates of meetings for the year, please call the Committee and Member Services Team on 01462 474000 or visit the ‘Council and Democracy’ section @NorthHertsDC www.facebook.com/northhertsDC of the website at www.north-herts.gov.uk.

AUTUMN 2017 OUTLOOK 11 Annual Review 2016/2017

On these pages we take a look back at our financial year April 2016 to March 2017 to give you a picture of what services and projects we have been delivering and how we have been managing our finances. In 2016/17 the Council’s three priorities were: promoting sustainable growth; working with our communities; and living within our means and our key projects were aligned to these priorities.

What we have delivered for you The Current Situation Over the last year, the Council has: 2017/2018 • Renovated the Serby Avenue Play Council’s Equipment Service to How your Council Tax area in Royston. expand the range of telecare and is worked out telehealth services provided. • Completed the landscaping and We collect your Council Tax on • Launched a Community Facilities planting of the disused tennis behalf of ourselves, Hertfordshire grant scheme to provide funding courts on Bancroft Recreation County Council, the Police and for the improvement of rural and Ground in Hitchin. Crime Commissioner and the urban community facilities in the Parish and Town Councils. • Completed the transfer of District. Building Control to a shared For each £100 that NHDC Local Authority company. This • Begun implementing an Economic Development Strategy collects, £76 goes to the County will provide a more sustainable Council, £9 to the Police and service in the future. for the district, working closely in partnership with many Crime Commissioner and £15 is • Extended the Herts Careline organisations such as Local retained by NHDC and the Parish service (the Council’s assistive Enterprise Partnerships and and Town Councils. technology service) to support Business Improvement Districts, The Council’s net budget for more people to live at home to increase inward investment 2017/2018 is £16.5 million, with independently. The service has and business development 64% of that funded directly by been integrated with the County opportunities. local council taxpayers, 13% from Central Government, 15% from the rates paid by local businesses and 8% from using our reserves.

The funding that we receive from Central Government continues to fall, which means that we need to carry on finding ways to reduce our costs or increase our income. Over the next four years we are forecasting that we will need to deliver annual savings or income generation of £4.2 million. We are using our reserves over this period to help cushion the impact that these changes will have on the delivery of services, but this is only sustainable for a short period.

12 OUTLOOK follow us on twitter @NorthHertsDC AUTUMN 2017 Our objectives for 2017/18 The Council set three objectives for 2017/18 and onwards:

Attractive & Prosper & Responsive & Thriving Protect Efficient

To work with our partners to To promote sustainable To ensure that the Council provide an attractive and safe growth within our district to delivers cost effective and environment for our residents, ensure economic and social necessary services to our where diversity is welcomed opportunities exist for our residents that are responsive and the disadvantaged are communities, whilst remaining to developing need and supported. mindful of our cultural and financial constraints. physical heritage.

Projects to What we spent in 2016/2017 support these In 2016/17 the Council managed collections, leisure centres, parks, objectives to achieve ongoing savings of grounds maintenance, housing through 2017/18 £400,000. This follows the benefits, licensing, planning, car achievement of ongoing savings parking, and environmental health. • Completion of the project to of over £250,000 in 2015/16, build a new learner pool at The chart below gives a broad £1.6 million in 2014/15 and North Herts Leisure Centre, outline of the net spend by £880,000 in 2013/14. For the alongside a café, dance studio services (i.e. after allowing for average Council Tax of just over and refurbishment of the wet income received).The Council’s net £4 per household each week, the changing areas. spend in 2016/17 was just under services provided by the Council £16.0 million, compared with £15.5 • Renovation of the Jackmans include refuse and recycling million in 2015/16. Play area in Letchworth and installing new equipment at Brook What the money was spent on 2016/17 View in Hitchin. • Improvements to the changing 5% Development & facilities at the two outdoor pools Building Control, 13% in Hitchin and Letchworth. 10% Housing & Public Protection, 13% • Awarding a new contract for waste 40% collection and street cleansing. 9% Democratic Services, Through a joint contract with 10% Council, this Policy & Community is expected to provide improved Development, 9% value for money. 10% Revenues and • Generating more income from Benefits, 10% our property assets, including Cultural Services, 5% the creation of a Council owned 13% Leisure & Property Company to enable us 13% Environmental, 40% to provide residential lettings.

• Adopting a Local Plan to the period Of the 40% of our budget spent on was spent on services such as 2031, which establishes areas in Leisure and Environmental Services, maintaining our parks, amenity which sustainable housing and over half (68%) went on services areas and public conveniences, employment development may such as refuse collection, recycling management of our leisure facilities, take place in future. and street cleaning. The remaining markets and parking. follow us on twitter @NorthHertsDC AUTUMN 2017 like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/northhertsDC OUTLOOK 13 Could you take Meet and Eat on a lodger ? Following a successful launch be barriers to a person’s ability in East Hertfordshire, a new and enthusiasm to prepare a exciting nutrition education healthy home cooked meal. At project launched in North Meet and Eat, participants have Hertfordshire in April. been enjoying traditional dishes such as fish pie, fresh quiche “Meet and Eat” works with and spaghetti bolognese, as community groups to bring people well as trying new foods and together to learn or refresh recipes. Many participants tell cookery skills and encourage us that they feel unable to cook people to eat well, by making and The number of people taking lodgers for themselves and usually eat sharing a meal together. has doubled in recent years. Most alone. Coming to Meet and Eat people rent out a spare room to NHDC is running the project, gives them an opportunity to eat supplement their income, but there can working alongside Howard a freshly cooked meal and spend also be social benefits. Cottage Housing Association, time with others. to deliver Meet and Eat groups Most housing association tenants In September, a Meet and Eat for residents in sheltered have the right to take a lodger but group will also be starting with accommodation in Letchworth. check with your landlord before doing North Hertfordshire Homes in The groups, supported by a so. Similarly, owner-occupiers with a Hitchin. We are also always on the nutritionist and volunteers, meet mortgage should consult their lender. look out for volunteers to support regularly to prepare a healthy two If you live in the private rented sector, our project by giving up two to course meal which they then eat your tenancy agreement may prohibit three hours of their time, weekly together. Advice and guidance is you from taking a lodger, but it may be or fortnightly. Cooking skills are also provided by the Nutrition and worth discussing it with your landlord. not required. Wellbeing Service at Hertfordshire There are lots of ways to find a lodger Independent Living Services. For more information contact but many people use internet sites Helen Rae on 01462 474333 or There are many reasons why such as www.spareroom.co.uk and [email protected] older people might not eat well. www.mondaytofriday.com. However, A lack of cooking skills, illness it is important you take care choosing or disability or loneliness can all as you need to be sure they are trustworthy.

Taxpayers can potentially earn up to At Meet and Eat, £7,500 each year tax free, under the participants have been Government’s Rent a Room Scheme enjoying traditional www.gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home/ dishes such as fish rent-bills-and-tax. pie, fresh quiche and spaghetti bolognese, If you claim housing benefit or provide as well as trying new meals for a lodger, make sure that you foods and recipes. get some independent advice on what it will mean for you. If your lodger is on a low income or claims benefits, they may be entitled to claim Local Housing Allowance (LHA) to help them to pay rent. To find out more visit https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/search.aspx

For more advice and guidance see www.lodgers.com/step-by-step-guide

14 OUTLOOK follow us on twitter @NorthHertsDC AUTUMN 2017 Community Revamped Play Area Opens Facilities at Bancroft Recreation Grants Ground, Hitchin

This summer, NHDC’s Community Children in Hitchin have a new Over-mature Facilities Capital Grants Panel awarded play area to enjoy after a £75k shrubs have grants totalling £200k to sports project resulted in the installation been replaced and community centres across the of a new adventure climbing with new District. The purpose of the grants is structure with a slide and a plants along to provide much loved community pendulum swing. A standing the borders facilities with funding to undertake stone circle and boulders have and surrounding areas. New repairs and help ensure they are also been installed to encourage trees will be planted in due fit for purpose, accessible and more imaginative play. course. A new path has been environmentally friendly buildings. installed and additional works to The renovation to the play area replace worn out pathways will At a meeting earlier this year, four was carried out to increase be undertaken after the summer. centres were awarded £50k each. the park’s appeal to older The projects set to benefit are: children and was completed by The play area was officially Dacre Rooms, Kimpton – the grant Community Charity, Groundwork opened in August by Leader will be used to refurbish and update Hertfordshire on behalf of NHDC. of the Council, Cllr Lynda the ground floor rooms and make this This work has also seen the Needham and Cllr Jane Gray, unique building fit for purpose for the opening up of the view to Executive Member for Leisure, next 20 years. the river - making the area along with representatives lighter and more accessible. from Groundwork. Jackmans Community Centre, Letchworth - for the refurbishment of the on-site toilet facilities to enable disabled access. KNOW A CHEAT St Michael’s Mount Community Centre, ON YOUR STREET? Hitchin – the funding will be used to TENANCY • COUNCIL TAX • BLUE BADGE enhance and upgrade the outdoor play area, laying an all-weather artificial grass surface in the existing fenced area and providing an all-weather FRAUD canopy to ensure maximum year Every year millions of pounds of your money is round use. stolen by cheaters, money that should be used to improve your community in Hertfordshire Walsworth Community Centre - for the refurbishment of flooring, heating and other building repairs, including kitchen improvements, new lighting and a new boiler and heating system.

SPOT THE

Report fraud online www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/fraud or by calling us on 0300 123 4033

follow us on twitter @NorthHertsDC AUTUMN 2017 like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/northhertsDC OUTLOOK 15 New online services let you take control

Have you checked our website at www.north-herts.gov.uk recently?

Our online services continue to evolve, offering a wider range of self-service options to provide greater convenience and speed for residents.

We have several e-forms available • Request a refund (if you have Housing Benefit that you can use to let us know of received a bill showing that you There’s now a faster any changes to your circumstances are in credit) way to report changes in that may affect your Council • Request a copy of your current situations that may affect your Tax, Business Rates or Housing Council Tax Bill Housing Benefit entitlement. Benefit. They are easy to use and The new service, eCitizen, is will automatically update your • (If you are a Landlord) tell us easy to use and allows you to records, ensuring we collect the about tenant changes report any change in personal or right information and your bill or household circumstances quickly payment is produced in a faster, • Inform us if you are a student and securely. This speeds up more cost effective way. (you will need to send in supporting evidence from the applying those changes to your Council Tax College or University) entitlement and reduces the risk of overpayments and errors. With the new e-forms you can: Business Rates The new service is accessible (Non-Domestic Rates) • Tell us you are moving in, out from the Housing Benefit pages or within the area • Tell us you are moving in or out of our website. of a business premises within • Request to pay by Direct the area Debit or amend an existing instruction • Request to pay by Direct Debit or amend an existing instruction • Request a Single Occupier Benefits Discount • Request a refund (if you have received a bill showing that you • Renew or review an existing are in credit) Single Occupier Discount • Request a copy of your current Business Rates Bill Direct Debit

Council Ta x

16 OUTLOOK follow us on twitter @NorthHertsDC AUTUMN 2017 The Annual Household Canvass 2017

Autumn is a busy time of year for If your details have changed, or NHDC’s Electoral Services as it sees you are a new resident, make the the start of the household canvass. amendments on the form and return it to us, and we will amend From 24 August a Household the Electoral Register. Enquiry form has been sent to every property within the North The new Register of Electors will Hertfordshire area. The form be published on 1 December 2017 coming through your letterbox and will be used for all elections will contain the names of those to be held in 2018. The Register who appear on the Electoral is also used by credit referencing Register currently at your address. agencies to verify your details If the details are still the same you should you ever want to apply can confirm the registrations by for credit. It would help us to If you would like to help us with telephone, or by text, or you can save money if you could reply the process of following up on post the form back to us using promptly as we have a duty to non-responding households, the envelope provided. All the follow up any non responding please call the Electoral Services information you need to complete households with reminder forms helpline number on 01462 474502 the form will be given on the front. and home visits. for an informal chat. Council Meetings COMMITTEES – 11 SEPTEMBER 2017 TO 31 DECEMBER 2017 (7.30pm unless stated) An audio recording is taken at all Council meetings (excluding confidential parts). The press and public also have a right to film and record at Council meetings and a protocol on this can be found here: www.north-herts.gov.uk/recordingmeetings DATE COMMITTEE VENUE Wednesday, 13 September 2017 Royston & District Committee Royston Town Hall, Melbourn Street, Royston Thursday, 14 September 2017 Planning Control Committee Spirella Ballroom, Icknield Way, Letchworth Tuesday, 19 September 2017 Overview & Scrutiny Committee Foundation House, Icknield Way, Letchworth Thursday, 21 September 2017 Finance, Audit & Risk Committee Lower Hall, Icknield Centre, Icknield Way, Letchworth Tuesday, 26 September 2017 Cabinet Foundation House, Icknield Way, Letchworth Wednesday, 27 September 2017 Joint Staff Consultative Committee (3.00pm) Town Lodge Meeting Room 1, Gernon Road, Letchworth Thursday, 5 October 2017 Southern Rural Committee Foundation House, Icknield Way, Letchworth Tuesday, 10 October 2017 Standards Committee Lower Hall, Icknield Centre, Icknield Way, Letchworth Thursday, 12 October 2017 Planning Control Committee Spirella Ballroom, Icknield Way, Letchworth Thursday, 9 November 2017 Planning Control Committee Spirella Ballroom, Icknield Way, Letchworth Monday, 20 November 2017 Finance, Audit & Risk Committee Foundation House, Icknield Way, Letchworth Tuesday, 21 November 2017 Cabinet Foundation House, Icknield Way, Letchworth Thursday, 23 November 2017 Council Spirella Ballroom, Icknield Way, Letchworth Wednesday, 29 November 2017 Royston & District Committee Royston Town Hall, Melbourn Street, Royston Thursday, 30 November 2017 Southern Rural Committee Foundation House, Icknield Way, Letchworth Monday, 4 December 2017 Baldock & District Committee Baldock Community Centre, Simpson Drive, Baldock Tuesday, 5 December 2017 Hitchin Committee Hitchin Boys School, Grammar School Walk, Hitchin Wednesday, 6 December 2017 Letchworth Committee Foundation House, Icknield Way, Letchworth Tuesday, 12 December 2017 Overview & Scrutiny Committee Foundation House, Icknield Way, Letchworth Thursday, 14 December 2017 Planning Control Committee Spirella Ballroom, Icknield Way, Letchworth Monday, 18 December 2017 Finance, Audit & Risk Committee Foundation House, Icknield Way, Letchworth Tuesday, 19 December 2017 Cabinet Foundation House, Icknield Way, Letchworth Wednesday, 20 December 2017 Joint Staff Consultative Committe Town Lodge Meeting Room 1, Gernon Road, Letchworth follow us on twitter @NorthHertsDC AUTUMN 2017 like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/northhertsDC OUTLOOK 17 WHAT’S EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS

ON Adult Movement Class, ASHWELL this Autumn 11.45am - 12.30pm Dance and movement workshop for 7 October, Town & village MUSEUMS the over 50s. These fun, creative dance 10am – 5pm & events sessions are suitable for anyone with 8 October, British Schools GALLERIES an interest in movement - all abilities 2pm-5pm Museum welcome. Suggested donation £3 per 41/42 Queen Street, Ashwell Book Weekend person. Booking in advance essential. Hitchin, SG4 9TS 01462 420144 The 18th Ashwell Book Weekend will www.britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk 19 September & 17 October, take place in St. Mary’s Church, Ashwell. Please check the website before 10.30am - 12pm 28 October visiting for the latest news and Royston Reminiscence Coffee Jazz Concert special events Morning Come along to a jazz concert in St Prompted by photographs and objects Mary’s Church, Ashwell with the Marco 15 September, 13 October from the museum’s collections. Come and Marconi Trio. & 10 November, 10am - 2pm reminisce about Royston’s past, or come Museum in the Square along and do your own local history BALDOCK In the old Market Square with a research. Refreshments provided. Free For event details visit: mystery object quiz, free guided admission, but please book in advance www.baldocktown.co.uk tours of Dead ‘Street’ and lots of as spaces are limited. info about the Museum. 8 – 10 September 30 September, 10am - 4pm Balstock 24 October Lego League Robots Hertfordshire’s Biggest Free Dancing for fun Find out all about the exciting Lego Music Festival League Robots from our local 25 October For more information visit: champions. See the Robots in action www.balstock.com Rats, Bats and Cats and have a go at some Lego themed Halloween activities. Free admission. HITCHIN Fun Day 14 October, 10.30am - 12pm For event details visit: 26 October Royston and District Folklore www.hitchinherts.com/events Past the Final Pages Fun Day Exhibition Launch 5 October Launch of the museum’s new Folklore 28 October Street Food Monthly exhibition. Find out about some weird Last one of the year for this popular event Children’s Literary Festival and wonderful local legends, sayings and 8 - 9 December traditions. Folklore themed craft activities, 18 November Christmas Fayre storytelling and Morris Dancing. Free Rotary Wine & Food Festival admission, craft activities £3 per child. The best local food vendors on the Market Place with wine tasting at the Royston & District Museum 25 - 26 October, 10.30am - 12pm Sun Hotel. and Art Gallery Crafty Kids Folklore Fun 5 Lower King Street, Royston, Craft activities for kids age 4-10 themed 24 November SG8 5AL 01763 242587 around our new folklore exhibition. Christmas Tree Lights Switch On www.roystonmuseum.org.uk £3 per child. Drop-in activity, no need to This wonderful celebration of Hitchin’s [email protected] book in advance. community spirit builds year on year. Music, street food and special guests 15 & 25 September, 28 October, 10.30am - 12pm heralds the launch of the town’s 13 & 30 October Room on the Broom Christmas season. Toddler Music and Dance, Join storyteller Alex Jones for Room on 10.30am - 11.30am the Broom and other Toddler music and dance workshop Halloween themed themed around the museum’s tales, plus some collections. Free admission, but Room on the Broom spaces are limited so please book themed craft activities. in advance. £3 per child.

18 OUTLOOK follow us on twitter @NorthHertsDC AUTUMN 2017 ICKLEFORD 16 – 18 November, 7.45pm 7 October onwards The Pirate Trail For event details visit: Brontë Each year Royston is ‘overrun’ with small www.icklefordpc.com The Little Theatre, Letchworth Settlement, pirate captains and first mates as they 30 September SG6 4UB. scavenge on the town’s treasure trail Harvest Supper in Ickleford The Settlement Players present a modern looking for bags of gold. With Pete the Village Hall dramatisation of the Brontë sisters Pirate meet and greet, face painting and Doors open at 6.30pm for 7pm start. rise to literary success and Branwell many craft activities, the event is not to Homemade supper and entertainment. Brontë’s decent into addiction and be missed! Bring your own cutlery, drink and glass. paranoia. Tickets £8 from David’s Music, Proceeds will go towards St Katharine’s Eastcheap, or via the website Church for their New Building and Room- www.settlement-players.org.uk for-All. 11 – 25 November 1 October, 9.30am Letchworth Art Society’s Harvest Thanksgiving service in ‘Autumn Exhibition’ St Katharine’s Church, Ickleford 10am – 4.45pm (except Sundays) Proceeds will go towards St Katharine’s The Autumn Exhibition will be held at Church for their New Building and the Community Museum Gallery, in Room-for-All. the Arcade. All work on display is by local artists. 2 December, 11am - 2.30pm Christmas Fayre in Ickleford 25 November School Christmas in Letchworth Garden Grand Draw at 2pm. Father Christmas, City, 3pm to 8pm stalls, mulled wine and mince pies, The Christmas Light Switch On – join refreshments including homemade soups. us for lots of festive fun in Letchworth Fun for all the family. Town Centre. 2 December ROYSTON KNEBWORTH The Christmas Fair High Street 22 – 24 September 1pm - 5pm 23 – 25 November, 8pm Royston Arts Festival With special guests Punch and Judy and A Christmas Carol, Knebworth For further information go to: Santa’s Grotto, entertainment from the Amateur Theatrical Society www.creativeroyston.org Town Band and a steel band, stalls and At Knebworth Village Hall, Park Lane, more. SG3 6PD. Tickets £8 for adults, £7 1 October concessions. Further information: Annual ‘Silver Sunday’ event at 9 December [email protected], tickets: the Royston Picture Palace Rudolph’s Christmas Trail Fish Hill [email protected] A free film “West Side Story” will be Square 10am - 4pm shown for over 65s at the cinema with The Christmas Trail leads LETCHWORTH free tea and cakes beforehand. As children to clues hidden in For event details visit seating is limited, free tickets must be shop windows throughout www.loveletchworth.com obtained beforehand from the Town Hall the town centre. When all Office between 5 and 22 September. the clues are collected 30 September - 1 October, Free transport can be arranged for those they assemble into a 12pm – 6pm who require it, but this too must be model and children Beer and World Food pre-booked when picking up the tickets. receive a gift from Festival Santa at the end. Free. A wide variety of stallholders will be bringing ST IPPOLYTS cuisine from around the world, including Thai, 25 November, 2pm Jamaican and South African Christmas Fair, St Ippolyts delights, to name a few. Parish Hall There will be traditional There will be lots of stalls, face painting German Oktoberfest stalls and the opportunity to visit Father and a variety of other stalls Christmas in the grotto. Coffee, tea, including clothes, jewellery squash and cakes available. The Raffle and homeware. There will will be drawn at 4.30pm. Proceeds in also be live music, a fun fair aid of the Parish Hall kitchen fund. and face painting. follow us on twitter @NorthHertsDC AUTUMN 2017 like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/northhertsDC OUTLOOK 19 Helping Community Projects

NHDC provides grants to towards the cost of training staff to club within the village, following the community groups and not-for- provide specialist Pilates sessions refurbishment of the tennis courts. profit organisations through its five aimed specifically at those with MS Kimpton Rugby Club received £500 to Area Committees. These can be and other neurological conditions. refurbish a storage facility in the village used to kick-start or advance an Meanwhile, in March, the Alpha which is used to store various village existing project to a new exciting Programme, set up to promote and community group equipment, stage, as long as there is a positive weight loss, health and wellbeing including for Kimpton’s May Festival. benefit to the community. and football to hard to reach groups How to apply Baldock of men, was awarded £850 by the Letchworth Area Committee. The For more information on how to In July, Weston Village Hall was programme targets men aged 35- apply for a grant and check eligibility awarded £1000 by the Baldock 64 years old, with a BMI of 25 or search ‘Area Committee Grants’ on and District Committee. They are above to support them in adopting a our website www.north-herts.gov.uk. using this funding to assist with the healthier lifestyle. The project runs at ongoing refurbishment of the building Lordship Farm School in Letchworth. - focusing on insulating the main hall. Organisers will use the funding to Hitchin recruit an additional 20 to 25 men NHDC is committed to equal onto the programme. Back in March, ‘Clean Up Hitchin’, opportunities and our aim is to which aims to raise awareness of the Royston make our services easy for all residents to use. If English is not problems associated with littering, In July, the Royston and District your first language or you have was awarded £2400 by the Hitchin Committee awarded £1500 to not- difficulty reading this document Area Committee. for-profit voluntary organisation, please contact us to discuss how The group have used the funds to Creative Royston for their annual we may be able to assist you. Royston Arts Festival. The money repeat their Hitchin Art ‘Binstallation’ Please call: 01462 474000, or project, installing new bright green will be used to fully fund the email [email protected] bin covers in the Town with vinyl distribution of the festival programme Textphone (for textphone users) wraps from local designers and to 16,500 local households via The on: 01462 474800 artists, providing extra bin capacity. Listing magazine and as such will further benefit local businesses. OUTLOOK is published by Letchworth the Communications Team, And finally North Hertfordshire District In July, Hertfordshire Multiple Council, Town Lodge, In March, grants totalling £1800 Gernon Road, Letchworth, Sclerosis Therapy Centre received a SG6 3HN grant of just over £1000 from the were awarded by the Southern Rural email [email protected] Letchworth Area Committee. The Committee in support of sport in rural communities. © Unless otherwise stated, articles and photography are Centre, a registered charity, aims copyright of North Hertfordshire District Council.

to help people suffering from long Breachwood Green Cricket Club put Every care is taken to ensure accuracy, but the publisher term or neurological conditions or manager cannot be held responsible for errors or

their grant towards purchasing a via physiotherapy and exercise, to omissions in editorial content. new mobile batting net as the first achieve greater mobility and reduce “ step towards installing a new pain. They also provide oxygen artificial cricket pitch. MAKING NORTH treatment, which can offer increased HERTFORDSHIRE A energy and faster healing and pain Offley Tennis Club used their grant VIBRANT PLACE TO LIVE, reduction therapy. The grant will go of £500 to reinvigorate a tennis “WORK AND PROSPER 20 OUTLOOK follow us on twitter @NorthHertsDC AUTUMN 2017