Hertsmere_Summer_v5.qxp_Layout 1 02/06/2021 11:22 Page 1 Hertsmere News #WelcomeBack Inside this issue Shop Local Stay Safe | Elections | Civic Awards Fitness | Elstree Studios | Community Lottery Hertsmere_Summer_v5.qxp_Layout 1 02/06/2021 11:22 Page 2 Community Follow us on Twitter @HertsmereBC Celebrating Hertsmere’s heroes Hertsmere's unsung heroes have been recognised for their efforts and long-standing service – a year later than originally planned. Hertsmere’s outgoing Mayor, Councillor Simon Pyzer, district secretary for communities shown by this remarkable set Rabbi Alan Plancey, was able to present Hertsmere scouting and Lynette Sullivan, of people is even more moving and eight Civic Awards 2019-20 to members of chair and founder member of the inspiring than ever.” the public at a small, Covid-safe ceremony Christmas in Potters Bar group. Vasikha In addition, Camp Unity, a held in the Civic Offices last month. The Dasi, President of the Krishna Temple at Borehamwood-based organisation that ceremony was due to take place at Elstree Bhaktivedanta Manor, received the award provides opportunities for children and Studios in April last year but had been on behalf of Sruti, who passed away last their families to meet people from other cancelled due to the pandemic. year. cultures and communities, also received a Among the people recognised for their Tracey Hanson, the mother of Josh Civic Award. tireless work and dedication to the Hanson, who was murdered in an Hertsmere Volunteer Police Cadets community were Nicky Beaton, a former unprovoked knife attack, was presented was presented with the Youth Civic Award. Shenley parish councillor who with the Dave Rankin Award. Tracey works spearheaded the Shenley Neighbourhood with our community safety team to deliver Each award winner’s story has been Plan; Sruti Dharma das, the late President workshops on knife crime at local schools. captured in a short film and is of the Krishna Temple at Bhaktivedanta Mayor Cllr Plancey said: “After the year available to view at Manor; Stephen Pearson, a volunteer and we have had, the commitment and www.hertsmere.gov.uk/civicawards boxing coach at Brookside Boys Club; determination to help improve their New Mayor welcomed The mayoral chains have been passed on to Councillor Anne Swerling who becomes Hertsmere Mayor for the year. Cllr Swerling takes over the role from Cllr Alan Plancey have been chosen as Mayor of Hertsmere for the and was inaugurated at the annual council meeting last coming municipal year and I am somewhat month. The new Deputy Mayor, Cllr John Graham, was humbled by it. It was a pleasure for me to act as also welcomed. Deputy Mayor for Cllr Barker and for Cllr Plancey During his time as Mayor, Cllr Plancey raised money who took over for the rest of her year. Two for Herts Mind Network and Camp Simcha. He said: “It nicer people one could not have had. was an honour to be Mayor for a second time, after the "I am looking forward to the coming year sad passing of Cllr Cynthia Barker. It has been a and hope it will give me the opportunity to challenging term due to the pandemic. However, the meet as many Hertsmere residents and reception I have received from our communities and the volunteers as possible.” support from officers has been outstanding. Cllr Swerling has been a brilliant Deputy Mayor and can look If you would like to invite the Mayor to forward to a very warm reception from the community attend one of your events, please of Hertsmere.” contact the Mayor’s Secretary on New Mayor Cllr Swerling, is looking forward to her year 020 8207 7477 or as Mayor during which she will be raising money to email mayors.secretary@ support Essex and Herts Air Ambulance. hertsmere.gov.uk Cllr Swerling said: “It is a privilege and an honour to 2 | Summer 2021 | Hertsmere News | www.hertsmere.gov.uk Hertsmere_Summer_v5.qxp_Layout 1 02/06/2021 11:22 Page 3 Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/hertsmere In this issue Contents 4 Shop local stay safe 6 Local Plan news Welcome 7 Elstree Studios update 8 Feeling good 10 Meadow Park update Welcome to the summer edition of 12 Ian Kershaw Q&A Hertsmere News. 14 Keep safe this summer Contact us www.hertsmere.gov.uk [email protected] @HertsmereBC www.facebook.com/hertsmere 020 8207 2277 hertsmerebc This magazine is produced by Hertsmere Borough Council three times a year. Each edition costs Above: From left to right, Cllr Abishek Sachdev, Cllr Caroline Clapper, Cllr Seamus around 29p per copy to Quilty, Cllr Harvey Cohen, Cllr Bright, Cllr Pervez Choudhury, Cllr Jean Heywood and design, print and deliver. Cllr Meenal Sachdev. On the cover: Julie from In this edition we are saying a very Following the elections, I have Daisy's in the Park café prepares to welcome customers back. warm ‘welcome back’ to the business made a small change to our and leisure sectors in our borough as Executive (see above). As Cllr John they re-open safely in line with the Graham is now serving as Deputy government roadmap for easing Mayor (see page 2), he steps down as Still working with you, lockdown restrictions. We dedicate portfolio holder for Finance and for you several pages to these sectors in this Property. I would like to take this edition and also thank everyone opportunity to thank John for the Call 020 8207 2277 or email across Hertsmere for working so hard diligence he has applied to that role [email protected] to keep our communities safe during over many years. the pandemic. I hope you find this edition an to contact one of our Customer Building work is under way on the enjoyable and informative read. Service Advisors. two new soundstages at Elstree Our main reception at the Civic Offices in Studios. The development will Borehamwood is open for pre-booked eventually lead to at least 800 jobs, appointments between 9.30am and 2pm. plus apprenticeship and other The area offices are currently closed. training opportunities. You can read more on page 7. www.hertsmere.gov.uk/contactus It’s been a very busy time for everyone at the council, with staff administering a complex set of local elections last month. You can read If you would like this magazine our round up on page 12 which also Councillor Morris Bright MBE in a different format please call carries a reminder of the various Leader of Hertsmere services that we and Hertfordshire Borough Council 020 8207 7445. County Council deliver. [email protected] www.hertsmere.gov.uk | Hertsmere News | Summer 2021 | 3 Hertsmere_Summer_v5.qxp_Layout 1 02/06/2021 11:22 Page 4 Coronavirus Updates Follow us on Twitter @HertsmereBC SHOP LOCAL STAY SAFE Customers have been returning to the shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants in Hertsmere’s high streets following the recent lockdown, while still being reminded to continue to play their part in keeping everyone safe. All retail, personal care, libraries, community services, most outdoor attractions, indoor leisure, self-contained accommodation, all children’s activities and outdoor hospitality reopened in April, followed by all indoor hospitality, including restaurants, pubs and cafés last month. Business owners and managers across the borough have participated in our ‘Shop Local, Stay Safe’ social media campaign, welcoming people back, while asking them to follow the mantra of hands, face, space and fresh air. In addition, anyone who doesn’t have symptoms should get a rapid test for coronavirus twice a week. Rapid testing is available for everyone without symptoms. Lesley Crisp, our Principal Economic Development Officer said: “It’s wonderful to see businesses reopening again after being unable to operate for so long. “We really want people to shop locally so they can support their high streets but this mustn’t come at the expense of people’s health. “Please continue to do all you can to keep yourselves and your communities safe. Wear a face covering; wash your hands or use hand sanitiser regularly; maintain social distancing and get tested twice a week. “By taking these simple steps, we can, hopefully, continue to make our way out of the restrictions and go back to something of a normal life.” Clockwise from top right are Niki at Hertsmere News went to press in early June ahead of government Heaven Scent, Neil at The Wellington Pub, announcements about the final stage of easing coronavirus Edwin at Nelken Jewellers, Jean at The Dress restrictions. Please check www.gov.uk/coronavirus for the latest Circle, Lisa at Cedars Hair, and Laura at Laura government guidance. Kay London. 4 | Summer 2021 | Hertsmere News | www.hertsmere.gov.uk Hertsmere_Summer_v5.qxp_Layout 1 02/06/2021 11:22 Page 5 Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/hertsmerebc Coronavirus Updates Getting back to fitness Leisure centres in Hertsmere have been welcoming people back through their doors as restrictions continue to lift in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Customers have been returning to The year. The funding Venue in Borehamwood, Bushey Grove has been used to Leisure Centre and Furzefield Leisure help ensure Centre in Potters Bar, to enjoy a host of robust Covid activities, including gym, socially- safety measures distanced fitness and wellbeing classes, are in place. same household indoor sport and no The funding, contact outdoor activities. administered by Working with InspireAll Leisure and Sport England, Family Support Services, we on behalf of the successfully secured just over £190,000 Department of from Sport England’s National Leisure Digital, Culture, Recovery Fund (NLRF) to support the Media and Sport reopening of the centres earlier this and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, is only available for publicly-owned App users can continue to book leisure centres.