Issuu

Inside this issue

Instagram Health & Wellbeing Whatâ€™s On CSP conference Litter 90 years of Elstree

Christmas news

Hertsmere kids get creative A group of local schoolchildren received an early Christmas gift after entering our annual Christmas card competition. The judges – Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Martin Worster, his daughter Camilla and his granddaughters Megan and Lucy – were spoilt for choice with a range of vibrant and innovative designs from pupils across the borough. The winners were: • First – Ellis Morley aged 6, from Bournehall School in Bushey • Second – Jack Trimmer, aged 7, from St Teresa’s School in Borehamwood • Joint third – Riya Rajesh, aged 10, from St Teresa’s School Anna Reynolds, aged 7, from Bushey Manor Junior School in Bushey. Prathm Patel, aged 10 from Hartsbourne Primary School, Bushey Heath Ellis’s Santa’s sleigh image will be used as the council’s electronic greeting and Jack’s festive penguin design will be used by the Mayor. Cllr Worster said: “We had a lovely time

looking through all the designs, and it was great to see all the effort that the children had put in, but sadly we could only pick a few winning cards and these were the designs that stood out for us. “Congratulations to the winners on their fantastic designs, but also thank you to everyone who made the effort to enter the competition and all their schools for their participation.”

We’ve snapped up Instagram Our new Instagram account is showcasing the best of Hertsmere, ranging from our beautiful parks, the services we provide and the wide range of events that so many of our residents and visitors from further afield enjoy. Instagram is a free photo sharing app. To start following our page, you will need a personal Instagram account. Once set up search 'hertsmerebc' and select the 'follow' option. And don’t forget to share your images taken across the borough by tagging us or by hashtagging #hertsmerebc. Pictured helping us to promote our newest social media channel is Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Martin Worster, with his granddaughters Lucy (left) and Megan

2 | Winter 2015 | Hertsmere News | www.hertsmere.gov.uk

In this issue

Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/hertsmere

Welcome With the festive season and a brand new year nearly upon us, we look back in this issue at some of our notable successes during the autumn months. Hertsmere was recognised as a digital leader, scooping a key award at a prestigious ceremony in September for our e-alert service and our website development. This was a tremendous tribute to the work that council officers have put in to developing our ‘News for You’ service as a way of keeping you up-to-date about council services. We now have nearly 2,000 subscribers to this service, so why not join our ecommunity? You’ll find all the details on page 4. The borough’s beautiful parks and green spaces saw us retaining our six coveted Green Flag Awards and our museums continue to go from strength to strength. Elstree & Borehamwood Museum recently welcomed its 10,000th visitor since re-opening in the popular community hub at 96 Shenley Road. Looking forward, we’re all set to mark the 90th anniversary of Elstree Studios over the next 12 months. The studios put Hertsmere at the forefront of the film and television industry nationally

and, on page 11, we explain how they support the local economy and benefit local residents. Hertsmere is a safe borough and we maintain a very positive working relationship with the local police and other organisations to keep it that way. On pages 12 and 13 we provide more information about that partnership work and how everyone, including residents and those running local businesses, can play their part in preventing crime. We also include our annual eightpage summary of our financial accounts, which explains what happens to your council tax and how we spend the money we receive from it. Finally, I’d like to extend season’s greetings to you all and wish you a healthy and happy 2016.

Contents 2 Christmas cards 4 Award winners 6 Health and wellbeing 8 Christmas refuse 9 Green spaces 10 Combatting fraud 11 90 years of Elstree 13 Community safety 16 What’s on

Councillor Morris Bright Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council leader@hertsmere.gov.uk @Morris__Bright

Collection calendar You should receive a waste and recycling collection calendar for January to June with this magazine. If yours is missing please contact us or you can download one from www.hertsmere.gov.uk/

collectioncalendar

This magazine is produced by Hertsmere Borough Council three times a year. We welcome stories and photos – email them to corporate.communications@ hertsmere.gov.uk The deadline for the next issue, which is due out in March, is 18 January. Each edition costs around 29p per copy to design, print and deliver. When you have finished with it, please recycle it in your blue box.

www.facebook.com/hertsmere 020 8207 2277 hertsmerebc

Visit us Hertsmere Borough Council Civic Offices, Elstree Way Borehamwood, WD6 1WA Open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5.15pm, Friday 9am to 5pm Bushey Area Office The Bushey Centre, High Street Bushey, WD23 1TT Open Tuesdays, 9.30am to 2pm Potters Bar Area Office Wyllyotts Centre, Wyllyotts Place Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 2HN Open Thursdays, 9.30am to 2pm

If you would like this magazine in a different format please call 020 8207 7445.

On the cover: Mayor, Cllr Martin Worster, with Ellis Morley, winner of our Christmas card competition www.hertsmere.gov.uk | Hertsmere News | Winter 2015 | 3

Community news

Award winning news! Our new FREE e-alerts service ‘News for You’ has received a Digital Strategy and Impact Award at a ceremony in London. We were one of just three councils to receive an award at this prestigious event, attended by more than 500 delegates from public sector organisations, along with representatives from as far afield as New York City. The GovDelivery award acknowledges the progress we have made in developing our e-communications through our e-alerts service and website development to engage more widely with our residents. Join our e-community by subscribing to receive information on

the news that matters to you. With up to 20 topics to choose from, whether you're interested in updates on health and wellbeing or support for your local business, there is something for everyone.

Click on the ‘News for You’ link on our website or through our Facebook page.

Picture from left to right: David Worsell from GovDelivery and Steve Burton, Keely James and Leigh Wood from Hertsmere Borough Council

You can receive the latest council news straight to your inbox – whether it’s events in your local park, how to recycle better, getting community safety advice or finding out about the latest collection at the museum. Look out for the purple button!

Find out about the things that matter to you.

www.hertsmere.gov.uk www.facebook.com/hertsmere @HertsmereBC hertsmerebc

Now with nearly 2,000 subscribers! 4 | Winter 2015 | Hertsmere News | www.hertsmere.gov.uk

Community news

Do it all online Our website – www.hertsmere.gov.uk – has every service offered by the council available to you online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The site contains the usual mix of news, service information and council meetings, along with improved online forms and a thorough search facility, so there are lots of opportunities to carry out your business online from the comfort of your own home. Our website is mobile compatible too, so you can get online on the move too!

You can: • Put in your postcode and search for services near you • Sign up to receive council news straight to your inbox through our FREE e-alerts ‘News for You’ • Find the most recently published documents • Watch council meetings as they happen live • Complete forms • Share pages and content through social media tools • Submit a planning application online and monitor all planning applications right up until the time a decision is made • Pay securely for all council services in the same way as online bank accounts • Calculate your benefit entitlement • Check your bin collection dates, simply by inserting your postcode. • And much more! So what are you waiting for? Log on to www.hertsmere.gov.uk.

Because we’re happy You are amongst the happiest city commuters in the UK! Hertsmere secured an impressive second place on a top 10 list of happy and affordable commuter areas in a recent feature published in The Telegraph in September. The feature cited the borough’s high happiness and satisfaction levels from various studies and the relatively short commuter journeys to London the borough has to offer.

Right: Former curators and founders of the museum Alan Lawrence and Ann Lawrence, visitor David Nathan from Borehamwood and museum manager David Armitage.

10,000 Visitors Elstree and Borehamwood Museum welcomed its 10,000th visitor since re-opening. The museum, which is now located in Borehamwood's community hub at 96 Shenley Road, rewarded lucky resident David Nathan with a bottle of champagne when he visited recently. Currently the museum is running an exhibition celebrating 30 years of EastEnders being filmed in the area. ‘EastEnders at 30: In Our Manor’ includes

a range of iconic objects from the soap, including wedding dresses and gruesome murder weapons. The exhibition, which is due to finish on 9 January 2016, has been extremely popular and visitors have come from all over the UK to celebrate the anniversary of their favourite soap.

The museum is run entirely by volunteers and has seen visitor numbers soar since moving to the heart of Borehamwood in November 2013 from its previous home on Drayton Road.

www.hertsmere.gov.uk | Hertsmere News | Winter 2015 | 5

Save money and beat the winter chill

Health news

Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/hertsmere

Are you missing out on hundreds of pounds of savings every year? You can save money by insulating your home with a few low cost simple measures. Insulation helps keep your home comfortable all year round; keeping heat within a building during winter and also slowing the flow of heat into the building in summer. Whilst a new boiler will help you heat your home, if you don’t have good insulation then the heat will keep escaping. Did you know that lofts should have 270mm (just under 1ft) of insulation? This could save you up to £140 a year on your heating bills. Many insulation measures are quick and easy to install and there are various grants and schemes available to help with the cost. Contact your gas or electricity company today to see if you qualify for free insulation or visit www.greenourherts.org.uk for more information on energy saving. There are also specific schemes available for vulnerable households in Hertfordshire – you could be eligible for a Herts Healthy Homes visit to provide you with information and free practical measures to help you stay warm and well in your home. Please call Herts Help on 0300 123 4044 for more information.

Satellite club awards Pictured above: Watford Harriers, based at Bushey Meads Secondary School

A community-focused sport club has been awarded a sought-after accolade by Sport England for its contribution and outstanding commitment to getting young people engaged in taking part in sport. Watford Harriers Athletics Club at Bushey Meads Secondary School has been named East Regional Satellite Club of the Year 2015. The dedicated coaches at the club, along with school support, have attracted an impressive 100 young people, many of whom have not previously taken part in athletics. The young people also benefitted from an inspirational visit by Olympic sprinting finalist Abi Oyepitan and equipment has been donated by the club to the school.

Satellite clubs – the £49m National Lottery funded Sport England initiative – are extensions, or outposts of community sports clubs that run out of a separate venue, usually a secondary school or college and specifically target the 11 to 25 age group. This satellite club was set up by Hertsmere Borough Council in partnership with Bushey Meads School, Herts Sports Partnership, Watford Harriers and England Athletics.

The Hertfordshire Stop Smoking Service offers professional specialist advice and support to smokers. FREE SUPPORT AVAILABLE You are four times more likely to stop with us Call us on 0800 389 3998 or 01442 453071 for more information and professional specialist advice or text ‘SMOKEFREE’ to 80818 or email: stopsmokingservice@hertscc.gcsx.gov.uk Once you are referred, the service will contact you within 48 hours to start your Smokefree journey. For further information please visit: www.hertsdirect.org/stopsmoking 6 | Winter 2015 | Hertsmere News | www.hertsmere.gov.uk

• Contact us directly • Speak to your GP • Speak to your local pharmacy • Speak to any health professional and ask to be referred

Health news

Follow the Mayor on Twitter @HertsmereMayor

Hertsmere’s women get moving! From boxercise to badminton, running to roller skating, there’s a whole host of activities available for women and girls aged 14 and over through the We Moves She Moves project, many of which are free! Whether you’re trying something for the first time, or looking to try something new, We Move She Moves will have something for you. There are activities taking place all across the borough, so grab a friend and get moving! If you’re on your own, don’t worry, you’ll soon get chatting. We run the sessions thanks to funding from Sport England.

Check the website – wemoveshemoves.com for details of all the courses on offer. To book a space, or for more information, email jane.parker@hertsmere.gov.uk or call 020 8207 7801

Sing-along fun! Kids were singing and dancing their way to Planet Munch thanks to a free interactive puppet show about healthy eating! The story follows Brocc and friends on their musical quest for lunch, finding out about how exercise and a balanced, nutritious diet can help promote a long and healthy life. The show was funded by the council as part of our programme of events and activities aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of residents Pictured right: Planet Munch in performance at the community hub at 96 Shenley Road, Borehamwood

Mental health wellbeing in Hertsmere Two exciting projects are running from the Wellbeing Centre at 10 Leeming Road, Borehamwood, aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of local people, particularly those experiencing mental health issues. The ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Mind’ programme offers sessions with a registered nurse who will provide help, advice and support in improving people’s general health, fitness, nutrition and lifestyle. The service is free and takes place on a Tuesday. For more information, contact Herts Mind Network on 020 3727 3600. ‘Meet and Move’ with Guideposts Trust provides an opportunity for those not used to exercising to join together and find

strength in numbers. One particular success has been the swimming group which meets every Wednesday. Sophie Mills, Project Co-ordinator, commented: “All the clients say these sessions have given them confidence to try new activities and meet new people.”

For more information, contact Guideposts Trust on 01923 223554 or email hsh@guidepoststrust.org.uk

These projects are currently being funded by the Public Health Fund District Offer which has been allocated by Hertfordshire County Council to Hertsmere Borough Council to fund projects to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents.

www.hertsmere.gov.uk | Hertsmere News | Winter 2015 | 7

Recycling news

Revised collections This A to Z guide was popular in last winter’s issue so we hope it comes in handy again this year! During the festive season about 30% more rubbish is produced so please remember to ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ this Christmas. Please check the new list as some items may have changed. For more information on having an eco-friendly Christmas, including yummy leftover recipes, please visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/xmaswaste, call 020 8207 7480, or like us at www.facebook.com/recycleforhertsmere.

What is it?

Where can I put it?

Advent calendar – plastic insert and cardboard outer (separated) Batteries Baubles Bubble wrap Cardboard boxes Cartons e.g. juice drinks/custard Christmas cards Christmas catalogues Christmas tree – fake Christmas tree – real Crackers Crisp/sweet tubes e.g. Pringles/Jaffa Cakes Electrical items – anything with a plug/ batteries Fairy lights Flowers Foil & foil containers – clean Foil & foil containers – dirty/greasy Food – all food waste Glassware e.g. drinking glasses, vases, bowls Holly/mistletoe Kitchen towel and paper napkins Padded envelopes/Jiffy bags Party poppers Plastic pots e.g. cream/yoghurt Polystyrene packaging Ribbon Sweet/biscuit tins e.g. Quality Street Tinsel Toys Wrapping paper 8 | Winter 2015 | Hertsmere News | www.hertsmere.co.uk

For details of your revised waste and recycling collections this Christmas and New Year please refer to your enclosed collection calendar. You will also get a bin hook-on (pictured) in the run-up to Christmas.

Brown bin/ Green bin Blue box black box

Black bin Other/Comments In addition to your recycling bins and boxes, there are other ways to recycle your waste.

Local tip/recycling banks

Or recycle at Morrisons or Sainsbury’s or at a local recycling point

Local tip

Local tip/recycling banks Local tip/recycling banks

Or can you reuse it?

Or donate to local charity shop Or can you reuse it?

Our annual summary report Hertsmere Borough Council, working with you, for you

How yo counci ur l tax is spen t

Summary financial report & accounts 2014/15

Welcome to our summary report Our annual financial report and statement of accounts have now been published and this document gives a summary of that report and explains what happens to your council tax and how we spend the money we receive.

£47 a year

Hertsmere Borough Council plays a leading role in improving the quality of life for its residents and we recognise that now, more than ever before, we need to demonstrate to you what your council tax pays for. We’ve been working hard to deliver services which make a real difference to our communities, focusing on the things that you have been telling us you want.

ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE AND RECYCLING

The average household spend In 2014/15 council services cost an average band D property around £157 per year (remaining unchanged since 2009/10), which was split as shown below. ■ Environmental,

waste and recycling services

9% 30%

■ Cultural services ■ Planning, economic development and building control

23%

■ Central and

15%

17%

democratic services

■ Highways, roads and transport

■ Housing services While Hertsmere collects your total council tax (£1,447 for an average band D property), it does not keep it all. Just 11 pence in every pound is used by Hertsmere, while the rest of the money you pay goes to other public organisations. See the last page of this report. In order to keep council tax as low as possible, please ensure that you are registered with your General Practitioner (GP) – registrations count when the government decides our grant. 2 | Working with you, for you | Your annual summary report from Hertsmere Borough Council

ENVIRONMEN TAL, WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICES

30%

CULTURAL SERVICES PLANNING, EC DEVELOPMEN ONOMIC T AND BUILDING CONTROL CENTRAL AN D DEMOCRATIC SERVICES* HIGHWAYS, RO AND TRANSP ADS ORT HOUSING SE RVICES TOTAL

£47

17%

15% 23% 6% 9% 100%

£27

£23 £36 £10 £14 £157

Summary financial report & accounts 2014/15

£23 a year

PLANNING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND BUILDING CONTROL

£10 a year HIGHWAYS, ROADS AND TRANSPORT

What the figures mean Environmental, waste & recycling services £47 a year Hertsmere’s priority is to protect and enhance the quality of its environments. This portion of your council tax, almost one third of the total charge, pays for services that are most commonly associated with the council, such as street cleaning and waste and recycling collections. The quality of service has been maintained, as seen in our kerbside recycling collections. Recycling is always high on the local and national agendas and we continuously review the service to help residents to reduce the amount of waste they send to landfill and to create good quality compost. Your £47 a year also pays for cemeteries, engineering and drainage, pollution reduction, health and safety e.g. making sure that your food is safe, pest control, licensing of premises, provision of community toilets and community safety such as supporting Police Community Support Officers. We know from our regular consultations with residents that this area of expenditure is a priority for you.

Cultural services £27 a year The council has a responsibility to promote healthy living and to provide cultural and leisure opportunities to local residents. This portion of your council tax pays for things like structural maintenance of the leisure centres in the borough (which are managed on our behalf by Hertsmere Leisure), schemes for young people, allotments, museums and galleries, theatres, community centres, parks and open spaces. Once again, the high quality of our parks and open spaces can be seen in the six Green Flag Awards we have maintained for another year. Elstree & Borehamwood Museum, rehoused in the community hub 96 Shenley Road with funding assistance from the council, celebrates the history of the area including its long and proud association with the film industry.

Planning, economic development & building control £23 a year

business to the area and helping existing businesses to identify opportunities to grow – and we have continued to provide funding to the Citizens Advice Bureau to help pay for a specialist money advisor to support debt counselling. Again we know that this is an area of expenditure which residents strongly support . Our building control section ensures buildings are properly designed and constructed and meet health and safety regulations.

Highways, roads & transport £10 a year Although Hertfordshire County Council is responsible for the majority of roads, public transport and street lights, your £10 a year helps us to pay for certain highways issues, lighting in our parks, car parks and cycle ways. As part of our capital programme, we have started on a five-year cycle of repairs to our car parks which will entail reconstruction, resurfacing and environmental improvements.

How to get the full report

Planning permission is required for most alterations and developments and the planning department looks after all these issues to ensure that development is managed and that conservation areas are protected.

You can download the full annual financial report and statement of accounts from our website at www.hertsmere.gov.uk

All of the borough’s land outside the main towns is in the green belt and we know from surveys of residents’ views that you want us to protect it for future generations so this is what we’re trying to do. We’re also responsible for economic development – such as encouraging new

The Director of Resources Hertsmere Borough Council Civic Offices, Elstree Way Borehamwood Hertfordshire WD6 1WA

If you have any questions, or would like a copy sent to you, please write to:

or phone 020 8207 2277 or email accountancy.finance@hertsmere.gov.uk

Your annual summary report from Hertsmere Borough Council | Working with you, for you | 3

Summary financial report & accounts 2014/15

Central & democratic services £36 a year

Housing services £14 a year

Your council tax helps pay for the running of borough elections and ensuring that the democratic process is upheld, collecting council tax and business rates and providing information to home buyers and agents about land in the borough.

We provide grants for disabled facilities, provide emergency accommodation and work with registered social landlords (RSLs) to develop good quality homes for our residents.

This is a key service and we are committed to good corporate governance and transparency in all our activities. You will find reports and minutes of all our meetings on our website or you can get involved in our public meetings by attending or watching them live or afterwards via our webcast microsite at www.hertsmere.public-i.tv. We are responsible for collecting business rates and council tax totalling £106m, (much of it paid electronically; our website payment facility is available 24/7), as well as paying out housing benefits of £41m. In order to let residents know what we spend our money on, and to ensure that our expenditure is transparent and open, we publish the details of all payments £500 or more on our website.

We have continued to reduce our reliance on the use of bed and breakfast accommodation by improving the supply of decent accommodation, using a mixture of private sector properties and our own accommodation. We are adding to the homes that we have available by using our capital resources.

£36 a year CENTRAL AND DEMOCRATIC SERVICES

£27 a year CULTURAL SERVICES

4 | Working with you, for you | Your annual summary report from Hertsmere Borough Council

£1 4 a year HOUSING SERVICES

Summary financial report & accounts 2014/15

A summary of the council’s accounts 2014/15 The following pages provide details of the council’s spending and income during 2014/15 and its financial position at 31 March 2015. The council’s statement of accounts has been prepared using recommended accounting practice. The independent auditors, appointed by the Audit Commission, have provided their opinion that the accounts give a true and fair view of the financial position of the council at 31 March 2015, and its income and expenditure for the year.

The figures in this summary have been based on the audited accounts but some modifications have been made to provide more meaningful information. A full copy of the council’s statement of accounts is available on our website www.hertsmere.gov.uk

Income and expenditure In 2014-15 the coalition Government’s four-year spending review concluded and we have since had broad guidance about the financial settlements that we can expect during the 2015-2020 parliamentary term. We had anticipated that our central government grant, already reduced by around 45% from 2010/11 levels, would be further cut by up to 40%. We now know that under the Chancellor’s plans to devolve new powers from Whitehall to local areas to promote growth and prosperity, the core grant will be phased out in its entirety. In its place, local authorities will be able to retain all revenue from business rates instead of remitting half to central government. Clearly this will provide us with the incentive to continue to promote growth and attract businesses to the borough. This income and expenditure account summarises the council’s financial performance for both the current and previous financial year. The council tax has been frozen for the last six years and in 2014/15 we continued to pursue savings and efficiency measures such as partnership working with other local authorities, sharing back office services and managing the collection and recycling of waste. We continued to receive grants to help with the delivery of some of our services. The council generated an operational surplus of £0.143m for the year. Very specific accounting requirements for local authorities mean that the surpluses and/or deficits which relate to the collection of council tax and business rates have to be held in a separate account before they are released. The effect of this is to cause temporary fluctuations in the amounts added to and drawn from the council’s general fund. In total however, the amounts available for future spending rose from £7.78m to £7.92m as can be seen from the balance sheet on the following page.

2013/14

2014/15

£million Net cost of services provided

£million

4.81

Environmental, waste and recycling services

4.97

3.29

Cultural services

2.57

Planning, economic development and building control

0.06

3.26

Central and democratic services

3.09

(0.34)

Highways, roads and transport

(0.27)

(0.59)

0.34

Housing services

0.68

1.43

Charges for depreciation, impairment and write-offs of assets

5.09

(0.87)

Grants credited to services

(0.81)

11.33

Total cost of services

15.38

Precepts and other operating income and expenditure

0.41

(0.15)

Finance and investment income and expenditure

0.70

11.81

Net expenditure

0.63

16.49

0.95

Additional amount (credited)/charged to the council fund as a result of legislative and accounting standards applied to local authorities

3.96

12.76

Net expenditure charged to the council fund

20.45

Paid for by: (6.95)

Income from council tax

(7.14)

(4.53)

General government grants

(4.10)

(1.22)

Capital grants and contributions

(1.36)

(2.20)

Income from national non-domestic rates

(3.75)

(14.90)

Total income credited to the council fund

(16.35)

(2.14)

Council fund (surplus)/deficit for the year

4.10

Your annual summary report from Hertsmere Borough Council | Working with you, for you | 5

Summary financial report & accounts 2014/15

Balance sheet The council’s net worth increased from £94.2m at 31 March 2014 to £95.2m at 31 March 2015. The overall value of our fixed, or non-current assets, rose by £1.05m and the amount by which our current assets (investments, cash and money owed to us) total more than our current liabilities (money we owe to others) rose by £3.15m. Much of this increase resulted from accounting for increased revenue on business rates. However, the Council’s net pension fund deficit increased by £3.18m. The value of assets held within the scheme increased from £63.55m to £71.30m and the scheme’s liabilities, based on actuarial assumptions, increased from £97.62m to £108.55m. It is important to recognise that the pension fund liability reflects the outlook using assumptions which cover an extremely long term. The fund is valued every three years and the most recent valuation for which results are available was carried out as at 31 March, 2013. The council spent £2.89m on capital projects (see next section), including £0.62m on developing new housing which will help to accommodate the homeless. Further developments are planned which will provide more accommodation in themselves or will be sold at a profit to provide funding for homes. Not all capital expenditure is funded by the borough; just under half of our expenditure in 2014/15 (£1.35m) used grants and contributions from government and other partners. As mentioned previously, the council made an operational surplus of £0.143m and overall funds available for future general expenditure amount to £7.92m. Such general reserves need to be maintained at an adequate level but are available if the need arises to fund any unforeseen contingencies. The council also has restricted and earmarked reserves, of which £18.57m has been set aside for specific revenue and capital projects such as land drainage, the replacement of refuse vehicles and other plant and equipment and major works to leisure centres. Capital receipts and grants yet to

2013/14 £million What the council owns: 108.05 Non-current assets: land, buildings, equipment, software 15.02 10.69 8.97 142.73

Investments Cash and stock Money owed to the council Total owned by the council

What the council owes: (14.46) Money owed by the council (34.07) Pension fund deficit (48.53) Total owed by the council 94.20

Net worth of the council

2014/15 £million 109.10 20.02 17.62 6.84 153.58

(21.11) (37.25) (58.36) 95.22

This has been financed by: 9.41 (1.63) 7.78

General fund Collection fund: balances in respect of council tax and business rates

5.31

Total available for future spending if required

7.92

2.61

86.42

Other restricted and earmarked reserves

87.30

94.20

Total reserves

95.22

be applied to expenditure total £6.91m. Other reserves, referred to as ‘unusable’, represent funding for capital expenditure incurred to date. The council is able to withstand the financial pressures of the financial settlement in part because of these healthy reserves but their use must be planned and our medium-term financial strategy looks ahead for the next four years and sets out our assumptions about future expenditure and funding in both a national and a regional context. You can read more about this on our website www.hertsmere.gov.uk.

6 | Working with you, for you | Your annual summary report from Hertsmere Borough Council

Summary financial report & accounts 2014/15

Capital spending Capital spending during the year amounted to £2.889m which can be classified into the following types of assets:

£573k

£380k £66k £346k

£424k £343k

Some of the main projects undertaken during the year: Department

Environmental, Replacement of refuse and recycling vehicles waste and recycling Replacement of car parks services Other projects

2014/15 £’000 164 343 382

Cultural services

Contribution to Elstree & Borehamwood museum

Property, legal and support services

Enhancement to facilities at Elstree Film Studios

346

Construction of Radlett Café

133

Planning control system

£133k £624k

■ Vehicles, plant and equipment ■ Completion of construction of police accommodation ■ Improvements at Elstree Film Studios ■ Construction of Radlett Café ■ Development of housing ■ Car park refurbishment ■ Other improvements, replacement and refurbishment ■ Disability access grants

Project

Development of housing (for sale at a profit or to provide affordable rented accommodation)

624

Completion of construction of police accommodation (50% funded by Police and Crime Commissioner)

Refurbishment of Civic Offices: heating and ventilation

Refurbishment of other council-owned properties

Disability access grants

573

Replacement of office equipment

121

Other projects Total expenditure on capital projects

21 2,889

Moving forward to 2015/16 and beyond the council has committed funds to the following projects: Capital Commitments:

£’000

Enhance sports pitches and pavilions

238

Enhancements to facilities at Elstree Film Studios

434

Wyllyotts Centre improvements

995

Radlett Café

Disability access grants

207

Purchase of street scene vehicles

966

Development of housing (for sale at a profit or to provide affordable rented accommodation)

1,338

Car park resurfacing

820

Refurbishment of council owned properties

104

Enhancements to finance software

136

Civic Offices refurbishment

205

Other capital projects

499

Total

5,979

These projects will be paid for by:

The council commissioned the construction of four new homes in Borehamwood’s Grove Road to help meet the demand for housing in the borough

The council’s earmarked reserves and grants

2,662

The council’s useable capital receipts reserve

3,317

Total

5,979

Your annual summary report from Hertsmere Borough Council | Working with you, for you | 7

Summary financial report & accounts 2014/15

Collection fund and council tax Hertsmere Borough Council is responsible for collecting council tax and business rates from tax payers in its area. Council tax is collected to pay for the council’s services and also on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council, the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner and town and parish councils. Of the total charged to its residents approximately 11% is kept by Hertsmere Borough Council to help fund its services. The rest is split as shown in the diagram. During 2014/15, we collected £1,447 for an average Band D property, of which Hertsmere received £157. Council tax collection rates Hertsmere Borough Council County average National average

10%

2013/14 2014/15 97.7% 98.2% 97.4% 97.7% 97.0% 97.0%

Business rates Business rates are calculated using local rateable values (£114.8m in 2014/15) multiplied by nationally set rates (in 2014/15, 47.1p with small business relief and 48.2p without). All money collected is shared amongst the council, Hertfordshire County Council and central government. Central government assesses the council's share according to local need. During the year, after allocating available reliefs, the council collected £48.06m in business rates. From this the council retained £3.7m which represented 25% of its external funding (excluding capital grants) for the year. Business rates collection rates Hertsmere Borough Council County average National average

2013/14 2014/15 98.1% 98.5% 98.0% 98.1% 97.9% 98.1%

Financial management and value for money

2% 11%

Our auditors have confirmed that they are satisfied that we have in place proper arrangements to secure value for money.

77%

Financial management Operating surplus for the year*

■ Hertfordshire County Council ■ Hertsmere Borough Council ■ Police and Crime Commissioner ■ Town/parish councils

Have your say We want to provide the best information for our residents and would like to know what you thought of this document. If you would like to provide feedback, please complete our survey and return it to: Finance Manager Hertsmere Borough Council FREEPOST RTJG-KEBG-ZEYJ Civic Offices, Elstree Way Borehamwood, Herts WD6 1WA (No stamp required). Or you can complete an online comment, compliments or complaints form at www.hertsmere.gov.uk

2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 £104k

£188k

£143k

Annual accounts submitted on time

Yes

Number of audit qualifications on accounts

Nil

* After taking account of statutory accounting regulations

Please tick ✔ the response which most matches your views about this summary document: The summary was interesting It was easy to understand It had an appealing design It had too many financial charts It had too much non-financial information Any other comments

8 | Working with you, for you | Your annual summary report from Hertsmere Borough Council

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Environment news

Great green spaces Did you know that within 30 seconds of being in a green space your blood pressure automatically regulates? Well you’re in the right place as Hertsmere still has the highest number of award-winning parks in the county!

Hertsmere’s Green Flags It was another clean sweep at this year’s Green Flag Awards with Hertsmere retaining all six flags for parks across the borough. A Green Flag is a national standard highlighting a quality green space which is well managed and among the best in the UK. Thanks go to our grounds maintenance contractor John O'Conner, Hertsmere Leisure which manages our park events and especially all our friends groups –

Borehamwood Four Parks Friends Group, Friends of Bushey Rose Garden, Friends of Fishers Field, Friends of King George Recreation Ground and Friends of Potters Bar Parks. You can still take advantage of our gorgeous parks during colder months, there’s nothing like wrapping up and going for a brisk walk on a crisp winter’s day!

For more information visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/parks

The jewel in Bushey’s crown

• King George Recreation Ground in Bushey – held for 17 years • Oakmere Park in Potters Bar – held for 13 years • Aberford Park in Borehamwood – held for eight years • Parkfield in Potters Bar – held for seven years • Fishers Field Nature Reserve in Bushey – Community Award held for seven years in recognition of work carried out by local volunteers who manage the site in partnership with the council • Bushey Rose Garden in Bushey – Heritage Site Accreditation held for fifth years since its restoration in 2010

The session provided an update on how Allocations plan which identifies the Planning team operates as well as an development sites across the borough and overview of key planning policy changes includes details of policies to guide future and the planning application process. planning decisions. The plan was As well as explaining the work of the published after a period of consultation department and discussing ideas as to with Hertsmere residents and other improve online access to planning stakeholders. It will now be the subject of Bushey Museum, is tucked awayain Bushey Village,and hasresidents been who applications, officerswhich were able to discuss public examination nominated for a ‘Hidden award for secondresponded year by Visit the role of Planning InspectorsGem’ in relation havethe previously will beEngland. notified to Plan Making and to those individual of when the public hearing is taking place. The museum, on Rudolph Road, has also displays and evolving exhibitions? The We have also published new guidance applications which are refused and received the accreditation of Quality museum is open Thursday to Sunday on affordable housing requirements subsequently appealed. Assured Visitor Attraction for the 11am to 4pm, with a permanent display In other planning and development within new developments. This provides eighteenth year running. of paintings, plus changing exhibitions news, we’ve now published our Site additional detail on the type of housing So, why not explore the stunning and a small shop.

which the council will accept as affordable and how we will consider evidence put forward by developers that such requirements may make their schemes economically unviable. A resolution to grant outline planning permission was agreed in October for the provision of a new Hertswood Academy in Cowley Hill, Borehamwood and for housing to be developed on the school’s existing site, to fund the new school. The resolution to grant permission was subject to a legal agreement to address detailed issues such as community use of facilities,

www.hertsmere.gov.uk | Hertsmere News | Winter 2015 | 9

More council news

Planning on the agenda Combatting fraud Fraud committed against councils across the UK costs taxpayers billions of pounds every year. If prevented, this money could be spent on the wide range of services provided by both Hertfordshire County Council and Hertsmere Borough Council, services which are under pressure due to reduced funding from central government. We’ve joined with five other councils in Hertfordshire, including Hertfordshire County County Council, to create a Shared AntiFraud Service that will help to prevent and deter fraud and investigate fraud that is identified. The team has a target to prevent at least £1m of fraud each year and to do this they will need assistance from Hertfordshire residents who are encouraged to report suspected fraud. This is, after all, your money.

For more information visit the Shared Anti-Fraud website at www.hertsdirect.org/ reportfraud.

Litter Message

More than 40 representatives from residents' associations and community groups across Hertsmere gathered at Civic Offices recently for an update from planning officers. The session provided an update on how the Planning team operates as well as an overview of key planning policy changes and the planning application process. As well as explaining the work of the department and discussing ideas as to improve online access to planning applications, officers were able to discuss the role of Planning Inspectors in relation to Plan Making and to those individual applications which are refused and subsequently appealed. In other planning and development news, we’ve now published our Site Allocations plan which identifies development sites across the borough and includes details of policies to guide future planning decisions. The plan was published after a period of consultation with Hertsmere residents and other stakeholders. It will now be the subject of a public examination and residents who have previously responded will be notified of when the public hearing is taking place. We have also published new guidance on affordable housing requirements within new developments. This provides additional detail on the type of housing which the council will accept as affordable and how we will consider evidence put forward by developers that such requirements may make their schemes economically unviable.

Our council waste vehicles will soon be carrying impactive adverts reminding everyone that they can all play their part in keeping the borough clean, tidy and litter-free. Fixed penalty notices for littering and dog fouling, can be issued by council officers and PCSOs throughout the borough, and some of our contractors are also accredited with certain powers. So the message is simple, take pride in Hertsmere where we all live and work and use one of our bins! 10 | Winter 2015 | Hertsmere News | www.hertsmere.gov.uk

A resolution to grant planning permission was agreed in October for the provision of a new Hertswood Academy in Cowley Hill, Borehamwood and for housing to be developed on the school’s existing site, to fund the new school. The resolution to grant permission was subject to a legal agreement to address detailed issues such as community use of facilities, including arrangements for the Ark Theatre. Under our new Community Infrastructure Levy, there will also be a significant payment made to fund supporting infrastructure in the area. The planning committee also resolved to approve permission for a new community building, known as an ‘Haveli’ at Aldenham’s Bhaktivedanta Manor. The resolution follows extensive discussions to try to balance the requirements of the Manor’s community and local residents and was subject to a legal agreement to manage detailed aspects of the planned development.

Studios news

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Spotlight on the Studios Elstree Studios on Borehamwood’s Shenley Road, owned by Hertsmere Borough Council, is marking its 90th anniversary of film and television production over the next 12 months. The studios continues to go from strength to strength, benefiting the borough’s residents and businesses. Elstree Studios, bought by the council in 1996, contributes around £1.5m per year to the council in rent and rates – the equivalent of more than 20 per cent of the council tax for every home in the borough – which we use to provide services for local people. This has played a major part in enabling us to freeze the cost of council tax for residents over the past six years while maintaining good quality services Equally, the studios provides an important boost to the local economy, offering jobs and bringing in an estimated £17,000 to businesses in the local area per day when television productions are in full swing, and around £30,000 per day when film production is at its peak. Now firmly established as the base for popular television shows including Big Brother and Strictly Come Dancing, the studios has also played host to the production teams behind some key feature films, The King’s Speech, Paddington and Suffragette among them. We’ve recently agreed to join other parties in investing further in the studios, which will enable the development of a 21,000 square foot stage and other facilities to provide further opportunities to support the film and television industry.

For more information about what’s going on at the studios, visit www.elstreestudios.co.uk

New book celebrates nine decades of Elstree A new book, published in association with the studios and launched at a glitzy event in October, charts its nine decades of film and television production. ‘Elstree Studios, A Celebration of Film and Television’ is

co-written by Chairman of Elstree Studios, Morris Bright and Paul Burton, a theatre, film and television historian and includes a foreword by Oscar-winning director, Tom Hooper.

Top left: Big Brother Eviction Night Top right: Author Morris Bright Above: Star Wars characters at book launch

www.hertsmere.gov.uk | Hertsmere News | Winter 2015 | 11

Community safety news

Working together for a safer Hertsmere People from across the borough came along to the first annual Community Safety Partnership (CSP) Conference in October.

Seasonal safety Don’t let crim inals enjoy Christmas at your expense . Th

is festive season keep your vehi safe and secure cle, home and property . If you’re not already a mem Neighbourhood ber of Watch then pl ease consider be vigilant – if joining and you see anythi ng suspicious, the police. please call A few crime pr evention tips for you to cons • Ensure windo ider: ws and doors are locked an are kept out of d th at keys reach • Presents sh ould be kept ou t of view and should be disp packaging osed of proper ly and not left display outsid on e • Make sure yo ur home looks occupied even only out for th if you’re e day. Ask ne ighbours to ke on your proper ep an eye ty and consid er using autom timers for light atic s • Never leave spare keys in the vicinity of like under a pl your home, ant pot, loose brick or mat – often the first this is place burglars will look • Use an ultra violet pen to m ark all your pr with your post operty code and hous e number. Co registering yo nsider ur property by visiting the w www.immobili ebsite se.com • Never carry large amount s of cash and card PINs confi keep your dential • Never leave valuables in yo ur vehicle or on and that includ display es Christmas shopping

12 | Winter 2015 | Hertsmere News | www.hertsmere.co.uk

Residents, councillors and local agencies found out about the work of the Hertsmere Community Safety Partnership, as well as hearing from the police, fire service, the Crime Reduction Initiative, and Beacon – Hertfordshire’s Victim Care Centre. Throughout the year the partnership hold CSP meetings across Hertsmere for local residents to discuss local crime and disorder issues. The aim of Hertsmere’s CSP is to work together to reduce crime, create safer communities and increase feelings of safety. If you would like more information about the Community Safety Partnership please email the team at partnership.support@hertsmere.gov.uk or visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/CSP

Working in partnership for a safer Hertsmere

Community safety news

Community safety The borough’s Community Safety Partnership (CSP) sees close ties between the council, Hertfordshire Constabulary and a whole host of other agencies and volunteers, all working together to keep the community safe. Chief Inspector Tannis Perks, who leads policing in Hertsmere, said: “The borough’s CSP is very strong and there are many ways that residents and those who run businesses in Hertsmere can get involved and play their part in looking out for each other and preventing crime. “Our various watch schemes are going from strength to strength and it’s notable that crime is often lower where there are active Neighbourhood Watch schemes. We also now have a number of successful Rural Watch schemes and are staging ‘barn meets’ where we can share crime prevention advice, advise of any emerging crime trends and answer questions. We’ve also set up a second Business Watch in Potters Bar, encouraging those who own or manage businesses in the area to be on the alert and to stay connected with neighbouring companies to share information. “Volunteers play a crucial role in keeping the local community safe and we have a great team

Pictured: L to R, Tannis Perks with PCSO Sam O'Grady and Donald Graham

of Specials here in Hertsmere, providing much needed support to our Safer Neighbourhood Teams. “We also get invaluable funding for local policing from Hertsmere Borough Council each year to the tune of £128,000. This helps us to keep our Police Community Support Officers out and about on the beat, playing a vital role in keeping Hertsmere a safe and pleasant place to live and work. “Regular contact and familiarity creates both confidence and trust which in turn forms a bedrock for the police and the community to work effectively together to keep crime low.” To report or discuss concerns, call the police non-emergency number 101. In an emergency, call 999. A new web portal is also now available providing information about various aspects of policing and answering some frequently asked questions. Visit www.contacthertspolice.uk

OWL – keeping our community safe OWL – the Online Watch Link – helps keeps communities safe, reduce crime and keep people informed of what's going on locally. OWL is used by the police and local coordinators to communicate with thousands of watch schemes across the county. You can receive the latest local crime alerts as well as the latest management tools for

maintaining and expanding watches. One in five homes in Hertfordshire is registered on OWL – so join one of the biggest network of watches in the UK!

To find out more or join visit www.owl.co.uk

www.hertsmere.gov.uk | Hertsmere News | Winter 2015 | 13

Trust in the CAB

Expert advice at the click of a mouse button Hertsmere residents can access professional business advice online thanks to a business support service. The council is partnered with My Incubator Ventures (MIV) to offer local residents access to a live chat portal free of charge. From start-up advice to support for an existing small business, MIV's experienced and professional mentors are on hand to help. The MIV website also contains a wealth of business information including useful, downloadable articles and templates. MIV users can also keep up-to-date with the latest news and events happening in the small business world.

Access to the MIV live chat service is via our website. In order to speak to a mentor, visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/MIV to verify that you are a Hertsmere resident.

Promote your business locally Would you like to advertise in Hertsmere News? Your favourite read, which is distributed to 43,000 homes in Hertsmere three times a year, takes a limited amount of advertising on a first come, first served basis and priority is given to local reputable businesses. Magazines will be published in March, July and December 2016.

Full Page

Quarter Page

ÂŁ400 Plus VAT

ÂŁ100 Plus VAT

Half Page ÂŁ200 Plus VAT

Email corporate.communications@hertsmere.gov.uk to reserve your place and to obtain artwork specifications 14 | Winter 2015 | Hertsmere News | www.hertsmere.gov.uk

Hertsmere Citizens Advice is looking for a Potters Bar resident to join our Board of Trustees. The ideal person will be willing to support the aims and principles of Citizens Advice in order to help people in Hertsmere. They will need to be a good communicator and have time to attend meetings and training. This is a is voluntary post. If you are interested in joining our committed and enthusiastic team then contact Carolyn Buller at ceo@hertsmerecab.org.uk

Your councillors

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Meet your Councillors Aldenham East

Key

You can contact your ward councillors at any reasonable time. Hertsmere has a Conservative majority, with 37 Conservative and two Labour councillors. Your councillors are listed in alphabetical order by ward. If you don’t know which ward you live in, please visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/findmycllr or call 020 8207 7558. Aldenham West

Borehamwood Brookmeadow

(Con) = Conservative (Lab) = Labour Charles Goldstein (Con)

John Graham (Con)

Caroline Clapper (Con)

David Lambert (Con)

Susan Brown (Con)

Rabbi Alan Plancey (Con)

Gary Silver (Con)

cllr.charles. goldstein@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.john.graham@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.caroline. clapper@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.david. lambert@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.susan.brown@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.alan.plancey@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.gary.silver@ hertsmere.gov.uk

01992 652222

07976 360961

07818 427745

07802 412714

020 8207 7578

020 8207 3759

07784 913837

Borehamwood Cowley Hill

David Burcombe (Con) cllr.david.burcombe@ hertsmere.gov.uk

Richard Butler (Lab) – Group Leader cllr.richard.butler@ hertsmere.gov.uk

07706 079439

020 8953 7132

Borehamwood Hillside

Borehamwood Kenilworth

Michelle Vince (Lab)

Charles Kelly (Con)

Meenal Sachdev (Con)

Farida Turner (Con)

Thomas Ash (Con)

Victor Eni (Con)

cllr.michelle.vince@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.charles.kelly@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.meenal. sachdev@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.farida.turner@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.thomas.ash@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.victor.eni@ hertsmere.gov.uk

07549 130736

07973 403886

07973 401522

020 8953 4347

020 8141 8205

020 8953 8627

Bushey Heath

Bushey North

Bushey Park

Brenda Batten (Con)

Paul Morris OBE (Con)

Seamus Quilty (Con)

Lawrence Davis (Con)

Kashif Merchant (Con)

Jane West (Con)

Linda Silver (Con)

Anne Swerling (Con)

cllr.brenda.batten@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.paul.morris@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.seamus.quilty@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.lawrence. davis@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.kashif. merchant@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.jane.west@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.linda.silver@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.anne.swerling@ hertsmere.gov.uk

020 8950 1892

020 8950 5010

01923 246485

07860 500177

07958 276011

01923 449950

020 8950 9251

020 8950 8923

Bushey St James

Elstree

Pervez Choudhury (Con)

Carey Keates (Con)

Peter Rutledge (Con)

cllr.pervez. choudhury@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.carey.keates@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.pete.rutledge@ hertsmere.gov.uk

07719 788185

020 8387 3163

01923 449950

Morris Bright (Con) – Leader of the Council leader@ hertsmere.gov.uk

020 8207 7570

Potters Bar Oakmere

Jean Heywood (Con) cllr.jean.heywood@ hertsmere.gov.uk

07793 868645

Ruth Lyon (Con) cllr.ruth.lyon@ hertsmere.gov.uk

01707 644302

Potters Bar Furzefield

Dr Harvey Cohen (Con)

Cynthia Barker (Con)

Peter Knell (Con)

Martin Worster (Con)

cllr.harvey.cohen@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.cynthia.barker@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.peter.knell@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.martin. worster@ hertsmere.gov.uk

07974 910215

07956 222422

07802 631984

01707 662688

Potters Bar Parkfield

Shenley

Penny Swallow (Con)

John Donne (Con)

Paul HodgsonJones (Con)

Abhishek Sachdev (Con)

Anthony Spencer (Con)

Peter Wayne (Con)

cllr.penny.swallow@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.john.donne@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.paul. hodgson-jones@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.abhishek. sachdev@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.anthony.spencer@ hertsmere.gov.uk

cllr.peter.wayne@ hertsmere.gov.uk

020 8207 3365

01707 658063

01707 660852

07712 837 990

07973 349083

01923 857955

www.hertsmere.gov.uk | Hertsmere News | Winter 2015 | 15

What’s on Come along to an event near you!

Left: Chris Ramsey

The Ark

Hertsmere Leisure

Potters Bar Museum

Thrift Farm Lane, Borehamwood 020 8238 7288 www.thearktheatre.co.uk

Entrance to events is usually free. Please contact them for further details: 01442 454000 www.hertsmereleisure.co.uk or email events@hertsmereleisure.co.uk

Wyllyotts Centre, Darkes Lane 01707 645005 www.facebook.com/ pottersbarmuseum

15 January | 8pm

Total Who Johnny Warman’s Magic Bus pay tribute to The Who. £12/£10

12 December | 1pm - 3pm

20 January | 8pm

Christine Walkden TV presenter and gardener talks about her life in gardening and the media. £12/£10

From January 2016

Great Fire of London Exhibition

Christmas Fair Bushey Rose Garden, High Street Bushey. A visit from Santa, mulled wine, mince pies, Christmas tree treasure hunt and a variety of seasonal stalls. 21 December | 10am – 4pm Ekklesia

23 January | 7.30pm

Christmas @ 96 Shenley Road, Borehamwood Stalls, Santa’s grotto, wizard workshop, free facepainting and petting zoo. Plus Open Day – Find out about exhibitions and last minute gifts to buy.

Ekklesia Atmosphere Tour mixing gospel with a hint of pop, soul and R&B. £10/£8 7 February | 7.30pm

Michael Harvey Virtuoso piano classics with an entertaining flair! £15/£12 13 February | 8pm

The BBC Elstree Concert Band Icons from the small screen. This popular band treat us to melodies from well-loved TV programmes. £8.

Wyllyotts Theatre Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar 01707 645005 www.hertsmereleisure.co.uk/ wyllyottstheatre

11 Dec – 3 Jan | Times vary

Aladdin Traditional pantomime with live music, West End cast and a magic carpet ride! £13.50 - £18 5 February | 8pm

Soul Legends Fantastic show celebrating the legends of soul! £22/£21

Elstree & Borehamwood

Museum 96 Shenley Road, Borehamwood 01442 454888 www.elstree-museum.org.uk

www.facebook.com/ EBWmuseum Until 9 January

EastEnders at 30 Last chance to see the exhibition that goes ‘behind the scenes’ on the square. 19 January

Smile Please Celebrate Borehamwood’s history with the development of photography before the digital age in our new exhibition and create your own photo as a memento.

Bushey Museum Rudolph Road, Bushey 020 8420 4057 www.busheymuseum.org From 16 January 2016

Art Zoo Showcasing Bushey's remarkable heritage of animal art.

16 | Winter 2015 | Hertsmere News | www.hertsmere.gov.uk

The Radlett Centre 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett 01923 859291 www.radlettcentre.co.uk 5 - 30 December | Times vary

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Traditional panto with stunning costumes, comedy, live music and audience participation. £17/£19 9 January | 2pm

The Emperor & The Nightingale Use your voice to make silly and amazing sounds. YOU form a vital part of the story £8.50/Family of four £30 16 January | 7.30pm

Think Floyd Features complete performances of The Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. £21

Christine Walkden

6 February | 11am & 2pm

Mr Albert’s Big Finish! A colourful family comedy in a roller coaster ride of music-hall, magic and mayhem. £8/Family of four £28 27 February | 7.30pm

The Syd Lawrence Orchestra The music of the swing era bought back to life. £22/£20 28 February | 8pm

Chris Ramsey Critically acclaimed stand-up comedian, Celebrity Juice regular, and the man who once got pizza delivered to a moving train has extended his hit tour! For ages 16+ £17.50

Getting in touch During Christmas and New Year our office opening hours will be:

Monday 21 December Tuesday 22 December Wednesday 23 December Thursday 24 December Friday 25 December Monday 28 December Tuesday 29 December Wednesday 30 December Thursday, 31 December Friday, 1 January

Civic Offices Borehamwood

Area offices in Bushey and Potters Bar

9am – 5.15pm 9am – 5.15pm 9am – 5.15pm 9am – 2pm Closed Closed 9am – 5.15pm 9am – 5.15pm 9am – 2pm Closed

Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed

Don't forget you can find lots of information on our website, including information about how to contact us. www.hertsmere.gov.uk