Outlook - Summer 2024

DIVE INTO SUMMER IN NORTH HERTS

Photo: Danny Pearson –North Herts Council’s Community & Partnerships Officer

Welcome to the summer edition of

The 1 April saw us turn 50 so we thought we’d celebrate this golden milestone with a timeline trip down memory lane on pages 4 and 5. How many events do you remember?

We’re always keen to ensure you are kept informed, updated, and involved in the work we are doing on your behalf. We have lots of ways you can get involved and have your say on future projects and next steps on services – just go to pages 8 and 9 for all the details.

One thing you have told us since the last edition is that it’s not always clear what we are responsible for and what Herts County Council are responsible for. Hopefully the handy guide below will help.

Despite the weather not always playing ball, we’re officially in the summer season now which gives us all the perfect opportunity

to enjoy the fantastic greenspaces, splash pads, outdoor gym equipment and Lidos that we’re very lucky to have across the district. Please go to pages 10, 11, 12 and 13 to find out all about them.

The summer months also feature a number of free Healthy Hub family and adult sessions plus free talks and exhibitions at North Herts Museum. Turn to pages 18, 19 and 20 to find out more and follow us on social media (details on page 19) for more ways to ease the squeeze over the summer holidays which are just around the corner.

Anthony Roche, Managing Director

Page 3

Play the North Herts Community Lottery

Pages 4 & 5

Celebrating 50 years of North Herts

Pages 7, 10, 11, 12 & 13: Investing in our communities

Page 15:

Everything you need to know about the General Election

Pages 18 & 19: Free Healthy Hub family sessions

1974

North Herts was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972. It is one of 10 district/borough councils in Hertfordshire and brought together five areas:

• Baldock Urban District

• Hitchin Urban District

• Hitchin Rural District

• Letchworth Urban District

• Royston Urban District

1974

Walsworth Festival started, they celebrate 50 years this year too! Join them on Sunday 19 May for stalls, events, music, food, and even a car show!

1982

Queen Elizabeth II opens North Herts Leisure Centre in Letchworth.

2019

May – Climate emergency declared. This declaration asserted the council’s commitment toward climate action beyond current government targets and international agreements.

2019

July – New £6m North Herts Museum opens in Brand Street, Hitchin. A fantastic gem for the whole North Herts community featuring a local studies area, an education room and a gallery to bring displays in from around the country.

2012

The World’s End, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, and directed by Edgar Wright, is filmed largely around Letchworth – the sci-fi comedy about an infamous pub crawl premieres in 2013.

1982

Careline starts providing a community alarm and telecare service to 350 North Herts residents. The service was for those in council accommodation who would receive help on hand from the pull of a cord.

2021 My Policeman, starring Harry Styles and Emma Corrin, films at Hitchin Outdoor Pool – the romantic drama premiered in 2022.

2012

Queen Elizabeth II visits Hitchin on 14 June as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour of the UK and where her mother was born in 1900.

Photo © Amazon Studios

1991

Hitchin Swimming Centre (indoor pool) opens next to the outdoor pool which opened in 1938.

2009

First Green Flags awarded to Norton Common LNR in Letchworth and Priory Memorial Gardens in Royston, and each year since!

CELEBRATING YEARS

1996

Broadway Cinema, owned and managed by Letchworth Heritage Foundation, undergoes £2m renovation into a four-screen cinema. It originally opened in August 1936, after the neighbouring Palace Cinema (built in 1909 –one of the first purpose-built venues in the country) struggled to accommodate local crowds.

2006

First year of Balstock Festival, which is now a three-day event featuring more than 200 artists held on several stages across the town. Hertfordshire’s biggest free music festival with proceeds going to several nominated charities and causes.

2022

1996

North Herts Minority Ethnic Forum is established. An umbrella organisation for the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities which provides various services to improve the quality of life of BAME people.

2005

£5m Royston Leisure Centre opens in September – our largest capital project at this point. Featuring a 40 station fitness suite, a fitness studio, large sports hall and a 25m, six-lane swimming pool.

August – North Herts Council purchase the Churchgate Shopping Centre in Hitchin for £3.75m. Combined with the existing freehold ownership of the centre, Hitchin Market and the car parks it provides the council with the best opportunity they’ve ever had to improve this part of Hitchin.

2002

Black Squirrel Credit Union Ltd was launched. A community bank for everyone, BSCU is owned and run by its members and provides ethical financial services at affordable rates of interest to individuals and small businesses.

2003

August – Robbie Williams plays Knebworth with record attendance of 375,000 fans over three nights, which has never been broken since in the UK! Council licensing officers are heavily involved with event management.

Photo © Lee Carter

Our amazing communities

Our North Herts Heroes

This year’s community heroes were recognised at the Chair’s end-of-year charity evening at Hitchin Town Hall in March. Each winner was presented with an engraved glass trophy and gift voucher to acknowledge their achievements and around £2,000 was raised for the Chair’s chosen charities – Resolve and Feed Up Warm Up.

Our North Herts Hero awards allow us the opportunity to recognise and celebrate some of the most amazing people in our area who go out of their way to make a positive impact on other people’s lives. We hope our winners will inspire others to think about how they may help the wider community.

Our North Herts Heroes are nominated by the public and chosen by a judging panel.

Veronica Raymond Caring Award sponsored by Nyaradzo Group

Veronica has volunteered for the charity Herts Welcomes Refugees for many years, working tirelessly to support asylum seekers and refugee families settle into their new life in North Herts. Veronica said: “I really appreciate the recognition of the valuable work of Herts Welcomes Refugees but I’m just one of a team. I have met many wonderful people through the charity, both refugees and volunteers, it has been a thoroughly enriching experience.”

John Baskerville Green Award sponsored by John O’Conner

John sadly died in September last year, so his award was collected by his wife Pat. John was an active member and leader of the Friends of Norton Common. He also used his considerable skills at Letchworth Settlement Players to design stage sets and props and he managed the accounts and payroll at Howard Garden Social Centre.

Pat said: “John was one of life’s givers and it was my good luck to be married to him for over 40 years.”

Michael Hearn Health Award sponsored by Altro

Michael has gone above and beyond to restore damaged and missing defibrillators in Royston after being informed of their status while working as a paramedic and volunteering with Project H, a local charity providing community defibrillators and training.

Michael said: “I am overwhelmed to have been nominated for such an award and I accepted it on behalf of all the volunteers and medical professionals out there contributing to saving people’s lives.”

Ranbir Dhillon Young Star

Ranbir has a benign brain tumour causing hormone imbalance, partial vision in his right eye and daily muscle pain, and takes medication which has its own side effects. Despite this, Ranbir gets involved in school, extra-curricular and charitable activities, the list is endless! To name a few, he volunteered through Baldock Rotary Club and received two certificates for his efforts as a young citizen and peacemaker and volunteers at local Gurdwara serving food.

Ranbir said: “I have experienced needing help myself so I like to give back.”

Investing in communities

We have allocated £100,000 from our reserves to local community groups to expand a particular area or service.

Organisations from across the district were invited to apply for a grant of £5,000 to £20,000.

Create Community and Green Care at Norton - £19,610

Create Community will use their money towards employing a volunteer manager, and Green Care to improve grounds maintenance and expand their locally grown flower social enterprise.

Growing Resilience in Teens - £17,500

This registered charity in Hitchin will hire a fundraiser to develop their fundraising capacity.

The Creative Mental Health Charity PoetsIN - £16,600

Currently mainly working in Hitchin, a salaried project worker will expand their extensive programme across the district.

Baldock Allotment & Leisure

Gardeners’ Association - £12,500

To redevelop land in Baldock to create 30 half-plots to meet local demand.

Active in the Community - £11,036

This community interest company will develop a comprehensive database of active sports clubs in North Herts.

Green Heat Coop - £9,500

For a home energy and retrofit advice service, initially in Royston with a view to expanding.

Home-Start Royston & South Cambs£7,052

Towards new volunteer training to support local vulnerable families struggling with diverse and complex issues.

Royston Museum Trust - £6,200

To strengthen their education offering to local schools and groups.

Communities grow with council grants

This year we have £75,000 to award to community groups, £25,000 more than usual!

Groups who have recently been awarded grants from the council include:

Resolve - £5,915

An independent substance misuse treatment provider with a base in Letchworth.

One service user said: “Through Resolve’s love, understanding and genuine care, I now have something I haven’t seen in many years – hope. I can’t put a price on that.”

Home-Start Hertfordshire - £6,180

CEO Suzy Moody said: “We hugely appreciate this contribution which will enable us to get in early to support families before they reach crisis point. We offer unique, tailored, support for families who are facing challenges.”

Home-Start Royston - £1,485

Towards weekly structured activities which support parents and facilitate children’s play.

Garden City Samba - £400

To provide several free performances to local charities and good causes.

Letchworth Garden City Bowls Club - £2,500

Club Captain Tony Sinclair said: “The installation of a stairlift will ensure our less mobile members can enjoy the full benefits.”

North Herts College - £1,050

Towards organising ‘The Big Draw,’ a community event with free creative activities scheduled for 29 October.

St Paul’s Walden Nursery - £2,538 Towards replacing some classroom flooring.

Applications are open at certain times throughout the year – find out more: www.north-herts. gov.uk/grants

Housing consultation highlights

Since our last edition, you have kindly given us your thoughts on two consultations regarding housing in the district: Proposed changes to how we prioritise people for affordable housing (also known as the Common Housing Allocation Scheme) and your thoughts on our new Housing Strategy for 2024-2029. Over 1,000 residents responded across both surveys. Thank you to everyone who took the time to give us your feedback, we really appreciate your views. This is what you told us:

Affordable housing (Common Housing Allocation scheme)

Affordable housing is in high demand in the district and this scheme sets out who can apply and how people are prioritised i.e. households with the greatest needs, such as those whose housing is severely affecting their health, families living in overcrowded conditions and care leavers (someone who has spent time living in the care system, away from their family).

Our 2024 – 2029 Housing strategy

This strategy sets out our highlevel priorities for meeting your housing needs and includes actions around tackling homelessness, delivery of affordable housing and maintenance and enforcement of housing standards.

Those who responded were overwhelmingly supportive of

An average of 74% of residents who responded to the consultation agreed with our proposals. Here is what you told us:

• 73% of respondents agreed with proposed changes to the qualifying income thresholds, which now differ depending on the size of property you need.

• 68% of respondents agreed with the new savings limit of £16,000 which means anyone with savings above this

the priorities proposed within our strategy and many of you also provided us with additional views and experiences which reinforced our approach, as well as also highlighting other areas of concern such as action on under-occupation of social housing. Here’s a selection of the comments we received:

“Thank you for allowing ordinary people a say in this myriad conundrum, one that affects so many people of all ages.”

limit will no longer qualify for social housing.

• 87% of respondents agreed that homeowners requiring general needs accommodation (as opposed to specific support needs) should no longer qualify for social housing.

Visit:www.north-herts.gov.uk/ housing for further details on affordable housing in North Herts.

“Please build more social housingwe have a massive shortage across the entire country. Affordable rents should be available to all.”

“Staying in a neighbourhood you have lived in for a long time is preferred as community/ neighbours help one to feel safe.”

Our new Housing Strategy is now available to view at: www.north-herts.gov.uk/ housing-and-tenancy-strategies

Exciting Updates on Churchgate Shopping Area Regeneration

We are excited to update you on the recent progress we’ve made in our journey of regenerating and enhancing the Churchgate Shopping area of Hitchin.

We have recently collaborated with industry-leading consultants, Lambert Smith Hampton, a UK commercial and residential real estate consultancy, and agency, to work with us throughout the initial review and proposal stages before we launch further public consultation later this year. These stages consisted of an overview of planning policy and the town centre’s current retail, residential, leisure and office market, and a review of ownership for the site and surrounding area.

Together, we have crafted a compelling investment prospectus, based on a detailed review of the site, town and wider District, that showcases Churchgate as a future development opportunity within Hitchin. Essentially, an investment prospectus is a top-level brochure type document designed to attract

organisations that might wish to work with us, by setting out the opportunities and potential for growth within a specific area. It includes information such as the towns current offer (in terms of retail, food & beverage etc), transport links, areas of potential improvement (for example, opening up the River Hiz and revitalising the market) and a review of the town demographics.

The prospectus was included as part of the ‘Invest Hertfordshire’ list of future opportunities taking place across the district at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in May. This provided us with a great platform to share this amazing development opportunity with other local authorities, public sector organisations, investors, developers, and funders. There was quite a lot of interest in working with us on the Churchgate regeneration, which we will take into account as we consider how to move the project forward. Importantly the next major milestone is further engagement

with the local community on ideas for the future of the area - make sure you have your say when the consultation launches.

Since acquiring the leasehold for the centre in August 2022, we have been diligently working through a maintenance schedule to ensure the shopping centre is safe for our tenants and shoppers.

We have welcomed several new tenants and we look forward to welcoming more new tenants over the coming months, further diversifying the range of businesses within the centre. Additionally, we have received interest from several pop-up enterprises that may occupy our current empty units soon.

Sign up to the Churchgate Hub to receive all the latest news on this exciting project.

www.north-herts.gov.uk/ churchgate

Joined our online community hubs yet?

We’re keen to hear your views throughout the year, not just when we’re running a survey or consultation and our online community hubs are the perfect place for us to share future ideas and updates with you for your feedback and thoughts. We have three community hubs:

Our Budget hubbe part of our future budget conversations and help us understand your priorities.

Our Churchgate Conversations hub – help us shape the vision of the Churchgate shopping area of Hitchin by joining the conversation.

Our Climate Hive - a hive of ideas and activities to help us reach our climate targets for North Herts.

North Herts

green spaces

As we step into summer, there’s been lots going on in our greenspaces across the district:

Jumping for joy

Trampolines join climbing nets, swing sets, and a roller-running disk at the renovated junior play area at Bancroft Recreation Ground in Hitchin.

The council, with the help of landscape architects at Groundwork East, the environmental charity, has remodelled the area to improve the play experience for children aged around 5 to 12, by making it safer, brighter and more inviting.

Helping bees buzz around

It’s official, Letchworth is bee-friendly!

Initiated and spearheaded by our grounds maintenance contractor John O’Conner, and supported by the wonderful local community, Letchworth has won a Bee Friendly Award from the Bee Friendly Trust.

The criteria included a community event and developing a bee corridor. This meant re-wilding grass verges and planting nectar rich flowers to make it easier for bees to get around and increase their numbers. Essentially bees

keep us and our world healthy, and we’ve allocated £10,000 to develop more bee corridors in North Herts.

Karen Green, Pest Control Manager at John O’Conner, said: “We are so chuffed! It’s been an exciting project and it was great to see so many people getting involved at our community event in April.”

Find out more at: www.north-herts.gov.uk/ bee-corridors

If you are interested in helping bees, biodiversity and climate issues, join our climate hive: www.north-herts. gov.uk/climatechange

By transforming Letchworth into a wildlife haven – including things like re-wilding grass verges and planting nectar rich flowers wherever we can to form a corridor – we can make it easier for bees to get around and increase their numbers.

John O’Conner planted this renowned roundabout with plenty of bee friendly shrubs including lavender and wildflower seeds

The community throwing seed bombs which will grow into bee-friendly wildflowers

Let’s get physical

Brand new outdoor gym equipment has been installed at Baldock Road Recreation Ground in Letchworth and King George V Recreation Ground in Hitchin – encouraging you to get fit for free outside whenever it suits you.

Both parks have an exercise bike and cross-trainer, as well as a cross-training combi frame combining two of the most versatile functional training products, the suspension trainer and magnetic bells.

All of our outdoor gym apparatus should have instructions nearby or via a QR code on the piece of equipment.

If you’d prefer to attend a class, check out the timetable of activities on page 11.

Make friends, have fun, get moving

Children and adults alike have been having fun and games in Letchworth every Saturday morning thanks to a new ‘ParkPlay’ scheme.

The weekly sessions at Jackmans Creamery encourage local residents to be more active outdoors and aim to bring communities together. Playleaders help facilitate the fun with various bats and balls, skipping ropes and frisbees, so you can play anything from ‘it’ and ‘catch’ to team sports and anything in between!

Jackmans ParkPlay is brought to you in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council and Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership, with sessions delivered by Active in the Community.

Sessions take place every Saturday, 10am-12pm, at Jackmans Creamery, Radburn Way, Letchworth - please register before you attend your first session: www.park-play.com/ register

Cool down at park café kiosks

Grab a cold drink or some ice cream at one of our park kiosks –at Bancroft Recreation Ground in Hitchin and Howard Park in Letchworth.

It’s the second year for the kiosk at Bancroft and the council’s first year running the kiosk at Howard Park.

Serving hot and cold soft drinks and light snacks including pastries and toasted paninis, you can eat at our dedicated outside seating or take away. Dogs are also catered for with free dog treats on offer and water bowl.

Our café kiosks provide a perfect place to grab some refreshments, whether you’re having some welldeserved me-time, meeting a friend or taking the kids to the splash park.

Transforming Leisure: Everyone Active’s £3 million investment in North Herts

Exciting changes have taken place at North Herts leisure and sporting facilities, thanks to Everyone Active’s significant £3 million investment in partnership with North Herts Council.

On 1 April Everyone Active officially took over the management of the North Herts Leisure Centre, Hitchin Swimming and Fitness Centre, Royston Leisure Centre, Letchworth Lido, and Fearnhill Sports Centre.

Extensive refurbishments will be taking place across the sites. Residents will be able to enjoy state-of-the-art fitness suites, refreshed group exercise studios with new classes, and upgraded food and beverage options, enhancing their overall leisure experience.

Free leisure memberships offered to those with Parkinson’s in North Herts

North Herts leisure centres are offering complimentary memberships to individuals living with Parkinson’s, in partnership with Everyone Active (EA) and Parkinson’s UK. This initiative aims to promote wellbeing by granting access to gym facilities, swimming, group classes, and online Synergy Dance sessions. Each membership extends benefits up to three carers for added support.

Gary Abrams (pictured) diagnosed with Parkinson’s nine years ago, praised the program’s tailored exercises.

“It’s definitely worth joining, all the exercises are specific to those with Parkinson’s and they’re different to what I’m used to. It’s great to do something new which I know will be of benefit to my symptoms and general wellbeing.”

www.everyoneactive.com/ promotion/parkinsons/

Environmental sustainability will be a key focus throughout these improvements, with decarbonisation measures integrated into the refurbishments, which ties in with North Herts Council’s commitment to green initiatives and creating a healthier environment for all.

Community outreach remains a priority, with activities being offered in local venues to ensure accessibility for everyone across North Herts (read more about this on the opposite page).

Follow our leisure centre social media pages for more news on the exciting improvements ahead.

Lidos open for the season

Our two popular outdoor pools, Hitchin Lido and Letchworth Lido, have now reopened for the summer season.

New for this year are morning and afternoon sessions, to ensure more people can enjoy an outdoor swim. While visitors are still welcome to turn up on the day, a new booking system has been introduced this season to help the local community plan their summer activities.

An enhanced food and beverage offering is now available at each facility. With fully functioning kitchens, the lidos now offer a selection of hot and cold food and beverages for the whole family to enjoy during their visit.

Everyone Active has also invested in a number of new sun loungers available for hire. Planned additions to the Lidos include table tennis tables and public Wi-Fi across both venues.

Both feature heated 50m outdoor pools with smaller shallow pools which are ideal for little ones.

Opening times are site-specific, so please check the website before you arrive/book.

To pre-book your place, please head to the Everyone Active app or visit: www.everyoneactive.com/centre/ letchworth-lido/ or www.everyoneactive.com/centre/hitchinswimming-and-fitness-centre/

Everyone Active’s North Herts Community Outreach Programme

The North Herts Community Outreach Programme aims to provide a variety of physical activity opportunities in community spaces across Hitchin, Royston, Letchworth, Baldock and surrounding villages.

Many of the classes will be held in local venues, including village halls, churches, community centres and outdoor locations. These activities will support our aim to increase accessibility for the communities we serve.

Everyone Active is developing this award-winning outreach programme in North Herts after having undergone consultation with the local community.

Our leisure centres will continue to act as a hub of activity and offer some specialised sessions including:

Good Boost Aqua natal sessions – Fridays 12.30-1.30pm at North Herts Leisure Centre.

FREE for those with the GP Exercise Referral membership. £4.50 per session for those without.

Swimming and gentle exercise in water is a relaxing, uplifting and safe way for pregnant women to exercise. Goodboost Provides a personalised programme tailored to the individual.

Good Boost for those with MSK conditionsMondays at the North Herts Leisure Centre, 10-11am

FREE for those with the GP Exercise Referral membership. £4.50 per session for those without.

If you struggle with pain or mobility, and would like to improve

your balance and quality of living, then this could be the ideal session for you.

Quiet Swim

Leisure Centre, Tuesdays, 2-3pm (Term time only). Only £3.60 per session

Enjoy a social session for adults with no lanes in the pool. These sessions are generally quieter so may be more suitable for those living with dementia, neurodivergent and/or other long term health conditions.

Buggy Workout – Royston Leisure Centre, Tuesdays 10.3011.15am. Only £3 per session

A fun, sociable, instructor led session for both mother and baby to exercise together in a relaxed environment. To book visit: www.everyoneactive.com/centre/ north-herts-community-outreach/

GP / Exercise Referral

This scheme is available across our centres. Working under the guidance of highly qualified fitness professionals in a safe, effective environment, Everyone Active can help you find an activity suitable for you and provide you with support and guidance.

Most people with long-term health conditions can be referred onto the GP Exercise Referral Scheme. These include asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, as well as depression, anxiety, osteoporosis and plenty of other conditions.

To apply for the scheme, please see your GP or other care professional such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, community pharmacists or social prescribers to refer you to us. If they need any more information on how to do so please ask them to contact northhertsreferrals@ everyoneactive.com

Sport and fitness for older adults

North Herts Council is supporting older residents with their fitness and has launched a new range of weekly classes.

While the sessions are fun and beneficial, they’re aimed at addressing health inequalities for older residents in the district and helping them to feel healthier and happier.

The sessions have been launched thanks to grant funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Sessions range from £2 per session, with the cost used to help continue and extend the sessions after the scheme ends.

Low impact exercise sessions

No booking required, just turn up! £2 per session, cash on the day

Mondays 1.30pm – 2.30pm

St Marys Church Hall, Royston

2.15pm – 3.15pm

St Martins Parish Centre, Knebworth

Thursdays

2pm – 3pm

Baldock Community Centre

FREE until March 2025

Fridays 2pm – 3pm, John Coxall Court, Jackmans, Letchworth

Think council, think bins? Then think again!

North Herts Council is full of people who have chosen to work in local government because we want to help others and make a difference to our local community. In our latest staff survey, 90% of our staff would recommend North Herts Council as a place to work to others.

As you’ll see in this magazine, we’re at the heart of the places we live, work, shop and exercise in and are responsible for shaping and maintaining

the services and facilities the North Herts community use every day.

Whether you’re just starting out after college, taking the next step in your career, or looking for a change in career, we have a huge range of roles here at the council, with opportunities for training and development, flexible working and great pension benefits.

APPRENTICE?

We’re always on the look-out for apprentices and love offering people from across the district their first foot on the local government career ladder.

Our apprenticeships enable people to learn and train both on and off the job in various areas across the council. They run for 18 months and have a starting salary of £22,700. Visit: www.north-herts.gov.uk/ jobs-and-careers and start your apprenticeship journey now.

Make a difference to your local community today. Just scan:

The general election

As you know, a general election has been called for Thursday 4 July. Polling stations will open at 7am and close at 10pm.

Here is everything you need to know:

• You will need to bring photo ID to be able to vote at a polling station. Please visit our website to see a list of the acceptable forms of photo ID plus how to apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certification (VAC): www.north-herts.gov.uk/voter-id. The deadline to apply for a VAC is 5pm on 26 June. Don’t miss out on being able to vote. If you are registered and do not have an acceptable form of photo ID or free VAC you won’t be able to vote.

• If you’d like someone to vote on your behalf in person at a polling station the deadline is 5pm on 26 June. Both you and your proxy (the person who is voting on your behalf) must be registered to vote. www.north-herts.gov.uk/vote-proxy

• If you can’t return your postal vote via Royal Mail and instead need to hand deliver it to the Council Offices or to a polling station, you must also complete an accompanying Postal Vote Return Form. These must be completed with an authorised person at the Council Offices at Gernon Road, Letchworth (Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm) or at a Polling Station. Do not post through the letterbox at the Council Offices as your postal vote will not be processed.

• Get the support you need to cast your vote. If you need any assistance, just talk to the staff at your local polling station or contact the Electoral Services Team at the Council. Voters with disabilities can be accompanied by anyone over the age of 18 to act as a companion at a polling station.

• Finally, know where your polling station is, as locations may have changed since you last voted following a recent review of polling districts and places. Your poll card will detail your polling station or alternatively, visit: www.north-herts.gov.uk/polling-stations

Council meetings

Please check our website for details of upcoming council meetings: www.north-herts.gov.uk/meetings

You can also find out more by: Calling:Customer Services on 01462 474000

Visiting: your local library to use their computer

Monthly

Community surgeries

Come and meet your local councillors at our monthly community surgeries. Ask for advice, tell us your views and enquire about local authority services.

Hitchin: 10.30 – 12noon, first Saturday, Town Square, Hitchin.

Royston: 10-11.30am, second Saturday, every other month, Market Hill.

Letchworth: 10.30 – 12 noon, third Saturday, Garden Square Shopping Centre.

Baldock: 10.30 – 12noon, last Saturday, Tesco, High Street, Baldock.

Waste & Recycling

Did you know?

Soft plastics such as plastic film, pet food pouches and bread bags are major contaminants in our dry recycling collections. Many people think these items can be recycled in our collections, which they can’t currently but good news is on the horizon!

Not only will labelling on packing improve because of new legislation but during late summer 2025 we will be introducing soft plastic collections to all households. This will be part of major collection service changes which will prioritise recycling over the collection of nonrecyclable waste. To support this change, we have been operating a trial of soft plastics collections in Knebworth with the trial due to expand to some other areas in

the district this July. The trial is helping us to understand the types of soft plastic people are buying and putting out for collection, to inform our collection and processing needs for the future. If where you live is part of the trial, you will be contacted directly about it. If you don’t hear from us, just continue to take your soft plastics to a supermarket collection point or disposed of in your residual waste purple bin.

Items which end up in the recycling bin but that cannot be recycled cost us and ultimately you as the council taxpayer more money to dispose of them. By keeping recycling clean and correct we are able to secure the most cost-effective recycling contracts and help keep the cost of providing services down. For more details on recycling right visit www.north-herts.gov.uk/ recycle-right

Look out for ‘No Food Waste’ stickers coming soon!

We’ll be putting stickers on your residual (purple) bin as a reminder to use your food caddy for all your food waste.

This cost-effective measure employs stickers as a long-term reminder to everyone about the importance of using the food waste service. This initiative is particularly timely as it prepares residents for the forthcoming introduction of three-weekly refuse collection in 2025.

By putting all your food in your designated caddy, you are reducing your impact on the environment and reducing carbon emissions. Food waste in the caddy is turned into compost rather than being burned in an incinerator or sent to landfill.

Why not consider reducing your impact further by making a shopping list and only buying what you need. Food production and transportation have significant carbon impacts, so it’s a shame to waste it!

From plates to prevention: get your food waste game on!

Here’s five reasons why separating your banana peels, tea bags and eggshells from the rest of your rubbish should be the next thing you do to save the planet - after all, reducing and recycling food waste is the first step towards reducing your impact on the environment.

• Turning food waste into compost enables us to capture all those nutrients so they are not lost. Currently the food waste we collect from you is composted and turned into a soil conditioner.

• Slim your bin; having your food waste collected weekly is much more convenient than it taking up space in your residual waste bin. Globally £785 billion of food

is wasted annually, to reduce food waste and save money, scan the QR code and find out more

• Wallet friendly: recycling food waste is not just eco-friendly, it’s wallet-friendly too! Save money while saving the planet. Check out the Waste Aware #worthsaving campaign: www.wasteaware.org.uk/ worthsaving

Embracing a Plastic-Free Summer

As we step into July, we invite you to join us in an initiative to reduce plastic waste and create a more sustainable community. Plastic Free July is a global movement, and North Herts Council is actively encouraging residents like you to get involved and make a difference.

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects our environment, wildlife, and ultimately, our own well-being. By reducing our reliance on single-use plastics, we can significantly mitigate these impacts and contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet.

Here's how you can get involved:

1. Take part in the Plastic Free July quiz to help get you started on how to reduce your plastic waste. Just go to:www.plasticfreejuly.org

2. Make simple swaps: switch to reusable water bottles, cups, and cloth bags for shopping.

3. Explore sustainable alternatives: Consider buying products loose or with less packaging and using reusable nappies. For more information visit: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk search ‘Recycling and Waste’.

4. Recycle responsibly: utilise recycling bins in parks and high streets to ensure plastics are recycled effectively.

Every action, no matter how small, makes a difference. Your participation is crucial to our collective effort in creating a plastic-free future.

• Contamination prevention: don’t let food waste ruin recyclables. Use your designated food caddy to keep tea bags and orange peels out of your recycling bin.

• Easy peasy: Rinse jars and containers before you put them in your recycling bin to avoid contamination.

Paige powers Paper Recycling: A must-watch video

Have you seen Paige, the star of our latest video campaign promoting paper recycling? Created by North Herts and East Herts Councils' Shared Waste Service, this engaging video highlights the benefits of separating paper in recycling efforts.

In the video, Paige guides viewers through the journey of sorted paper, from collection at homes to its transformation into newsprint and other paper products travelling via our transfer station in Buntingford. Did you know that recycling paper not only reduces our reliance on cutting down trees but also helps keep service costs down?

Please remember to place your paper, magazines, newspapers and white printing paper (not brown paper) in your blue box and put it out on the week of your recycling collection.

Watch the video on our YouTube channel and be inspired to make a difference through paper recycling: www.youtube.com/c/ North-hertsGovUk

Garden Waste Sign-Up

Now summer is here, you might find yourself gardening more than usual. If you haven’t yet signed up to the council’s fortnightly garden waste collection service, you can do so via our website: www.northhertsgardenwaste.co.uk

Healthy Hub

Adult Craft sessions: 10 – 11.30am

Baldock Community Centre, Simpson Drive, Baldock SG7 6DH Baldock

25 June Cupcake Decorating with Kelly’s Kitchen

16 July Fabric Collage with the Art in Martins

13 August Mixed Media Collage with the Art in Martins

Knebworth

St Martin’s Church Parish Centre, 15 St Martin’s Road, Knebworth SG3 6ER

18 July Scrapbooking with the Art in Martins

Healthy Hub

Family Creative Chefs:

9.30-10am

Hitchin

Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin SG5 1HF

5 July, 6 September

Knebworth

St Martin’s Church Parish Centre, 15 St Martin’s Road, Knebworth SG3 6ER

20 June, 11 July

Heritage Hall (lower), Royston Town Hall, Melbourn Street, Royston SG8 7DA

19 June Card Making with the Art in Martins

3 July Needle Felting with the Art in Martins

Baldock

Baldock Community Centre, Simpson Drive, Baldock SG7 6DH

18 July, 12 September

Royston

Heritage Hall (lower), Royston Town Hall, Melbourn Street, Royston SG8 7DA

10 July, 4 September

Healthy Hub

11am

St Martin’s Church Parish Centre, 15 St Martin’s Road, Knebworth SG3 6ER 15 August

Heritage Hall (lower), Royston Town Hall, Melbourn Street, Royston SG8 7DA 21 August

For more information email charlotte.wall@mindinmidherts.org.uk 10

11-12.30pm

craft group – 1.30-3pm

1.30 – 2.30pm

St Mary’s Church Hall Melbourn Road, Royston SG8 7DB

2.15 – 3.15pm

St Martin’s Church Parish Centre, 15 St Martin’s Road, Knebworth SG3 6ER

John Coxall Court Jackmans, Letchworth SG6 2DD

Baldock Community Centre, Simpson Drive, Baldock SG7 6DH

North Herts Council is committed to equal opportunities and our aim is to make our services easy for all residents to use. If English is not your first language or you have difficulty reading this document please contact us to discuss how we may be able to assist you. Please email service@north-herts.gov.uk or Textphone (for textphone users): 01462 474800.

OUTLOOK is published by the Communications Team at North Herts Council, email outlook@north-herts.gov.uk.

© Unless otherwise stated, articles and photography are copyright of North Herts Council.

Every care is taken to ensure accuracy, but the publisher or manager cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions in editorial content.