This meeting was attended by multiple local residents. The next Local Area Forum is 13th November.
2. Ebury Play Area
As we are all aware, during the construction of the bridge and renovation of the play area, Japanese Knotweed was brought in to the area with the top soil. A 16-week Remediation Plan is still being negotiated with the contractor in charge of renovating the Play Area. There are 7 different ways that Knotweed can be treated: chemical methods or manual digging methods. In order for the Remediation Plan to start, the most appropriate method needs to be agreed and vetted by the Environment Agency. Certainly the chemical methods are deemed problematic in a place where children will play and next to the River Colne.
One resident said that the Aquadrome was the jewel in the crown of Rickmansworth, that all residents loved it and to see it in rack and ruin – a jungle – is devastating. Another resident requested that the council sue whoever was responsible for the situation.
Ebury Play Area is a jungle
One resident suggested the Aquadrome was “littered with Knotweed and because it’s not a poisonous plant”, the Play Area should be strimmed and opened up for use. This can’t happen because the contractor is still in possession of the site. And the council confirmed that the Aquadrome is not littered with Japanese Knotweed but there are certain areas where treatment is needed every year. Paula Hiscocks suggested that this yearly treatment is all that is needed in this instance for the play area. The council said that they wanted a permanent solution for this area.
One resident asked why all communications about this issue are not in the public domain. But the council said some things that aren’t yet negotiated cannot be in the public domain yet.
So, although this is the same thing the council said 4 months ago, we suspect they can’t tell us anymore because they might be in some sort of legal situation but we hope that they’re getting a good deal, on our behalf!
3. Aquadrome
One resident reported that people had set up tents in the Aquadrome with tent pegs, i.e. flouting the no-dig rule. The council said that the restrictions placed upon the Aquadrome, due to asbestos being found, can be overcome by using vehicles instead of tents and that whoever needs to can always talk with officers of the council.
The council said the annual Boat Rally would like to expand into areas of the Aquadrome and these areas are being investigated.
4. Woodland Path
This path is still closed because a report denounced it as “structurally unsound”. They are awaiting on a FRAPP but this in turn is waiting on new Environment Agency modelling to determine future flooding. The council meet with the Environment Agency weekly to discuss this issue but this new model is always late – the next launch date is set for 29th September but we’re not holding our breath! Once the FRAPP and modelling are in place then the following items need to be agreed for a durable and long-standing path, that will probably cost 6 figures:
The route the new path will take
The materials used
The construction method used.
Let’s all hope the Ebury Play Area contractors aren’t used!
As the meeting drew to a close, there was a consensus among residents that there wasn’t enough time to hear all the questions and queries from locals about the Ebury Play Area/Aquadrome/Woodland path. The council said they hold regular meetings in Penn Chamber, Three Rivers House, Northway – here are the next ones from the TRDC website:
Connecting Three Rivers (formerly Local Strategic Partnership and Community Safety Board) meeting on 25th September, 10am
Audit Committee meeting on 25th September, 7.30pm
Local Plan Sub-Committee meeting on 8th October, 7pm
General Public Services and Community Engagement Committee meeting on 14th October, 7.30pm – future agenda.
Climate Change and Leisure Committee meeting on 15th October, 7.30pm
**Local Area Forum** meeting on 13th November, 7.30pm – future agenda.
Full Council meeting on 21st October, 7.30pm – future agenda.
Agendas are usually set after the preceeding meeting. Anyone can attend any meeting to observe only. Questions from members of the public must be submitted in writing beforehand. However, we can freely get involved during Local Area Forum meetings. To suggest topics for any meeting agenda, submit questions for discussion or to request to speak/present, please email: committeeteam@threerivers.gov.uk.
This meeting was attended by multiple local residents. The next Local Area Forum is 13th November.
1. Local Government Reorganisation.
Slides on this topic were presented by the Leader of Three Rivers District Council Cllr. Stephen Giles-Medhurst and can be found on the TRDC’s website: www.threerivers.gov.uk or download them here.
As per our previous post from Jon Bishop, there are three options for unitary authorities (areas) which will merge Hertfordshire’s current 11 areas (Three Rivers being one of those areas) into 2, 3 or 4 Unitary Authorities. Note, the option with 4 Unitary Authorities splits Kings Langley over 2 Authorities – is this a good option?!
Unitary Authority options
Multiple local residents asked why we needed this change at all, as Hertfordshire seems to be working rather well. Stephen agreed saying we have the lowest Council tax. But we were told that Central Government issued this demand so we all must engage in this current survey (closes 30th September, cannot be extended) and a secondary consultation by Central government which begins in Jan/Feb until May 2026. The 2nd consultation will have more detail/data like costs and savings for each of the three options, so we can make informed decisions. Please engage with both surveys and voice concerns. If we say what’s important to us in the surveys then we’re more likely to get what we need. They recommended that you tell your MP what you think during the 2nd consultation stage. They also recommended that each person completes each survey, not just one per household.
A few residents asked why 1 unitary authority wasn’t considered but we were told it was considered but rejected by all 11 Hertfordshire areas, across all political spectrums. This is because a Mayor can’t oversee just 1 unitary authority and it’s silly to combine us with Bucks/Essex/Sussex – it’s just too big an area. Central goverment have dictated that all areas in England need an elected Mayor – this is devolution / shifting power from Central government to Local government. Furthermore, Central government have asked our councils to make savings of £50m.
A report created by Consultants Pricewaterhouse purported savings were made when councils merged and pooled their resources and varied services together.
Council tax is the councils’ revenue and currently, 78% of the council tax we pay goes to our County Council and 10% goes to our District Council. 50% of our County Council’s budget is taken up by Adult Care and Children’s services so combining revenue and sharing costs/resources would be beneficial. They called this combining ‘equalisation’ which took into consideration areas that are wealthy vs deprived.
Slide shows services provided by the current councils
Three Rivers currently saves money on our in-house services, like waste collection and certain bus routes. Hopefully we will be merged with councils who have similar in-house services however, most councils have out-sourced these services. We would hate for our services to become so very costly under outsourced contracts so we should all mention this in the survey. An outsourced contract is only as good as the person who negotatiates a good deal for the council, on behalf of us, its residents. Negotiated services, costs and savings must be transparent.
Our RDRA Chairman asked about the current CIL money (Community Infrastructural Levy totalling £2m) earmarked for improvements to our local area but, after Unitary Authorities are set up, could be diverted to non-local areas. They mentioned setting up a Neighbour Area Committee to deal with this but we’re unclear of the details.
Those who face redundancy from this local government change would likely be TUPE’d to alternative but similar companies.
Current contracts would automatically transfer to the Unitary Authorities.
One resident asked whether the Northway building would be kept. They were hopeful, because it’s modern and useful, but there’s no way of knowing really.
Currently, there are 517 councillors in total in Hertfordshire, Three Rivers has 78 County Councillors and 39 District Councillors. Under each new Unitary Authority, the number of councillors is suggested to be between 30-100 and they would need to serve on multiple committees. They’re hoping to introduce evening meetings so that it’s more inclusive, i.e. more people can volunteer to become councillors. If you agree with this inclusive suggestion, please mention it in the survey.
One resident expressed a wish not to be paired with Watford because they’re “always putting up tower blocks” but this cannot be, simply because we’re located near to each other!
A Strategic Authority will also be created to look after Infrastructure projects, which will take over from the PCC (Police and Crime Commissioner). A Mayor will preside over both Unitary and Strategic Authorities. Parish or Town Councils will be an added layer underneath.
One resident questioned whether the Mayor could interfere with the Unitary Authorities work, in a politically motivated way, but we were told that the Mayor cannot “frustrate proceedings”. The Mayor would only really be in charge of transport.
One resident asked why our buses, which are supposed to have a life span of 8 years, are still running on our roads after 16 years. We were told the Council only funds a few bus services.
One resident kept on asking “what happened with Bucks” – this is what we found out:
Bucks council tax increased by 5% after they introduced Unitary Authorities.
Bucks chose Unitary Authorities whilst it is mandatory for Herts – dictated to by Central government.
Bucks didn’t ringfence their SIL money so it was distributed widely.
They also mentioned Surrey had consultations on their change to Unitary Authorities.
By 1st April 2028 the Unitary Authorities will be up and running. In May 2028, there will be elections for the Mayor.
Please spread the word about this consultation – it closes on 30th September!
If you love social media, are community-minded and would like to try something new, why not volunteer to be our Social Media Manager – please contact us to find out more!
This article will be in the next Ricky News, written by RDRA Committee members Christina Evans, Anne Littlejohn, Andrea Clark & Debbie Wheeler.
The RDRA (Rickmansworth & District Residents’ Association) organised the Batchworth Bridge Crossing Safety Forum on 29th January, in partnership with BCC (Batchworth Community Council) to discuss the hazards of Batchworth Bridge Crossing. Fortunately to date, there has not been a fatality (unless you count the two dead swans). Over 60 residents attended the Forum.
The major concerns highlighted at the Forum:
Batchworth Bridge Crossing is frequently used by people of all ages & abilities, night & day.
There has been numerous near misses and several accidents.
Poorly lit crossing.
Drivers can’t see pedestrians at night.
Crossing is on the brow of a hill and drivers accelerate towards the crossing.
Faded crossing markings (cannot be seen from roundabout).
Inadequate and obscured 30mph signage.
Crossing is on a dual carriage way – one lane stops, the other lane doesn’t stop.
Suggestions from the Forum were:
Improve or add lighting:
The white part of the Belisha Beacon poles should be LED lit.
Add spotlights on the pole to illuminate pedestrians.
Add speed cameras leading to crossing.
Smiley Activated Message (SAM).
Larger and more frequent 30mph signage.
Painting 30mph roundels on roads leading to crossing.
Reduce speed from 40mph to 30mph on Riverside Drive (single carriageway).
Recent temporary traffic lights worked.
Residents were in favour of permanent traffic lights on the crossing.
What can we do to avert a fatality?
Contact Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) for action to be taken. Request reply. Use the HCC webform to inform them:
The RDRA took part in the Remembrance parade from Our Lady’s church to St Mary’s church at 2pm on Sunday and laid a wreath on behalf of all members of the RDRA. There was a short service outside St Mary’s then refreshments at the Royal British Legion.
Bob, Ash & Mike arrive at St Mary’s churchAsh, Bob & Mike with the wreathsAsh in the paradeAsh lays a wreath
Following conversations with residents at the last Sunday Market, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for planning developments in your local area. To do this simply go to the Three Rivers website and search planning or click link below:
Patients are our Passion – Improving Patient Care and Experience in West Herts Hospitals
St Albans Patient Group and the Herts and West Essex ICB have organised this event on Wednesday 15 May, 6pm. It will be presented by Amanda Budd, Lead Nurse for Patient Care and Experience.
Patient Engagement Forum – Mental Health Awareness Webinar
Thursday 16 May, 6.30pm – 7.30pm
The Herts and West Essex ICB Patient Engagement Forum has organised this session for National Mental Health Awareness Week (13 to 19 May). The free session is being held online and will offer the chance to start the conversation about mental health.
Speakers will include a representative from the charity MIND and a local GP – there will also be a Q and A session. Register for the session.
St Albans Elective Care Hub
Wednesday 29 May, 6pm
St Albans Patient Group, with the Herts and West Essex ICB Patient Engagement Forum have organised a session on St Albans Elective Care Hub. This new centre at St Albans City Hospital is for planned surgery to provide faster access to some routine operations for patients in Hertfordshire and west Essex. This is to reduce waiting lists for people who have been waiting for a long time to have their operation.
