TRDC

Local Area Forum minutes #2: Ebury Play Area, Aquadrome & Woodland Path

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.

Click here for part 1 of the meeting: Local Government Reorganisation.

By RDRA, ago

Local Area Forum minutes #1: Local Government Reorganisation

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!

Local Government Reorganisation Survey: https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/

This portion of the meeting was minuted so we expect those minutes to appear in the agenda for the next meeting, found here: https://moderngov.threerivers.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=1149

If you need more information about this topic please contact: hertfordshire@connectpa.co.uk.

Click here for part 2 of the meeting: Ebury Play Area, Aquadrome, Woodland Path.

By RDRA, ago

Local Plan update & Reorganisation survey. Deadline 30 September.

Message from Jon Bishop.

Stage 2 Review is here: https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/services/planning/planning-policy/new-local-plan#Evidence%20base towards the bottom of the page. They are long documents, so summary lists and maps are extracted below but the documents themselves contain more detail on each area.

  • All areas that were categorised as either Very High or High impact in the Green Belt in the Stage 2 Review will not be categorised as grey belt,
  • Areas categorised as Moderate-High impact in the Green Belt in the Stage 2 Review will only be categorised as grey belt if they are already developed to some degree,
  • Areas categorised as Moderate impact in the Green Belt in the Stage 2 Review will mainly be categorised as grey belt, and
  • All areas that were categorised as either Low-Moderate or Low impact on the Green Belt in the Stage 2 Review will be categorised as grey belt.

You have probably seen the recent publicity from Stephen Giles-Medhurst about the fact that there are not enough “acceptable” sites to meet the Government targets. From what I can gather, I think we will be very short of the target which is good in terms of Green Belt defence but it does worry me that, if the figure is too low, we could end up with the Plan being found unsound by the Examiner. In the worst case, the Government could then step in and taking over all planning, including defining the Local Plan. This is the Armageddon scenario as residents will get little or no say in which sites are accepted for development. Let’s hope that a happy compromise can be found by the Council to both protect Green Belt and deliver enough housing to keep the Government happy. Together, we will need to work to make sure that residents views are properly heard in this.

Local Government Reorganisation Survey: https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/

(deadline 30th September)

The traffic lights on the options in the briefing note are based on a combination of information from TRDC and some analysis of available information. The Strategic Alignment category is the alignment to other high level strategic management in Hertfordshire – health, police and strategic planning.

It would be helpful if you could give me your views on:

  • Which of the three options for unitary councils do you feel is best?
  • What are the key risks / opportunities that you see from the creation of unitary councils in Hertfordshire?
  • Are there any responsibilities, services or assets that you feel should be delegated to Town or Parish Councils as part of this?
  • Do you think we should submit a TRJRA response to the survey?

This is the biggest change to council organisation in over 50 years and could have a material impact on the quality & cost of running councils for the foreseeable future.

Timelines are very tight, with the survey closing on 30th September.

Extracted summary documents:

https://rickmansworthresidents.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/LGR-Consultation-Briefing-TRJRA.pdf

https://rickmansworthresidents.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Green-Belt-Assessment-for-Three-Rivers-District-and-Watford-Borough-Summary-List-and-Maps-.pdf

By R.D.R.A., ago
Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst explaining about Local Government Reorganisation on YouTube.

Council Reorganisation – Have your say. Deadline 30 September.

Hertfordshire’s 11 councils have today (3 September) launched a second phase of engagement on the future of local government in the county.

Residents, community groups, businesses and wider stakeholders are invited to share their views on how services will be delivered in Hertfordshire in the years ahead. This is a once in a generation opportunity to help shape the future of local government.

In December 2024, the Government set out plans to simplify local government in England to make it easier for residents and businesses to access services and to save money.

In Hertfordshire, there are currently two types of council:

  • District and borough councils, which provide services such as housing, planning, bin collections, car parks and leisure services.
  • The county council, which is responsible for schools, libraries, roads, caring for children and supporting adults who need help with daily living.

Under the Government’s plan, these councils will be replaced by new unitary councils that will deliver all services currently provided by the two separate types of council.

All councils in Hertfordshire are working together to explore what this would look like. The aim is to create a system of local government that is easy to understand, delivers good value for money and responds to the needs of local areas.

Over the next month, councils will hold a mix of in-person and online events across the county. A dedicated website will also give further information on the changes, how you can get involved and share your views. This will remain open until 30 September 2025. After this date councils will review all the feedback before submitting the final proposal to Government at the end of November.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE, the Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “This is set to be a huge moment of change for local government in Hertfordshire, and in Three Rivers. For many years we have all been accustomed to having a county council and a district council responsible for different services in our areas.

“This forthcoming reorganisation will change that, and now is you chance to have your say about what you would like the future of local government in our county to look like. Would you like smaller councils or larger councils, covering bigger areas? Visit the website, come to the events, find out more and have your say.”

Click here to have your say

Hear Cllr. Stephen Giles Medhurst explain about the Local Government Reorganisation on YouTube (scroll to bottom of page)

By R.D.R.A., ago

Japanese Knotweed in Playground

Message received 20th July – via comment under post Vital improvements to Aquadrome receive cash boost.

All well and good, but has anyone started treating and or clearing the japanese knotweed in the playground yet? Full of weeds and still no access to a playground that cannot be used. Do the council have any idea when or if the playground will be open?

RDRA response:

Good questions David. We await further news from TRDC. Please do write to your local elected representative/s and councillors as well to get their feedback.

Find Your Councillor: https://democracy.hertfordshire.gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx

By R.D.R.A., ago

Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation: Newly Submitted Sites and New Policies (Part 5) – Deadline 31st August

This message from Three Rivers District Council is what we’ve all been waiting for! It’s important that our members contribute to this consultation on any sites or development in our area.

Three Rivers District Council is preparing a new Local Plan that will guide and manage future development in the district up to 2041. Following on from the previous Regulation 18 consultations which took place in 2021 and 2023, we are now carrying out a supplementary consultation on newly submitted sites and new policies. This Regulation 18 Newly Submitted Sites and New Policies (Part 5) Consultation contains new sites that were submitted for the Council’s consideration following a call for sites exercise earlier in 2025. Individual site assessments for these potential site allocations for housing have been undertaken as part of the Strategic Housing & Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) which is used to identify sites and broad locations with potential for development. This consultation also includes policies which have not yet been consulted on.

It is important to note these sites are in addition to those consulted on in 2021 and 2023. We are asking for your views on these potential new sites so we can consider them together with the previously submitted responses to previous Regulation 18 consultations. This will help us in drawing up a final proposal. To view and respond online to this consultation please visit the Council’s Have Your Say consultation platform, link below:

Link to Consultation Survey (scroll down to ‘Take Survey’ button):
https://haveyoursay.threerivers.gov.uk/local-plan-newly-submitted-sites-policies-consultation

Hard copies of the consultation document and supporting documents can also be viewed in the Council’s offices in Rickmansworth and at the public libraries located in the district. Written responses can be submitted by post to: Planning Policy, Three Rivers District Council, Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth, Herts, WD3 1RL

The consultation period starts on Wednesday 16th July 2025 and ends at 11:59pm on Sunday 31st August 2025.

Further reading

The Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation Documents, accompanying Sustainability Appraisal Working Notes and the evidence base studies which have been completed so far can be viewed on the Council’s website at: https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/services/planning/planning-policy/new-local-plan

By R.D.R.A., ago

Vital improvements to Aquadrome receive cash boost

Message from Three Rivers District Council.

Plans to improve Rickmansworth Aquadrome have received a cash boost to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds thanks to the support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Three Rivers District Council has received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Water, Wildlife and Wellbeing at Rickmansworth Aquadrome project, announced on 11th July. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the project aims to enhance, nurture and protect the site. Development funding of £736,515 has been awarded by the Heritage Fund to help Three Rivers progress their plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant of £4m at a later date. The success of the funding bid was also made possible through using funds awarded by HS2 Colne Valley Additional Mitigation Panel as match funding.

By R.D.R.A., ago

Rickmansworth Aquadrome Management Plan not fit for purpose

Message received 17 June 2025 via comment under Riverside Path topic avoided by authorities post.

I attended 3RDC’s local area forum on 4/3/25, and asked the text below. I’m unable to attend the [RDRA AGM] meeting tonight, 17/6/25;

I am speaking against the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Management Plan because it does not address the following points.

  • The Rickmansworth Aquadrome woodland path has been closed for over a year now, due to professional advice received by TRDC that says it is “unsafe”. There has been no evidence issued by TRDC to verify that statement.
  • TRDC has said the path remains closed, awaiting the issue of a hydrological report, possibly by the Environmental Agency. It is not usual for a hydrological report to take over a year to be investigated, drafted and issued.
  • The existing hydrological assets already installed in the Aquadrome – identified and located using what3words locational app, and issued to TRDC in November 2024 have not been maintained by TRDC for many years. Recent correspondence from TRDC states they are now considered no longer fit for purpose.
  • Would TRDC therefore, without further prevarication issue the supporting evidence that shows by which measure the woodland path is considered “unsafe” and how it fails to meet that measure?
  • Would they also categorically state when, and to which organisation the alleged hydrological report was commissioned, and demonstrate by what measure the existing hydrological assets are no longer fit for purpose, regardless of if they had been maintained?
  • Failure to comply with these requests will leave TRDC in an invidious position, in barring the Rickmansworth public from one of its most bio-diverse pedestrian routes for reasons that they are unable to show any supporting evidence.
  • Please overhaul the hydrological assets as previously noted; commit to maintaining them; and re-open the woodland path.

RDRA response:

Many thanks for this post. We can file a ‘Freedom of Information’ request to get TRDC to respond.

By R.D.R.A., ago

Have your say on council services. Deadline 31st March

Residents have an opportunity to shape the future of council services across Three Rivers district as the latest major survey of local opinion is launched.

The survey was started in December 2024 but ends on 31 March 2025 so have your say on Three Rivers District Council’s annual survey. The results will help the council make informed decisions over the future of services.

https://haveyoursay.threerivers.gov.uk/residents-survey-2024

By R.D.R.A., ago

Invitation to Shape Three Rivers District Council’s Response to Climate Change

About the opportunity
Three Rivers District Council are working with Involve – the UK’s leading public participation charity – to recruit ‘conversation starters’ who are interested in exploring what Three Rivers District could look like in the future and how we can respond to climate change in a positive way, that makes the district an even better place to live.

This is a critical piece of work that will feed directly into the council’s plans and strategies to respond to climate change.

Anyone living in Three Rivers aged 18-55 can register their interest to take part, and we are particularly hoping that people from minority or under-represented groups within the district will participate.

Participants will come together in-person over four days in February and March 2025 to take part in training, have conversations in their communities, and share back what they’ve heard. Every participant will be paid for their time at the rate of £15/hour, up to a total of £390, all travel will be paid too, and food and refreshments are provided. We have twenty spaces available.

No previous experience or knowledge of climate change is necessary, just a curious mind and a willingness to learn and get involved. We will make every provision to make the experience as accessible as possible.

To Learn More and Apply please visit: https://involve.org.uk/news-opinion/projects/calling-three-rivers-district-residents-we-need-conversation-starters

Registration is open from now until 5th February 2025.

Three Rivers District Council
www.threerivers.gov.uk

By R.D.R.A., ago