Due to the inaction of the Three Rivers Council regarding the reopening of the Ebury Play Area, closed since March 2024, there will be a Demonstration March starting at the TRDC car park at 11am and ending up at the Play Area.
All are welcome to join – bring protest signs, placards and banners!
Councillors say work has already started but we see no evidence of earthworks happening so we’re joining this Demonstration March in the hope it draws more attention to this issue. Worth noting that Councillors who presided over Ebury Play Area decisions do not live in Rickmansworth and it’s hard to say whether they have personally visited the site since it was abandoned two years ago to check on any progress.
RDRA presented our Ebury Play Area petition to the Climate Change and Leisure Committee on 11th March. We asked Paul Harding to speak on this topic for 3 minutes as he is a nearby resident – his excellent speech is below. After his speech, the Committee lead responded by saying that construction work will commence at the end of the month, before Easter. But in a previous meeting another Councillor said that “boots on the ground” work started last week! All residents at the meeting walked out in disgust because the Committee lead didn’t allow a point of order or discussion.
There is a rumour of a demonstration happening on 28th March starting at the Council offices at and ending at the Play Area – we’ll keep you posted if we find out more information!
Paul’s excellent speech
“While studying for a post graduate business qualification, I learned a phrase that has stayed with me ever since; behaviour is an observable function.
“With that in mind, I observe the absence of any work in the Ebury Playground since spring last year to demonstrate the council’s inept management of the playground refurbishment project. Although yes, I did see two people in there this afternoon, with their clipboards, hiviz jackets, over shoes and hard hats – but they did no actual work; merely observed and recorded what has lain there – or grown there – for almost a year now. The last time I recall seeing anyone in there was the same day that a TRDC public meeting was to be held that evening in this room.
“To be absolutely clear; I use the word “inept” here because it most closely meets the level of skill observed by TRDC’s behaviour in this matter; synonyms are – clumsy, incompetent, ineffective, inadequate. You will no doubt be aware that, with the arrival of spring, those weeds that were imported to the Ebury Playground a year ago will soon be seeding, germinating, sprouting and spreading. I understand that the recommended remedy to NNIS such as Japanese knotweed is to either treat with pesticide or mechanical removal. I further understand that the contractor has apparently offered removal, but TRDC has rejected this and said it wants to have the weeds treated. Has it escaped TRDC’s notice that this is a children’s playground?
“We, your public, residents and electors are fed up with asking you to do the right thing; you seem incapable of responding without dithering, obfuscation and avoiding the issues. When the forthcoming local government reorganisation is settled, yours will be the worst possible legacy in the history of this town.”
A statutory consultation from Central Government begins.
Local Government Reorganisation proposals
After the previous consultation held by Three Rivers District Council, we know that TRDC prefers two. But Central Government would also like to hear from all residents about what they think about the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) – two, three or four unitary authorities.
The application for the Catlips Farm development between Chorleywood and Mill End, the far side of M25, is now open for public comment on the Three Rivers District Council planning portal.
If you or neighbours want your views considered, it’s important to respond before the consultation deadline 20th May.
The upcoming Three Rivers Environmental Network is taking place on Wednesday 18th March at Leavesden HIVE College Road WD5 0NXfrom 7.30-9.30pm focusing on Sustainable Transport.
We hope you are able to attend and please do spread the word with friends, colleagues, neighbours and community groups.
A talk from Tom Rankin – Transport Officer Local Beryl Bike expansion, cycle lanes, capital projects, the LCWIP, electric vehicle charge points and more.
A talk from an HCC transport Officer (to be confirmed)
Discussion time in breakout groups
Round table of upcoming events/schemes/initiatives
Following a Councillor briefing at the end of last week, I am pleased to confirm that the Public Engagement for the RIBA 2 Concept Masterplan has now gone live. This will run until Monday 16 March 2026 and will include a public drop in event on Saturday 7 March between the hours of 9.30am and 2pm at the Aquadrome.
The following links to the Have Your Say Platform have all the details:
In addition to the engagement, we have also updated “The Story So Far” page on the TRDC website, to include a presentation we shared last week with Councillors, and information on the engagement. Alongside this, we have also received the completed specialist Hydrological Reports. A summary report has been added alongside the engagement information and also included on the specific “Woodland Walk” page of the website. The technical reports can be located on the Aquadrome Data Hub page. I have included all of these links below for you:
We are also seeking input from people with a disability, or those caring for people with disabilities to tell us about their experience and how we can improve the Aquadrome for you. There is a separate Accessibility Survey as part of the “Have Your Say” platform, which if you could also share that would be great: Rickmansworth Aquadrome Accessibility Survey | Have Your Say Three Rivers
The RIBA Stage 2 document will be the main focus of the Steering group meeting in March, however you may wish to familiarise yourself with it beforehand and take the opportunity to complete the survey, so your thoughts are captured.
Please do share this with your local communities and anyone you feel would be interested in completing the engagement form or having a look at the hydrological reports, which are fascinating.
This meeting usually discuss a wide range of topics related to improving the quality of life, safety, and wellbeing of residents in the Three Rivers district through partnership working.
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!
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.
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.
