News from Rickmansworth Liberal Democrats - Three Rivers, a Lib Dem Run Council

Welcome to this edition of 'Rickmansworth This Week e-news'

Good News ! The Government Planning Inspector has supported the decision made by Thee Rivers District Council (TRDC) Planning Committee to refuse the application to allow a significant increase in the number of heavy goods vehicles using the A412 to access the Pynesfield gravel extraction project if it goes ahead.
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TRDC has written to Chris Grayling, the appropriate minister, notifying him of HS2 's breach of controls set out in the Bill currently before Parliament. The work related to a large compound on greenbelt agricultural land on a site where mineral extraction has been refused permission on several occasions. Planning permission was required but not sought. HS2 did not provide details of any works in the District until after a large compound was in place off Denham Way. Following an enforcement investigation a retrospective application has been submitted. It is clear that the controls set out in the Bill, intended to protect local people from harm, have not been effective, indeed they were ignored. We are very concerned about this and will report back on the ministerial response……………………………………..

TRDC's electorate. The new electoral register has been published following the canvas of residents.

The canvas response - 96.55% ( 80.84% last year).
Electorate - 69,012 (68,407).
Under 18s who will be 18 by Nov 2017 - 648 ( 438)
Over 76s - 6277 (6807)
EU citizens - 2458 ( 2216)
Overseas electors - 467 (168)
Postal Voters - 8946 ( 9410)
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We are very concerned about the sudden announcement that NHS England is cutting £8.5m from the funding for anti-bed blocking in the western area of Hertfordshire. This money offered protection of adult social care, providing home care and intermediate beds as well as preventive measures. No one in Hertfordshire will benefit. Blocked beds delay procedures and makes patients wait longer for hospital admission. 1 in 10 emergency patients have a 4 hour wait for a bed. It does not make financial sense to keep someone in hospital longer than necessary, it is also a poor way of ensuring appropriate recovery and recuperation. It is a reversal of Government policy to integrate health and social care. We hope Herts CC will consider challenging this decision.
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We welcome the announcement that HCC is not proceeding with the plans to make significant reductions in its gritting programme for this winter.……………………………………………

TRDC is responsible for many thousands of trees. The survey programme of the state of these trees continues. Since May a further 3066 trees have been checked. This is in addition to the annual resurvey of trees in high risk areas. The survey is looking out particularly for any cases of Sweet Chestnut Blight (only 1 so far in this country, in Kent), Oak Processionary moth (cases identified in Watford, Bucks and Hillingdon) and Chalara Ash Dieback.( there have been 3 cases in TRDC and appropriate action has been taken).For more information visithttp://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/BEEH-A6TJFS
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TRDC apologises to those residents whose brown bins weren't emptied in November. In very cold temperatures the brown bin contents can be frozen and cannot be fully emptied. The mechanical bin lift gives 3 shakes to dislodge the contents. In some instances the crew carried out manual overrides trying to empty the bins. As the crew are already working longer days to empty bins in freezing temperatures, they are unable to return later for the bins. The vehicles are fitted with CCTV so residents can be assured that every attempt was made to empty their bin. TRDC is continuing to look at ways of improving the service, particularly over the winter months.
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At the Council meeting on Tuesday 13th December several motions were passed.

On housing, all members recognised the serious lack of available local social and affordable housing and TRDC is pressing the government to support the Homelessness Reduction Bill, to provide safe and suitable housing, funded centrally. Also in view of the long local housing waiting lists TRDC must commit to providing more social housing whenever suitable land becomes available, working with housing associations. These two proposals were supported unanimously.

Another motion requested the Secretary of State to introduce the mandatory display of food hygiene ratings at food outlets. We feel customers have the right to know the rating scores before eating there and we believe it would encourage the improvement of standards.……………………………………………

No Ordinary Job - if you are interested in working with people with a learning disability call Mencap 01923 713633. Mencap is going from strength to strength and needs to expand their team to help people to experience things most of us take for granted - support with shopping/ going out to coffee/ lunch/ dinner, visiting a pub/ club/ cinema/ shows , support with sport/ visiting sporting events, meeting friends.
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The closing date for the TRDC budget consultation survey has been extended to 9th January.…………………………………………………………………………….

No room for the kids - This Christmas there are 124k children in emergency housing, temporary housing such as bed and breakfast. This is an increase on 10K on last year. Meanwhile 10 large house builders have land banks that could provide 1m homes !
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Yet another email scam is circulating across Hertfordshire. It states that you have been given a speeding fine from the Greater Manchester Police Area. Just delete it.
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We have been asked what wrapping paper can go into the recycling bin. Any wrapping paper can be recycled apart from paper with foil, glitter or sellotape or other sticky tape attached.
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Are you aware of the Three Rivers District Council self service system? You can now do a number of transactions online at my.threerivers.gov.uk at a time that suits you. Don't Wait in Line, Save Time, Do it Online.
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If you want a walk why not visit Bishops Wood , the car park is from White Hill, off the A404. This country park is a 38 hectare ancient semi-natural woodland. There is a short easy access trail leading directly from the car park, it has a firm surface and is suitable for buggies, wheelchair users and those less mobile.

Dates for your Diary.

• Friends of Watersmeet Film Society films - Wed 11 January 2017 'Anthropoid' - Thur 19 Jan 'The Girl on a Train' 2.00pm & 7.45pm

Ongoing

• Future Films at Watersmeet waiting Info.
• Artistsmeet at Watersmeet are rounding off a year of varied displays with 'RMS Works on Paper', an exhibition from the pupils at The Royal Masonic School for Girls that features a piece of work from each girl, who is currently working towards a GCSE or A Level in Fine Art or Textile Design. The exhibition aims to showcase the outstanding preparatory drawings, prints, embroidery, models and photographs that often hide within the pages of lovingly crafted sketchbooks and folders. RMS will be running a Christmas themed Lino Printing workshop on 8th December, giving people the chance to print and create their own festive wrappings. For more information about the exhibition and events visit:
  www.threerivers.gov.uk/egcl-page/artistsmeet
• Three Rivers Museum in Basing House next to the library, have displays featuring the Great War & Ancient Order of Foresters - Museum open Mon to Fri 2-4pm, Sat 10am to 4pm. Support your local museum. www.trmt.org.uk videos https://www.youtube.com/user/ThreeRiversMuseum/videos
• Adult oil painting class by local artist Andrew Schofield:- Monday evenings 7pm to 9pm at the Mill End Community Centre. Tuesday daytime 11am to 1pm at the Croxley Sports Guild. All abilities, beginners welcome, I will guide you thorough the oil painting process and after the first class you will have an oil painting you can be proud of. All equipment provided. In my opinion oil painting is the easiest and most forgiving medium to paint with and I hope to prove this to you. Contact me for details ArtAndrewArtist@gmail.com 07908 832834
• Rickmansworth & District Art Society in the reception area of Three Rivers House (the council Offices) Mick Currey will be displaying his work for the Month of November.
• The Mill Photography Club has produced its programme for the second half of this year. You can find it on the website www.millphotos.com. The club meets Fridays, fortnightly at The Mill at Berry Lane Methodist Church. All welcome, any standard, no fees.
• Croxley Camera Club is known as the friendly photographic society for Three Rivers District. They have photographic advice available from specialists in many genres including nature, landscape, and studio. Meet on Thursdays in the Croxley Green Community Centre at 7:45. New members of all abilities are always warmly welcome. http://croxleycameraclub.com/
• Rickmansworth Town team are responsible for most of the events organised in our area. They organised the Queens birthday Celebrations https://youtu.be/cEs9QdKK2XE , Ricky Folk Festival and the flags in the High Street commemorating those who gave their lives in World Wars and the Winter Fayre.
• Watford Mencap hold a Coffee Morning every 3rd Tuesday in the month at their Head Office in The Town Hall, Rickmansworth High Street from 10.30am to 12.00 noon. Apart from it being a social opportunity for our clients and their carers to meet and catch up over refreshments and cakes, one of the aims is to raise local awareness of the charity and how they support people with learning disabilities. Anyone is welcome to join us if they are passing.
• Ricky Folk meet at 8.15pm in the back bar of the Conservative Club, Bury Lane on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. You can sing, play or both or simply come and listen. No entrance fee and drinks are at club prices. In exchange for the facilities they entertain members of the Club at summer events each year and participate in other local events.
• A full list of forthcoming events at Watersmeet - click link http://www.watersmeet.co.uk/whats-on/
• Ricky Green Social are a group from Rickmansworth who meet on the first Saturday every month to socialise and work on greening the area. Meetings take place at the Cafe in the Park at the Aquadrome - 11.00am to 1.00pm.
• Police Officers from the Local Neighbourhood Team would like to hear from residents if they have any information about drug use or crime. To report any information, intelligence or suspicious behaviour. Phone 101, or speak anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111 or email Neil.CANNING@Herts.pnn.police.uk
• Highway Faults - Fault reporting https://www.hertsdirect.org/faultreporting/

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The small print. This newsletter started in February 2006 and is sent to more than 550 local people - it is distributed by Mailchimp. Ann Shaw is a local Three Rivers Councillor. Les Mead is a Trustee at Rickmansworth Waterways Trust and Vice Chairman of Three Rivers Museum Trust.