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1 Looking back - Looking forward Annual Report 2018/2019 Looking back - Looking forward Being a brief account for the Annual General Meeting of The Society's activities during the year 2018/2019 – with a glance ahead to the coming year Over the past year or more Harpenden’s attraction for house buyers has continued, albeit with demand – in line with prices – rising more modestly, against a background of economic uncertainty. The misery inflicted on commuters resulting from Thameslink timetable chaos no doubt also had an effect. While the major housing developments threatened in St Albans District Council’s (updated) Local Plan have yet to materialise, there has been enough ‘infill’ building to increase pressure on schools, health and community facilities and, of course, car parking. The town feels ever more congested with traffic delays an everyday occurrence. Growth is inevitable and we have to prepare for further pressures. However, government computer models for projected future growth are based on calculations which are now being challenged. We are an ageing population and recent studies indicate a slowing in UK population growth and reduced fertility rates (1.7 children per family which is low in international terms). It throws doubt on the extent of the housing demand being imposed on local authorities in the south-east where, for good or ill, there has also been a slow down in economic growth, which may or may not be attributable to ‘the Brexit factor’. There is also evidence that some economic activity is moving away from London in a welcome rebalancing. And while Harpenden will still be under pressure to allow more housing , the numbers ought logically to be reviewed. Neighbourhood Plan approved This is why the town’s Neighbourhood Plan was important, after years when developers could submit large planning applications to SADC without reference to any formal Harpenden-centred planning document. Meanwhile the district Local Plan is still working through its tortuous processes and it remains unclear, at the time of writing, if and when it will be approved. Two new estates to the north-east and north-west of the town are currently envisaged. The Harpenden Society campaigned in favour of the town’s Neighbourhood Plan and the referendum in February gave it clear approval. It offers the prospect of developers – as a condition of gaining planning approval – being compelled to contribute more to the funding of community facilities, at a time of ever more stringent local authority budgets. Luton Airport expansion threat At the Society’s May 2018 Public Meeting we heard from Hazel Simmons, the leader of Luton Borough Council on its ambitions for a massive expansion of Luton Airport. Many in the audience were not convinced by her assertions on the noise and traffic congestion implications. It is hoped that the increase from 18 to 33 million ppa (passengers per annum) proposal will not get the green light as readily as previous expansion plans – when Luton BC, as the airport owner, effectively acted as ‘judge and jury’. The 80%-plus projected expansion will require central government approval. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling’s reputation as a bungling decision maker does not bode well for those of us wanting the brakes applied to the airport’s egregious expansion plans. The Chairman looks back...and forward

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Page 1: The Chairman looks backand forwardharpendensociety.org/Harp Soc. Annual Report 18_19 .pdf · 1 Looking back - Looking forward Annual Report 2018/2019 Looking back - Looking forward

1 Lookingback-Lookingforward

AnnualReport2018/2019Lookingback-Lookingforward

BeingabriefaccountfortheAnnualGeneralMeetingofTheSociety'sactivitiesduringtheyear2018/2019–

withaglanceaheadtothecomingyear

OverthepastyearormoreHarpenden’sattractionforhousebuyershascontinued,albeitwithdemand–inlinewithprices–risingmoremodestly,againstabackgroundofeconomicuncertainty.ThemiseryinflictedoncommutersresultingfromThameslinktimetablechaosnodoubtalsohadaneffect.WhilethemajorhousingdevelopmentsthreatenedinStAlbansDistrictCouncil’s(updated)LocalPlanhaveyettomaterialise,therehasbeenenough‘infill’buildingtoincreasepressureonschools,healthandcommunityfacilitiesand,ofcourse,carparking.Thetownfeelsevermorecongestedwithtrafficdelaysaneverydayoccurrence.Growthisinevitableandwehavetoprepareforfurtherpressures.However,governmentcomputermodelsforprojectedfuturegrowtharebasedoncalculationswhicharenowbeingchallenged.WeareanageingpopulationandrecentstudiesindicateaslowinginUKpopulationgrowthandreducedfertilityrates(1.7childrenperfamilywhichislowininternationalterms).

Itthrowsdoubtontheextentofthehousingdemandbeingimposedonlocalauthoritiesinthesouth-eastwhere,forgoodorill,therehasalsobeenaslowdownineconomicgrowth,whichmayormaynotbeattributableto‘theBrexitfactor’.ThereisalsoevidencethatsomeeconomicactivityismovingawayfromLondoninawelcomerebalancing.AndwhileHarpendenwillstillbeunderpressuretoallowmorehousing,thenumbersoughtlogicallytobereviewed.

NeighbourhoodPlanapprovedThisiswhythetown’sNeighbourhoodPlanwasimportant,afteryearswhendeveloperscouldsubmitlargeplanningapplicationstoSADCwithoutreferencetoanyformalHarpenden-centredplanningdocument.MeanwhilethedistrictLocalPlanisstillworkingthroughitstortuousprocessesanditremainsunclear,atthetimeofwriting,ifandwhenitwillbeapproved.Twonewestatestothenorth-eastandnorth-westofthetownarecurrentlyenvisaged.TheHarpendenSocietycampaignedinfavourofthetown’sNeighbourhoodPlanandthereferenduminFebruarygaveitclearapproval.Itoffersthe

prospectofdevelopers–asaconditionofgainingplanningapproval–beingcompelledtocontributemoretothefundingofcommunityfacilities,atatimeofevermorestringentlocalauthoritybudgets.

LutonAirportexpansionthreatAttheSociety’sMay2018PublicMeetingweheardfromHazelSimmons,theleaderofLutonBoroughCouncilonitsambitionsforamassiveexpansionofLutonAirport.Manyintheaudiencewerenotconvincedbyherassertionsonthenoiseandtrafficcongestionimplications.Itishopedthattheincreasefrom18to33millionppa(passengersperannum)proposalwillnotgetthegreenlightasreadilyaspreviousexpansionplans–whenLutonBC,astheairportowner,effectivelyactedas‘judgeandjury’.The80%-plusprojectedexpansionwillrequirecentralgovernmentapproval.TransportSecretaryChrisGrayling’sreputationasabunglingdecisionmakerdoesnotbodewellforthoseofuswantingthebrakesappliedtotheairport’segregiousexpansionplans.

TheChairmanlooksback...andforward

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2 Lookingback-Lookingforward

Parking:noquickfixesevidentParkingproblemsinthetowncentreandsurroundingresidentialstreetsgrowevermoreacute.TheHarParkgingergroupairedthefindingsoftheirresearchataSocietymeetinginJanuary,whereDistrictCouncillorTeresaHeritagepledgedtoworkwiththeTownandDistrictcouncilstocomeupwithadefinedparkingstrategy.Despitesomecynicism‘thatwehaveseenthisallbefore’,hopewasexpressedthatmanyoftheparkingissueswouldatlastbeaddressedbyofficialdom.

MythanksforthehardworkandcontributionofSocietycommitteemembers,muchofwhichhappensbehindthescenesandwhichisapparentfromthereportsfromourgroup‘convenors’.ThanksinparticulartoPennyAyresandhercolleagueswhorunourAnnualAwardsscheme,encouragingandrecognisingqualitydesignanddevelopmentinthetownscape.AlsoworthyofcommendationarethosededicatedSocietymemberswho,forfiveyears,havevoluntarilyenabledHarpenden’spubliclibrarytobekeptopenonWednesdayafternoons.WearealwayslookingforSocietymemberstojointhecommitteeandhelptakeforwardourmanyactivities.InparticularwearelookingforavicechairmanandforsomeonetostepintoJohnDavis’sshoesasenvironmentwatchdog.MeanwhilewewelcomeHesterGabbutttotakeoverfromJanSmiththevitalroleofmembershipsecretary.Weendeavourtomaintaingoodcommunicationswithourmembers,viatheSocietywebsite–www.harpendensociety.org–andourquarterlynewslettereditedbyAlanBunting,aswellasamonthlyemailedupdateonSocietyactivities.PhilWaters

TheChairmanlooksback...andforwardcontinued.

Secretary’sreportIthasbeenabusyand,dareIsay,productive,twelvemonthsfortheSociety.Ourfivegenerallywell-attendedpublicmeetingsheldinRothamstedResearch’sFowdenHallembracedadiversityofspeakersandtopics.ProfessorRanjeetSokhilookedatlocalairqualityissues.MarionDunstonefromHertsCommunityNHSTrustdescribedtheprojected–butnowseeminglystalled–newHealthandWellbeingCentreontheRedHousesiteinCarltonRoad.LutonBoroughcouncillorsputforwardtheallegedbenefitsforthelocalareaofexpandingitsairportcapacitybysome80%,inthefaceofvociferousprotestsfrommanyintheaudience.

CrimeintheHarpendenandStAlbansareaandallitsattendentchallengeswereaddressedbyhigh-rankingpoliceofficersandcrimecommissionerDavidLloyd.OurfinalmeetingsawMaryMaynard,theplanningportfolioholderasaStAlbansDistrictCouncilloroutliningthecouncil’sstatutoryLocalPlaninitsamendedformwith,notably,itsprovisionsforcontrollinghousingdevelopmentmorestringently,broadlyinlinewithHarpenden’sownnow‘signedoff’NeighbourhoodPlan.BobFletcher

Arts&leisureFinalplanningpermissionfortheconversionofthepresentSportsCentreinRothamstedParkintoanArtsandCultural‘hub’hasnowbeenobtained.Meanwhilepreparatoryworkonthenewmuchlargerandmoremulti-functionalSportsCentretobebuiltaroundtheexistingindoorswimmingpoolhasstarted.Ithasinvolvedtheremovalofabeechhedge,reducingthecrownofalargeoaktreeandremovingcypresstreesfromalongsidethethetrackbetweentheswimmingpoolbuildingandthefootballpitchandbetweentheswimmingpoolandAmenburyLanecarpark.

ClearlyworkoncreatingthenewArtsandCulturalhubcannotbeginuntilgymfacilitiesareprovidedelsewhere–eventuallyinthenewSportsCentreofcourse.Butinordertospeedthingsupithasbeensuggestedtheymightbehousedprotemintemporarybuildingselsewhere.Onotherfronts,ArtontheCommonenjoyscontinuedsuccess;allthepitchesforthisyear’sshow(June8,9)weretakenupwithinfourweeks.Howevertheorganisationalback-upneedstobestrengthenedif,asprojected,theeventistobestaged,induecourse,insidethenewArtsCentrebuilding,immunefromweatheruncertainty.

AlanJackson

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EducationConstructionworkontheKatherineWarringtonSchool,Harpenden’sfourthsecondaryschool,isnowwelladvanced,witheveryexpectationthatitwillopenforfirstyearpupilsinSeptember.HeadteacherTonySmithisactivelyrecruitingstaffandsaysheisimpressedbythecalibreofteacheralreadyappointed.Theopeningofthenewschoolshouldbringtoanendtheannualanguishsufferedbyparentsandchildrenwhopreviouslycouldnotgainaplaceatoneofthetown’ssecondaryschools.

UndertheauspicesoftheHarpendenSecondarySchoolsTrust,RoundwoodPark,StGeorgesandSirJohnLawesschoolshavebeencollaboratingmoreclosely,notablyontheorganisationofaDrugsAwarenesseveningheldatRothamstedinNovember,whichwaswellattendedbyparentsandstudentsfromallthreeschools.Theeveningwasdeemedsufficientlyfruitfulforsimilareventstobeconsideredontopicssuchasknifecrime.ChrisArmitage

MembershipAfterthreeyearsasmembershipsecretaryandwithothercommitmentscrowdingin,Iamrelinquishingtheroleandhandingoverthemainpartofit–maintainingthemembershipspreadsheetandmonitoringsubscriptions–toHesterGabbutt,afairlynewHarpendenSocietymemberwhoiskeentohelpincreaseourmembershipandcreatemoreinterestinthekindoflocalissuesonwhichtheSocietyfocuses.IhaveenjoyedworkingwithagreatteamdedicatedtomaintainingandimprovingthelifeofHarpendenresidents.Atthetimeofwritinginmid-Marchourmembershipstandsat959.Thatisfivefewerthanlastyearalthoughtherehaveofcoursebeengainsandlosseswithinthatnumber.WearenonethelesskeentoboostourmembershipandIwouldurgeourmemberstomakepotentialnew‘recruits’awareofdiverseworkoftheSociety.TherearestillmanypeopleinourtownwhohaveneverheardofTheHarpendenSociety,orthinkthatweareanoffshootoftheTownCouncilorevenoftheHarpendenTrust.Theyshouldbeassuredthatwearenon-partypoliticalandaimprincipallytohighlighttheachievements,andconcerns,ofourmembershipandtomaketheirviewsknown,mostespeciallyperhapstoallthreelayersoflocalgovernment.Wecontinuetolookforsomeonetotakeonmysecondaryroleofco-ordinatingdistributionofournewsletterfourtimesayear.HappilyanumberofvolunteershavecomeforwardafterourappealintheWinterissueformoredeliverersto‘playpostman’.Onadifferentvolunteeringsubject,offersofhelpinpreparingtheteaandcoffeeatoureveningmeetingswouldbeappreciated.JanSmith

SocietyAwardsForthesecondyearinsuccession,noneofthenominationsreceivedwereconsideredworthyoftheSociety’sprestigiousPlaqueandnothingthistimewarrantedaLetterofCommendation.

ButaCertificateofMeritforthe2018yearhasbeenawardedtotheParkHouseapartmentdevelopmentbyPegasusLife,adjoiningRothamstedPark.

AstrikingdevelopmentcontributingtoHarpenden’sgrowingtownscape.PennyAyres

AlisonSteer.President

CertificateofMerit2018awardedtoPegasusLifeforParkHouse,HarpendenPresentedinrecognitionforthedevelopmentoftheParkHouseconcept

with38muchneededluxuryapartmentsfortheoversixtiesincludingtheParkCafe.

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BuiltEnvironmentThemajorachievementwasarguablytheapprovalbyreferendumoftheHarpendenNeighbourhoodPlanwhich,weareassured,willhavetobetakenintoaccountbydevelopersandbyStAlbansDistrictCouncilastheplanningauthority,atleastwhenlargefutureschemesareproposed.ThemorelegallyenforceableSADCLocalPlanhasbeenagainpostponedbutinmid-MarchitssubmissiontotheSecretaryofStatewasimminent.Meanwhile,subjecttoanotherPublicInquiry,RothamstedResearch’sLawesTrustparentorganisationwouldlikeasiteintheirownershipnorthofRedbourntobeincludedintheLPfora1000-homedevelopment,allegedlywithsomesupportfromRedbournresidents.Alaswehavehadanotheryearofnumerousexampleswhereplanningpermissionhasbeengranted–sometimesonappeal–foraperfectlygoodhousetobereplacedwithoneorevenhouseswhichclashtotally,usuallyinarchitecturalterms,withthestreetscene.ThecompletionofParkHouseonthesiteofthelong-derelictJamesMarshallbuildinghasbeenahighlightandthenearcompletionofHarpendenHousehoteldevelopmenthasalsoturnedoutbetterthanexpected.

TheOldCockInnandTheGeorgearenowbeingrefurbishedtoincludefurtheraccommodationforvisitors,whiletheBreathingSpacecaféandkeep-fitstudioinThompsonsCloseisbeingconvertedtogroundfloorapartments.

TheredevelopmentofthePanAutossiteforhousinginGroveRoadwasopposedbylocalresidentsbuthasbeenapproved,alaswithareducedcarparkingrequirement.Alsothedevelopmentat2SalisburyAvenue(onitscornerwithRothamstedAvenue)hasbeenapproveddespitelocaloppositionandareducedparkingrequirement.PlanningpermissionwasalsograntedinaTownCouncilapplicationfor24‘affordable’dwellingsontheformerallotmentsiteatWestfieldRoad.BuildingthenewKatherineWaringtonsecondaryschoolatBatfordisnowunderwayfollowingtheimpositionof49listedconditions,whilepreliminaryworkhasstartedonthenewSportsCentreadjoiningtheswimmingpoolinRothamstedPark.Itislinkedtotheeventualreplacementoftoday’sHarpendenPublicHallsbyanSADC-managedapartmentblockhasbeensignalled.

Mike&PaulineWaddilove

TransportUndoubtedlythehighlightfortheSociety’sTransportGroupoverthepastyearwasourpublicmeetinginJanuarydevotedtothehugelychallengingissueofparkinginandaroundHarpenden.FollowingonfromasurveyundertakenbytheHarParkGroup,itdrewacapacityattendanceinHighStreetMethodistChurchhall.Themanyproblemsrelatingtoeveryaspectofcarparkingwereairedbutwithfewconcretesolutionsproposed,aswereportedintheSociety’sWinternewsletter.CllrTeresaHeritageneverthelessproposedtheformulationofadefinitestrategy‘withinafewmonths’,theessenceofwhichwillbeawaitedwithinterestthoughnotnecessarilyoptimism.

TheSociety,alongwithHarParkrepresentatives,isstriving,wherepossible,toexpediteprogressthroughtheDistrictandTownCouncils.ParkingregulationsinHarpendenremaininthecontrolofStAlbansDistrictCouncil,atleastforthetimebeing.ItsCarParkingWorkingPartysaysmattersshouldbeimprovedwithnewofficerrecruitment,whowillimplementnewsystemseffectively.

TheThameslinktraintimetablechangeofMay2018wasdisastrous,butbyDecemberhadjustaboutreachedatolerableservicelevel.HarpendenSocietyattendedTrainUsermeetingswiththeoperatorforthefurthertimetablerevisionscheduledforMay2019–whenfurtherserviceimprovementsarepromised.

AfterirreparablefailureofbothitsvenerableMercedesbusesinAugust2018,some£70,000isbeinginvestedbythetowncouncilintheHarpendenHoppercommunitybusservice,whichresumedonApril2.Thetwonew16-seatPeugeotminibuseswill,afterconsultationwiththeHarpendenSocietyandotherpotentialusers,serveanadditionalroutefromthetowncentre,viaSouthdowntoEastmoorPark,aswellastheearlierroutetothenorthofthetown.AtthemostrecentmeetingofStAlbans&DistrictBusUsersForum,theHarpendenSocietystressedtheneedtoensuretheactiveparticipationofHertsCountyCouncil,asthehighwaysauthority,inplanningthenewKatherineWaringtonSchool’stwice-dailypupiltransportfacilities,forchildrenhavingtotravelfromoutsideaswellasthroughthetown.

AlanFalconer

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EnvironmentAsacivicsocietyoneofourprimeconcernsmustbestrivingtoensurethetownlookswellcaredfor.Iflitterbinsareoverflowingforexampleandroadsidedrainsareblocked,creatingpuddlesfortraffictodrenchpassingpedestrians,theimpressiongainedbyvisitorsaswellasbyresidentsisinevitablydownbeat.WethereforetrytoencourageHarpendenSocietymembersandindeedotherswhocareaboutthetowntoreportsuchmatterstotherelevantauthority–orauthorities.

Itisadmittedlyanuphillstruggle.Therehasalasbeenlittleifanyperceptibleimprovementinthosebasicenvironmentalshortcomingsoverthepastyearorso.Butthatcouldbe,tosomeextent,duetolackofknowledgeonwhereandhowtoreportsuchissues.StAlbansDistrictCouncilanditsmainwastecollectionandlitterbinmaintenancecontractorVeoliahaveacallcentreon01727809019while,forhighwayissues,HertsCountyCouncilcanbecontacted(free)on013001234047.Bothauthoritiesarealso,ofcourse,contactableviatheirrespectivewebsites.

NoisefromplanesflyingintoandoutofLutonAirportremainsanirritationinmanypartsofHarpenden,despiteclaimsthatthelatestAirbus320seriesaircraftarequieterthantheirpredecessors.Call01582395382orgotonoise@ltn.aerotoregisternoisecomplaints,butbereadywithprecisetiminganddirectiondetails.

JohnDavis

HealthandwellbeingAllthegroup’senergies,largelythroughtheRedHouseForum,havebeendirectedtowardstheredevelopmentoftheRedHousesiteinCarltonRoad,tocreateHarpenden’smuch-needednewHealthandWellbeingCentre.ButdespitetheassurancereceivedovertwelvemonthsagothataplanningapplicationfortheredevelopmentoftheStewartsandfor

housingtobebuiltonthesite’s‘surplusland’wouldbesubmittedinthelatesummer,butalasnothinghashappened.ThedelaylookscertaintobefurtherexacerbatedbyamajorreorganisationoflocalNHSprovisionannouncedattheendofJanuary.ProvisionoftheadultcommunityservicescontractintheWestHertsareawillbehandedoverinOctoberfromHertfordshireCommunityTrust(HCT)toamuchlarger,andarguablymorefaceless,body,CentralLondonCommunityHealthcareTrust(CLCH).

Thechangeisbeingmadefollowingwhatisdescribedasa‘markettestingprocess’undertakenbyHertsValleyClinicalCommissioningGroup(CCG),whoseongoingprevaricationontheRedHouseplanswasoutlinedinourWinternewsletter.HCT’schiefexecutiveClareHawkinshasexpressedgreatdisappointmentatthedecision,butsaysthetrustwillnotberaisingalegalchallenge,ifonlytoavoidfurtherpublicexpenditure.

MeanwhilecountycouncillorTeresaHeritagehassaidshewillbetakingupthequestionoftheRedHouseprojectwiththeCCG,expressingtheviewthattheHealthandWellbeingCentreislikelytobeneededdespitetheNHScontractchange.

JohnHarris

SocietyfinancesYear-on-yearourincomefellveryslightlymainlyduetolowerGiftAidreceipts,whileexpenditureroseby£290.ThelargestrisewasinthecostofpublicmeetingswhereFowdenHallatRothamstedismorecostlytohirethanParkHall.Therewasadepreciationchargeof£237.92onnewfixedassetsthatwerepurchasedduringtheyear,thoughpartlyoffsetbythereducedcostofnewsletterprinting.Thesurplusof£1,576.89was£351.12lowerthantheyearbefore,stillaveryhealthyfigure,givingusadequatefundstomeetforeseeablefuturecosts.FixedAssetspurchasedduringtheyearwereadocumentscannerat£255.69andexhibitiondisplaypanelscosting£696.

HarryDownie

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PublicityandthelocaleconomyEditorialandpromotionalcoverageoftheSociety’sactivitiescontinuesacrossawidespectrumoflocalmedia.Weenjoycoverageinthetraditionallocalpress,notablytheHertsAdvertiser,aswellaspostersinlocalshopsandfeaturesinourownwell-regardednewsletter,notforgettingsocialmediaviaHarpendenParentsNetwork,theHarpendiaon-linenewsmagazine,andtheSociety’swebsite.Societyactivitiesalsoreceiveusefulpublicityatourregularpublicmeetings,wherenon-members–aspotentialnewmembersofcourse–arealwayswelcome.

Retailandotherbusinesses,particularlyinthetowncentre,havetheirupsanddowns,thelattermostevidentinrecentmonthswiththeclosureofFullwoodsladiesboutique,RollingsWine,Stradarestaurant,Harry’sBar,VineLeavescaféand–perhapsmostsurprisinglyinviewofitsshortlifeandsumptuousfrontageandinterior–theBarbarellowinebar.ThelossofourNatWestbankbranchwas,especiallytoitsmanycustomers,ashatteringblow.However,theTownthoughcontinuestoattractnewbusinesses.ThearrivaloftheMUSTwinebar(replacingRollings),theGigglingSquidrestaurant(replacingStrada),theMadSquirrelBar(replacingHarry’s)providesameasureofencouragement,asdoestheappearanceinashortspaceoftime,ofnotonebuttwoshops–StevensonsandBeat–sellingschooluniforms.MeanwhilethecaféinthenewParkHouseapartmentbuildinghasopenedforbusinessandTahini,aTurkishfastfood‘barbeku’isduetoopeontheHighStreet/KirkdaleRoadcorner.

Moresignificantly,fromalocaleconomystandpoint,RothamstedResearchhasestablisheditsnewly-namedAgritechBusinessCentretoaccommodatecompanieswishingtojointhe21alreadybasedonthesite.Itisincreasingfloorspacefrom22,305sqftto35,395sqft.

RonTaylor

CommunitySafetyDuring2018wesawthreepoliceChiefInspectors.ShaneO’NeillretiredandStuartCheektookoverandwaslatermadeHeadofDomesticAbuseandsoLyndaCoatestookover.NeighbourhoodInspectorAndyWisemanhasreplacedJonRochewhoisnowRoadsPolicingChiefInspector.PoliceandCrimeCommissionerDavidLloydplanstoincreasethenumberofofficersinHertfordshiretoover2000.

Policeprioritieswerespeedingandanti-socialbehaviourlinkedtodrugs.Cybercrimeandroguenuisancephonecallsincreasedduringtheyearasdidbiketheftsandpublicorder,withvehiclecrimecontinuing.Motoristsareremindedtoalwayslocktheircarandkeepthekeyinasafeplacewith‘clever’(remotecontrol)keysinashieldtostopthembeing‘read’andduplicatedelectronically.

Thankfullyreductionswereseenindamage/arson,downfrom44inJanuarytojustsixinNovember,andburglariesdownfrom23to5.Harpendenisstillregardedbythepoliceasarelativelysafearea.MeanwhiletheNeighbourhoodWatchOWLschemehasprovedhelpfultothepoliceonanumberofoccasionsenablingarreststobemade.Visitwww.owl.co.ukforinformationandtojointhescheme.

PaulGardiner

8 www.hertsad24.co.ukThursday, March 7, 2019

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Where there’s a will, there’s a wayTwo out of three people in the UK don’t have a will. Many of us mistakenly believe that our spouse will automatically inherit, and if you aren’t married, your partner receives nothing unless you have a will. Making a will is the only way to guarantee that your family is supported financially and provided for in the way you want.

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Time to move? Having a spring clean at home can make you realise you don’t have the space you need. Alternatively, you may realise you have too much space and need to downsize. The selling and buying process can often seem over complicated and drawn out but it doesn’t have to be.

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the process as stress-free as possible. As the buyer, making sure you have your finances in place and mortgage (if required) agreed in principle will put you in the best possible position when making an offer.

Saying ‘I do’Many couples will be planning their big day in the coming year, but how many will have a pre-nuptial agreement on their checklist?

A pre-nuptial agreement is a contract between couples who are about to marry, confirming

ownership and potential division of assets if the marriage should break down.

With the rise of second and subsequent marriages, many people bring wealth and assets built up over many years or inherited assets that they want to protect.

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Helen YoungSusan Glenholme Nigel Drake

Society fears new wellbeing centre will never happen after long delaysProgress has stalled on plans for a new health and wellbeing centre in Harpenden.

The Harpenden Society has expressed doubts that the plans to renovate the former Harpenden Memorial Hospital site in Carlton Road will come to fruition.

The wellbeing centre will be based in the Stewarts Building, and will offer services for diabetes, leg ulcers and bladder and bowel problems, as well as blood tests and children’s speech and language therapy.

The rest of the site will be turned into affordable homes, and the adjacent Red House will be turned into flats.

In a meeting last summer, the Harpenden Society was told construction would begin during 2019, with the new centre ready

for use by late 2020.The editor of Harpenden

Society’s newsletter, Alan Bunting, wrote in January: “In our winter 2017 newsletter we reported that a target date for completion of the project had been set at April 2019.

“But here we are only three months from that date and progress can, at least to outward appearances, be summed up as appearing to have stalled.

“Among potential beneficiaries of the promised health and wellbeing centre, especially patients in Harpenden who have to travel considerable distances to clinics or hospitals outside the

town, there are feelings of frustration and even anger that the new facility looks no nearer than when it was first mooted some three years ago.”

The proposals have been developed by Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT), with the close involvement of Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group (HVCCG).

A trust spokesman said: “Herts

Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group supports in principle the proposals that Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust has developed.

“There are still some arrangements that need to be finalised before the scheme can go ahead.”

Earlier this year, HVCCG ran a market testing process which confirmed Central London

Community Healthcare NHS Trust as the new provider for adult community health services in west Herts from the autumn, taking over the role from HCT.

HCT chief executive Clare Hawkins said: “We will support all staff affected by the decision to ensure that there is a smooth transition to CLCH for them and for our patients and local communities.

An artist’s impression of the proposed new centre. Picture: RON TAYLOR/THE HARPENDEN SOCIETY

ANNE SUSLAK

[email protected]

6