SPRING 2024 ABOUT WATFORD For living, business and a bright future: Watford tops UK’s vitality chart page 3
2 About Watford Spring 2024 Peter Taylor Elected Mayor of Watford www.watford.gov. uk/electedmayor Published by Watford Borough Council. This magazine is printed on chlorine free paper, made from sustainable forests. Please recycle it when you have finished with it. This magazine is available as a PDF document and also as an audio file. Welcome to the latest edition of About Watford. It is full of information about the latest developments in Watford and exciting projects that are shaping the future of our town. On pages 8-9, you’ll find out more about the progress we are making in creating a greener, more connected town. The new Watford Shopper Bus (details on the back cover) will make it easier for many local residents to get to local supermarkets. Recently, Watford was assessed as the best place to live in the UK Vitality Index. This was a great achievement and the result of years of work by Watford Council and our partners, supporting local businesses and making sure that this is a pleasant place to live. On the opposite page, you can find out more about this recognition for Watford. I know how important it is to improve transport in Watford so that this can be a sustainable community. On page 10 you can read about the expansion of our successful Beryl Bike scheme and investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure. It is really important that we continue to reduce our carbon footprint and create a town that is environmentally conscious. In Watford, we recognise the importance of investing in culture for the wellbeing of residents and the success of our economy. The iconic Colosseum is set to reopen its doors (see pages 4-5), promising a diverse array of world-class entertainment for residents and visitors. Additionally, Watford Museum and an Innovation Business Hub within our historic art-deco Town Hall will become great assets for future generations to use and enjoy. I really encourage you to explore the diverse range of community events and initiatives featured on page 6. Providing a variety of free events and supporting community groups are some of the reasons that we offer a number of grants for local organisations. You can read about these on page 14. I know the big impact these groups make right across Watford and am committed to supporting their work. If you have an issue that you think I might be able to help with, please get in touch at [email protected] or call my office number on 01923 278371. WE’RE HERE TO HELP IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS watfordcouncil Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01923 226400 Watford Borough Council, Town Hall, Watford, WD17 3EX www.watford.gov.uk
www.watford.gov.uk 3 Watford Council ‘delivering hugely ambitious plans for Watford’ LGA report finds The Local Government Association (LGA) has published a glowing report on Watford Borough Council’s performance, following a Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) at the end of last year. The CPC – which is carried out every five years in local authorities to support continuous improvement in the sector – undertook an extensive review of the council’s operations, finding that: ‘WBC is delivering hugely ambitious plans for Watford, with an unwavering focus on the outcomes for its residents. To enable this to be delivered, WBC has forged strong external relationships and is an organisation underpinned by a culture of pride, ambition, and empowerment.’ Led by a peer team of senior political and officer leaders from other councils, the independent review identified the council’s strengths, including: l It has ‘a good record of financial stewardship and has a clear understanding of its financial position’ l Delivering ambitious plans for Watford residents and businesses, and ‘driven for each to thrive’ l It has transformed since the last peer challenge in 2017, driven by strong leadership and a ‘can do’ attitude l Effective partnerships in place involving both our businesses and community, and forging ‘strong external relationships’ to support delivery The report also includes recommendations from the team on where Watford Borough Council should focus to ensure we continue to be a high-performing council that delivers for our community. These form the basis of the council’s Corporate Peer Challenge action plan, which is published alongside the report. The report is available to read on the council’s website. Watford recognised as a top place to live and work in LSH Vitality Index The 2024 UK Vitality Index has revealed that Watford is the highest ranked of the UK’s 100 largest urban areas, taking the crown from last year’s top location, Bath. The annual health assessment of the UK’s largest towns and cities outside London, undertaken by property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), identifies the best places to live and do business, along with where has the greatest potential for the future. Climbing from third position last year, this accolade highlights how vibrant our small-but-mighty town is. Watford’s winning position is driven by our top ranking in the Economy and Business pillar and high performance in other areas, securing 10th and 11th position in the Health & Environment and Living pillars. For the full report, visit www.lsh.co.uk
4 About Watford Spring 2024 Town Hall Quarter A vision for the future A star of the Town Hall Quarter programme is undoubtedly the iconic Colosseum, poised to reopen its doors soon, managed by world-leading live entertainment company AEG Presents. But that’s not all – our historic Town Hall is undergoing a marvellous makeover. Geared towards enriching the lives of future generations, it will soon house the Watford Museum and support an innovation business hub, promising to be a hotspot for creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. The council’s groundbreaking 10-year Town Hall Quarter programme - which will see the area around the Town Hall transformed into a vibrant cultural hub for the community – is driving forwards, boosted by funding from the government’s Levelling Up Fund.
www.watford.gov.uk 5 A glimpse into the future of Watford Colosseum At the grand reopening, you will be welcomed by a dazzling new stage, revamped bars, refurbished main entrance, and a complete makeover of all areas. Plus, we’re making significant upgrades to the mechanical and electrical systems, guaranteeing a cozy and inviting atmosphere for all our visitors. Coming soon: A cultural extravaganza Watford Colosseum will be managed by AEG Presents, a global entertainment powerhouse, who own and operate over 40 venues across the world, including Eventim Apollo London, indigo at the award-winning The O2 arena in London and the recently refurbished The Halls Wolverhampton. They’ve wowed audiences worldwide with topnotch shows featuring stars like Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, The Rolling Stones and many more. But here’s the best part: Watford Colosseum isn’t just about big acts. It’s also opening its doors for our local community organisations. Get ready for an incredible mix of world-class entertainment and local community vibes right in our neighbourhood! The Tour continues Museum on Tour - an exciting new National Lottery Heritage funded project from the Watford Museum team, is helping to bring the town’s history alive until 2025 (when the heritage service moves to the Town Hall). The first event was at Cassiobury Hub during October half-term, where over 160 children and adults enthusiastically joined in the archaeological adventure. Participants got to learn more about Watford’s archaeological history, including seeing one of the oldest objects in the collection – a Bronze Age bowl. Activities included handling historic objects, craft activities and digging in the dirt at the mini archaeological dig! One visitor said: “I really liked seeing the museum out of the building. Having one theme was great and I found it very accessible. Looking forward to the new museum, where it will be at the centre of things!” Another event was held in February, with a popup activity and display at Watford Central Library. From Watford, With Love looked at ways people in Watford have communicated in the past. Some objects from the museum collection were on display, and there were also fun craft activities for kids upstairs in the CreatorSpace. If this has sparked your interest, the team are also planning a third pop-up museum showcasing another aspect of Watford’s history at Atria on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 April. You don’t need to book in advance and parents are asked to stay and join in the fun. Special thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Players for making this event possible. Stay tuned for more details at watfordmuseum.org.uk/museum-on-tour. Keen to stay in the loop with all the latest updates and upcoming events? Head over to watfordcolosseum.co.uk and sign up for their mailing list. See you at the grand reopening!
VIBES ONLY SUMMER IS COMING Get ready for a summer of excitement with our fantastic line-up of free and low-cost events. From the Big Screen, creating a unique and unforgettable cinematic experience in some of Watford’s iconic locations, to the Big Beach, a chance to escape to the sand and sun right here in the town centre. 1 to 12 April ‘Wat’s On’ Easter sessions 20 April The Sound of Watford Various locations 12 to 19 May Watford Jazz Junction Various locations 25 May to 2 June Steven’s Fun Fair Cassiobury Park 29 June Taste of the Caribbean Food & Drink Festival Cassiobury Park 28 July Big Jiveswing Festival Cassiobury Park 5 to 11 August Big Screen Town centre 12 to 18 August Big Screen Knutsford Playing Field 16 to 30 August Big Beach Town centre 17 to 26 August Colourscape Cassiobury Park 31 August Herts Pride Cassiobury Park 4 to 5 October Hertfordshire Oktoberfest Cassiobury Park watfordevents.com
www.watford.gov.uk 7 The award-winning Cassiobury Park will be buzzing throughout the summer, with live music performances at the Bandstand and the 10-day Colourscape festival. Step into a mesmerising world where colour and light combine and navigate a labyrinth of 70 interconnected chambers. Musicians and dancers will be placed throughout to create a truly magical and unforgettable experience. New for this year is the Caribbean Food and Drink Festival and the Hertfordshire Oktoberfest. Watford Fringe will be coming to you for the whole of July, get set for weeks of unforgettable fun! There will also be fabulous art exhibitions hosted throughout the year at the beautiful Cheslyn House. Support the Cassiobury Park pools Nestled in the heart of Cassiobury Park, our splash pools are a wonderful facility for the entire community. While our three modern splash pads are free for everyone, we’d love your support in helping this special space remain accessible and enjoyable for all. By donating a small amount, you will help us maintain the facilities, ensuring countless moments of fun for children during the summer months. Thank you for supporting Cassiobury Park pools! Our programme of events promises a fantastic blend of entertainment, culture, and community spirit. Be the first to hear about all of the exciting events coming up by: Checking our events website – watfordevents.com Following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter - @watfordcouncil Signing up to our digital resident newsletter - www.watford.gov.uk/newsletter
8 About Watford Spring 2024 Enhancing the great outdoors in Watford Explore the exciting changes happening in the borough’s parks and open spaces and discover the real impact of these efforts on our environment and community. If you’ve wandered through Cassiobury Park Nature Reserve over the last year, you would have noticed some big transformations underway. These works are part of the Cassiobury Wetlands Restoration Project, which is turning a once-forgotten corner into a thriving wildlife sanctuary, complete with reeds, ponds, and scrapes. The main phase of the works, which started in August last year, have now been completed, so let’s take a closer look at the path to becoming a thriving wetland teeming with life! l Silt has been cleared from the main beds and the area is now once again divided into several large pools, resembling the layout of the original watercress beds. l The inlet channel from the river has been opened and water is now flowing through the pools, controlled by sluices (sliding gates), before returning to the Gade at the southern end of the beds. l We’ve made the wildlife pond much bigger and further ponds and wet areas have been restored to provide refuges for young fish, invertebrates, and amphibians, which in turn will attract birds and, hopefully, mammals such as otter! The depth of the pools varies so all sorts of wildlife can thrive. l There is a new footbridge to improve access and fencing will protect sensitive areas and wildlife. As we embark on this incredible journey to revitalise the area, we want to let you know that it will remain closed until spring 2024. This temporary closure is crucial to ensure the safety of the site and to give the vegetation the best chance to thrive and create a welcoming habitat for wildlife. The council is leading the restoration, working closely with Friends of Cassiobury Park, the Environment Agency, and Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. The works have been funded by the council, Grundon Waste Management Ltd and the Environment Agency. Reviving the watercress beds: a wildlife sanctuary in progress We need your help too! Once the area is open again, we’ll be looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with ongoing maintenance. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to get involved and contribute to the continued success of this rejuvenated wetland habitat: www.watford.gov.uk/cassioburypark The town’s previously only active watercress beds ceased active management in 1991. This led to a 40-year accumulation of silt and excessive vegetation.
www.watford.gov.uk 9 More exciting news for Cassiobury Park! The Cedar Café, operated by EMA Catering, is taking over the cafe at the Hub and they will also run the kiosk serving the paddling pools. The council chose EMA, who are known for their success in managing cafes in other parks, through a competitive tender process. Get ready to sip, savour, and socialise in the heart of our award-winning park! THE CHAT FROM THE PARKS The Cedar Café to bring fresh flavour to the hub Celebrating a leafy success The town has not only met but exceeded the target of planting 20,000 trees by 2026. Thank you to everyone in the community who has helped create a greener and healthier environment. Cheers to a leafy success and a brighter future for all! New milestone in River Colne restoration Thanks to our collaboration with partners and dedicated volunteers, the Environment Agency has given us the go-ahead to carry out crucial works to improve the river running adjacent to Timberlake Allotment. This work includes removing debris, which is obstructing the river’s natural flow, as well as removing harmful silt. These activities will help reconnect the main river with the pond - a backwater vital for wildlife to thrive. Volunteers will also create a series of raised banks (berms) and flow deflectors that will replicate the natural bends and flows in the river. For more information on the programme or how to volunteer, visit rivercolnewatford.co.uk
10 About Watford Spring 2024 Sustainable transport: the path to net-zero In the global effort against climate change, local initiatives such as Watford Car Club, electric vehicle charging points, and bike-share programmes are pivotal for reducing carbon emissions and creating sustainable communities. Aligned with Watford’s Transforming Travel strategy (2021-2041), these schemes also aim to drive down private car ownership and improve air quality. New EV charging points to spark eco-friendly journeys The council has rolled out 79 new electric vehicle (EV) charging points, marking a major move towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly transportation system. With a total of 102 chargers now scattered across Watford, powering up your EV just got easier for everyone – residents and visitors alike. To view the locations, visit www.watford.gov.uk/ sustainable-watford Bike-share scheme expands to neighbouring areas Beryl’s bike-share scheme is expanding across parts of south-west Hertfordshire, thanks to the collaboration of Watford Borough Council, Three Rivers District Council, and Hertsmere Borough Council. Bushey (Hertsmere) and Croxley (Three Rivers) are each getting five new docking stations and 15 e-bikes, while Watford has extended its partnership with Beryl until 2026. This means that users will be able to seamlessly ride bikes across these areas, ensuring a smooth experience. These e-bikes will also integrate into the existing fleet, offering flexibility between regular and electric bikes. Since Beryl’s launch in Watford, residents have made over 410,000 sustainable journeys, saving 44 tonnes of carbon emissions. Visit https://beryl.cc/ for more details and join the ride towards sustainability!
Convenient, flexible and cost-effective The Watford car club offers you the convenience of car hire by the hour or by the day. Whether you need a vehicle for a quick errand or a weekend getaway, the car club provides an as-needed solution without the burdens of ownership. Low or zero emission vehicles The car club fleet will consist of six electric or hybrid vehicles, ensuring low or zero emissions. By choosing an eco-friendly option, you can actively contribute to improving air quality in the borough of Watford. Unlock and drive with ease Accessing the Watford car club vehicles is simple. Use the Enterprise Car Club app to unlock the cars conveniently located throughout the town. No need to worry about maintenance, insurance, or parking permits. Expand your access nationwide By joining the Watford car club, you gain access to Enterprise Car Club’s extensive network of over 1,300 vehicles in more than 220 towns, cities, and communities across the UK. l Granville Road - WD18 0AH l Sutton Road - WD17 2NY l Queens Road - WD17 2LA l Woodford Road - WD17 1PA Location of car club bays To find out more: www.enterprisecarclub.co.uk/watford Initially, the council will be rolling out a small number of dedicated bays in the town for exclusive car club use, which will gradually increase over time as usage increases. The council is teaming up with Enterprise Car Club to bring you an eco-friendly carsharing solution. Say goodbye to high carbon emissions and hello to a greener and cleaner way to get around. Watford’s eco-friendly and flexible car club
12 About Watford Spring 2024 NEWS IN BRIEF Small improvements, big benefits Eight on-street disabled parking bays have been introduced in the town centre, with five available along Church Street and a further three on George Street. New public notice portal available InYourArea has launched a new Public Notice Portal, making it easier for residents to know what’s going on in their communities, including which neighbours are having work done on their property. Visit https:// publicnoticeportal.uk/ for more information. Elton John honoured for contributions to Watford In tribute to Elton John, Occupation Road has officially been renamed to Yellow Brick Road. The legend was also chosen as one of the ‘100 people who have made Watford’ to honour his legacy and contributions to the town. Support pledged for small businesses In December, at an event for local organisations, the Elected Mayor signed the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Local Leadership Pledge, cementing the council’s continuing support for small local businesses. Watford Market Offers Watford Palace Theatre are now open from 10am – 6pm daily as a community hub, for Watford Market and town centre visitors to socialise in. Bring your own food and enjoy drinks and light refreshments.
www.watford.gov.uk 13 Keeping Watford safe Safer Watford team recovers stolen goods Safer Watford, the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) bringing together Watford Borough Council, Hertfordshire Police and key local organisations, continues to work together to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour across the borough. Members of the Safer Watford team, including CCTV operators and police, recently worked together to stop a crime in action. Spotting some shifty behaviour, they mobilised quickly, arresting a man with pliers and charging him with the theft of three bicycles. A second man was also arrested and found in possession of a stolen bike, which was promptly returned to its delighted owner. To report a crime or incident, visit herts.police.uk/ report, use online web chat at herts.police.uk/ contact, or call 101 for non-emergencies. Dial 999 for emergencies. Share your community priorities on the ‘echo’ platform at bit.ly/policewatford. Public Space Protection Orders renewed after public consultation After consulting with Watford residents, two Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) have been renewed and came into effect on 27 December 2023. The key aspects of the renewals include: l Extending the boundary for preventing alcohol consumption in the town into Watford Fields l Closing Albert Road South to non-commercial traffic from 9pm – 4am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This also includes Sunday evenings preceding a Bank Holiday between the hours of 9pm – 4:40am the following morning. Thank you to all residents who were part of the consultation. Tackling youth violent crime Watford Council has partnered with Hertfordshire Constabulary to deliver a series of events aimed at educating young people in the borough about the impact of violent crime. One event at Watford Boys Grammar School includes a powerful talk with Alison Cope, who, following the loss of her son in 2013 shares impactful insights on preventing youth violence, the emotional impact on families, and the role of social media in knife crime myths.
14 About Watford Spring 2024 Unlocking community potential with Watford’s grants programme There are many exciting opportunities for our vibrant community through the council’s Community Grants Programme, which has an overall value over £400,000. This initiative aims to empower local organisations and individuals who are making a positive difference in our town. Mayor’s Small Grant Fund (February-March) Is your community planning a one-off event, considering the purchase of equipment or perhaps an ecofriendly initiative? The Mayor’s Small Grant Fund, with a maximum of £3,000 per application cycle, is here to support you. Applications should align with Council Plan themes. Neighbourhood Grant (June-September) Addressing the impact of development on local areas, the Neighbourhood Grant provides funding up from a large funding pot for activities or programs adhering to CIL regulations. This year, a budget of £300,000 has been allocated. Watford Community Fund (October-February) This fund directly raises money for town charities and awards grants to frontline organisations, making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. The funds focus is flexible, with the current emphasis on alleviating the cost-of-living crisis and community events with grants up to £2,000. Watford Community Lottery (open all year) The lottery has raised tens of thousands for local good causes. With a unique approach, 60p from every £1 ticket goes to local initiatives, and lottery players have a say in where their contribution goes – supporting a specified cause or contributing to a general fund. You can explore all the funding options from the council by visiting www.watford.gov.uk/community. There, you can learn more about eligibility, how to apply, and the goals of each programme. Don’t miss the chance to get support for your ideas.
www.watford.gov.uk 15 Callowland Leggatts Tudor Central Meriden Park Vicarage Holywell Nascot Stanborough Woodside In Watford we have an Elected Mayor, Peter Taylor, who was re-elected for a second, four-year term on 5 May 2022. You can contact the Mayor if you wish to raise an issue with him directly. Watford Borough is divided into 12 wards. Each ward has three councillors whom you elect to represent you for a four-year term. Councillors can be contacted on the phone numbers shown or by email and are there for you to discuss any issues or concerns you have about your neighbourhood or the town. Peter Taylor Liberal Democrats 01923 278371 [email protected] How your council lines up (Lab) = Labour, (LD) = Liberal Democrats Oxhey * Denotes Hertfordshire County Councillor (plus Stephen Giles-Medhurst, County Councillor for Central Watford and Oxhey, and Stephen Cavinder for Meriden Tudor) Dennis Watling (Lab) 07719 976512 dennis. watling@ watford.gov.uk Ian Stotesbury (LD) 07999 938202 ian. stotesbury@ watford.gov.uk Dawn AllenWilliamson (LD) 07891 914319 dawn.allenwilliamson@ watford.gov.uk Marilyn Devonish (LD) 01923 337282 marilyn. devonish@ watford.gov.uk Aga Dychton (LD) 07936 404305 aga.dychton@ watford.gov.uk Rabi Martins (LD) 01923 228713 rabi.martins@ watford.gov.uk Nigel Bell* (Lab) 07783 812703 nigel.bell@ watford.gov.uk Favour Ezeifedi (Lab) 07535 284216 favour. ezeifedi@ watford.gov.uk Matt Turmaine (Lab) 07411 153095 matt. turmaine@ watford.gov.uk Mark Watkin* (LD) 01923 255715 mark.watkin@ watford.gov.uk Mark Hofman (LD) 01923 239893 mark.hofman@ watford.gov.uk Tom Osborn (LD) 01923 278605 tom.osborn@ watford.gov.uk Peter Hannon (LD) 07359 121894 peter.hannon@ watford.gov.uk Jennifer Pattinson (LD) 07515 468580 jennifer. pattinson@ watford.gov.uk Amanda Grimston (LD) 07702 815172 amanda. grimston@ watford.gov.uk Asif Khan* (Lab) 07931 529164 asif.khan@ watford.gov.uk Richard Smith (Lab) 07976 350871 richard.smith@ watford.gov.uk Shafiq Ahmed (LD) shafiq.ahmed@ watford.gov.uk Kennedy Rodrigues (LD) 07598 284337 kennedy. rodrigues@ watford.gov.uk Karen ClarkeTaylor (LD) 07963 345868 karen.clarketaylor@ watford.gov.uk Chris Newstead (LD) chris. newstead@ watford.gov.uk Peter Kloss (LD) 07885 760658 peter.kloss@ watford.gov.uk Peter Jeffree (LD) 07854 842669 peter.jeffree@ watford.gov.uk Penelope Hill (LD) penelope.hill@ watford.gov.uk Lenny Nembhard (LD) 01923 671021 lenny. nembhard@ watford.gov.uk Simon Feldman (LD) 01923 278608 simon. feldman@ watford.gov.uk Tim Williams* (LD) 07799 950949 tim.williams@ watford.gov.uk Ann Saffery (LD) 07803 714108 ann.saffery@ watford.gov.uk Glen Saffery (LD) 07939 218788 glen.saffery@ watford.gov.uk Richard Wenham (LD) 07891 138833 richard. wenham@ watford.gov.uk Nasreen Shah (Lab) 01923 253783 nasreen.shah@ watford.gov.uk Sara-Jane Trebar (Lab) 07903 205269 sara-jane. trebar@ watford.gov.uk Jagtar Singh Dhindsa (Lab) 07803 610441 jagtar. dhindsa@ watford.gov.uk Darren Walford (LD) 01923 336450 darren. walford@ watford.gov.uk Charlott Saunders (LD) charlott. saunders@ watford.gov.uk Stephen Johnson (LD) stephen. johnson@ watford.gov.uk YOUR COUNCILLORS
Hop aboard Watford’s Shopper Bus for hassle-free shopping! To book, call Communities 1st on 01727 649930 or email [email protected]. Find out more at communities1st.org.uk/watford-shopper A cost-effective and easy way for residents who need help getting to local supermarkets. For just £6, you can book a round trip from your home to a local supermarket on the Shopper Bus, with carers paying only £1.