Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Cllr Jeremy Newmark, has been elected as the Chair of Hertfordshire Growth Board (HGB) at the formal board meeting (July 17).

Cllr Newmark, who became Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council in May 2023, is joined by Mayor Peter Taylor, Leader of Watford Borough Council and Cllr Richard Henry, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council as Vice Chairs.

The new Chair replaces Cllr Richard Roberts, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council.

Of his new position, Cllr Jeremy Newmark said:

“I am delighted to take on the role of Chair of the Hertfordshire Growth Board. Growth across our county is something I am passionate to see thrive. We are ready to work with the Government on the barriers we face in Hertfordshire and to deliver our Missions on housing, transport, economy, sustainability, healthy and safe places, and digital inclusion that will benefit all residents, businesses, and communities for years to come.”

Speaking on the new appointments, Forogh Rahmani, Director of HGB said:

“I look forward to working with Leader Cllr Jeremy Newmark in partnership with all members of HGB to deliver the Missions, so that all Hertfordshire’s residents, communities and businesses benefit from economic growth, and living standards are improved.”

In tribute to Cllr Richard Roberts, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council, Cllr Newmark said:

“I would like to thank Cllr Richard Roberts for his leadership in bringing together the County, District and Borough Councils with the NHS, Police, business, and government to launch a Vision and Missions that will see us deliver good growth across the county over the next decade and beyond. I know that he will continue to play a seminal role in that process.”

To learn more on the Hertfordshire Growth Board visit:

www.hertfordshiregrowthboard.com

Hertfordshire is known for its lush green landscapes, rich history, and idyllic garden towns and villages, but it is also a major engine for UK growth. From a booming multi-million movie industry to a world-leading cell and gene sector centred in the golden triangle, Hertfordshire boasts an economy that is larger than many city regions.  It’s this quality of life and access to a thriving economy that attracts residents from all walks of life to locate here.

The Hertfordshire Growth Board has already set its vision and missions, taking a unified approach with leaders from the county, district, and borough councils, as well as the NHS, Police and business. From new employment opportunities and quality and sustainable homes, to healthy places that are well connected for the digital age with a sustainable transport infrastructure, the Growth Board has ambitious plans and is ready to work closely with the new Government and MPs.

I’ve been Chief Executive of St Albans City and District Council since 2017 and I’ve overseen various projects, including new sports and cultural centres in Harpenden, and a cycling and community hub in St Albans. I’ve also been involved in developing a seven-acre site in the heart of St Albans and the Strategic Local Plan for housing and development.

Naturally my ambitions for St Albans play a major part of my involvement in the Hertfordshire Growth Board where I’ve led on setting up aspects of the Transport mission. I’d like to see public transport better joined up regionally, particularly east to west. That would require a whole county approach and will need input from central Government to make it happen.

Hertfordshire’s growth potential

We have a strong track record of innovation, with leading clusters in space and defence – responsible for a third of the world’s satellites, built in Stevenage – and the county is Europe’s top cell and gene cluster. Yet a short drive down the A1 in Elstree and Borehamwood, and Watford we’re at the centre of the UK’s film production industry that’s set to rival Hollywood.

Our proximity at the centre of the golden triangle between London, Oxford and Cambridge is what gives us the edge, and in Hertfordshire we have the luxury of affordable key development sites for large organisations to set up shop and invest.

But it’s not just about big business because our town centres and high streets are bustling with independent shops and cafes. It’s these local businesses, run by local people that help to keep us fuelled and they’re part of the reason why so many visitors come.

Transforming transport

Our transport infrastructure has always been a hot topic but we’re eager to improve our public transport links as well as build on our existing active travel networks.

One standout example is HertsLynx which acts a bit differently to your traditional bus service. It operates in North Herts, East Herts and Dacorum, and doesn’t follow the usual bus timetable. Instead, passengers can use an app to choose a pick-up and drop-off point. This has been popular with residents and a welcome improvement.

Working with a new Government

A change of administration offers the opportunity to reset our relationship with Government. Our biggest priority is to work collaboratively to showcase what makes Hertfordshire unique, so that our asks to Government come with an offer from us that evidences a return which supports the country at large.

Hertfordshire is an engine of growth with £42bn GVA pa. We contribute more to UK plc than many city regions.

As well as our strong track record of innovation, with leading defence, space, and biosciences’ sectors, we pioneered the first garden cities and new towns, and councils locally are already committed to building thousands of additional new homes and generating new jobs in the next 10 years.

But we are facing barriers to further growth. The new Government could unlock these through a strong devolution deal so we can tailor interventions to the needs of residents and businesses.

We must ensure economic growth is inclusive and sustainable; that we get high quality, sustainable housing growth in the right places; and that we protect our outstanding natural landscapes including our globally significant chalk streams.

To do this, we need more funding and local powers over skills, business support, regeneration, housing and strategic planning, transport, sustainability, energy, and digital infrastructure.

Making an impact

The Growth Board and our partners have come a long way in the last 12-18 months. The Hertfordshire Economic Board has already launched a Hertfordshire Film Office which works with film and TV creatives, and major studios globally to secure suitable shooting locations in the county. This is a service that the industry has welcomed with open arms and makes it easier and faster for studio execs to scout locations and get filming.

Invest Hertfordshire, which is the county’s new inward investment service, promotes development and opportunity sites in the county so that businesses can make easy decisions on where to locate or invest.

We have also secured additional Government funding for Hertfordshire, targeting the roll-out of Full Fibre coverage to around 7,000 premises in hard-to-reach and rural areas of the county.

To strengthen our role as planning authorities, I’ve started work on improving planning resilience in the county so that we can better meet the growth needs of the county.

Hertfordshire is open for investment and is ready to work with Government and other funding partners to secure deals and drive inclusive growth for the benefit of our residents, communities, and businesses.

The Hertfordshire Growth Board joins the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and local business in celebration of innovation and resilience in business with the Inspiring Herts Awards, which took place last night (27 June).

This year, the spotlight shines on the new Excellence in Business Diversification category, proudly sponsored by the Hertfordshire Growth Board. Among the esteemed nominees are GeoSmartPro, L D Collins, One YMCA, and Tier 2 Consulting—each a testament to the transformative power of adversity and innovation.

Winner’s spotlight

GeoSmartPro is a Hertfordshire-based start-up, innovating and developing multi-award-winning smart home appliances for better comfort and convenience that fit into our daily lifestyle. It has grown as a company and made a surplus of £10,000 in 2023/24, with two award-winning products.  It had a single product and recognising the need to remain competitive and viable as a year-round business, it has developed new products which aren’t seasonal, expanding internal opportunity for staff, and bringing new products to market which can benefit consumers. Doing so has enabled the business to grow and look at expanding into wider markets.

The event was attended by Hertfordshire County Council representatives Scott Crudgington, Interim Chief Executive and Julie Greaves, Head of Sustainability, as well as Hertfordshire Growth Board Director, Forogh Rahmani.

Forogh Rahmani, Director of the Hertfordshire Growth Board, said: “The Inspiring Herts Awards are a testament to the determined spirit of our business community. The Hertfordshire Growth Board is proud to sponsor the brand-new Excellence in Business Diversification category, these companies have not only transformed their markets but have also shown that through innovation and adaptability, any challenge can be turned into a triumph. They are the problem solvers of today, shaping a brighter tomorrow for Hertfordshire. Well done to all four organisations on their shortlisting but huge congratulations to GeoSmartPro on its win at last night’s award”

As we applaud these businesses, we recognise that their stories are far more than narratives of success, they are blueprints for a future where diversity in business is not just encouraged but celebrated. The Inspiring Herts Awards is a ceremony that champions the resilience and creativity that thrive within the heart of Hertfordshire’s business landscape.

Learn more about the awards at:

Inspiring Herts Awards 2024 — Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce (hertschamber.com)

As the UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament kicked off in Germany this weekend, we want to wish Hertfordshire-born Gareth Southgate, who comes from Watford, all the best as his England team gears up for their first game of the tournament.

Hertfordshire has a proud tradition of nurturing grass roots youth football, as well as being home and host to many famous footballers, as well as football league clubs Watford FC and Stevenage FC.

There are over 50,000 children – 42,497 boys and 7,651 girls – currently taking part in some form of grassroots football activity, with female participation increasing 56% since 2021, and male participation increasing 14%. There are also over 600 players taking part in dedicated Disability Football settings across the county.

Hertfordshire County Council and the District and Borough Councils have played its part in the growth and development of football by providing regular funding to support local schools, organisations, and sports clubs. Such as providing football for children with a wide range of physical and neuro-diverse challenges and those with learning and physical disabilities.

“We are very keen to support our local grassroots organisations to provide sport and physical activities, as these opportunities are essential to help our residents lead healthy and fulfilling lives. In particular, we have invested a great deal of funding into physical activity programmes specifically designed to help people improve their mental health and wellbeing, as we are well-aware of the link between physical and mental health. We have been working with Watford and Stevenage Football Clubs for many years to develop bespoke physical activity programmes for local residents.”

– Hertfordshire County Council’s Director of Public Health, Sarah Perman

Active Connections is a new programme, funded by Hertfordshire County Council’s Public Health department and delivered by Herts Sports Partnership (HSP). The partnership works to upskill health professionals and social prescribers and to promote the health benefits of being physically active and to sign post people to local opportunities.HSP works closely with the Hertfordshire Football Association and the University of Hertfordshire with events such as the ‘Coach Education Week’ and have three Apprentices currently working in the Herts FA team from the Universities ‘Sports and Business Management’ degree course. Children can register to play football from as young as age 6 and in Hertfordshire over 50,000 players have registered with Hertfordshire FA across all formats of affiliated football, making up 3,380 teams from 494 clubs. These are supported by over 5,000 qualified coaches and countless other volunteers who give up their time to make the grassroots game happen.

Hertfordshire FA is responsible for a wide range of initiatives that help to develop the professionalism and culture of football across the county and all age groups.

“Football has a unique power to unite communities, build aspiration, reduce inequality, and bring joy to those involved. As well as improving physical and mental health, participation has also been shown to have wider impacts on society, such as reducing crime and improving educational outcomes. With the vast majority of the grassroots game being run by volunteers, additional financial support is always welcome, and we encourage clubs to reach out to Councillors to access locality budgets where they can be used to grow provision in areas of need and share these benefits more widely. We are proud to work together with local agencies to use the power of football to promote positive change, which includes putting on sessions with Hertfordshire County Council to raise awareness across the game about the risk of radicalisation to young people as part of the Prevent programme.”

– Karl Lingham, CEO, Hertfordshire Football Association

Hertfordshire Sports Partnership
Hertfordshire Football Association
Active Herts

Hertfordshire’s communities have benefitted from £4m of social impact generated by Tarmac sites across the county according to a new report from Tarmac, the sustainable building materials and construction solutions business.

As a member of the Hertfordshire Infrastructure Development Board (HIDB), Tarmac’s report, titled ‘Creating social impact in Hertfordshire’ shines a light on the positive impact the business has created for people, planet and place across Hertfordshire in 2023 and provides a framework for how Tarmac will continue to operate responsibly in the future. This included a focus on how the business is restoring former industrial sites into vibrant green spaces, like Panshanger Park and Waterford Heath, where it is enhancing biodiversity and ensuring natural spaces are accessible for the community.

With 2024 marking the 10th anniversary of the opening of Panshanger Park to the public, an estimated 5,165 hours were donated by volunteers last year alone, an army of supporters who maintain the landscape in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council and Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT).

In honour of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 17,341 trees and shrubs were also planted at the park to create the new Queen’s Wood. The planting of the woodland would not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of volunteers, including local schools, residents, businesses and community groups.

Further findings from the report finds Tarmac’s wider operations across Hertfordshire have:

• Generated £1.16m social impact through giving local communities access to green space within 500m of their home.
• Provided eight local apprenticeships and employed 39 people.
• Contributed £40,200 social impact through mental and physical wellbeing support for local employees.

The social impact report follows Tarmac signing the Hertfordshire Growth Board’s Development Quality Charter, pledging commitments to master planning and community engagement; incorporating social impact and environmental management systems into business models; and adhering to sustainability standards which exceed the minimum requirements set out in building regulations.

Forogh Rahmani, Director of the Hertfordshire Growth Board (HGB) said: “We welcome Tarmac’s great social impact at its Hertfordshire sites, and this demonstrates the important benefits of our Hertfordshire Infrastructure Development Board and Development Quality Charter. The HGB welcomes many more businesses signing up to the Charter and to support our ambitions for good growth and a sustainable county where all can thrive and succeed.”

Colin Haigh, Director of Growth and Place at Hertfordshire County Council said: “Signing the Charter ensures well-designed places to live, work, and visit for residents, businesses and communities, setting a quality and sustainability benchmark for new developments across the county. Councils and developers, like Tarmac, recognise that by signing the Charter they can reference it and use the Charter Mark in their corporate promotional material.”

Hertfordshire Infrastructure Development Board (HIDB)
Development Quality Charter
‘Creating Social Impact in Hertfordshire’

Openreach has announced today that it is upgrading a further 20 towns and villages in Hertfordshire as part of its commercial investment in digital infrastructure across the UK.

Residents living in Berkhamsted, Much Hadham, Tring and 17 other local communities are next in line for Full Fibre and the roll out supports Hertfordshire County Council’s and the Hertfordshire Growth Board’s Digital Access For All mission that aims to ensure every Hertfordshire resident has access to best-in-class connectivity by 2050.

Cllr Richard Roberts, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council and Chair of Hertfordshire Growth Board said:

“As our digital landscape continues to grow, both Hertfordshire County Council and the Hertfordshire Growth Board are thrilled to see Full Fibre rolled out to even more residents and businesses. We continue to work with Openreach and other telecoms companies throughout the county, ensuring everyone has access to the information and assistance they need. Together, we will empower our communities to thrive in an increasingly connected world.”

Kieran Wines, Openreach’s regional director for the East of England said:

“This is a huge infrastructure success story across the region. No company is building faster or further in Europe, that we’re aware of.

“We won’t be stopping either. We plan to build even further across the region, to more cities and towns, and our most rural communities.

“And our engineers, of which 3,000 live in the region, are doing this at a rapid pace – despite this being a hugely complex engineering project.

“Our fibre checker has the latest information about our work in your area, but only 27% of premises in Hertfordshire which can order a new ultrafast service have done so, as upgrades aren’t automatic. Once Full Fibre is available where you live, you’ll need to place an order with a provider of your choice to get connected and we’ll do the rest!

“Openreach’s network offers the widest choice of providers such as BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone and Zen – which means people have lots of choice and can get a great deal.”

Cllr Ben Crystal, Leader of East Herts District Council said:

“We are delighted to see this Full Fibre roll-out reach further into our district. Becoming better connected within and between our communities will improve the day-to-day lives of our residents, whilst also creating greater opportunities for local businesses to engage with innovative technologies and modern practises.”

Openreach has also refreshed its online map and postcode checker to give a clearer, regularly updated view of its plans and progress between now and 2026.

The map now shows the levels of current and future expected full fibre coverage as of today, taking data from all of its build programmes, whilst the postcode checker continues to offer the most personalised view of the connectivity available to an individual home or business.

Further updates will be provided as any additional locations are added in future.

The locations in Hertfordshire:

• Barkway
• Berkhamsted
• Much Hadham
• Puckeridge
• Stanstead Abbotts
• Tring

Online Map and Postcode Checker

Digital Access For All mission

The Care Leaver Covenant has gained a new signatory as Hertfordshire County Council pledged its continued commitment to support care leavers as they continue their journey to live independently.

WasteAware’s “Herts Sustainable Families” discount scheme, offered as part of the county’s Waste Partnership has been highly-commended in the “Best Local Authority Recycling Initiative” category at the prestigious Awards for Excellence in Recycling & Waste Management.

The Awards for Excellence in Recycling & Waste Management celebrate outstanding achievements and innovative initiatives in the field of recycling and waste management. The recognition of Herts Sustainable Families underscores the council’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

The trio of schemes within the Herts Sustainable Families banner encourage residents to choose reusable items instead of single use products by offering a 15% discount on reusable nappies, sustainable period products and washable incontinence products. Around 2,500 residents have already taken advantage of the scheme, purchasing items from across 19 suppliers, including local companies, major retailers and brand leaders.

Receiving a high commendation recognises the exemplary leadership demonstrated by the WasteAware team and dedication to promoting waste reduction initiatives within Hertfordshire. Through collaborative efforts and community engagement, the initiative has successfully provided free period products to those in financial hardship and engaged in training for 56 teachers on the benefits of sustainable period products, ensuring they included as mainstream options when menstruation is discussed in school. Two further training dates are booked for June.

Cllr Richard Roberts, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council said:
“We are thrilled to be highly commended in the ‘Best Local Authority Recycling Initiative’ award. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and the support of our community. We are committed to continuing our efforts to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly Hertfordshire.”

The success of Herts Sustainable Families campaign highlights the importance of local authority initiatives in driving positive environmental change and promoting sustainable practices amongst residents. By promoting education, awareness, and practical solutions, the initiative has contributed significantly to the county’s efforts to minimise waste and drive reusable options as a standard way of living to protect the environment for future generations.

Hertfordshire Waste Partnership’s Herts Sustainable Families continues to lead by example in promoting recycling and waste management best practices, inspiring communities to embrace sustainability, and making a meaningful impact on the environment.

Cllr Eric Buckmaster, Executive Member for Environment, Hertfordshire County Council said: “It’s so good to see the progress being made in this particular area of activity and the success of the team in promoting awareness and benefits of these sustainable products.”

For more information about the Herts Sustainable Families discount, WasteAware and its initiatives, visit:
www.wasteaware.org.uk/families 

Hertfordshire residents will get the chance to learn more about the digital switchover at a series of community forums hosted by BT.

The digital switchover is taking place in 2025, when telecoms companies will retire the analogue telephone network in place of a digital telephony network. For most, this will mean plugging your telephone into your broadband router.

When and where are the forums?

How might you be affected?

Residents and businesses could be affected in different ways:

• If you do not have a broadband connection.
• If you do not have a mobile phone or signal where you live.
• If you use your landline for telecare systems, home alarm or a fax machine.
• If you use a landline for burglar alarms, lift alarms or card payments.

Residents and business owners should attend a session or contact their telephone provider if they think they may be affected by the change.

As the world marks the International Day of Forests on March 21, Hertfordshire stands proud as a testament to the integral relationship between nature and mental wellbeing. The county’s lush green spaces, from ancient woodlands to sprawling parks, not only harbour rich biodiversity but also serve as sanctuaries for mental wellness and advocates for active travel.

Hertfordshire’s forests, such as the Ashridge Estate, Heartwood Forest, and Cassiobury Park, are invaluable reservoirs of biodiversity. Hertfordshire’s diverse landscape boasts a myriad of green spaces, ranging from expansive woodlands to urban parks, each playing a vital role in supporting biodiversity. These green corridors serve as habitats for a rich tapestry of flora and fauna, preserving the county’s natural heritage and enhancing its ecological resilience. Through strategic planning and sustainable development, the Hertfordshire Growth Board is committed to safeguarding these green assets, ensuring their continued protection and enhancement for future generations to enjoy.

In addition to their ecological significance, Hertfordshire’s green spaces offer huge benefits for good mental health and wellbeing, providing residents with opportunities for relaxation, recreation, and rejuvenation amidst nature’s tranquillity. Research has shown that spending as little as 20 minutes a day in green environments can alleviate stress, improve mood, and enhance overall mental health. As a Growth Board mission – Healthy and Safe Places for All – the Hertfordshire Growth Board understands the importance of incorporating green infrastructure into urban planning initiatives, creating vibrant and inclusive spaces that promote wellbeing and quality of life for all.

Furthermore, Hertfordshire’s green spaces serve as catalysts for active travel, encouraging residents and visitors to embrace sustainable modes of transportation while enjoying the county’s natural beauty. From scenic walking and cycling routes to green corridors connecting urban centres, these initiatives promote physical activity, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance the overall health and vitality of our communities. By investing in active travel infrastructure and promoting environmentally conscious transportation options, the Hertfordshire Growth Board aims to create a more sustainable and resilient transportation network that meets the needs of both current and future generations.

 

Forogh Rahmani, Director of the Hertfordshire Growth Board, said: “As we mark the International Day of Forests, we celebrate Hertfordshire’s green spaces as invaluable assets that contribute to the health, prosperity, and wellbeing of our residents and communities. Through collaborative efforts and forward-thinking initiatives, we are committed to preserving and enhancing these green corridors, ensuring that Hertfordshire remains a vibrant and sustainable place to live, work, and thrive.”

 

To read more about Hertfordshire Growth Board’s Vision and Missions.
Vision and Missions

For enquiries contact Luke Fisher, Senior Campaigns Officer.
Email