Hertsmere Borough Council’s September cabinet meeting was packed with important decisions, as several key issues were debated by Hertsmere’s Executive Members.
The meeting began with a recommendation from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Panel to award £1 million to Potters Bar Town Football Club. Cabinet members were enthusiastic about the project. Cllr Nik Oakley, Planning Portfolio Holder, highlighted the need for new 3G football pitches in Hertsmere, pointing to a 2019 council assessment that identified a shortage. This project will help address that deficit, with at least 50 hours of community use already designated for local clubs and organisations.
In another matter led by Cllr Oakley, the cabinet discussed additional funding for the 84B bus service, introduced by Hertsmere last September. The route, which connects Potters Bar and the western parts of the borough to Barnet Hospital, was created after the original 84 bus route was cut. The new service, a key Labour manifesto pledge, has seen a steady rise in passenger numbers but is not yet commercially viable. The cabinet has agreed to continue supporting the service but warned residents to “use it, or lose it,” as the council cannot subsidise it indefinitely.
Earlier this year, the council adopted a new cultural strategy aimed at capitalising on Hertsmere’s rich history in the arts, particularly film and TV. At this month’s meeting, Cllr Chris Myers, Portfolio Holder for Street Scene, Parks, Culture & Leisure, presented new initiatives to kick-start the strategy, including grants for apprenticeships in the cultural sector and the creation of a new council officer role dedicated to overseeing projects like the planned Film & TV Heritage Centre.
Additional updates included plans to transition to cashless parking across the borough and the news that Hertsmere now has only one rough sleeper—a significant achievement for the council.
For more details, you can watch the full webcast here.