Executive Committee: Energy, nature reserves and grants on the agenda

Date:  01 November 2006

Energy-saving agreement gets go-ahead

The Executive Committee approved proposals for an agreement with utility supplier Powergen, to improve the energy efficiency of Council-owned homes across the district. 

Through the agreement, Powergen will contribute funding of up to £1.1million, and the Council will contribute £414,470, to provide cavity wall and loft insulation for Council homes and improve their energy efficiency and reduce heating bills.

Under the agreement, at least 70% of residents benefiting from the scheme must be in receipt of income related or disability benefits.

The equivalent of 37,030 tonnes of carbon will be saved by introducing these measures to Council properties.

Local Nature Reserve status for Aquadrome and Chorleywood House Estate

The Committee agreed to designate the Aquadrome in Rickmansworth and Chorleywood House Estate grounds as Local Nature Reserves (LNR), subject to approval from Natural England (formerly English Nature).

There are currently four Local Nature Reserves in Three Rivers owned and managed by the District Council: Croxley Common Moor, The Withey Beds, Prestwick Road Meadows, and Oxhey Woods.

Local Nature Reserves are specially protected sites and by designating a site as an LNR the Council must work to preserve their special character and wildlife.

Chorleywood House Estate grounds are located within the Chiltern Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and there are several protected species on the site plus ancient woodland.  The 41-hectare Aquadrome forms a gateway to the Colne Valley Park, is an important site for birds and its two lakes are formed from flooded gravel pits.

For more information on open spaces in Three Rivers visit the Parks and Recreation pages or visit the Natural England website for more information on Local Nature Reserves. 

Parking consultation 

Following requests from residents on grounds of safety and obstruction, proposed parking restrictions for various areas across Three Rivers will now go out to formal public consultation.

This follows informal consultation with local residents.  The proposed Prohibition and Stopping Orders would be at:

• The Hoe, Carpenders Park
• Little How Croft/Abbots Road, Abbots Langley
• Grove Road/Uxbridge Road, Mill End
• Wyatts Road, Chorleywood
• Heronsgate Road, Chorleywood
• St Meryl School/Foxleys, Carpenders Park.

Areas being considered for parking restrictions are assessed on a range of criteria including the number of accidents in the area; access for emergency services vehicles; and local parking needs.

Visit the controlled parking zones pages for more information on local parking restrictions.

CVS funding approved

The Executive Committee approved an application for funding from Three Rivers Centre for Voluntary Services (CVS).

The CVS had applied for funds of £2,702.50 to cover their rent at Basing House, Rickmansworth, from January to March 2006.  The CVS had advised the Council that their current funding had ran out and decisions on their applications for funding from other sources would not be taken until April.

The Committee approved the application for funds subject to conditions including sight of the CVS business plan, explanation of high staff costs, details of what their targets are and how their progress is evaluated and monitored.  

Celebration of South Oxhey hailed a success

The Committee received a report on the success of the recently completed Celebration of South Oxhey project.

The two-year project, run in partnership between the District Council, ASCEND, and Hertfordshire County Council's Children, Schools and Families Youth Service, offered a range of arts activities to South Oxhey residents to help build confidence and skills. 

Projects included courses in digital photography, music studio techniques, IT, and more.  The project was completed with a 'Destination South Oxhey' event held at The Centre in May, where a Celebration Mosaic made by participants in the project was unveiled.

Members of the Committee expressed their appreciation for the fact that three generations of a number of families attended the 'Destination' event to celebrate the strength and history of their community.

Almost 250 South Oxhey residents took part in activities throughout the project and several have gone on to find employment or volunteering opportunities as a result.

Leisure grants awarded

Leisure and community grants were awarded to local charity Special Connections, and West Hyde and Maple Cross Youth Centre.

Special Connections, which organises drama workshops for children and young people with special educational needs, was awarded £2,000 to support the funding of three workshops to take place during the school holidays up to summer 2007.

West Hyde and Maple Cross Youth Centre received £1,000 to purchase a replacement bouncy castle, to replace the existing one which is twenty years old and can no longer be repaired.  The Youth Centre provides playschemes during school holidays and a Youth Club throughout the year. 

For information on applying for a Leisure grant, call 01923 776611.

M25 widening objections raised

The Committee raised a number of concerns about the proposed M25 widening to four lanes between Junction 16 and Junction 23.

The Committee has been asked to comment on a Draft Environmental Statement prepared by the Highways Agency on the environmental impact of the proposed widening.

The Committee agreed that the response to the Draft Environmental Statement should include the Council's concerns about the effect of the proposals on local landscape, ecology, road drainage and water pollution, traffic noise, and the general impact of the construction on the surrounding area.  In addition, concerns were raised about the possibility of traffic lights on the slip road, which had not been included in the Draft Environmental Statement.  The Committee was also concerned about the management of local traffic while construction would be taking place.

The Committee requested that the Highways Agency make a presentation to the Council on the widening proposals as soon as possible.