July 2008
23 July 2008
Crime: latest stats
A further drop in crime has been reported for the first quarter of the year. Between April and June 2008 the overall level of incidents fell by 8.6%. The drop is the third largest in Hertfordshire while the total crime figure for Three Rivers remains the county's lowest.
While domestic burglary in the district has increased, other kinds of burglary, violent crime, criminal damage have all fallen significantly. Chair of the Three Rivers Community Safety Partnership, Roger Seabourne, said:
"It is reassuring that crime nationally has fallen but this does not tell us about our own neighbourhood - these are the figures that matter most. The 8.6% drop is equal to 105 less crimes compared to a year ago - that means at least 105 fewer victims who have suffered. "We are taking an increasingly local approach to crime. Each area within Three Rivers has its own safety priorities and its own officers who know their area thoroughly. "We understand that financial hardship may arise from the credit crunch, for example through struggling to meet repayments. We strongly advise anyone in this situation to get advice from organisations like the CAB. There is practical, free and non-judgemental advice available."
Three Rivers crime statistics for April - June 2008(with comparisons to the previous year)are:
Vehicle crime: 200 reports (209 reports in first quarter of 2007/8).
Criminal damage: 253 reports (293 reports in first quarter of 2007/8).
Domestic burglary: 85 reports (78 reports in first quarter of 2007/8).
Burglary other (including businesses and outbuildings): 57 reports (83 reports in first quarter of 2007/8).
Violent crime: 141 reports (199 reports in first quarter of 2007/8).
Theft of bicycles: 29 reports (50 reports in first quarter of 2007/8).
For free advice on home security residents can ring West Herts Against Crime (WHAC). Security devices may be installed free for vulnerable residents 01923 801138.
Information about Neighbourhood Watch and all aspects of community safety is available from Hertfordshire Constabulary 0845 3300 222. Area safety priorities can be viewed under Safer Neighbourhoods at www.herts.police.uk or by 'phone from the Police.
Residents can ring Rickmansworth CAB on 01923 720424
Last year crime fell by over 12% in Three Rivers and across Hertfordshire as a whole.
WHAC receives funding from the Three Rivers Community Safety Partnership.
Roger Seabourne is also Cabinet Member for Community Safety for Three Rivers District Council.
22 July 2008
Councils team up to save £1.6M
A new team made up mostly of staff from Watford Borough and Three Rivers District Councils is being formed to help provide Benefits, revenue, finance, personnel and IT operations jointly.
The programme aims to increase the reliability of services in specialist areas where staff will be able to cover jobs when there are vacancies or staff sickness. The services will also become much more efficient - the two Councils aim to save jointly up to £1.6M per year. The programme will make sure that Watford and Three Rivers have dedicated staff for providing Benefits to residents in order to keep the local 'feel' of the service.
Speaking after a joint committee to run the services was agreed formally at Three Rivers District Council's Executive Committee on 21 July, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, Ann Shaw, said:
"high quality, efficient services for council tax payers. This is all about achieving value for money services. This innovative arrangement between Three Rivers and Watford will deliver significant savings and service improvements for residents."
The joint committee is subject to ratification by Watford Borough Council on 23 July. Both Councils agreed a joint protocol in developing shared services in 2007.
The joint services will launch in stages over 2009.
9th July
Youth Council calls for grant applications from local groups
Local groups and charities are being invited to apply for the Three Rivers Youth Council's annual grant, to support projects that serve young people across the district. A number of grants will be available, to the combined value of £1,000.
In the past the Youth Council, which is now over 12 years old, has awarded funds to youth groups, sports clubs and young homelessgroups across Three Rivers. Recipients of funding from last year's Youth Council grant include GirlAbout and Connections, a pregnancy crisis and information centre serving the communities of Three Rivers and Watford, and Croxley Green Baptist Church's youth project.
Leader of Three Rivers District Council and Young Persons' Champion, Councillor Ann Shaw, said: "Our younger residents are a key part of the community in Three Rivers and Youth Council members can make a significant contribution to their local area by allocating the grant fund. There are so many valuable local organisations providing a service for young people and we would strongly encourage them to apply for a Youth Council grant to help them continue their work. The members of the Youth Council, aged between 10 and 18 years old, will decide between them which organisations to award the grant money to and how much each group shall receive."
The Youth Council meets three times per year to discuss a wide range of issues affecting local young people andhear from expert speakers on a variety of topics. Anyone aged 10-18 who lives and/or goes to school in the Three Rivers district is very welcome to come along, to meet new friends and make a difference in the local area. The next meeting of the Youth Council, where members will debate how the grant funding should be allocated, will take place on Tuesday October 7 2008. New faces are always very welcome. Grant application forms are available now.
Completed application forms must be received by the deadline of Monday September 8 at the latest. For an application form or more information on the Youth Council grant, please contact Emma Robinson on 01923 727334 or email emma.robinson@threerivers.gov.uk.
8th July
Your local parks: great places to relax or a waste of space?
What do you think about your local park? Is it a great place to spend your leisure time? What things would you like to see changed or maintained? If you enjoy an excellent local park or open space, tell us what makes it great!
Three Rivers District Council is urging residents to have their say on how their local parks and open spaces can be improved and which sites can be held up as an example to be replicated elsewhere. The District Council is keen to hear residents' opinions about all local open spaces, from small meadows to large parks.
Residents can make sure their opinions are heard by visiting the Greenstat website at www.greenstat.org.uk to fill in a short questionnaire. Alternatively visit the District Council's website at www.threerivers.gov.uk and follow the link to the Greenstat website from the Parks and Open Spaces webpage. Three Rivers is located in the 'East of England' region on the Greenstat website. A paper version of the questionnaire can be posted out to residents without easy access to the internet; just ring the Leisure department on 01923 779392.
Three Rivers District Council is committed to listening to the views of local people and acting on suggestions to improve local parks and open spaces, for everybody to enjoy. For more information on the Greenstat consultation or for a paper version of the questionnaire, contact the Leisure department at Three Rivers District Council on 01923 779392.