The Hertsmere Borough Council Policy Review Committee convened on 9 July 2025, to discuss updates on environmental sustainability, street scene management, and the review of communication campaigns. The committee noted updates from the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Net Zero and Public Health, and the Cabinet Member for Street Scene, Parks, Leisure and Culture. The committee also approved the report of the task and finish group on communication campaigns, referring it to the Cabinet for further action.

Environmental Sustainability, Net Zero, and Public Health Update

Councillor Paul Richards, Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Net Zero and Public Health, provided an update covering waste and recycling, environmental health, climate change, and health and wellbeing.

Key discussion points included:

• Waste and Recycling: Councillor Paul Richards highlighted upcoming changes due to national legislation, including Simpler Recycling, Extended Producer Responsibility, Deposit Return Schemes, and Emissions Trading Schemes. He also noted the impact of local government reorganisation on waste and recycling services.
• Environmental Health: The presentation outlined the structure of the Environmental Health Service, including the Environmental Protection Team (addressing noise, air quality, and enviro-crime) and the Commercial Team (focusing on food safety, infectious disease control, and health and safety).
• Climate Change: The committee discussed updating the Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy to support nature recovery, a just transition, and resilience to climate change. Engagement programmes for residents, community groups, and businesses were also mentioned, along with efforts to reduce council emissions and align with the Local Plan.
• Health and Wellbeing: Councillor Paul Richards spoke about the Hertsmere Health and Wellbeing Group, the Physical Activity and Wellbeing Strategy, Hertfordshire District Health Partnership Projects (including the Healthy Hub), and initiatives to address place-based health inequalities.

Street Scene, Parks, Leisure and Culture Update

Councillor Chris Myers, Cabinet Member for Street Scene, Parks, Leisure and Culture, presented an overview of his portfolio, focusing on parks, parking, and sports, leisure, and culture.

Key points included:

• Parks and Open Spaces: Hertsmere boasts 46 parks, with significant investment planned for strategic parks. The council is increasing its emphasis on sustainability, biodiversity, and carbon reduction, as well as community engagement. Hertsmere's parks include 8 Green Flags¹, 36 play areas across 27 sites, 9 outdoor fitness areas, 2 splash parks, 2 skate parks, 25 football pitches, free to book tennis courts, 200 plus allotments, 14,500 plus trees and Allum Lane cemetery and three closed churchyards.
• Parking: The council manages 14 car parks, on-street parking, and 1,776 spaces. A review programme is scheduled for 2025/26, with a focus on electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
• Sports, Leisure and Culture: Councillor Chris Myers outlined a new approach to sports, with more investment and a focus on working with communities for better outcomes.

Communications Campaigns Review

The committee reviewed the report from the task and finish group on communication campaigns. The Terms of Reference: Communications Campaigns Review document stated that the objectives of the review were:

(Session 1) To review communications material issued by the Council on key topic issues and specifically examine the preceding year's Hertsmere News editions and review of the food and green waste campaigns as examples. (Session 2) To consider the existing framework / protocols for member involvement in developing communications campaigns and identify any mechanisms to enable earlier member insight into communications products to ensure messaging is clear and understandable for residents. This aims to mitigate the need to update or alter communications products.

The committee approved the Communication Campaigns Task and Finish Group Report and agreed to refer it to the Cabinet.

Forward Planning and Committee Work Programme

The committee reviewed the Forward Plan September - December 2025 and the Committee Work Programme 2025-26 to identify potential issues for scrutiny. The next meeting was scheduled for 4 November 2025.