HITCHIN

TOWN  COUNCIL

OUR CHANCE to have a Town Council.

Hitchin town, with its c.35.000 residents, has no meaningful community voice, unlike the surrounding villages of Ickleford & St. Ippolyts that have Parish Councils and most other towns in the country, who have their own councils.

But, WHAT IS A TOWN COUNCIL?  

The role of a Town Council is to represent the interests of the community and help lobby and advise other tiers of government on local matters and spending decisions.

What form would a Town Council take?

It would consist of elected, unpaid councillors from Hitchin and a small executive team headed by a Town Clerk, supported by volunteers.

WHY NOW?

Government is looking at the whole structure of local administration. Regional Councils are constantly squeezed by funding, which is most felt at community level. A Town Council will generate its own funds to make a difference locally.

SO. HOW COULD A TOWN COUNCIL BENEFIT HITCHIN?

It would complement and extend the management and improvements achieved by Visit Hitchin in the Town Centre, to the rest of Hitchin. This infographic illustrates what a Town Council could do to support our town, alongside North Herts Council and Hertfordshire County Council.

TOWN COUNCIL BENEFIT IN MORE DETAIL …

There are many things that a town council could support the residents of Hitchin with…

    • Serve as a voice and advocate for the community's interests, concerns, and priorities in interactions with higher levels of government, agencies, and organizations. 

    • Represent the community on issues such as planning and development, transportation, public services, and environmental protection through lobbying, advocacy, and collaboration. 

    • Foster a culture of civic engagement and participation by encouraging residents to get involved in local decision-making processes, elections, and community initiatives. 

    • Encourage local spending and support for independent businesses by promoting Buy Local campaigns, shop local initiatives, and loyalty programs. 

    • Partner with local businesses, trade associations, and financial institutions to offer incentives, discounts, and rewards for shopping locally and supporting the local economy. 

    • Advocate for policies and practices that prioritize local procurement, contracting, and investment to keep more money circulating within the community and stimulate economic growth. 

    • Identify areas in need of street improvements such as road resurfacing, pavement repairs, and installation of traffic calming measures. 

    • Prioritize street improvement projects based on factors like safety concerns, traffic flow, and pedestrian accessibility. 

    • Consult with residents, businesses, and transportation authorities to gather input and feedback on proposed street improvement plans. 

    • Establishing a team of community rangers who patrol public spaces, provide assistance, information, and support to residents and visitors. 

    • Their responsibilities may include addressing minor issues such as littering, dog fouling, and vandalism, as well as acting as a visible presence to enhance community safety. 

    • Managing and maintaining allotment sites within the town, ensuring they are allocated fairly and efficiently. 

    • Providing guidance and support to allotment holders on cultivation techniques, pest control, and sustainable gardening practices. 

    • Organising community events and workshops related to gardening and allotment cultivation. 

    • Developing and coordinating a range of youth activities and programs to engage young people in positive recreational and educational experiences. 

    • Working closely with local schools, youth organizations, and community groups to identify the needs and interests of young people. 

    • Providing opportunities for skill-building, social interaction, and personal development through activities such as sports clubs, arts and crafts workshops, and youth clubs. 

    • Establishing a community grants program to provide financial support to local community groups, charities, and projects. 

    • Developing clear eligibility criteria and application processes to ensure transparency and fairness in the allocation of grants. 

    • Monitoring and evaluating the impact of funded projects on the local community and encouraging collaboration and partnership working among grant recipients. 

    • Collaborating with event organizers to support a diverse range of local events and festivals that celebrate the town's culture, heritage, and community spirit. 

    • Providing logistical support, funding assistance, and promotional resources to help ensure the success of events. 

    • Encouraging community participation and engagement in event planning and organization. 

    • Implementing regular deep cleaning initiatives to maintain the cleanliness and appearance of public spaces, including streets, sidewalks, and public buildings. 

    • Investing in specialized equipment and technology for removing chewing gum and other stubborn stains from pavements and public areas. 

    • Engaging with local businesses, residents, and community groups to raise awareness of the importance of keeping the town clean and litter-free. 

    • Develop and coordinate a range of services and programs tailored to the needs of elderly residents, such as home care assistance, social activities, and transportation services. 

    • Collaborate with local care providers, health organizations, and community centres to offer support services like meal delivery, health screenings, and socialization opportunities. 

    • Advocate for age-friendly infrastructure and policies that promote accessibility, safety, and inclusivity for elderly residents in the community. 

    • Develop a comprehensive town planning strategy that balances economic development, environmental sustainability, and community needs. 

    • Review and assess planning applications for new developments, infrastructure projects, and land use changes to ensure they align with local planning policies and regulations. 

    • Engage with stakeholders, including residents, businesses, developers, and government agencies, in the planning process to gather input, address concerns, and foster collaboration. 

    • Enhancing the town's aesthetic appeal by installing additional floral displays, hanging baskets, and planters in public areas. 

    • Working with local gardening groups and volunteers to design and maintain floral arrangements that reflect the changing seasons and special occasions. 

    • Promoting biodiversity and sustainability by incorporating native plant species and pollinator-friendly flowers into floral displays. 

    • Planning and coordinating festive decorations and lighting displays to create a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere during the holiday season. 

    • Collaborating with local businesses, community groups, and volunteers to expand existing Christmas displays and introduce new attractions and activities. 

    • Organizing special events and entertainment to complement the Christmas displays, such as carol concerts, markets, and Santa's grottos. 

    • Implementing targeted de-weeding programs to remove unsightly weeds and vegetation from pavements, footpaths, and other public spaces. 

    • Using environmentally-friendly methods and herbicides to control weed growth while minimizing harm to the surrounding ecosystem. 

    • Educating residents and property owners about the importance of regular maintenance and weed control to prevent weed infestations. 

    • Install benches, seating areas, and rest stops in public spaces like parks, town squares, and along pedestrian pathways. 

    • Consider the placement of seating to provide rest areas for pedestrians, scenic spots for relaxation, and accessibility for elderly and disabled individuals. 

    • Regular maintenance of seating areas to ensure cleanliness, safety, and comfort for users. 

    • Identifying areas of the town where additional public toilets are needed, particularly in high-traffic areas or tourist destinations. 

    • Collaborating with local businesses and stakeholders to secure funding or sponsorship for the construction and maintenance of new public toilet facilities. 

    • Ensuring that public toilets are clean, safe, and accessible to all members of the community, including those with disabilities. 

    • Develop and implement community safety initiatives in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, community groups, and residents. 

    • Establish neighbourhood watch programs, CCTV surveillance, and community patrols to deter and address anti-social behaviour. 

    • Provide support and resources for anti-social behaviour awareness campaigns, youth outreach programs, and conflict resolution training. 

    • Organise regular litter picking events involving volunteers, community groups, and local schools to clean up public spaces. 

    • Provide litter picking equipment, such as gloves, bags, and litter pickers, and coordinate waste disposal and recycling efforts. 

    • Educate the community about the importance of proper waste disposal and the environmental impact of littering through awareness campaigns and educational programs. 

    • Establish a graffiti removal team or contract with a professional graffiti removal service to promptly remove graffiti vandalism from public and private property. 

    • Implement anti-graffiti strategies such as applying protective coatings, installing security cameras, and promoting community involvement in reporting and preventing graffiti. 

    • Offer support and resources for graffiti prevention initiatives, mural projects, and youth engagement programs to deter graffiti vandalism. 

    • Implement a flyposting removal program to address illegal advertising and flyposting activities in public spaces. 

    • Enforce anti-flyposting regulations and penalties and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to deter and prosecute offenders. 

    • Educate businesses and the community about alternative advertising options and the negative impacts of flyposting on the visual appearance and cleanliness of the town. 

    • Provide support and resources for local businesses, retailers, and entrepreneurs to enhance the vitality and attractiveness of the town centre. 

    • Facilitate business development initiatives, marketing campaigns, and promotional events to attract visitors, shoppers, and investors to the town centre. 

    • Collaborate with business improvement districts, chambers of commerce, and economic development agencies to coordinate town centre revitalization efforts and infrastructure improvements. 

    • Install grit bins at strategic locations throughout the town to provide residents with access to grit and salt during icy and snowy conditions. 

    • Develop a winter maintenance plan that outlines gritting routes, priorities, and procedures for clearing snow and ice from roads, pavements, and public spaces. 

    • Coordinate with local authorities, transportation agencies, and community volunteers to ensure timely and effective gritting and snow clearance operations. 

    • Install litter bins and dog waste bins in public spaces to encourage responsible waste disposal and help keep the town clean and tidy. 

    • Empty and maintain bins regularly to prevent overflow and littering, and provide clear signage and information about proper use and disposal. 

    • Educate residents and pet owners about the importance of picking up after themselves and their pets, and the environmental impacts of littering and dog fouling. 

    • Establish transparent and accountable governance structures, including town council meetings, committees, and decision-making processes. 

    • Develop policies, procedures, and bylaws to govern the operation and conduct of the town council, elected officials, and staff. 

    • Provide opportunities for public participation, feedback, and engagement in the governance and administration of the town, such as public consultations, town hall meetings, and citizen advisory panels. 

The true extent of the projects worked on will be the gift of future town councillors, working collaboratively with the statutory authorities.

How WOULD A town council BE funded?

Similarly to the parishes of St. Ippolyts and Ickleford, North Herts Council would take an annual fee (a precept) of c.£50 a year (Band D property) which would raise about £600,000 to spend on the town and our community.

WHO IS PROPOSING THE FORMATION OF A HITCHIN TOWN COUNCIL?

Hitchin Initiative - a group of local business people who set about trying to revive the town centre, which has been very successful, so they have turned their attentions to the rest of Hitchin.

Hitchin Initiative Ltd was set up as Hitchin Town Centre Initiative Ltd in 1995 as a not-for-profit guarantee company. They provided the initial funding and management (with a small grant from the local authority) and subsequently was funded by membership donations from local businesses and individuals, together with some events.

Its first objective was to appoint a town centre manager, one of the first in the country. Most will agree it has been very successful – one indicator is the very much lower volume of empty shops than most of the country through recessions and crises.

15 years ago the Initiative sponsored Hitchin BID, again, one of the first in the country. That stabilised the town centre finances. BID took on town centre management and allowed activities to be expanded. Its work has been supported enthusiastically and its renewal has been voted in 3 times at 5 yearly intervals.

About the same time, it sponsored Hitchin Markets Ltd, another social enterprise, which took on the running of the market on behalf of the local authority.

Hitchin Initiative still has the support of voluntary donations from Hitchin businesses and residents and has fewer regular obligations, but acts as a catalyst for the town’s development. It has worked relentlessly to enable the completion of the town’s riverside walk and that may soon come to fruition. It continues to control the market’s operation and is lobbying for a major upgrade alongside Churchgate changes.

Ah, Churchgate. The Initiative brings together town businesses and activists and is a voice in its hoped for redevelopment.

Now, a major activity is promoting the formation of a Town Council.

SUPPORT THE IDEA OF A HITCHIN TOWN COUNCIL?

Please let us know by signing the form, as this will help us to prove that there is support from the wider Hitchin community.