This afternoon I attended the National Emergency Briefing at The Wyllyotts Theatre hosted by Chris Packham. Residents of Potters Bar gathered to watch a 50 minute film summary of 9 key climate change priorities.

National Emergency Briefing on climate & nature

National Emergency Briefing | The UK’s leading climate and nature experts brief MP's on the risks, impacts and solutions to the climate emergency

nebriefing.org

🎉 **HISTORIC VICTORY FOR POTTERS BAR AS TOWN COUNCIL IS APPROVED!** 🎉 On Wednesday, Hertsmere Borough Council voted to create a Town Council for Potters Bar, giving our town the same dedicated and local level of democratic representation enjoyed by communities across much of the rest of Hertsmere.

Today I have been out to check on a few locations which have had mattresses, bedframes and other items flytipped earlier in the week. I am pleases to report that council officers have been busy tidying up all of these sites.

People who live or work in Potters Bar are being invited to have their say on the next stage of a Community Governance Review (CGR), which is considering whether a parish council should be established for the town.

🚶‍♂️ Out this evening on my ward walk I was pleased to see that we have a new sign up in Oakmere Park! 🪧 Thanks to Cllr Chris Myers, Cabinet Member for Parks for getting these installed, the old ones were looking very tired and faded.

❤️ The UK Government predicts that 1 in 5 weddings in England and Wales could be humanist when legal recognition is finally granted. The evidence is clear. The demand is proven. #HumanistCeremonies celebrants are ready. Legally recognise humanist marriages! humanists.uk/2026/07/16/g...

Government predicts one in five couples will opt for a humanist ceremony after legal recognition

The Government’s impact assessment estimates that, when legally recognised, around one in five couples in England and Wales could choose a humanist wedding, more than 50,000 ceremonies every year. It ...

humanists.uk

Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's day. Here are some daffodils from our beautiful Oakmere park yesterday.

In honor of today's 25th anniversary of the Agile Manifesto, I'd like to remind everybody that the very first sentence starts with: "We are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it…" The critical word in that sentence is "uncovering." They didn't say "uncovered," which would 1/12

So proud tonight to have voted to lift the two child benefit cap. That’s the biggest drop in child poverty in a parliament - ever! Never let people tell you that a #Labour government doesn’t make a difference or that we’re all the same. We’re not. #PromiseMadePromiseDelivered!

This has to be essential reading for anyone who cares about both justice and tackling crime in this country. It details exactly how the Tories left the prison estate at close to full capacity after 14 year of failing to plan sufficient spaces. 1/2 www.gov.uk/government/n...

Government action to avert summer prison disaster

The prison system would have collapsed entirely by summer if not for the Government’s decisive action to keep the public safe, new analysis has revealed.

gov.uk

The Labour government have today announced an update on additional support for pubs & live music venues in regards to business rates, following lots of discussions with a range of MPs who had been putting forward a case. It is definitely worth listening to counter the nonsense from the Tories. 1/6

You can now read this on #HumanistHeritage, alongside profiles of Nicholas Winton – the British humanist who helped save more than 650 Jewish children, Harold Blackham’s wartime address – and other fascinating archives exploring humanism and anti-fascism. heritage.humanists.uk/article/huma...

Humanist Heritage: What happened to humanists during the Third Reich?

On Holocaust Memorial Day, Andrew Copson explores the experience of humanists during the Third Reich.

heritage.humanists.uk

Humanists UK@humanists.uk · 9mo ago

Today is #HMD. As we remember all victims of Nazi genocide, we also remember the humanists persecuted and murdered by the Nazi regime – including those in the humanist organisations Hitler destroyed, and the leaders who were killed. #HMD26 andrewcopson.com/2021/01/what...

Many aren't aware that burning wood at home can seriously impact indoor and outdoor air quality. Tonight is Clean Air Night - learn about how to protect your health and your home: www.actionforcleanair.org.uk/campaigns/cl...

At last night's full council meeting I and my fellow Labour and Liberal democrat councillors passed a motion on LGBTQ+ inclusitivity at Hertsmere Borough Council. More information and the full motion can be found at the below link.

Great news that arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings are set to be boosted by major new funding from the government. Organisations mentioned - from Natural History Museum to the BFI - are cultural powerhouses. It’s vital they’re supported and protected.

Government announces bumper £1.5 billion package to restore national pride

£1.5 billion will be invested in cultural organisations over a five-year period – turning the corner on underfunding over the last decade and more

gov.uk

Thank you to Rafi Mauro-Benady for his wonderful article on Potters Bar in MyLondon today. Rafi gave me a call last week to ask about our wonderful community in Potters Bar. I explained why I love calling Potters Bar my home.

Oakmere Primary school is currently consulting on plans to provide more Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision by working with Watling View Special School in St Albans.

From April 2026, the biggest change to employment rights in decades will provide stronger protections for people in work.   Use our Employment Rights Hub to check what this means for you ⬇️️https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/communities-and-social-justice/employment-rights-hub-0

Due to the January bank holiday, most Potters Bar residents bins will be collected tomorrow instead of today. There is also no green bin collection. You can check your bin day and download the 2026 calendar online here: hertsmere-services.onmats.com/w/webpage/ro...

Wishing everyone in Potters Bar a happy new year! 2025 was a busy year for Hertsmere! Some of our highlights included...

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

What has Labour even done for us since getting into power? Quite a lot actually and they are just getting going! Here are a few things (and I lost count)..and it's just a fraction of what they have done! Let's get behind this Labour government! They are changing lives for the better!

Still searching for the perfect present? You’re on the right track. Find unique TfL-themed presents at the London Transport Museum Shop, perfect for every London lover. www.ltmuseumshop.co.uk/christmas-gi...

Residents will soon receive the winter edition of the Hertsmere news. Please look out for page 6 detailing changes to bin collection dates to take into account the Christmas holidays.

The Labour government have announced that they are freezing rail fares following a 60% rise over the past 14 years. This will come as a relief for the thousands of Potters Bar residents who rely on our trainline every day and is another way in which Labour are tackling the cost of living crisis.

On Trans Day of Remembrance we remember those who have been lost due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. It is also a day to send our love to our trans brothers and sisters to remind them that the fight for their rights is the same fight for all of us. #TDoR

Thank you to the @whtimes.bsky.social for your photos of this year's Rememberance Day service in Potters Bar. The service was well attended by the people of Potters Bar. For those who were unable to attend you can view some photos using the below link. www.whtimes.co.uk/news/2560995...

In pictures: Potters Bar Remembrance Sunday service 2025

On Remembrance Sunday yesterday (November 9), the Potters Bar community came together at the War Memorial in Salisbury Close to remember the fallen.

whtimes.co.uk

Congratulations to @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social on his win of the New York mayorship. His consistent campaign to fix New York's cost of living crisis is a example to us all.

Today I attended the Contensis Velocity event in my role as Cabinet Member for IT and Digital Transformation alongside Lee Gallagher, Hertsmere's Head of Customer Experience and Digital Transformation.

Via City Hall: "Sadiq Khan has launched a new £2.7 million programme to deliver indoor air quality filters to hundreds of schools across the capital, bringing cleaner air to tens of thousands of children in their classrooms. "At least 200 schools across London will receive HEPA filters."