Walkern Parish Council Report – February 2026
The Parish Council Meeting was held on Thursday 5th February 2026 at Walkern Sports and Community Centre. This report covers some of the issues we have been dealing with over the last few months. The full minutes of the meeting are available on the Parish Council website and on the Parish Council Notice Board outside Budgen’s shop.
A Wilder Walkern
The Wilder Walkern leaflet inviting all residents to become part of this community project have now been delivered and it’s been great to see such an enthusiastic response from residents via email and written replies. Many want to be involved and share their thoughts on how we can manage green spaces around the village, helping native species and encouraging biodiversity.
We have also been in contact with Tim Hoskin, head of Environmental Sustainability at East Herts District Council, and hope to meet him to discuss our project and find out what practical support and funding might be available to help us.
We are planning to hold an open meeting to kick start the project at 7.30pm on Wednesday 11th March at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre. We will be sending out invitations to the meeting via email. All are welcome but so that we can manage numbers, set out enough chairs and buy enough biscuits please respond to the email invitation to confirm attendance.
Peace Garden
This project has been work in progress for several years! The main difficulty stems from the fact that no conveyancing trail from the owners of the graveyard in Froghall Lane to East Herts District Council could be found so that presented a problem with land registry.
We were delighted to hear from Abi, the Clerk, that the transfer of the land has now been completed and has been passed to Land Registry to complete the transfer of title deeds.
Funding for Local Councils
Our Finance Officer attended a presentation hosted by The National Association of Local Councils looking at ways of raising funding for large projects which are unaffordable from a council’s normal funds.
Funding for any project that the Council undertakes is difficult. The Parish Council has worked hard in recent years and has been successful in getting grants from East Herts District Council to put towards the Fitness Trail at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre. We were also successful in getting funding from Hertfordshire County Council’s Locality budget to put in play equipment and fencing in the same area. The Council applied for and received many free trees and hedging to put around the play area.
Along with the WSCC we very much want to make this area a place where all ages can relax, exercise and enjoy themselves.
National Association of Local Councils
NALC has secured exemption for parish and town councils having to hold referendums on council tax increases. The report from NALC states, “responding to the consultation they made the case that councils at all tiers should be able to set council tax and precept levels without the constant risk of government intervention. This principle is particularly important for local councils whose precept is their primary and often only source of income.
“Parish and town councils account for just around 2 per cent of England’s total council tax in 2025/26 but they deliver a wide range of essential local services and community support. The exemption from referendum principles therefore provides much needed stability, enabling parish and town councils to plan and continue to serve their communities effectively.”
Walkern Crime Report, January 2026
Section 4A Public Order, Rookery Close
Sending Threatening Communications, Moors Ley.
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 5th March 2026 at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre commencing at 7.00 pm.
Christine Nudds, Parish Councillor