Welcome to East Herts Council&#39;s new engagement platform, a space to have a say in shaping the future of our district. As a listening council, we believe in being open, transparent, and community-led, ensuring everyone has a voice in the decisions that matter.&nbsp;

Your Voice

When the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act) came into force in late 2007, it brought in a new, comprehensive system for gambling regulation in Great Britain. For the first time, the vast majority of commercial gambling was brought together into a single regulatory framework. The Act established a dedicated regulator, at a national level, in the form of the <a href="https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/">Gambling Commission</a>. But it also recognised the potential local impact and importance of gambling. So, it created many local regulators, whose job it is to manage gambling locally, in line with local circumstances. Those regulators are the licensing authorities of England, Wales and Scotland. In doing so, the Act established a strong element of local decision-making and accountability in gambling regulation for the areas not reserved for the Gambling Commission.The Act places a legal duty on both the Commission and licensing authorities to aim to permit gambling, in so far as it is considered to be reasonably consistent with the pursuit of the licensing objectives. The effect of this duty is that both the Commission and licensing authorities must approach their functions in a way that seeks to regulate gambling by using their powers, for example, powers to attach conditions to licences, to moderate its impact on the licensing objectives rather than by starting out to prevent it altogether. The three licensing objectives (s.1 of the Act) which guide the way that the Commission and licensing authorities perform their functions and the way that gambling businesses carry on their activities are:<ul><li>preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder, or being used to support crime;</li><li>ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way;</li><li>protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.</li></ul>The Act requires licensing authorities, such as East Herts Council, to publish a written policy, setting out how they intend to:<ul><li>exercise the licensing and enforcement powers conveyed to them;</li><li>the principles that they will follow; and </li><li>their expectations of licensees. </li></ul>The Policy must be periodically reviewed, to ensure that it reflects the current legislation and remains relevant to the issues arising in the authority&rsquo;s area. The existence of a clear and robust policy statement provides greater scope for licensing authorities to work in partnership with operators, other local businesses, communities, and responsible authorities to identify and to proactively mitigate local risks to the licensing objectives. The purpose of the consultation on this document is to allow operators, other local businesses, communities, and responsible authorities to help identify any local risks or issues related to gambling. These can then be considered and can help shape this policy so that it reflects local circumstances and needs. The previous policy can be found here: <a href="https://www.eastherts.gov.uk/licences-and-registration/gambling-policy-guidance-and-fees">Gambling Principles 2022-25</a>. The 2025-28 draft revised Statement of Gambling Principles can be download from this webpage.The consultation is open for 6 weeks from 21st July 2025 to 31st August 2025 (midnight). You can comment below or via email to: <a href="mailto:community.protection@eastherts.gov.uk">community.protection@eastherts.gov.uk</a> or via post to: Licensing, East Herts Council, Wallfields Pegs Lane Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 8EQ.

Gambling Policy

East Herts District Council recognises the importance of markets to the local economy and the character of the area. They remain an important Council service and contribute in several ways to the local communities they serve.The Council&#39;s markets represent an important investment by the Council in delivering economic growth and regeneration by creating jobs, promoting local produce, attracting tourists and enhancing town centre vitality.The Council is keen to maintain the balance of markets within the district and ensure that there is consistency in the way that markets are organised. In this context, the Council has decided to implement a new policy which sets out the basis upon which markets are held and the process by which applications for new markets will be considered.The Council recognises that there are many different types of market activities, and the policy is intended to cater for each type of market. In particular, the Policy distinguishes between commercial markets and those that are largely community-based with a strong charitable element. Section 5 of this Policy deals with the different types of market and the Council&#39;s approach in considering applications in respect of such markets.The Policy will be reviewed at a minimum of five yearly intervals.Currently markets are covered by the Street Trading Policy which can be found here: <a href="https://www.eastherts.gov.uk/licences-and-registration/street-trading-consents" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Street Trading Policy 2022-25.</a> Once the new policy comes into effect all references to markets will be removed from the street trading policy.The consultation on the draft Markets policy is to allow organisations and individuals to share their thoughts regarding how markets should operate within the district.The consultation is open for 4 weeks from 21st July 2025 to 17th August 2025 (midnight). You can comment in writing below or via email to: community.protection@eastherts.gov.uk or via post to: Licensing, East Herts Council, Wallfields, Pegs Lane, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 8EQ.

Markets 

We are gathering feedback from local residents on how Hartham Skate Park can be improved to better serve the community. We have a small budget available and want to focus it on what is most important to its users.From skateboarders to BMX riders and scooters to roller bladers, we want to hear from everyone who enjoys the park&rsquo;s space. Ideas for improvement include upgraded ramps, more seating, and landscaping to the area surrounding the skate park.The consultation will be open from Wednesday, 30 July 2025 until Sunday, 31 August 2025.

Hartham Skate Park Improvements

Watch live meetings, track key decisions, and see how your local representatives are shaping the future of our district.

Democracy in Action

Keep up to date with the latest news, updates, and important announcements from East Herts Council.

Latest News & Announcements

Learn more about our corporate strategy for 2024-2027

LEAF Corporate Plan

Executive Member for Corporate Services

Executive Member for Planning and Growth

Help turn our objective into your reality by supporting a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable East Herts.

Get involved today – because East Herts is better when we shape it together!

Project Finder

Welcome to the Arts in East Herts Hub! Here you will find: <ul><li>Events lists in &#39;documents&#39; split into location and month</li><li>All events in &#39;map&#39;, so you can find events near you</li><li>Feedback forms in &#39;survey&#39; so we can keep building on and improving Arts in East Herts! </li></ul>

Arts in East Herts

East Herts District Council recognises the importance of markets to the local economy and the character of the area. They remain an important Council service and contribute in several ways to the local communities they serve.The Council&#39;s markets represent an important investment by the Council in delivering economic growth and regeneration by creating jobs, promoting local produce, attracting tourists and enhancing town centre vitality.The Council is keen to maintain the balance of markets within the district and ensure that there is consistency in the way that markets are organised. In this context, the Council has decided to implement a new policy which sets out the basis upon which markets are held and the process by which applications for new markets will be considered.The Council recognises that there are many different types of market activities, and the policy is intended to cater for each type of market. In particular, the Policy distinguishes between commercial markets and those that are largely community-based with a strong charitable element. Section 5 of this Policy deals with the different types of market and the Council&#39;s approach in considering applications in respect of such markets.The Policy will be reviewed at a minimum of five yearly intervals.Currently markets are covered by the Street Trading Policy which can be found here: <a href="https://www.eastherts.gov.uk/licences-and-registration/street-trading-consents" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Street Trading Policy 2022-25.</a> Once the new policy comes into effect all references to markets will be removed from the street trading policy.The consultation on the draft Markets policy is to allow organisations and individuals to share their thoughts regarding how markets should operate within the district.The consultation is open until 24th August 2025 (midnight). You can comment in writing below or via email to: community.protection@eastherts.gov.uk or via post to: Licensing, East Herts Council, Wallfields, Pegs Lane, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 8EQ.

This competition is now closed. Thank you for everyone who submitted so many fantastic entries, keep an eye on our social media to find out the winning names!-- Welcome to the entry page for East &amp; North Herts Waste and Recycling vehicle naming competition.Thank you for helping us to name the new fleet who will be joining our crews in their new bin collection service from 4 August 2025, working hard across East and North Hertfordshire to take your waste away.The competition is open from Monday, 9 June and will close at midnight on Monday, 30 June. Please read the terms and conditions before entering, and the very best of luck! Terms and Conditions<ol><li>This competition is open to residents of East and North Hertfordshire only.</li><li>The opening date is Monday, 9 June 2025 and the closing date is Monday, 30 June 2025 (we will be unable to consider submissions made after midnight on Monday, 30 June 2025).</li><li>Where competitors are under 16, we require the name of the parent or guardian, and only the parent/guardian&rsquo;s telephone number and email address should be supplied.</li><li>By entering the competition, the participant is agreeing to their name and image featuring in promotion by the council and possible local and national media outlets.</li><li>The competition will be judged by a panel from our waste management team, councillors and crew. All decisions will be final.</li><li>Winning names will be added onto the trucks. Residents who have selected the winning names will be provided with a certificate and an electronic picture of your named vehicle for bragging rights!</li></ol>Good luck, we can&rsquo;t wait to see what you come up with!

Hartham Skate Park Improvements

Markets

Gambling Policy

Tag that Truck!