Good morning and welcome to Broxtown!

It’s the day before Christmas Eve and also National Christmas Marathon Movie Day—the perfect excuse to cozy up with a holiday movie marathon, unless you’re working like some of us! If your holiday has already begun, we hope you’re enjoying it. Whether it’s tackling last-minute shopping or tweaking your festive plans, the countdown to Christmas is in full swing. 🎄

In today’s edition, we’ll bring you the latest updates on the devolution of government from all ten councils and districts in Hertfordshire. Plus, we’ll share how Hertfordshire Council is preparing to support those who may find this festive period challenging.

Before we dive in, a warm welcome to our new subscribers—great to have you with us! Got any ideas or feedback? Let us know; we’re here to make Broxtown your go-to local read!

Let’s get started! 💌🎅✨

News at Glance

Hertfordshire Councils Reject Unitary Authority Proposal

The government’s Devolution White Paper has sparked significant discussions across Hertfordshire, particularly around its impact on local government reform. Among the options speculated—forming a single unitary authority, merging district councils into larger groups, or maintaining the current structure with a Combined County Authority—the single unitary council has faced strong opposition.

Last Friday, Hertfordshire’s ten district and borough councils released a joint statement rejecting the unitary authority proposal. The statement, signed by leaders from all ten councils, emphasized the need for meaningful consultation and expressed concerns over reduced local representation and remote decision-making under a single authority.

Key Points from the Joint Statement

• The leaders oppose the creation of one unitary council for Hertfordshire, citing the county's diversity and the importance of local representation.

• They insist on thorough consultation with residents, businesses, and stakeholders before any decisions are made.

• They oppose postponing the scheduled May 2025 county council elections, noting Hertfordshire does not meet the criteria for priority reform areas.

• They expressed a willingness to work collaboratively on measured, inclusive, and transparent reform.

What’s Next?

With the unitary authority option seemingly off the table, the likely path forward involves merging district councils into larger groups to meet the government’s minimum population threshold of 500,000 residents.

Here are possible groupings:

1. West Hertfordshire Unitary Authority

   • Dacorum, St Albans, Watford, and Three Rivers (~523,000 residents).

2. South-Central Hertfordshire Unitary Authority

   • Welwyn Hatfield, Hertsmere, Broxbourne, and Stevenage (~531,000 residents).

3. North-East Hertfordshire Unitary Authority

   • East Hertfordshire and North Hertfordshire (~548,000 residents, with possible adjustments).

These groupings aim to preserve regional identity while addressing governance challenges and aligning with the government’s reform agenda.

Your Thoughts?

What do you think about the proposed changes? Should councils merge, or is there a better way to navigate these reforms? Share your views with us, and stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.

Register Now: Stay Safe and Informed with Herts Connected

As the festive season approaches, it’s important to remain vigilant about safety in our communities. Unfortunately, quieter times when people are out enjoying the season can also attract unscrupulous individuals targeting homes or venues for burglary and other crimes. Protecting ourselves requires a collaborative effort between residents and the police.

That’s where Herts Connected, a new community messaging system from Hertfordshire Constabulary, comes in. This free, interactive service keeps you informed about what’s happening in your local area, helping you stay one step ahead.

Why Join Herts Connected?

• Stay Updated: Receive tailored updates on incidents, alerts, and safety advice specific to where you live or work in Hertfordshire.

• Choose Your Sources: Get messages from trusted sources like the Police and Crime Commissioner, Neighbourhood Watch, and Action Fraud.

• Personalised Alerts: Customise your preferences to receive information that matters most to you—not just general updates tied to your postcode.

How to Register

If you were part of the old system OWL, please note that you’ll need to re-register on Herts Connected to continue receiving updates. Signing up is quick and easy, ensuring you won’t miss crucial information about your community.

By joining Herts Connected, you’re not only staying informed—you’re playing an active role in creating a safer, stronger community.

Support Available This Christmas from Hertfordshire Council

The festive season can be a joyful time for many, but Hertfordshire Council recognises that it’s not always easy for everyone. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, facing challenges, or simply need a helping hand, the council has made arrangements to provide support during this period.

If you or someone you know could use some assistance this Christmas, help is just a call or click away.

📩 Get in Touch for Support Here

Remember, you’re not alone, and there’s always someone ready to listen and help. Let’s ensure everyone in our community feels supported this holiday season. 🎄✨

Stay Cozy and Connected: Visit Hertfordshire’s Warm Spaces This Winter!

As the chill sets in, Hertfordshire Warm Spaces invite you to step out of the cold and into a welcoming spot where you can socialise, enjoy activities, and relax. Plus, if transportation is a concern, free rides are available to help you get there!

We all need a little extra warmth and support from time to time. Our Warm Spaces directory and resources provide information on safe, accessible places to keep everyone in our community warm and well this winter. If you know of anyone who will benefit from this, we encourage you do the right thing.

For more details, click the button or call 0300 123 4044.

Stay warm, stay safe, and join us in a Warm Space near you!

Is Your Bin Collection Today? Check Now!

Holiday schedules have caused changes to bin collection dates, so it’s important to confirm your revised collection day.

Simply enter your address using the link below to check the updated schedule on Broxbourne’s website. Don’t miss your collection!

MEME of the Day

Join the Broxtown Team and Share Your Stories!

Love our community? Got a talent for storytelling? We’re looking for passionate local voices to join our Broxtown writing team and bring our borough’s stories to life!

Whether you're an experienced writer or just have a story to share, we want to hear from you! From local news and events to lifestyle and quirky tales that make Broxbourne unique, Broxtown is all about capturing the spirit of our community.

Know a hidden gem, local hero, or business that deserves the spotlight? Join us and help share what makes Broxtown special!

Interested? Drop us a message—let’s make Broxtown a place where every voice is heard! 📬

Your Voice Matters: Help Shape Broxtown in 2025!

Since September, Broxtown has delivered 52 editions filled with 96.3k words of hope, joy, and inspiration straight to your inbox. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and deeply grateful for your support along the way.

As we look ahead to 2025, we want to ensure we continue delighting you with the news, events, and stories that matter most to our community. To do that, we need your help!

We’ve put together a quick survey to gather your insights and feedback. Your input will play a key role in shaping the future of Broxtown, helping us grow and improve as we keep you informed about all things across the borough.

📩 Please take a moment to complete the survey here:

Your time and thoughts mean so much to us—thank you for helping us make Broxtown even better in the year to come! 💬✨

JM Installations Wins Cheshunt’s Best Dressed Christmas Window Competition!

Cheshunt’s festive spirit reached new heights this year with the Best Dressed Christmas Window Competition, organized by Love Cheshunt. After weeks of creative displays and a close public vote, the results are in—congratulations to JM Installations for taking home the top prize!

The local community selected JM Installations’ enchanting display as the best in Cheshunt, praising its charm and festive appeal. The display, created with the help of a talented window artist, featured an adorable mitten illustration—a clever nod to the owners’ surname, John and Nicola Mitten.

“We were pleasantly surprised by the mitten illustration,” said John and Nicola. “It was such a sweet and festive touch, and it made our display even more personal. We love it!”

The Mitten family not only earned the admiration of the community but also walked away with a £50 prize and the coveted Winner’s Trophy, just in time for Christmas.

Love Cheshunt, the organizers of this heartwarming event, extend their gratitude to all participants and voters for making this competition a success. The festive displays brought joy to residents and showcased the creativity of local businesses.

Congratulations once again to JM Installations on their well-deserved win. Their display has truly captured the magic of Christmas in Cheshunt! 🎄✨

FOOTBALL

Tottenham Hotspurs 3 | 6 Liverpool

Liverpool Dominate Spurs to Go Four Points Clear

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League with a commanding 6-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. Goals from Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Mohamed Salah—who became Liverpool's fourth all-time top scorer—exposed Spurs' defensive frailties in a dominant display.

Despite James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski finding the net for Spurs, Liverpool's relentless attack left an injury-hit and fatigued Tottenham side overwhelmed. Diaz sealed the win with his second goal, cementing Liverpool’s position as title favourites.

Crystal Palace 1 | 5 Arsenal

Arsenal Cruise Past Crystal Palace with Five-Star Performance

Gabriel Jesus scored twice as Arsenal thrashed Crystal Palace 5-1 at Selhurst Park, moving within three points of Premier League leaders Liverpool. Jesus continued his hot streak against Palace, following his Carabao Cup hat-trick midweek, while Bukayo Saka limped off early with an injury.

Jesus struck twice in the first half, with Kai Havertz tapping in Arsenal's third. After the break, Gabriel Martinelli deflected in Declan Rice's shot before Rice sealed the win with a stunning strike.

Despite Ismaila Sarr’s equaliser for Palace and a bright start to the second half, Arsenal’s dominance secured a crucial win to keep their title hopes alive.

BOXING

Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Tyson Fury Again to Retain Heavyweight Titles

Oleksandr Usyk secured another close points victory over Tyson Fury in their highly anticipated rematch in Saudi Arabia, retaining his unified heavyweight world titles. The Ukrainian champion extended his undefeated record to 23 professional wins, with all three judges scoring the fight 116-112 in his favor.

While Fury, 36, landed some impressive shots early on, Usyk’s cleaner work and higher punch volume ensured his dominance. The victory solidified Usyk’s status as a generational great, adding another chapter to his illustrious career as a former undisputed cruiserweight champion and Olympic gold medallist.

Fury, visibly frustrated, claimed backstage that he had won the fight by "at least three rounds" but left the ring without comment. Meanwhile, IBF world champion Daniel Dubois called for his own shot at Usyk, setting the stage for future heavyweight showdowns.

LOCAL JOBS

Broxbourne Council Jobs

• Technical Officer – Environmental Health

• Box Office Customer Service Assistant

• Kidz Klub Playworkers / Casual

• Civil Enforcement Officer

• Swimming Instructors

• Operations Officers/Lifeguards

Monday Weather

7°C 🌡️ 5°C | ☀️ Sunny intervals and moderate breeze | ☀️ Sunrise 08:06 Sunset 15:54

Word of the Day

AMBIENT

Today’s Word of the Day is AMBIENT - generally refers to the surrounding or encompassing environment. It is often used to describe the atmosphere, conditions, or background in which something exists. Its meaning can vary slightly depending on context:

• Adjective (Descriptive):

  • Relating to the surrounding environment.
    Example: "The ambient temperature in the room was just right for the meeting."

  • Referring to something that creates a background or atmosphere, often subtle or unnoticed.
    Example: "The ambient lighting gave the room a warm, inviting feel."

• Noun (Less Common):

  • The surrounding atmosphere or environment.
    Example: "The café’s ambient made it a perfect spot for creative work."

The word "ambient" is versatile and often used to describe the surrounding environment, mood, or background. It adds subtlety to descriptions, often indicating the overall feel or conditions of a place or situation.

Submit the Word of the Day by clicking here. 👈️ 

Broxtown referral program

While sharing Broxtown with your friends is a huge favour to us, we want to make sure your efforts don’t go unnoticed. To show our appreciation, we have some special rewards lined up for those who go above and beyond in helping us grow! 🏆🌟

• Get 3 friends or family to sign up and we will give you a birthday shout out.

• Get 5 folks to join and we will give you and your best mate a birthday shout out

• Get 15 and we’ll pay for your dinner with a friend at a secret restaurant in the Borough.

• Get 100 and I’ll give you a free Broxtown branded hoodie (£65 value).

• And if you somehow get 1,000 I will buy you a Spa Weekend for you and your best friend anywhere in Hertfordshire.

Thanks for Reading—See You Tomorrow!

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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!

Cheers,
The Broxtown Team