Newsletter 13th January 2026

C​hris Hinchliff MP

has accepted an invitation to attend the February Ashwell Parish Council meeting where he will answer questions during the Open Session of the meeting.

T​he date is Wednesday 4th February at 7pm in the Parish Room. Agenda to follow nearer the time.

A​505 Road Safety Update

P​lease click here for official communication from Chris Hinchliff MP

C​atch-Up Notes From Ashwell Parish Council

C​lick here for January's notes

A​shwell Parish Council Draft Minutes from meeting held on 7th January 2026

P​lease click here for Minutes

T​raining & Awareness talks - Cyber & Fraud

A Police Support Volunteer working with Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud & Cyber Unit is holding an event at Hitchin Library on:

• Hitchin Library event on Friday 27 February 2026

C​lick here for full times of events and full details

H​CC Speed Survey - Please take part

Hertfordshire County Council are updating the Speed Management Strategy which provides a consistent approach to setting speed limits in Hertfordshire.

We want to hear your views on current speed limits in the county, as well as the processes we should follow for setting new speed limits. Please take part in this survey that should take around 5-10 minutes to complete. The survey is open until 11.59pm on Monday 16 February 2026.

https://letstalktransport.hertfordshire.gov.uk/speed-management-strategy-questionnaire

The Speed Management Strategy provides the benchmark against which Hertfordshire County Council decides on how new speed limits are set, as well as deciding on whether physical road calming measures are required and which would be appropriate. We receive several hundred requests each year from residents and stakeholders to reduce speed limits. Each request is assessed against the Speed Management Strategy to determine whether a reduction is appropriate. Therefore, it’s important to hear from our partners and stakeholders about their views on current speed limits in the county, as well as understanding and developing the processes the County Council should follow for setting new speed limits.

H​ertfordshire Age UK

The flyer gives details of winter welfare visits carried out by Hertfordshire Age UK and how professionals can refer people.

Residents in Hertfordshire can get more information on how to self-refer for a Winter Welfare Check by calling Chris on 07903 429743 or email Chris.skrabski@ageukherts.org.uk

Age UK Hertfordshire are delivering Winter Welfare Visits to support older and/or vulnerable people to stay warm and safe this winter. This service is fully funded by HCC under the Household Support Fund and is free of charge.

Support will be delivered via our 'handyperson' service,

who can help with:

• Providing and installing radiator reflector strips to maximise heat dispersion
• Providing and installing draught excluders for doors and windows to reduce heat loss
• Providing and installing night lights and replacing faulty energy-efficient bulbs
• Providing an electric blanket or winter duvet (single size only)
• Helping to take meter readings and set heating timings and thermostats (please note we are unable to help with central heating issues as this will require a gas-safe engineer and/or appropriate tradesman)

The service will run from 27th October 2025 to 31st March 2026.

To make a referral, please complete the referral form (click herefor form) and return it using the contact details provided. The Age UK Hertfordshire team will then contact the client to arrange the visit

and discuss their individual needs.

All team members are DBS checked, referenced, and will carry ID.