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You must have heard or read about the Reorganisation of Local Government and Devolution of powers from central government. As a result, Broxbourne Council will be abolished from April 2028, folded into a new Eastern Hertfordshire authority alongside East Herts. Nothing changes for residents right now, but the shift will eventually touch everything from council tax to planning decisions to which building your query lands with. Reaction has been mixed, our MP, the county council leader and Broxbourne's own council have all put out different takes on it, and you'll find several of them in this edition. This is a developing story, and Broxtown will keep bringing you interviews and updates as it unfolds.

Lest I forget, congratulations to Spain on lifting the World Cup after Sunday's 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina, and to England, whose 6-4 win over France for third place was the country's best World Cup finish since 1966. It was a successful World Cup in the end, but with a lot of unanswered questions.

And in Westminster yesterday, Andy Burnham became prime minister, taking over from Keir Starmer after winning the Labour leadership unopposed. The country is hungry for changes. Let’s hope for a better governance this time.

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The government has confirmed Broxbourne Council will be abolished and merged into a new Eastern Hertfordshire Council from April 2028, as part of the wider reorganisation of Hertfordshire's 11 councils into four unitary authorities. Nothing changes for residents right now, services continue as normal while Broxbourne works with the other Hertfordshire councils behind the scenes to prepare for the handover. More detail is expected over the coming weeks and months.

Read Broxbourne's press release → · See the government's timeline →

Hertfordshire County Council, the body being dissolved under the reorganisation, says it's exploring ways to challenge the decision, with leader Cllr Steve Jarvis calling it the "most disruptive" of the options on the table. The council says splitting adult social care, SEND support and highways teams across four new authorities will cost taxpayers more, with one new council projected to run a deficit from day one. It isn't yet clear whether a legal challenge is on the table for Hertfordshire.

Read Cllr Jarvis's statement →

Hertfordshire County Council is marking World Drowning Prevention Day on Saturday 25 July by encouraging residents to learn how their own body floats, since everyone floats differently. The advice: tilt your head back, keep your airway clear, spread your arms and legs, and breathe steadily to stay calm if you get into trouble in water. Knowing your own float could save your life, or someone else's.

Find out more →

Hertfordshire County Council has put together Fifty Thrifty, a list of 50 free or low-cost things to do across the county this summer, with an interactive map to help plan days out. It's a county-wide list rather than Broxbourne-specific, but worth having to hand before the school holidays properly kick in.

Explore the map →

Broxbourne's MP Lewis Cocking has criticised the government's decision to abolish Broxbourne and East Herts councils in favour of a new "Eastern Hertfordshire" authority covering more than 280,000 people, saying "I have never supported these plans." Cocking, who led Broxbourne Council himself before entering Parliament, called council tax rises "inevitable" and warned that housing decisions could be made by people with no knowledge of local towns and villages, putting facilities like the Spotlight Theatre and Laura Trott Leisure Centre in doubt. He says his role representing Broxbourne in Parliament won't change, and residents with questions can contact him directly.

Broxbourne Council has released its 2026 Summer Fun Brochure, packed with events and activities for children, young people and families running from July to mid-September across the borough. It's the whole summer in one document rather than one event at a time.

Download the brochure →

Play area improvement works are underway at Broxbourne Recreation Ground, Goffs Oak Play Area and Cheshunt Park, with some areas fully or partially closed while work takes place. The council says it will share the finished results soon.

The gym at Laura Trott Leisure Centre in Cheshunt will close for three weeks in October or November while it's expanded and refurbished, with 50 extra pieces of equipment, a bigger mezzanine floor and a new air cooling system. The work follows membership nearly doubling since 2021/22, from 3,300 to 5,100, and will add more than 35% extra floorspace and room for 55 to 65 more people at a time; the council expects the extra capacity to bring in £81,000 a year, more than covering the £60,000-a-year cost of the new equipment lease. During the closure, members can use the gym at John Warner Sports Centre in Hoddesdon instead, with the dates timed to avoid clashing with John Warner's own refurbishment. The centre's EGym, used for NHS-referral patients, is also being expanded with 22 new machines costing £196,000, funded mostly by developer contributions.

Last month's Goffs Oak Community Association Summer Fayre drew a record estimated 3,000 attendees, raising enough to hand three chosen charities £1,500 each: Stargardt's Connected, The James Foundation, and Essex & Herts Air Ambulance. GOCA chairman John Gillett said the fayre "enabled us to provide each of our three charities with a generous donation," with further cheques going to the Hertfordshire World Scout Jamboree Unit and a rhino conservation charity in South Africa; Broxbourne Mayor Patsy Spears and council leader Cllr Corina Gander attended the presentation. GOCA, which has run in Goffs Oak for over 50 years, says planning for next year's fayre is already underway.

Lahmacun Evi has opened in Waltham Cross, serving freshly baked lahmacun, traditional pide and homemade Turkish dishes. The new business is celebrating its opening and inviting residents to come try it.

Theobalds Enterprise Centre has opened applications for its new Emerging Tec incubator, launching in September for AI-curious founders, freelancers and business owners in Broxbourne. The programme grew out of the centre's monthly AI Coffee & Conversation sessions, where local business owners said they wanted somewhere to experiment without judgement, build confidence, and get real expertise when they need it. Applications are open now for the September cohort.

Apply →

Hoddesdon Library has a packed programme of free and low-cost children's events running throughout the summer holidays. Full listings are on the Hertfordshire Libraries website, or ask in person at the library.

See what's on →

Local children's charity CHEXS is asking for pledges ahead of this year's Big Give Christmas Challenge, which matches public donations made during the campaign. Securing pledges now means every pound donated during the campaign itself could be doubled.

Make your pledge →

Cheshunt FC has signed central defender Axel Ampedu, with the club saying he's "ready to make his mark" at The Lane. Welcome to the Ambers, Axel.

Cedars Nature Centre in Cheshunt has six weeks of summer activities lined up, with a different theme each week and chances to get close to the animals. This week's theme is The Big Zoo Quiz, alongside the weekly My First Pet Club (this week: tortoises) and a Home Education Day. Check the centre's website for the full weekly schedule as it's released.

Plan your visit →

Girl Era is a free girls-only programme for young people aged 14–17, giving them a safe, supportive space to shape their own activities and sessions.

The Active Local Workforce Fund is offering funding, up to £1,000 per course, towards coaching and instructor qualifications for anyone serving Waltham Cross or starting new sport and activity provision there. It's open to clubs, coaches and volunteers, whether you're brand new to coaching or an experienced coach looking to upskill.

Date: Tuesday 21 July 2026
Time: Bar opens 5:30pm, kick-off 7:00pm
Location: The Lane, Cheshunt
Cost: Free for under 16s wearing a Cheshunt FC home shirt. Standard tickets available via the club website.

Date: Wednesday 22 July 2026
Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Location: Broxbourne Borough Council Offices, Bishops College, Churchgate, Cheshunt, Waltham Cross EN8 9XQ
Cost: Free, open to residents
Contact: [email protected] | 0800 038 3486

Date: Wednesday 22 July 2026
Location: Venue to be confirmed
Cost: Free, spaces are limited
Book: https://ow.ly/pOOc50ZmLs5

Date: Saturday 25 July 2026
Location: The Lane, Cheshunt
Cost: Paid entry, proceeds in aid of The James Foundation

Date: Tuesday 28 July 2026
Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm
Location: Goffs Oak Village Car Park, outside the library
Cost: Free, donations welcome (no books accepted)

Date: Sunday 2 August 2026
Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm
Location: The Hertfordshire Golf & Country Club
Cost: £3 per person, payable on the door
Contact: 01992 466666 | [email protected]

Date: Sunday 2 August 2026
Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Location: Waltham Cross Town Centre
Cost: Free

Dates: Every Tuesday from 4 August 2026
Location: Waltham Cross Playing Fields
Who can attend: Young people aged 12 to 16
Cost: Free, includes free food
Sign up: https://ow.ly/4cIl50ZnGkm

Dates: Every Sunday
Time: 9:00am
Location: Waltham Cross Playing Fields
Who can attend: Children aged 4 to 14
Cost: Free, run, walk or jog the 2km course
Sign up: https://ow.ly/jq0k50ZnIfc

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Tuesday 21 July
22°C 🌡️ 13°C | ⛅ Pleasant with sunny intervals and cloud | ☀️ Sunrise 05:06 | 🌇 Sunset 21:07

Wednesday 22 July
22°C 🌡️ 11°C | ⛅ Sunny spells with some cloud | ☀️ Sunrise 05:07 | 🌇 Sunset 21:06

Thursday 23 July
22°C 🌡️ 13°C | ☁️ Cloudy and dry | ☀️ Sunrise 05:09 | 🌇 Sunset 21:05

Friday 24 July
24°C 🌡️ 13°C | ☁️ Cloudy, becoming warm | ☀️ Sunrise 05:10 | 🌇 Sunset 21:03

Saturday 25 July
21°C 🌡️ 12°C | ☁️ Mostly cloudy | ☀️ Sunrise 05:11 | 🌇 Sunset 21:02

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Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day!

Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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