The Urgent Care Centre at Hertford County Hospital could be closed following recommendations by NHS Hertfordshire.

An evaluation panel has decided that the centre has not fulfilled it's brief, despite being visited by up to 700 people a week.

The centre opened in 2009 to treat injuries or conditions that are severe but not immediately critical or life threatening. This includes injuries and treatment for wounds, sprains and minor fractures.

Initially the centre was little used, but following publicity attendance jumped.

The evaluation panel however have concluded that the centre is being misused. People are attending the centre when they only require a visit to the GP. Others should have been using A&E departments at larger hospitals such as the QEII at Welwyn Garden City or The Lister at Stevenage.

A formal report is due to be presented to NHS Hertfordshire on 23rd March.

Contractors working for Sainsbury's have been sharply criticised after damaging lime trees on the northern edge of site of the former Hertford Brewery.

Work on the new access road to Hartham has required a trench to be dug for electricity cables near to the trees, damaging roots, despite fencing that was erected to protect the trees.

Town councillors have denounced the company and called in specialist aborists to assess the damage and advise on remedial actions. Tests have revealed that the trees are potentially unsafe and an area of the Hartham Lane car park has been fenced off as a precautionary measure and to allow further work.

Sainsbury's are co-operating with the District Council to investigate and resolve the matter.

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The District Council are proposing to build 24 flats for homeless young people in Baker Street, Hertford.

The existing long-stay car park would be closed and the land sold to Aldwyck Housing Association for a nominal amount. The market value of the land is estimated at up to £350,000.

The scheme would provide 24 flats for vulnerable young people aged 16 to 24 in Hertford. The homes would provide temporary accommodation for local young people who have been forced to leave their family home or who are homeless after leaving care.  

The Council anticipate that work will start in April, with completiion in mid-2012, although a planning application has not yet been registered.

The District Council are planning a new road bridge into the Castle Grounds from the car park in St.Andrew Street.

The new steel bridge would replace an existing wooden footbridge that links the car park to grounds north of Hertford Castle and the river.

The council say that the current bridge does not comply with the Disability Discrimination Act as is only accessible via steps.

Hertford Town Council have expressed misgivings about the plan, questioning the need for a new bridge when other entrances to the grounds provided disabled access. They also expressed extreme concern regarding night-time security as there were no proposals for gating included in the plans.

HertfordMuseum is in the running for the Art Fund Prize 2011, the UK’s largest arts prize. It is among ten museums to be long listed for the prestigious £100,000 award. 

The Art Fund Prize 2011 rewards excellence and innovation in museums and galleries across the UK for a project completed or undertaken in 2010. Following a short list of four museums to be announced on 19 May, the £100,000 cash prize will be awarded to the ‘Museum of the Year’ at a ceremony on 15 June.

HertfordMuseumhas been selected this year for the Hertford Museum Development Project.

Helen Giles, Curator of Hertford Museum, said: “What wonderful news for everyone at Hertford Museum!  Being long listed for the Art Fund Prize is such an honour.  To be recognised in such a way is really special to all the staff, volunteers and supporters of the museum who all had a unique contribution to make to our development project.  This is a great success story that we can now add to the museum’s long history.”

You can help them get closer to this prize by voting online at: www.artfundprize.org.uk/2011/vote/index.php.

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Contractors working on the new Sainsbury's supermarket in Hartham Lane have started demolition work on the former lager plant on the brewery site.

The plant was constructed in the 1970s for the production of Hartsman, then McMullen's foray into the lager market.

Until recently, brewery workers were using the car park next to the plant, but they are now using a new temporary car park built on the other side of Hartham Lane.

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Opening hours at Hertford Library are to be slashed from 54 hours a week to 37.

The Old Cross library will open at 2pm instead of 9am on Tuesday and Thursdays, and will be closed completely on Wednesdays.

Library closures across the county are expected to save the County Council £1.4 milion a year.