Leader’s Monthly Update - February 2025
13 February 2025
Welcome to my February update. A lot has happened over the past month.
Three Cherry Trees Lane closure
I have been contacted by many residents who shared their frustration at the Three Cherry Trees Lane closure.
This week I attended a meeting with senior Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) Highways Officers, HCC Councillor Phil Bibby (Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport) and Hemel Hempstead representative David Taylor MP.
We talked through the reality of Three Cherry Trees Lane, which is usually a little-used road and already has a single-track section 200 metres long.
David's office asked if Police enforcement could be brought in and we (Dacorum Borough Council) offered to work with Community Safety on options - though the one way is now fully closed. Traffic conditions were worsening and therefore it became an understandable safety imperative for HCC/Highways to close it again, quickly.
Looking for ways of easing the closure, I asked how quickly (and if) a HCC-led review of alternatives in the programme to partially open Boundary Way and create a circuit, recognising this might extend the works duration and cause additional costs. This work would take some time (weeks) to prepare, but is being developed to see, first, if it would work.
Watch this space. In the meantime, try to avoid peak times if possible and/or try other routes, as these options reduce traffic the most.
Local government reform
Like all councils in two-tier areas, we have now received our statutory invitation from the Government to submit proposals for the re-organisation of local government structures in Hertfordshire. The letter sets out the criteria to be considered and the timescale, including initial plans to be submitted in March and full proposals later this year.
Our priority remains to ensure that any changes benefit Hertfordshire residents and businesses, and maintain our excellent local government services, whilst ensuring strong democratic accountability to our communities and neighbourhoods.
There are currently differing views on the best model for local government in Hertfordshire and we are committed to working together to determine how we can best achieve this goal.
Hemel Hempstead Health Campus
This week we announced our commitment to the development of a health campus in Hemel Hempstead by assembling a team to lead the project.
A Programme Director is being recruited to drive the development of the new health hub, working with the Council, Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board and West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
We’re excited by the progress of the project and the benefits the proposed health campus would bring to our local communities in Dacorum. It would improve the health and wellbeing of our community by providing health care services, a range of clinical facilities and other NHS services into a purpose-built and accessible facility.
Corporate Spotlight: Sustainable Future
This month’s spotlight focuses on our corporate priority: Sustainable Future - Taking action on the Climate and Ecological Emergency. Here are just some of the exciting projects and initiatives underway:
Solar Together initiative
The popular group-buying scheme for solar panels and battery storage is back for 2025.
More than 5,500 residents across Hertfordshire registered for Solar Together in 2023, including 829 from Dacorum. The Dacorum residents who installed solar panels are expected to reduce their carbon emissions by 3,658 tonnes over the next 25 years, while also saving money on their energy bills.
Residents in Dacorum and throughout Hertfordshire can register free of charge for the scheme, with no obligation to proceed with an installation. The registration window will close on Friday 25 April 2025.
To date, more than 16,480 solar panels have been installed across Hertfordshire through the scheme, leading to a reduction of 31,180 tonnes of carbon emissions over the next 25 years - equivalent to taking 17,000 cars off the road for that period.
For more information about the Solar Together scheme, visit our Solar Together page.
Free retrofit plans for homeowners in Hertfordshire
Homeowners in Hertfordshire can apply for a free home survey, conducted by a qualified Retrofit Coordinator and a free bespoke Home Energy Retrofit Options (HERO) plan, worth £250, under the SuperHomes Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire service.
The HERO plan will help residents understand how to maximise their home’s energy efficiency to achieve greater comfort, cost savings and a reduced carbon footprint.
Claim your free survey and retrofit plan through SuperHomes by emailing superhomeshertsandbeds@nef.org.uk or applying online. Offer ends 31 March 2025.
Dacorum Climate Action Network: Get your free ticket to our popular climate action event
Our fourth Dacorum Climate Action Network event, themed Nature on the Brink, is being held on Monday 10 March 2025 at The Forum, Hemel Hempstead.
Anyone who lives or works in Dacorum is welcome to register for a free ticket to the event, which will focus on four key subjects: Biodiversity, Future-proofing our homes and communities, Sustainable travel, and Food for the future. Find out more.
For those unable to attend the event in person, we will be streaming the presentation and open discussion online - the link will be available on the Facebook event page on the night.
Green Community Grants - closes midnight 14 February
There's not long left to apply to our Green Community Grants scheme.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to receive up to £10,000 for your Dacorum-based project that addresses the climate and ecological emergency and benefits the local community.
For more information, visit our Green Community Grants page.
Public consultation on the Dacorum Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan
Residents, businesses, community groups and visitors in Dacorum are invited to share their views on plans to improve walking, wheeling, and cycling infrastructure across the borough. A public consultation on the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) is now open.
We've developed the LCWIP in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council. It outlines proposed improvements to key walking, wheeling and cycling routes over the next decade. To participate in this consultation, please visit https://dacorum-lcwip-hertscc.hub.arcgis.com/
Consultations and engagement
Engagement with our residents and local communities is important to help shape our services and influence the work we do across the borough. We have a dedicated community engagement platform (Let's Talk Dacorum) where you can find all our consultations and engagement opportunities.
Get the latest news
To stay up to date with all the news and information from the Council, please visit www.dacorum.gov.uk or sign up to our weekly e-newsletter: Dacorum Life to get news and information direct to your inbox.
Councillor Adrian England
Leader of the Council
