Dacorum Borough Council

Ever wondered what it's like to work the bins in Dacorum?🚚🗑️ As part of the BBC’s in-depth look into waste and recycling, BBC Three Counties Radio invited our Refuse Collector, Luke Farrenden to talk to Gemma Hill about what a regular day is like when out on his collection rounds, serving the residents of Dacorum. Discover the amazing dedication and hard work Luke and all our waste collection crews put into their job, braving all weather conditions, serving daily over 1,000 properties and averaging 30,000 steps each day. 🎧Listen to the interview, starting from 1:49:00, through the BBC iPlayer:https://orlo.uk/dzTkb

Join your neighbours in Dacorum to cut bills, reduce waste and save money. Sustainable Streets Together is a free, friendly programme for local households, delivered by Grand Union Community Energy (GUCE). It brings small groups of neighbours together for a series of friendly, home-based workshops focused on practical, everyday actions they can take together. By joining, learn simple ways to: ●Improve home energy efficiency. ●Cutting food and household waste. ●Travelling more sustainably. ●Supporting local nature and biodiversity. •Build stronger local connections. Participation is free, and no prior knowledge or experience is necessary. Materials will be provided, including free energy-saving kits and thermal images for your home, and ongoing support from the GUCE team. For more information and to sign up:https://orlo.uk/QoRrk

🚀 Show Me The Money – Business Finance Workshop Looking for funding or support to grow your business? Join 'Show Me The Money', hosted by Hertsmere and Dacorum Borough Councils — a practical workshop designed to help you understand what funding is available and how to access it. Hear from expert speakers on grants, investment readiness, business finance and the free support available across Hertfordshire. Plus, enjoy networking opportunities over a light lunch. Thursday 12 March 9am – 2pm Metropolitan Bushey, WD23 2TR Tickets are £10 (includes lunch & refreshments) 👉 Find out more and book your place: https://orlo.uk/kVf8D

Dacorum’s Armed Forces Day – Sponsorship Opportunity Dacorum’s Armed Forces Day is coming up on Saturday 27 June, a large community celebration open to all residents. This annual event brings people together to honour the dedication and sacrifice of our Armed Forces community, past and present. We’re currently inviting local businesses to show their support by becoming an event sponsor. 📣 Sponsorship packages available: £500 package £1,000 package If your organisation is interested in supporting this year’s event, please get in touch at: events@dacorum.gov.uk

Residents, businesses and community groups are invited to comment on two Draft Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) that will guide future development within the Hemel Garden Communities Programme Area: • HGC Framework & Transformation SPD • HGC Stewardship & Placemaking SPD The consultation is now live and runs until midnight, Thursday 19 March 2026. Online Information Event (optional) Monday 2 March 2026, 7–8pm (Teams Webinar) Register to attend via the consultation webpage: https://orlo.uk/PwZf1 Registration closes Monday 2 March at midday How to take part View the documents and submit your comments online: https://orlo.uk/bQ0rv Hard copies are available at: The Forum, Hemel Hempstead, St Albans Civic Centre, Local libraries: Hemel Hempstead Town Centre, Adeyfield, Leverstock Green, St Albans and Redbourn Find out more: https://orlo.uk/NgrXs

Today marks four years since the start of the war in Ukraine. To show our solidarity, the Forum has been illuminated in yellow and blue, with the Ukrainian flag flying alongside the Union Flag. On Saturday, the Mayor of Dacorum, Cllr. Catherine McArevey joined Hemel's Ukrainian community for a peaceful march though Hemel town centre. Slava Ukraini💛💙

Turn your business idea into reality with a £1,000 grant Aspiring entrepreneurs can kickstart their business journey by pitching for a grant of up to £1,000 through Dacorum’s Den. Dacorum’s Den is designed for individuals and small businesses that: • Have fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover under £500,000 • Have a strong and innovative business idea • Are looking to grow their business within Dacorum Backed by local business sponsors, applications are open now and close at midday on Wednesday 25 March 2026. This year’s sponsors include Beeches Group, West Herts College, Sureserve Compliance Central and Cardo Group. Successful applicants will also benefit from: • Complimentary expert business support from local marketing agency Bloom with BB • Free bronze membership with Connect Networking Group • Pitch presentation coaching from Sales Geek before delivering their final pitch To find out more and apply for Dacorum’s Den 2026, visit: https://orlo.uk/Bi1Kc

A fly-tipper has been sent to prison after admitting to illegally disposing of waste in a rural lane. On 11 February 2026, Harris Dadd, previously of Hemel Hempstead, appeared before St Albans Magistrates' Court for sentencing, after pleading guilty at a previous hearing to the unauthorised deposit of controlled waste in Pepsal End Lane, Markyate. The court heard that our Environmental Enforcement Officer responded to a report of fly-tipping in a country lane on 3 January 2025, which included several pieces of broken and dismantled furniture, mattresses, carpets, appliances, and other household waste that was strewn alongside the carriageway. Following investigations, a vehicle was traced back to the defendant and was seized several weeks later. Despite repeated attempts to engage with the defendant regarding the matter, no satisfactory responses were received. We had no option but to dispose of the vehicle and refer the fly-tipping matter to court. Dadd was jailed for 24 weeks for the fly-tipping offence, reduced to 14 weeks. He was also handed a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order, restricting his activities in relation to carrying or disposing of waste. If breached, this could result in further imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £152. In 2023, we previously convicted Dadd for a near-identical fly-tipping offence. On that occasion, he was ordered to pay a fine of £930, costs of £900 and a victim surcharge of £373. Find out more:https://orlo.uk/yXCPt

This year Dacorum Borough Council don't have any scheduled elections taking place on 7 May 2026. This is part of the normal local election cycle. We elect all of our councillors every four years, and our next scheduled polls are due to take place in May 2027. You may have seen information online about elections happening for neighbouring councils and wondered why there’s nothing about elections in our area. This is completely normal - different areas vote in different years. Find out more about elections in Dacorum: 👉 https://orlo.uk/lTTJK

Renting is changing under the Renters' Rights Act. If you're a private housing landlord, these changes will affect how you manage your tenancies. Read the guidance at https://orlo.uk/53arH