The borough enjoys an excellent location and is within easy reach of London, being located just on the outskirts of the M25 and with train journeys from Hemel Hempstead to London Euston taking less than 30 minutes. We’re also well connected to the rest of the country, with easy access to the M1 and M4, and we are within easy reach of both Luton and Heathrow airports.
Our vision is clear: We will work in partnership to create a borough that enables the communities of Dacorum to thrive and prosper. This ambition is supported by six strategic priorities:
The Council has an important leadership role to play in coordinating the efforts and activities of a range of organisations and individuals to support and encourage local economic growth. We recognise that sustainable economic success and growth is a foundation that supports the delivery of all of our priorities, so we are placing considerable emphasis on place shaping, supporting our local economy and encouraging investment and providing affordable homes.
Our plans for the future include significant growth ambitions. The proposed Hemel Garden Communities will deliver around 11,000 high quality and sustainable homes and 10,000 jobs for the area. This will be a truly transformational programme which will support sustainable travel and provide more beautiful green spaces for our residents.
The Council is ambitious for growth, change and transformation. It is developing a new agenda to address housing need (outlined in the Housing Strategy (2024-2029), create great places, and promote and shape new development to secure the Council, and the Borough’s, longer-term economic future.
The Council holds significant assets. As a stock holding Authority it owns around 12,000 council homes, including 29 supported housing schemes. Our corporate property assets (which are managed separately to this role) include 700 commercial, civic, cultural and leisure settings, car parks, and a garage portfolio across Hemel Hempstead and the Borough.
To support its ambition, the Council is undertaking a Strategic Asset Review, exploring how Council assets can best support the Council’s strategic objectives to:
Our main offices are located at The Forum in the centre of Hemel Hempstead. This is a modern building, which provides an inspiring and collaborative place to work. Its open-plan offices and central atrium provide a light and spacious working environment which supports our flexible working approach. The Forum is also home to Hemel Hempstead Library, the Register Office, voluntary sector partners including Citizens Advice and a central café, making it a great place for the whole community to come together.
The current political structure of the Council is as follows:
The Council’s Strategic Leadership Team consists of the Chief Executive and five Strategic Directors. The wider Corporate Leadership Team has operational and tactical responsibilities for delivering the Council’s services and for providing excellent standards of customer service.
View an organisational chart.