Young People’s Facilities Project  

Remit: Investigate measures to deliver innovative youth facilities. 

Over 200 young people in Berkhamsted were consulted by the BCP, working with the local police team. The consultation sought to identify which facilities were most needed by young people in Berkhamsted. The consultation identified that young people needed more outdoor activities such as a skate park, youth shelter and exciting play equipment. 

Remit: Promote the heritage of Berkhamsted to visitors 

The BCP working in partnership with the Berkhamsted Local History and Museum Society (BLHMS) applied for and were awarded funding of £15,000 (funding from Market Town’s Initiative Quality of Place , Awards for All and BLHMS) to promote the heritage of Berkhamsted. This funding enabled the BCP and BLHMS to improve the information available about the unique heritage of Berkhamsted as set out below. 

Berkhamsted Town Hall has a fascinating heritage, but there was little information available to users, residents or visitors. Using the funding and many hours of BLHMS volunteer time, permanent interpretation panels have been installed in the Town Hall, together with over 50 black and white photos dating back to the 1800’s. Now local people can easily learn about this unique town asset. 

A map detailing the heritage of Berkhamsted was designed, with extensive assistance from BLHMS volunteers. Large scale maps are displayed in a number of locations in the town including the Water Lane and Waitrose car parks. The map highlights over 35 key historic sites in and around Berkhamsted for people to visit. 

A detailed booklet on Berkhamsted Castle was designed and produced, again with extensive assistance from the BLHMS. The booklet allows the visitor to Berkhamsted Castle to learn about the layout of the Castle in its heyday, the Castle’s history and famous people connected with it. The booklet is on sale at a number of different venues throughout the town. 

The BCP are continuing to work alongside the Castle Liaison Group to enhance the experience of visitors to Berkhamsted Castle in relation to the remaining funding available  of £4,000.  

Shop Front Design, Local Listings, Areas for Enhancement and Views in Berkhamsted Project  

Remit: Establish planning guidance for shop fronts/other aspects of built environment in line with Conservation Area maintenance and development. 

The BCP, in association with CARAB, ran a photographic competition, with exciting prizes, as an innovative way to consult with local people on their opinion of buildings and views in Berkhamsted worth preserving for the future.  The competition was very popular. A wide variety of people took part, including young mothers, young people, unemployed people and the local MIND group. The photos were exhibited at the Collegiate School, Gallery One Eleven and the Rex. 

Following consultation with approximately 200 local people, the partnership produced a report on buildings and views in Berkhamsted detailing local people’s suggestions for:

This report has been provided to the Dacorum Borough Council to feed into developing planning policy, assist with appraisal of the Conservation Area in Berkhamsted and developing supplementary planning guidance.

Incorporation of the Partnership into a Company Limited by Guarantee 

The partnership investigated the most appropriate legal structure for the partnership in order for the partnership, amongst other powers, to hold property and extend its ability to raise funds for projects. Following detailed research, it became clear that it was most appropriate for the BCP to incorporate as a Company Limited by Guarantee. 

A partnership project group including: members of the local police team, the Crime Prevention Officer, Dacorum Safety Partnership Co-ordinator, Chairman of the Berkhamsted Crime Prevention Panel and Dacorum CCTV Manager have consulted with local people, both by requesting comments from an article in the Berkhamsted Crime Prevention News and by conducting a survey of businesses and residents. This consultation has helped to identify priority locations where crime/anti-social behaviour are experienced and where the extension of CCTV may be most beneficial.