Mayor David Collins

"I am very proud to become Mayor of such a thriving canal market town. We have a rich and cultural heritage. The canal which helped to bring so much prosperity to the town in the 19th century, now contributes to making Berkhamsted a pleasant place for both residents and visitors.

I will work hard with my fellow councillors to protect the town from overdevelopment, preserve the surrounding green belt and bring continued prosperity to our town.

Berkhamsted received its first Charter in 1156 and became a Borough in 1618. In 1894 it became an Urban District and by the Local Government Re-organisation in 1974 it was absorbed into the Borough of Dacorum. In the same year  Berkhamsted Parish Council was formed and this body evolved into the Town Council in 1976, when the Office of Town Mayor was set up by Statute. 

The Town Mayor is elected annually at the Annual Meeting of the Town Council and represents the Queen within the boundaries of the Town. The Town Mayor is entitled to precedence unless the Mayor of Dacorum is present and is addressed as Madam Mayor. She is normally seated on the right of the Chairman at an event, but does not preside. 

A Quality Town Council

At the Annual Town Meeting on 6^th April 2006, Mr Derek Farquharson, the Hon. Chairman of the Hertfordshire Accreditation Panel, presented Berkhamsted Town Council with the Certificate designating its new status. 

Received by the Mayor, Cllr Geraldine Corry, and Colin Westwood – Clerk to the Council – and himself duly qualified under an accreditation scheme for clerks, the Mayor said: 

‘It is a wonderful endorsement of the work this Council has been doing to be awarded this privileged status – we’re one of only 277 councils in England that have gone through this thorough appraisal – and we are only the second in Hertfordshire’. 

About the Quality Parish scheme

The Quality Parish Scheme was launched by the Government in 2003 as a way of re-invigorating the parish council sector. The list of criteria is extensive with mandatory and discretionary elements. These include evidence of regular communications with local residents – for example 4 newsletters a year to be distributed to all residents, and the publication of an Annual Report. Overall, it is a way of spreading good practice among Parish and Town Councils.

The designation of Quality Town Council lasts for four years when a new application must be made. 

The Accreditation Panel is convened, on behalf of the ODPM, by The Hertfordshire Association of Parish and Town Councils, which is based in Hemel Hempstead.

Its Hon. Chairman [who is a resident of Potten End], is entirely independent of the sector. 

For further information: 
Colin Westwood, Clerk
01442 228945