In August, a police station closed to the public, leading councillors to fear the public would “lose faith in the system”.

The closure of Borehamwood Police Station, in Elstree Way, meant residents had to report non-urgent crimes by phone or online.

The cost-cutting move was labelled “dangerous” by councillors including Cowley Hill representative Ernie Butler, who felt the closure would hurt the elderly, who prefer to report crimes face-to-face.

Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd defended the decision, saying the majority of people who contacted the police through calling 101 or using the internet then did so in person.

Also in August, councillors voted to approve “the most important” landmark building in the borough.

Described by architects Assael as an “elegant, high quality building”, the 12-storey Isopad House would replace Hertsmere House and Isopad House in Shenley Road.

The private residential building, constructed of white brick, would contain 114 one, two and three-bedroom flats and 36 affordable one and two-bedroom flats.

Councillors welcomed the building, saying it would set the benchmark for others in the area, although they criticised the lack of affordable housing it provided.

Meanwhile, an inquest was held into the death of Lance Corporal James Ashworth of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, who was killed last year in Afghanistan.

It recorded the 23-year-old, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, was “unlawfully killed” by a bullet that hit his hand grenade during an enemy attack.

His sister, Paige Ashworth, 18, who lives in Aycliffe Road in Borehamwood, said she was “so proud” of her brother since he could have saved himself but chose to save his comrades.

Also in August, drivers called for a parking enforcement company they consider issued “outrageous” fines to leave a shopping park.

John Hartog, 69, was fined £85 by ParkingEye after staying 16 minutes over the three hour free parking limit at the Boulevard car park in Theobald Street in Borehamwood.

The pensioner said he would go to court to fight the charge he saw as “surreptitious and underhand”.

However ParkingEye rejected Mr Hartog’s appeal on the grounds he overstayed his limit, so it was within its rights to charge him.