Consultations

Every three years, the Charitable Collections Policy Document is reviewed and the 2022 review is now under way. This provides an opportunity for local residents and charities to give their views on proposed changes to the Council's policy on licensing Charitable Collections. The Council considers that the process for obtaining a permit to collect money or clothing for charitable purposes benefits from a policy so that everyone, both the public and collectors, understands what we expect from those seeking to collect in our area. The policy was adopted in July 2015, was reviewed in 2019, and is now being reviewed again in 2022. The following changes are proposed:

• The inclusion of the Cabinet Office Decision - House to House Collections Act 1939: Appeal by Clothes Aid (Services) Ltd against the decision of St Albans City and District Council, made 28th February 2020, at Appendix 9. However, having considered both this Decision and the 30th March 2012 Decision in the Appeal by Support Pen-y-Bont Ltd against Cardiff Council (Appendix 8), since neither Decision supersedes the other, on balance we still consider our current Policy to be fair and reasonable.
• The list of holders of National Exemption Orders has been updated. (Appendix 7)

How to respond

Please send your comments on the policy and/or the proposed changes by email to: charitablecollections@stalbans.gov.uk. The deadline for receipt of comments by email is 10th June 2022 at 23:59.

You can also send comments by post to Administrative Assistant, Charitable Collections/Planning Appeals, Charitable Collection Policy Review Consultation, Customer, Business and Corporate Support, St Albans City & District Council, Civic Centre, St Peters Street, St Albans, AL1 3JE to arrive no later than 10th June 2022.

• April 2022 Revised Charitable Collections Policy ( pdf - 732.29 KB )

Our hackney carriage and private hire fees are being reviewed.

The fees are being reviewed as they have not been reviewed for some time and we need to ensure that the fees reflect the actual costs incurred. In addition the Government Standards have also been included within the new fee structure. You can view the proposed changes in the document below.

The consultation period commenced on Friday 6th May 2022 and will continue for 6 weeks ending at midnight on Friday 17th June 2022.

This is your opportunity to raise any issues you may have or contribute information for the Licensing and Regulatory committee to consider.

All responses, during the consultation period, will be considered. A summary of all responses will be included in the report to Elected Members during the committee process. The final determination will be made by the Elected Members.

Please note that where responses include personal details in the body of the response this information may be subject to publication or disclosure.

Please send your response either in writing to the below address or via email to the below email address.

How to respond

Please send your comments on the policy and/or the proposed changes by email to: licensing@stalbans.gov.uk. The deadline for receipt of comments by email is 17th June 2022 at 23:59.

You can also send comments by post to Licensing Section, Community Services Department, St Albans City and District Council, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3JE to arrive no later than 17th June 2022.

• Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Fees Review 2022 ( pdf - 86.59 KB )

Our licence fees for applications under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 are being reviewed.

The fees were originally set low, this is due to it being a new Act and no history on how long the work would take was available. The Act has now been in place for 4 years, so we are better able to determine the officer time taken on applications. We need to ensure that the fees reflect the actual costs incurred and that is why we are proposing an increase.

The consultation period commenced on Tuesday 10th May 2022 and will continue for 6 weeks, ending at midnight on Tuesday 21st June 2022.

Please see, attached below, a table showing the activity being charged for, the current fee, the new proposed fee, and the percentage difference between the two.

How to respond

Please send your comments on the policy and/or the proposed changes by email to: licensing@stalbans.gov.uk. The deadline for receipt of comments by email is 21st June 2022 at 23:59.

You can also send comments by post to Licensing Section, Community Services Department, St Albans City and District Council, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3JE to arrive no later than 21st June 2022.

• Animal Welfare Licensing Fees Consultation ( pdf - 82.32 KB )

Each year the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) consults with the public and local groups on its plans for the coming year to tackle crime and disorder across the District. The survey seeks residents' views on whether the Partnership's priorities are correct and how you think we should tackle these.  It gives residents an opportunity to share views on crime and anti-social behaviour in the District and to highlight problems that need to be addressed. This survey will support the development of action plans for the CSP in the coming year. 

For more information, visit the Crime and anti-social behaviour webpage.

The Countryside Management Service,in partnership with St Albans City & District Council, is developing a new five-year action plan for The Wick Local Nature Reserve. Stakeholder and members of the community were invited to comment on a draft plan.

Following the conclusion of the recent Local Government Boundary Commission for England Review, St Albans City and District Council (‘The Council’) conducted a review of polling districts and polling places.

The Council regulates the placement of tables and chairs on the public highway via licences. This is done under the Highways Act 1980 (section 115e) and the Business and Planning Act 2020.

The policy details how the Council will undertake its licensing functions.  The current pavement licensing policy has been in effect since March 2017, therefore the Council has undertaken a review. The proposed policy sets out the approach the Council will take when determining applications for new licences and renewals.

All responses received will be considered and incorporated into the Policy where appropriate.  A summary of all responses will be included in a report to councillors. The final policy will be determined by the the Licensing Committee.

The Council consulted on the draft Gambling Policy 2022-2025.

Changing Places toilets are larger, accessible toilets for people with disabilities.  They have equipment such as hoists, privacy screens and adult-sized changing benches.

St Albans City and District Council is applying for funding to provide a minimum of one new Changing Places Toilet in the district.  

This survey asked for views on suitable locations for a new Changing Places Toilet, to ensure that users of these facilities are included in these plans.

The Countryside Management Service worked in partnership with St Albans City & District Council to develop a greenspace action plan for Clarence Park. Following a previous round of engagement on the outline aims and objectives, residents were asked for their views on a draft plan outlining proposed actions for the next five years.

The Countryside Management Service worked in partnership with St Albans City & District Council to develop a greenspace action plan for Nickey Line. Following a previous round of engagement on the outline aims and objectives, residents were asked for their views on a draft plan outlining proposed actions for the next five years.

St Albans City and District Council worked in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council’s Countryside Management Service on proposals to improve the open space at Cunningham Field.

Residents were asked for their views on the proposals. These included introducing a range of measures to improve the bio-diversity of the open space and woodland area, extending the allotment site, creating a play area for young children and providing a gravel footpath.

BT carried out a consultation exercise for the removal of 2 payphones in the district.  The payphones (Leyton Road Harpenden and Beech Road St Albans) now had signs placed in them asking residents with any comments to contact the planning department.

Comments have been collated and returned to BT by 6 July 2021.

In the process of reviewing its Charter Markets, the Council asked for views on the range and quality of goods that are normally available (thinking about those that were available before the COVID crisis).

Each year the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) consults with the public and local groups on its plans for the coming year to tackle crime and disorder across the District. The survey asked for residents' views on whether the Partnership's priorities are correct and ways to tackle them.  It gave residents an opportunity to share views on crime and anti-social behaviour in the District and to highlight problems that need to be addressed. This survey responses will support the development of action plans for the CSP in the coming year.

For more information, visit the Crime and anti-social behaviour webpage.

The Council is producing a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for 2021 to replace the current Inclusion Strategy which is now out of date. The Strategy will set out our vision and plan for the next three years to make our district an inclusive, welcoming place where everyone can thrive. We wanted to make sure the strategy reflects our diverse communities and that everyone got a chance to have a say on what our priorities should be.

Responses will be factored into the new strategy.

The Council reviewed its Customer Commitment and welcomed views on the 4 key values it proposed.  Feedback received will help to shape the Commitment so it meets the needs of all customers in the district.

The Council sought views on its new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, which sets out its approach to regulating hackney carriage and private hire services in the district. The policy aims to both reduce potential risks associated with hackney carriage and private hire services and provide transparency and consistency for anyone with an interest.  It also adapted the Council's approach to match updated national guidance.

The Council sought views on changes to its Housing Allocation Policy. There were a number of minor and legislative changes that can be approved by the Head of Housing in agreement with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Inclusion, but some major changes required public consultation.

A new five year Greenspace Action Plan (GAP) is being produced for Clarence Park in St Albans. This briefing document provided an overview of how the GAP will be produced and sets out how stakeholders could contribute to shaping the plan.

Residents were asked to share views on the Council's aspirations for the site. A further engagement period later in the year will provide an opportunity to assess the draft version of the GAP.

• Clarence Park Greenspace Action Plan 2021-2026 ( pdf - 1.60 MB )

A new five year Greenspace Action Plan (GAP) is being produced for the section of the Nickey Line within St Albans district. This briefing document provided an overview of how the GAP will be produced and sets out how stakeholders could contribute to shaping the plan.

Residents were asked to share views on the Council's aspirations for the site. A further engagement period later in the year will provide an opportunity to assess the draft version of the GAP.

The Local Government Boundary Commission asked for views on proposed new electoral arrangements for St Albans City & District. 

The Local Government Boundary Commission wanted to know:

• Do the proposed wards reflect local communities?
• How do you think the proposals can be improved?
• Are the names of the proposed wards right?

The full recommendations and detailed interactive maps are available on the Commission’s website at consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk.

Businesses in St Albans District were asked to take part in a survey about how they are coping with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was a follow-up to a survey conducted in late May.  The Council wanted to check if the support being made available and signposted to, and the gradual easing of restrictions, had helped.  It also wanted to know and what further support businesses will need to recover over the next year.

The Council will continue to consider and act on all feedback it can, feeding into service changes and development, lobbying of government, advising other government bodies and partners where they can help, and signposting appropriate support.  Council officers will be in contact respondents who requested information on training, apprenticeships and Green Business Grants.  The overall response will be fed back to the Council's Recovery Task and Finish Group to guide their work.

Local residents were asked to take part in a survey on a proposed community garden in Sopwell ward. They were invited to comment on their preferred location for the garden, and to share other views on the project. 

The community garden will be created and maintained by a local volunteer gardening group, ‘Grow Community – Sopwell’. The proposed sites are on St Albans City and District (SADC) land. The Project is partly funded by SADC Community Grants Fund. 

Find out more information on the consultation and the proposed locations.

The Council has shared the survey results with ‘Grow Community – Sopwell’ who will feed back to respondents. 

Businesses in St Albans District were asked to take part in a survey about the impact of the COVID-19 emergency.  

As a Council we are aware of the stress being put on business as a result of the pandemic and want to assist you to navigate through these difficult times.  We asked all businesses in the district for their views and experience to ensure we understand how they have been affected by COVID-19 and what kind of support they needed.

Results:

64 businesses responded to the survey.  Overall, 60% described themselves in crisis, 35% ticking over and 5% thriving.

77% of respondents have had to adapt their way of operating including moving online, offering deliveries or takeaways; and diversifying products.

11 respondents reported that they had staff (including themselves) who were ineligible for financial support. This included staff who had not been employed long enough to be eligible for the furlough scheme, freelancers and self-employed staff, and directors of Ltd. Companies.

On the question of what immediate support would be needed, most respondents asked for further financial support and clearer guidance on safe practice to reassure staff and customer.

In the longer term more businesses responded that they would like to continue accessing the government’s Job Retention Scheme and other financial support.  They also asked for assistance in marketing, advice and pedestrianisation once out of lockdown.

Actions:

The Council will consider all the feedback alongside results from similar survey work held by partners including Herts Growth Hub.  It will create an action plan that to support businesses across the District.  To support this ongoing work, further survey work is planned for July.

Ongoing work and advice:

• The £1.2 million Discretionary Business Grant scheme, to support businesses with property-related costs, has been promoted widely any received over 250 applications.
• The Council has been allocated a portion of the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund to support safe opening of high streets and communal spaces in the district.  Work is underway to use this funding effectively to support local businesses.
• St Albans Business Improvement District (BID) and EnjoyStAlbans.com are promoting local businesses and advertising online.  The Council is working with the BID and local businesses on a plan to increase pedestrianisation and open up high streets.
• Businesses requiring advice on issues such as landlord or rent negotiations are signposted to St Albans Enterprise Agency (STANTA).
• For businesses looking for clearer guidance advice around trading during the pandemic, Hertfordshire’s Better Business for All partnership has released a suite of resources, which you can access online.
• The Council will continue to consider and act on all feedback it can, feeding into service changes and development, lobbying of government, advising other government bodies and partners where they can help, and signposting appropriate support.

• Alban Way Greenspace Action Plan

• Bernards Heath Green Space Action Plan

• Bricket Wood Common Green Space Action Plan

• Brownfield Land Register

• BT payphone removal

• Business Rates Revaluation 2017 Discretionary Support

• Clarence Park Management Plan

• Colney Heath Neighbourhood Plan Area

• Busking Code of Practice

• Car Parking

• Charitable Collections Policy

• Community Safety Partnership

• Council response times

• Council Tax Support Scheme

• Customer Services

• Draft Housing Strategy

• Electoral Boundary Review

• Gambling Policy

• Garage site developments

• Green Spaces management plan

• Gustard Wood Conservation Area character statement

• Bentsley Spinney Greenspace Action Plan

• Harpenden Leisure and Cultural Development

• Harpenden Neighbourhood Plan

• Hatfield Road Cemetery Management Plan

• Housing Tenancy Strategy

• How Wood Greenspace Action Plan

• Lea Valley Walk Greenspace Action Plan

• Leisure facilities

• Local Plan

• Napsbury Conservation Area Character statement

• Netherway Greenspace Action Plan

• Nickey Line Green Space Action Plan

• Night time economy

• Nomansland Common Green Space Action Plan

• Parva Close Green Space Action Plan

• Pavement Licensing Policy

• Portable youth shelter

• Public Space Protection Order

• Rail Timetable changes inquiry

• Polling districts and polling places

• Potters Crouch Conservation Area Character Statement

• Taxis

• Revenues and Benefits Customer Satisfaction

• River Ver and Verulamium Park Lakes Improvement Project

• Rothamsted Park Green Space Action Plan

• Sandridge Neighbourhood Plan Area

• Shafford Mill Conservation Area Character Statement

• Sopwell Nunnery Green Space Action Plan

• Street Trading Policy

• St Albans Green Ring

• The Wick Green Space Action Plan

• Verulamium Park

• Website redesign

• Westminster Lodge Changing Places

• Yellow line parking restrictions