Residents asked to give their views on Parish and Town Council arrangements in St Albans District
Residents are urged to give their views on Parish and Town Council arrangements in St Albans District and any changes they would like to see.
The consultation is part of a Community Governance Review (CGR) being undertaken by St Albans City and District Council.
The review will examine the current arrangements and follows the Government’s decision to restructure local government at district and county level to create more unitary authorities.
In Hertfordshire, this is likely to result by May 2028 in the creation of between two and four unitary councils, each responsible for most local government functions.
This will replace the current system of one County Council and ten District or Borough Councils with each tier having different responsibilities.
Before this happens, St Albans City and District Council is looking to see if any changes should be made to the District’s parish and town councils.
Most of the District has a parish or town council which organise community events and look after assets such as open spaces, play areas and allotments.
However, a large area of central St Albans does not have a parish or town council and one of the issues the CGR will examine is whether one should be created.
The review will also explore the best way to preserve St Albans’ historic mayoralty which has existed since 1553. The post is currently filled by a District Councillor.
Have your say!
Residents can now take part in the CGR consultation, which runs until Monday 6 October, and give their views on the District’s existing town and parish councils as well as any changes they would like to see.
They should email CGR@stalbans.gov.uk or write to Community Governance Review, Electoral Services, St Albans City and District Council, Civic Centre, St Peters Street, St Albans, AL1 3JE.
Responses received will be used to draw up recommendations which will then by put forward to a second public consultation towards the end of 2025.
Councillor Paul De Kort, St Albans City and District Council’s Leader, said:
Parish councils are an important part of our local government system and should not be overlooked as the restructuring of local government is undertaken.
This consultation gives residents, community groups and other organisations the chance to put forward their views on the issues involved.
In particular, we will be interested to see if there is an appetite for a new parish council in the unparished area of St Albans which covers around 28,000 households.
I urge everyone with an interest in the future of our District to take part and let us know their thoughts.
There are nine parish and town councils in the District: Harpenden, Harpenden Rural, Redbourn, Wheathampstead, London Colney, Sandridge, Colney Heath, St Michael and St Stephen.
The unparished area includes the District Council wards of Batchwood, Bernards Heath, Clarence, Cunningham, Hill End, Marshalswick West, Sopwell, St Peters and Verulam.
More information
The Terms of Reference for the CGR are available online and further information can be found at www.stalbans.gov.uk/CGR.
Contact for the media: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.