Local government reorganisation
In December 2024, the government published plans to merge district and county councils into unitary authorities by 2028, so St Albans City and District Council (SADC) is set to disappear. See below under ‘Background to the changes’ for more on this.
The planned change has particular impact on central St Albans.
All other parts of the district, including Harpenden have first tier elected councils operating below SADC at local level. Known as parish or town councils, their footprint covers a civil parish area;. These are secular bodies (ie nothing to do with church parishes). Central St Albans is ‘unparished’. The Civic Society wants to change this and has been leading the “Save Our City” campaign for a City Council (a parish/town council) for central St Albans to fill the gap when SADC is abolished. This is because without a local council for the city:
- We would lack a strong local voice on matters such as planning and development schemes.
- Our ability to protect the character and heritage of our city would be constrained.
- Our ability to inhibit sell-off of local assets would be limited.
- The opportunity for local management of things like the charter market, allotments and our precious green spaces would be lost.
- We would struggle to influence decisions made by a unitary authority likely based in Watford.
March 2026 – Save Our City campaign update
The framework for creating new parish councils is a Community Governance Review (CGR) and St Albans has just completed the second stage of its 2025/2026 CGR.
The Civic Society’s work in publicising details, sharing information and setting up public meetings has had major impact. Positive responses from residents more than doubled compared to the first stage, with negative responses believed to be insignificant. Results will be considered by SADC’s Strategy and Resources Committee on 23 June 2026 when the next formal stages will be confirmed.
In preparation for the next stages, the Civic Society is working with local groups, residents and councillors and carrying out preliminary research and work, aiming to build the understanding and information needed to evaluate options and consider which responsibilities and assets a new council might take on in order to ensure St Albans retains its role as a vibrant historic city with a strong local democratic voice.
Background to the changes
The English Devolution White Paper is about merging the current two-tier system of local government.
SADC and HCC have proposed a 2-unitary model. Other district councils proposed 3 or 4 unitaries. The various councils and the Police and Crime Commissioner collaborated on details so the proposals have many points of accord. They were submitted to the Government at the end of November 2025. There will be a consultation during spring 2026 and a decision in summer 2026. There’s more detail on all this on the Hertfordshire LGR website.
St Albans City and District Council is one of Hertfordshire’s ten district councils. Its area includes St Albans, Harpenden, Redbourn, London Colney and Wheathampstead. Together with its associated parish councils, SADC covers areas such as rubbish collection and recycling, planning and building regulations, parks, markets, allotments, parking, and social housing.
St Albans residents and businesses will have little direct involvement in LGR. It is being handled by our elected councillors and council officials.