Spotlight
Our monthly round-up of what’s topical or important right now
Save our city
Local government reorganisation will merge county and district councils into unitary authorities with big roles, responsibilities and large areas to govern. St Albans City and District Council will be bundled into the new authority together with Watford, Dacorum and others. All ten district councils in Hertfordshire will disappear by April 2028.
This is a big change with many positives and many points of concern and much still to shake down. For central St Albans there’s one significant problem. Our city neighbourhoods are directly managed by St Albans council. When it’s abolished there will be a big gap.
We strongly believe that the creation of a parish council for the current “unparished” central part of our fine city is the best way to ensure local people feel fairly represented and that local democracy evolves alongside changing communities.
A parish council is simply an elected body with a community focus forming the first tier of local government, exactly like Harpenden Town Council.
We want local people to support the creation of a parish council for our city. See the box below and our summary of what’s planned.
Save our city
MAKING YOUR VOICE HEARD
The initial consultation on local representation for central St Albans closed on 6 October 2025. Responses will be considered on 20 November. Recommendations will go to a second round of public consultation, expected to run from late-November. Watch this space for details.
So, what does the Civic Society do?
Mary Conneely, Chair,
St Albans Civic Society
When waylaid in the street and put on the spot, our new Chair, Mary Conneely thought of a few examples.
St Peter’s Street Trees
The magnificent line of mature plane trees planted all the way down St Peter’s Street in 1999, enhancing the market areas and museum setting. A joint fundraising effort with St Albans City and District Council, raised over £10,000 and funded the work.
Local Planning
We check every local planning applications and raise objections when needed, such as when poor design or over-development jeopardise our historic city-scape.
Civic Life
We argue for active participation in civic life and organise activities and actions that enhance both the built and heritage fabric of our city and its environment and political health. Our bi-annual Awards champion the best in building design and refurbishment.
Community Support
Working with residents associations and partner organisations we support initiatives that allow individuals to contribute to the improvement of their community and society at large.
Or put another way, we do our best to protect and enhance our city and contribute to improving the social and physical fabric of our historic city.
A memorial for Samuel Ryder?
Former St Albans Mayor and the man behind the Ryder Cup, Samuel Ryder (1858-1936) contributed massively to civic and working life in St Albans. To celebrate his many accomplishments, we believe Ryder deserves a memorial, a point of interest for residents and visitors alike, in the city he made his home.
The Civic Society is supporting the Samuel Ryder Memorial campaign and we’re asking local people to sign the petition asking for a permanent memorial in the city centre.