Unitary Authorities

In December 2024 the government published plans to merge district and county councils into unitary authorities. The English Devolution White Paper is about merging the current two-tier system of local government. In Hertfordshire we have our County Council, looking after libraries, schools, social care, transport and other county-wide activities. Within Hertfordshire there are ten district councils including our St Albans City and District Council (SADC) which covers a smaller area including St Albans, Harpenden, Redbourn and Wheathampstead. Together with its associated Parish Councils, SADC covers areas such as planning and building regulations, parks, markets, allotments, parking, rubbish collection and recycling and social housing.

Hertfordshire County Council initially planned enter the fast-track process for reorganisation and devolution to become a single unitary council serving the 1.2 million people in the county and to postpone the 2025 election of councillors. This was shelved when district council leaders issued a joint statement objecting to the plan. They called for ‘a proper period of consultation’ and said: ‘A single unitary council for the county risks diminishing local representation, with decision-making that is remote from the communities we serve.’

Discussions and consultations will be ongoing and we will be keeping a watchful eye on the details. As an immediate move we are pushing for the ‘unparished’ area of St Albans – the central part of around two miles across, to become a City Council – as a form of Parish Council, an elected body that will operate at a level below the new unitary authority and focused on local issues.

More details will follow as things unfold.

 

Upcoming Events

Our 2025 programme details will be added here as dates are confirmed

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Join us

Membership is open to everyone who shares our aim to make our City attractive for residents and visitors.

The membership / financial year runs from 1st April through to 31st March but you may of course join at any time so don’t delay, join today!

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Awards

Do you know of a project that might deserve recognition in the Society’s Awards? These can be for new developments, large or small, but could be for a small extension, restored windows on a period property, or a rebuilt wall. Its not just about buildings either. Remember the Society’s Awards cover things that enhance the quality of St Albans environment or amenities and the Trevelyan Award is presented for a conservation project.

Get looking about now. Send your nominations to us stalbanscivicsociety@gmail.com Please provide a brief description and thoughts on why it should be considered.