Community News Autumn 2012 edition

CommunityAUTUMN 2012

INCORPORATING Recycling News

Community News is published by St Albans City & District Council

www.stalbans.gov.uk

The St Albans Food & Drink Festival, now in its 5th year,

showcases the fantastic range of food, drink and produce available in the district. The festival starts on Wednesday 26 September with the famous CAMRA Beer Festival and ends with the al fresco Festival Finale on St Peter’s Street on Sunday 7 October.

Throughout the 12 days, many of the pubs, restaurants and hotels in the district are offering meal

deals or holding events. Visit www.stalbansfoodanddrink.com or e-mail [email protected] to join the mailing list.

This summer, you can vote for your favourite restaurant, bar, pub, café, producer or food shop for the St Albans Food and Drink Awards 2012. Visit the website before 30 September to cast your vote. The winners will be announced at an Award Ceremony at St Michael’s Manor on 4 October.

2 Autumn 2012 St Albans City & District Council Community News

Batchwood Update

Better broadband access campaign

Hertfordshire County Council has launched a campaign to

improve broadband access and speed across the county.

You can check your current internet connection speed and register your initial interest to receive superfast broadband at www.superfastforherts.org.

The Council is backing an Act of Parliament to make location

filming in Hertfordshire easier. Our historical setting and close

proximity to London and film studios such as Leavesden and Elstree Studios makes St Albans district a popular shoot location. In recent years, scenes for films such as ‘Johnny English’, starring Rowan Atkinson, and ‘Incendiary’, featuring Ewan McGregor and Michelle Williams, were filmed locally.

If successful, the County Council will be able to close roads temporarily for filming and to give permission for filming equipment on our roads for short periods of time.

Key considerations are traffic pressures and the needs of local residents.

Following last summer’s devastating fire, the Council

has applied for planning permission for new golf and bowls pavilions at Batchwood.

We expect to submit a planning application for the new tennis centre this autumn. If all goes according to plan, we will start construction works in March for completion in early 2014.

St Albans at the movies

www.stalbans.gov.uk 3

Newly enforced parking restrictions on Bluehouse Hill

in St Albans are in place to deter people parking on the verges there.

The Council is concerned that an accident could take place as cars manoeuvre on and off the verges in

the face of fast moving traffic. The damage caused by people parking on the district’s verges, and the expense to the tax payer in putting it right, is also of concern.

For St Albans car parks, see www.stalbans.gov.uk/parking.

Projects, including a job club for young people in London

Colney, will receive £59K through the Council’s Community Grants Fund.

The Fund provides support for grass roots projects that benefit the local community. This year the Council was particularly keen to receive applications for projects that help to address youth unemployment,

encourage interaction between generations and improve the IT skills of disadvantaged groups.

The fund is administered for the Council by the Centre for Voluntary Service. The next round of funding will open in December. For more information see www.stalbans.gov.uk/communitygrants or call 01727 819518.

Bluehouse Hill parking restrictions

£59K for grass-roots projects

Changes to Council Tax Benefits – have your say

Council Tax Benefit is being replaced by a local Council

Tax Support scheme after changes made under the Welfare Reform Act.

From April, the Council will be given 90% of the amount currently spent on Council Tax Benefit.

To manage within a lower budget, we are developing a support scheme which prioritises protection for the most vulnerable groups. These groups include low income pensioners, people on Disability Living Allowance or a carer’s allowance and people on a low income with young children. The scheme will provide incentives so that those taking up work will be better off. Some other groups are likely to receive lower benefits than they do currently.

To have your say on the proposals, please visit www.stalbans.gov.uk/consultations or pick up a questionnaire at our reception desk. The closing date is 30 September.

2011 Census results

Christmas Lights

2011 census results from the Office for National

Statistics have been released. The local population has

grown to 140,600 – an overall growth since 2001 of 8.8%. Welwyn and Hatfield has the biggest increase in Hertfordshire with a rise of 13.2%.

The Council will use these figures, and the results of subsequent census information releases, to plan resources and ensure council services are effectively targeted.

St Albans – Sunday 18 November Street entertainment, fun and games, St Peter’s St, from 5.30pm

Harpenden – Sunday 25 November Harpenden Christmas Carnival from 12 noon, farmers’ market, stalls, late shopping, Santa’s grotto, fairground

Wheathampstead – Thursday 29 November Family fun with a fairground, Santa and carol singing. Lights on at 6pm

London Colney – Friday 30 November Chester Gibbons Green (by the clock) – from 5.30pm

Southdown – Friday 30 November Live music, kids fairground, late shopping, church Christmas fair – from 6pm

Batford – Sunday 9 December 5.30pm, Batford Green

Tenant & Leaseholder Open Day13th October, 11.30am to 3pm – Council offices, Civic Centre, St Albans

Meet the teams from all council housing service providers and contractors, seek advice, find out about benefit changes, tell us about issues, find out what’s new. Refreshments available and prize draw for all attending.

Also see: Citizens’s Advice Bureau, Mediation Service, Credit Union, Home Swapper, housing associations, the Tenants Forum.

Bring the children – we have face painting, magician, fire engine and lots more.

3

Switch On


Doing more onlineWe have invested in our website so that you can do more of your council business online.

New visitor websiteThe Council has launched a new website for visitors to

St Albans and the surrounding towns and villages.

Highlights include a video

produced in conjunction with Visit England, information about what to see and do, where to stay and lots more. See www.enjoystalbans.com.

Overview and scrutiny committees provide

important checks and balances in local democracy. Councillors can decide to examine particular issues in depth. They review policies, make suggestions for change and improvement and examine decisions.

Meetings are open to the public and can also be viewed via webcam. To find out more or to suggest topics for scrutiny, visit www.stalbans.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/overview-and-scrutiny, email [email protected], or telephone 01727 819529.

New map based information websitewww.stalbans.gov.uk/mapsInformation tailored to your address. Search for planning applications, councillors, waste and recycling information, etc.

Paying your council taxwww.stalbans.gov.uk/counciltaxBetter navigation, quicker to use.

Pay or challenge parking fineswww.stalbans.gov.uk/parkingEasier to use navigation.

Tell us if we miss your waste or recycling collectionwww.stalbans.gov.uk/missedbinA new online system for reporting.

Check your waste collection daywww.stalbans.gov.uk/bincollectionNew facilities.

Direction to county council services via www.stalbans.gov.uk homepageTo access full range of services.

Applying for benefitswww.stalbans.gov.uk/benefitsNew paperless online system

Business licensingwww.stalbans.gov.uk/businesslicencesImprovements to navigation.

Council consultationswww.stalbans.gov.uk/consultationsView, participate and review.

Council overview and scrutiny

Market DatesSt Albans Market every Wednesday and Saturday

St Albans Farmers’ Market 2nd Sunday of the month

Harpenden Farmers’ Market 4th Sunday of the month


Try our website first

Our customer service centre covers everything from

taking Council payments to answering planning enquires.

Many of the things people come to talk to us about can also be done online at www.stalbans. gov.uk from the comfort of your own home.

Make sure you are on the electoral register so you

can vote in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections on Thursday 15 November 2012.

You are not automatically entitled to vote because you pay council tax or have voted before. It is necessary to register. The deadline to register to vote in

the Police and Crime Commissioner elections is 31 October 2012.

Make sure that nothing stops you having your say on who represents you. More information at www.stalbans.gov.uk/elections, email [email protected], telephone 01727 819294.

St Albans is one of the safest districts in the county. As the

evenings draw in there are some basic precautions we can all take to keep burglars at bay.

A third of all burglars break into houses through unlocked doors and windows. Lock them securely even if you are only going out for a short time. Make your home look occupied. Use timers or leave lights

on, and install outside lighting to deter thieves. Keep keys out of sight and lock away gardening tools so they can’t be used to break in. Visible burglar alarms may make burglars think twice. Roses, a thorny hedge and spiky plants can stop would-be intruders climbing walls or fences. For more information contact the Community Safety Team on 01727 819305.

Register to vote

Winter burglary precautions

The following organisations are working together at the St Albans Civic Centre. They offer a range of information and advice services.

Local services at the Civic Centre

Monday, Wednesday – 10am to 2pmTuesday, Thursday – Appointments onlyThe Youth Connexions team is also available weekday afternoons

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday – 9am to 1pm

Wednesday – 10am to 1pm

Monday to Thursday – 8.45am to 5pmFriday – 8.45am to 4.30pm

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday – 10am to 1pm

Opening times for all organisations may vary during school holidays.www.stalbans.gov.uk/community-and-living/civiccentre

PLANNING GUIDANCEPre-planning application informal information & advice

Drop in service at the Civic Centre Mon 1-4pm, Wed 9am-12.30pm

Telephone service Tel 01727 819344 Wed 1-4.45pm, Thurs 9am-12.30pm

Technical support – completing an application Daily 2-4pm Tel 01727 819347

Search our map-based website for current and past planning applications for all properties in the district: gis.stalbans.gov.uk/wmlcustomerservice


The winners of this year’s District in Bloom competition

were announced at an awards ceremony hosted by Aylett Nurseries on 10 September. Sustainability was the overall theme.

Photographs of the winning entries can be found at www.stalbans.gov.uk/districtinbloom2012. The winners are:

Best Sustainable Garden: Winner: June Whetherley Highly Commended: Isobel Leek

Best Front Garden: Winner: Mrs Woods Highly Commended: Beryl Hopkins

Best Public House Frontage: Winner: Plough & Harrow Highly Commended: Blacksmith Arms

Best School Project: Joint Winners: Watling View School & Manland Primary School Highly Commended: Aboyne Lodge School, Oakwood Primary School, The Grove Junior & Infants School

Best Allotment: Winner: Robert Tofts Highly Commended: Brian & Brenda Gilson

Best Parish in Bloom: Winner: Redbourn Parish Council Highly Commended: Wheathampstead Parish Council

Best Community Project: Winner: Wheathampstead Parish Council Highly Commended: Bernard Street Community Project

District in Bloom 2012

GREEN ISSUES

The first of two cycle routes planned in Verulamium Park

nears completion. Care has been taken to make

sure the paths are of a high quality, are in keeping with the park setting, are safe and respect both the needs of cyclists and pedestrians including those with disabilities. The Council constructed the cycle paths in Verulamium Park following representations from residents over many years, including a 1,000 signature petition from the St Albans Cycling Club last summer.

Verulam Park cycle

routesWe are testing a number of recycling improvements in

Redbourn from October. For the trial in Redbourn, we

will be taking all sorts of new plastics including yoghurt and margarine containers. Redbourn residents are also being asked to put their cardboard in with their paper recycling rather than in with their green waste. Redbourn residents will be getting leaflets through their doors shortly.

These new arrangements apply only to Redbourn for the time being while we test new equipment and

tweak our plans. Over the coming months, we hope to roll out new recycling arrangements across the district. We will let you know when the new scheme is coming to your collection round.

This initiative is part of the Council’s new scheme to get the district’s recycling rate up above 60% from the current 50% mark. There will be more news about this in the winter edition of Community News. Further information on 01727 819391, [email protected].

Redbourn tests new recycling arrangements

Over ninety children from St Peter’s School in St Albans

got creative during the summer learning the art of willow weaving.

The children, supported by volunteers from Sopwell Resident’s Association and the council, used willow harvested by workshop leader, Hazel Godfrey, from north Hertfordshire.

Willow works


In recent research St Albans came out near the top of the

happiness index. It’s little wonder then that 90 percent of residents say they are satisfied with the district as a place to live.

But even in a district like St Albans, there are problems with anti-social behaviour like fly-tipping,

litter, graffiti and dog mess. Fortunately we have thousands of community spirited residents who take pride in our beautiful surroundings and who do their bit to keep the district looking great. The Cleaner District Helpline is here to help. If you spot a problem, give us a call on 0845 125 8000 and let us know. Thank you for helping.

We have introduced an annual seeding programme of flowers across the district, including at Clarence Park (pictured).

Taking pride in our district

If you spot a problem with...

• Abandoned vehicles • Illegal • or litter • Dog fouling or stray dogs • Dumped rubbish • Illegal • Overgrown hedgerows• Spills from refuse collection • Accumulation of leaves • Pest control • Damaged street furniture • Street cleaning required • Drugs paraphernalia • Trees (overgrown/obstructing highway)

(bon�res/fumes)

• Empty/derelict property • Air pollution

Together, for a Cleaner District.

Keeping St Albans City &District Clean and Green

The Cleaner District Hotline: 0845 125 8000 [email protected]

✆ ✉

...please contact

In the past year, nearly 173 million electrical items were

sold in the UK.If you are wondering what to

do with your unwanted electrical equipment, some charities

welcome donations (see: www.charityretail.org.uk and www.frn.org.uk). Otherwise you can recycle them at any of the district’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (see above).

Flowers in Clarence Park

Household Waste Recycling Centres Open every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.• Dark Lane, Harpenden 10am – 6pm• Ronsons Way, St Albans 8am – 4pm (winter), 8am – 6pm (summer)• Waterdale, A405, Bricket Wood 8am – 6pm www.wasteaware.org.uk

There are special recycling bins available for loan to

people running events in the district. Contact 01727 819428, [email protected] for information.

Borrow a recycling bin for your event

Disposing of unwanted electricals


Now on Twitter @StAlbansCouncil

We hope you enjoy reading Community News. If you can spare a moment, please email [email protected] or call 01727 819572 and let us know your views and what else you want us to include.

St Albans City & District CouncilCivic Centre, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Herts AL1 3JE

Website: www.stalbans.gov.uk Email: [email protected]

Customer Service Centre opening hours: Mon-Thurs 8.45am-5pm, Fri 8.45am-4.30pm

Housing Repairs: 01727 819256Refuse & Recycling: 01727 819285Council Tax: 01727 819204Benefits: 01727 819476Cleaner District Hotline: 0845 125 8000 Textphone: 01727 819570 All other enquiries: 01727 866100

Harpenden Town Council Information PointTown Hall, Leyton Road, Harpenden

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm

Telephone: 01582 768278

Alternative formats: If you want to receive this newsletter in an alternative format, such as Braille, or in another language, please call 01727 819572. See www.disabledgo.com for information about access to local facilities.

Have your say... We welcome anything you want to say about our services.

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The Mayor of St Albans:Eileen HarrisThe Mayor represents St Albans District at ceremonial and social events, meets important visitors and chairs Council meetings. The role is non-political.

The Cabinet – Cabinet’s role is to make decisions about how the Council is run. Its members each have an area of responsibility or portfolio.

Cllr Julian Daly – Executive Leader; Chair of Cabinet; ResourcesCllr Mike Wakely – Deputy Executive Leader; Sports, Leisure and HeritageCllr Daniel Chichester-Miles – Environment Cllr Teresa Heritage – Planning and ConservationCllr Brian Ellis – Housing Cllr Beric Read – Community Engagement and Localism

For contact details for all Councillors see www.stalbans.gov.uk/council-and-democracy

AnthonyRowlands

Iqbal Zia

Momotaz Rahim

ASHLEY

RomaMills

Malachy Pakenham

Martin Leach

BATCHWOOD CLARENCE COLNEY HEATH

Joyce Lusby

ChrisWhite

Sheila Burton

Jamie Day

Chris Brazier

GeoffHarrison

RobertProwse

RobertDonald

Julian Daly Michael Weaver

Daniel Chichester-Miles

Aislinn Lee

DavidYates

Steve Bowes-Phipps

DeanRussell

Mike Wakely

RosemaryFarmer

BertPawle

Geoffrey Turner

Julie Bell

DavidHeritage

TeresaHeritage

BrianEllis

DredaGordon

Jacob Quagliozzi

SimonCalder

Janet Churchard

TomClegg

GeoffChurchard

Salih Gaygusuz

RodPerks

RogerGray

Tony Swendell

Maxine Crawley

Michael Green

SimonGrover

Alec Campbell

BrianGibbard

GordonMyland

SueFeatherstone

BericRead

Frances Leonard

DavidPoor

Janet Smith

Eileen Harris

FredWartenberg

NatYoung

Dursun Altun

GillClark

NigelHuddleston

Annie Brewster

HARPENDEN EAST HARPENDEN NORTH HARPENDEN SOUTH

HARPENDEN WEST

CUNNINGHAM

LONDON COLNEY MARSHALSWICK NORTH MARSHALSWICK SOUTH

PARK STREET REDBOURN ST PETERS ST STEPHEN

WHEATHAMPSTEADVERULAMSOPWELLSANDRIDGE

HeidiAllen

Know your local district councillor

Conservative Labour Liberal Democrat Green Independent

Community News Autumn 2012 edition

Documents

st albans car parks

st peters street

st michaels manor

food shop

local community

location filming

fantastic range of food

superfast broadband