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You are being sent this edition of the Community News because you previously subscribed to our Healthy Hub Newsletter.
The Newsletter has now been made part of Community News and will no longer be emailed to you separately.
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We will no longer send emails to the Healthy Hub subscriber list.
 Our Museum + Gallery was lit up in Ukraine’s national colours to mark the anniversary of the invasion by Russia.
Dozens of residents showed their solidarity with the Ukrainian people by turning out to look at the landmark building as it was illuminated in blue and yellow on Friday 24 February.
Our staff also took part in a national minute’s silence at 11am at the Civic Centre. The Ukrainian flag was flown from the Alban Arena and the anniversary highlighted on the Council’s social media channels.
The District has been highly active in supporting Ukraine with more than 100 residents offering to take in a refugee fleeing the war.
Councillor Chris White, the Council Leader, joined other Council leaders from throughout Hertfordshire at the outset of the conflict to voice outrage at the invasion.
He said: “The lighting up of the Museum is a signal that our support for Ukraine is unwavering.”
 A budget for 2023/24 and a Council Plan covering the next five years have been approved by our Councillors.
Due to the difficult economic climate, we were faced with a budget gap of £2.3 million for the forthcoming financial year.
Among the measures taken to avoid this are cost savings of £1 million and a District Council tax rise of 2.99%, much lower than the current inflation rate.
The Council Plan details five priorities to ensure budget allocations are tailored to meet them.
These are combating the climate emergency; providing more social housing; supporting the local economy; enhancing the District’s cultural offer; and promoting equality, inclusion and fairness.
Among the projects being undertaken to achieve these goals are a programme to make all Council homes more energy efficient and the modernisation of car parking services with digital technology.
 Voters at this year’s local elections on Thursday 4 May will need to show photographic ID at polling stations for the first time.
The new rule, intended to prevent voting fraud, will come into force for this year's District, Town and Parish Council elections. It will also apply to General Elections from October.
You should make sure in the run up to the elections that you have one of the accepted forms of ID which includes a passport or a driver’s licence.
A full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID online.
If you require help with this, you can contact elections@stalbans.gov.uk or 01727 819294.
 You can still give your views on a housing strategy for St Albans District that has just been published.
The strategy provides a guide for the Council’s future housing activities and policies over the next three years.
It includes commitments to provide new social housing, promote sustainability, ensure an efficient supply of temporary accommodation and meet the needs of vulnerable people.
The Council is the biggest provider of social housing in the District having over 4,500 properties.
You can view the strategy - which will be reviewed later this year when all feedback will be considered - and comment on it here.
Photo: new Council homes in Harpenden.
Our two new all-weather netball and tennis courts have opened at Verulamium Park in St Albans.
The courts, which are floodlit, can be booked by individuals as well as community sports clubs.
The courts, sited next to the Abbey View Athletics Track, are managed on our behalf by the leisure contractor Everyone Active which also runs our nearby Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre.
You can contact Everyone Active for bookings here.
 We’re supporting Hertfordshire County Council’s Let’s Clear The Air Campaign.
This aims to reduce pollution and one of the aims is to make people think twice before using wood burning stoves.
These stoves have become increasingly popular as a lifestyle accessory or way to lower gas and electricity bills.
However, log burners and coal fires are one of the largest sources of fine particulate matter in our air.
They generate specks of soot that can be breathed in and cause health problems including lung cancer, heart damage, strokes and asthma.
You can find more information about the campaign and find out ways to get involved here.
Residents, businesses and community groups can help shape a detailed plan for improving crime prevention in St Albans District.
A public consultation has opened on how to make the area a safer place to live and work with residents urged to give their views.
They are asked to fill in a questionnaire on issues such as antisocial behaviour, drug dealing, burglary, domestic abuse and the protection of vulnerable people.
The consultation, which runs until Wednesday 22 March, will help the St Albans Community Safety Partnership (CSP) to complete its strategy for 2023/234
Anyone wanting to take part can in the survey can do so here.
CSP members include Hertfordshire Constabulary, the Police and Crime Commissioner and Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service as well as ourselves.
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 Make a note in your diary of the opening of a major exhibition at St Albans Museum + Gallery.
The Forgotten Battle of St Albans opens on Friday 24 March and runs until Wednesday 28 June at the Keeper’s Galleries with free admission.
This is the first exhibition to cover the battle which took place during the second War of the Roses on 17 February 1461.
It was one of the largest battles of the conflict and the exhibition will delve into the motives behind the battle as well as the military tactics.
The story will unfold through a range of exhibits as well as detailed replicas showing the brutal nature of medieval warfare.
Image: Second Battle of St Albans by Graham Turner (c) A5.
There is still time to see the Invisible Threads exhibition at the Museum and Galler.
This features work by Herts Foto Forum, a group of independent photographers.
The theme is the invisible threads that connect places and people such as a walking route, the fraying thread of memory and connections between our past and present.
The exhibition runs until Sunday 12 March at the Keeper’s Galleries and admission is free.
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 Residents, businesses and community groups can help shape a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan for St Albans District.
Hertfordshire County Council is drawing up the Plan in partnership with us and we want to hear your views on the proposals.
The Plan aims to make walking and cycling the natural choice for shorter journeys or for part of longer journeys.
Key cycling and walking routes where the potential demand is greatest and where changes will most benefit residents have been identified.
A number of improvements have been put forward and costed for 72 priority routes across the District.
You can take part in the consultation, which runs until Monday 20 March, and view the proposals here.
You can support local charities and good causes by taking part in the St Albans City and District and Community Lottery.
Tickets cost just £1 with 50p going to a good cause of your choosing. There is a weekly draw with a top prize of £25,000.
Among the people being helped are children and older people while good causes which are supported include mental health, sports, heritage, arts and disability charities and community groups.
You can play the community lottery or sign up to it as a local group to raise funds here.
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 St Albans Healthy Hub is your free one-stop-shop for health and wellbeing information, advice and support.
You can get advice on a wide range of issues including how to manage your money, quit smoking or lose weight.
The organisations involved include Citizens Advice, Communities 1st, Mind in Mid Herts and many more. You can find more information here.
Want to get more active? Worried about a loved one’s mental health? Trying to cut down on drinking?
Find the support you need because your health and wellbeing matters. For more information about services available in Hertfordshire visit this website.
You can get instant updates, advice and support to help you and your family improve your lifestyle and live healthier, happier lives.
You can also follow us on Facebook, @healthinherts.
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 Togetherall is a safe, online community for anyone aged 16 and over where you support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Someone, somewhere will know how you’re feeling right now, perhaps even have gone through it themselves. And they’d love to hear your story.
No judgement. No stigma. This is a place where anyone can begin their journey towards better mental health.
Take assessments, complete courses, journal and learn more to understand your mental health.
Joining Togetherall provides something that has always been important for good mental health and wellbeing: a community for shared experiences and mutual support. The platform promotes a sense of belonging and connection through community – accessible anywhere, anytime, 24/7.
You can check if you are eligible to join and register now here.
Herts Healthy Workplace helps small and medium sized businesses as well as organisations from the voluntary sector to create healthier workplaces.
The Healthy Workplace programme is already supporting over 1,300 employees and has trained over 40 Health Champions.
It offers tailored advice, support and training to help each business make the changes they need for a healthier and happier workplace.
You can join our free healthy workplace programme today and get registered now for our next intake.
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 The deadline for applying for a road closure to hold a street party to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III and The Queen Consort is Sunday 26 March.
Hertfordshire County Council, the highways authority, has waived its usual fee to encourage people to mark the historic occasion on Saturday 6 May with a neighbourhood get-together.
You can invite the Mayor of St Albans, Councillor Geoff Harrison, or an Honorary Alderman to your event by contacting mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk.
You can find out more information about how to apply for a road closure here.
Updates on what is happening around the District during the Coronation weekend will be posted on the Enjoy St Albans website.
 Twelve former St Albans City and District Councillors have been made Honorary Aldermen in recognition of their eminent public service.
They were appointed to the position at a special ceremony at St Saviour’s Church, St Albans.
Father Richard Watson offered prayers before Councillor Geoff Harrison, Mayor of St Albans City and District, presented each of the recipients with a badge of office and certificate.
Photo: new Aldermen, left to right, with the Mayor, his Mace Bearer John Hills and Father Richard Watson: Bert Pawle, Frances Leonard, Daniel Chichester-Miles, Roma Mills, Rob Prowse, the Mace Bearer, Katherine Gardner, the Mayor, Annie Brewster, Beric Read, Teresa Heritage, Sue Featherstone, Gill Clark, Sandra Wood and Father Watson.
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