 You can now give your views on our draft Local Plan – a blueprint for the District’s future.
This is a hugely important document which identifies land for business, infrastructure and housing developments.
A commitment to tackle the climate emergency is at the heart of the Local Plan along with the delivery of more social housing, jobs, schools, GP surgeries, public transport, cycle paths, play areas and parks.
A public consultation has now started and you can see a video explaining the Local Plan as well as complete a questionnaire and survey on our website here.
We particularly want to hear from younger residents with the Local Plan covering the years up to 2041.
All feedback will be analysed and the draft Local Plan modified accordingly before a second consultation, scheduled for next summer.
 We have been awarded four Green Flags for our outstanding parks and open spaces.
The Green Flag, an international quality mark, was given to Verulamium Park, Clarence Park and Hatfield Road Cemetery.
Verulamium Park was also one of only 135 places awarded Green Heritage Site Accreditation for the excellent management of its ancient Roman features.
The Green Flag scheme is run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy and sets the benchmark for green spaces across the United Kingdom and the world.
 We are supporting #LoveParks Week which runs from Friday 28 July to Sunday 6 August.
This exciting annual campaign celebrates parks and green spaces across the UK as well as the workers and volunteers that look after them all year round.
With the school holidays underway, this is an ideal time for people to explore these vibrant spaces which bring communities together, providing opportunities to connect with nature, enjoy healthy exercise or meet up with friends.
You can find information about parks around the county at the ParksHerts website, including Verulamium and Clarence Parks in St Albans and Rothamsted Park in Harpenden.
 Congratulations to the residents in St Albans District who responded to the Your Tree Our Future campaign we ran with Hertfordshire County Council.
You snapped up all 9,582 free trees allocated to the District for planting in gardens and other privately-owned spaces.
Successful applicants will receive information later this year, once the planting season starts, about how to pick up their trees.
Planting more trees is a major part of our commitment to tackle the climate emergency and cut carbon emissions across the District to net zero by 2030.
We will be planting around 3,000 more trees on our own green spaces this year.
 Say hello to Alfred Daniels – one of the many new traders who have taken a stall at our Charter Market.
Alfred’s Sesame Kingdom sells delicious desserts made from Halva, a sesame-based product imported from the Middle East.
All his cakes and spreads are gluten and dairy free, suitable for vegans and rich in protein.
Alfred said: “Halva has been called the world’s healthiest dessert and it is certainly attracting a lot of interest in St Albans.
“I’m really pleased with the response we have had. We have only been trading a few weeks here but have already secured many regular customers.”
The number of stalls being hired this July has risen by 13% on Saturdays compared to the same month last year. Anyone interested in trading at the Market should email markets@stalbans.gov.uk.
 You can now nominate your favourite food and drink businesses for this year’s Enjoy St Albans Food and Drink Festival Awards.
The online nomination form is available here with the deadline for submissions being Sunday 6 August.
The categories are restaurant of the year, best pub or bar, best café, best food and drink shop or market stall, best takeaway or street food, best local producer and best newcomer.
People can also nominate for the Kate D’Arcy Award for an individual who has provided outstanding customer service.
The nominations will be put to a public vote later this summer with the top three in each category being shortlisted. A judging panel will then pay a surprise visit to each venue before deciding on the winners who will be announced at an awards ceremony in October.
We have introduced paperless car parking permits to help the environment and reduce administration.
The system covers controlled parking zones with virtual permits now issued for residents, visitors, carers, healthcare professionals, traders and nannies.
Business permits are also included along with season tickets for car parks.
Civil Enforcement Officers will be able to see if a vehicle has a virtual permit by using automatic number plate recognition software.
You can find more information about the new system here.
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We are holding a by-election for a vacant seat in the Marshalswick East and Jersey Farm ward on Thursday 17 August.
Voters are reminded they will need to show approved photo ID to vote at a polling station. This includes a current or expired UK passport or driver’s licence.
You can find more information about approved ID and how to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if you do not have any photo ID here.
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 You can help local charities and good causes by taking part in the St Albans City and District 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 benefit include mental health, sports, heritage and disability charities as well as community groups.
You can play the community lottery or sign up to it as a local group to raise funds here.
 We are excited to be shortlisted in the Best Next Generation Employer category of the LGC Workforce Awards 2023.
This is for our initiative, "growing our own - bringing in and bringing on talent," an innovative programme to create challenging job opportunities for young people at our Council.
We'll present our entry before a panel of judges at the finals in Birmingham in November. Wish us luck.! You can find the full shortlist here.
 St Albans Mayor, Councillor Anthony Rowlands, officially opened two all-weather netball and tennis courts at Verulamium Park.
We have provided the facility, sited next to the Abbey View Athletics Track, and it is managed by our leisure contractor Everyone Active.
There are two floodlit courts, available for all to use, marked out for tennis and netball with the playing area secured by a 12 foot tall fence. You can book here.
Help us maintain our outstanding recycling record by disposing correctly of all your waste.
We are one of the top ten recycling local authorities in the country thanks to the efforts of our residents.
Recently, though, our crews have reported a number of instances of recycling being bagged before it is placed in the recycling bins. They cannot empty bins where this has happened.
You can find out about how to dispose of your waste correctly to ensure collections are made here.
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 Hertfordshire County Council is to redesign some of the services it offers young people because of budgetary pressures.
In order to do so, they want to hear from young people about what matters most to them and is asking them to complete a short survey.
The feedback from this exercise will be analysed and inform any decisions about the future shape of these services.
The services include jobs and career advice, support for people with learning difficulties and mental health and wellbeing projects.
You can fill in the survey here and find out more about the county’s services for young people here.
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