The Council has completed Jubilee Square – a £64 million regeneration project to transform a rundown area of the City Centre.
A ceremony to celebrate the achievement was held at the site which includes two new landmark buildings and landscaped gardens.
The redevelopment of the area, where a police station and NHS clinic were once located, has created 93 much-needed new homes and 5,000 square metres of commercial space.
All the flats have been bought by the housing association Watford Community Housing (WCH) with 33 made available for social rent to people on our housing register. The remaining 60 will be sold on a shared ownership basis.
A new walkway, linking Victoria Street and Civic Close, is part of the development along with public gardens on the site of a former Quaker burial ground.
Lead Councillors and executives from WCH and building contractor Morgan Sindall Construction were among those at the launch.
Top photo, left to right: Cllr Jacqui Taylor, Lead for Housing, Cllr Paul De Kort, Council Leader, Cllr Jamie Day, St Albans Mayor, and Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans.
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Congratulations to Charter Market trader Jennifer Martin who won a national award for her mouth-watering pasties.
Baker Jen was given a coveted one star in the Proper Traditional Pasty category at the Great Taste 2024 awards. This signifies food that is “simply delicious and delivers fantastic flavour”.
Run by the Guild of Fine Food, the awards are the UK’s largest food and drink accreditation scheme. The winning pasties can be sampled at her Jen’s Pasties stall.
Jennifer said: “I'm absolutely made up, buzzing. The judges’ feedback was fantastic. They said the seasoning was ‘on point’ and the pastry was 'more-ish'. I'm more than happy with that.”
We want to hear your views on our proposals to improve air quality across St Albans District.
Our Air Quality Action Plan contains proposals to reduce pollution by promoting low-emission transport and active travel such as cycling and walking.
It also includes commitments to raise public awareness of environmental issues and encourage changes in people’s behaviour.
Air pollution can damage people’s health as it is recognised as a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease, respiratory illnesses and cancer.
The most vulnerable people are often most at risk, including children and older people.
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 The work of a young Westminster Lodge lifeguard was highlighted to mark National Lifeguard Appreciation Day.
Rosie Elliott, 21, was recognised by her employers Everyone Active for her commitment and passion.
She joined the leisure centre team 18 months ago and has since qualified as a swimming teacher.
“Becoming a lifeguard was a way that I could help others in need, and additional training such as first aid meant I became even more confident in my role and aware of my responsibility in keeping local people safe,” she said.
Leisure contractors Everyone Active manage Westminster Lodge on the Council’s behalf.
 Our Electoral Services team will be conducting the annual household voter registration canvass from early September until the end of the year.
The canvass ensures the electoral register is kept up to date. It is important residents make sure they can vote with Hertfordshire County Council elections taking place in May next year.
Every residential property in the District will be sent an email or letter during September or October to check whether the details on the electoral register are correct.
Not all properties will be required to respond, and the email or letter will advise whether a response is required. If you do need to respond, please do so promptly. Reminders will be sent in late autumn to any properties which are required to respond and have not done so.
During the canvass period (September onwards), information about the canvass will be available here.
The 948 Sports Foundation is one of many good causes that is raising funds from St Albans District Community Lottery.
The Foundation is a local charity that provides grants to young people District-wide to help them access and participate in physical recreation and sport.
Since forming in 2001, they have awarded more than 500 grants to individuals, schools, sports clubs and coaches. The total amount exceeds £380,000 and covers at least 50 different sports.
If you are 18 or over, you can support the 948 Sports Foundation – and other local good causes – by playing the online lottery.
There is a weekly draw with a £25,000 jackpot and at least 60p from each £1 ticket goes to good causes. Tickets are available here.
Photo: the Foundation’s community park run.
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 Don’t miss out on the Redbourn Classics Motor Show – back by popular demand for the 7th year in a row.
The event takes place at Redbourn Common on Saturday 31 August from noon until 5pm with admission only £3 for adults.
Among the attractions are a display of vintage cars, street food stalls, live music and a fun fair.
You are welcome to dress in vintage clothing with a prize for the best outfit. All proceeds from the event, which is organized and run by volunteers, go to local charities.
We want your help to shape an equality, diversity and inclusion strategy for St Albans District.
The strategy influences our major policies and decisions and is being updated to cover the next five years.
It is overseen by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Partnership whose members include representatives from the Council, the voluntary sector, schools, faith groups and the police.
Residents can give their views by completing an online survey which will only take a few minutes. You can contact the Equalities Team on 01727 819340 for help to complete the survey or to request a paper copy. They can also provide an Easy Read version.
All feedback will be analysed before the strategy is finalised.
We are asking residents to properly dispose of waste generated by vapes and e-cigarettes.
Vapes are often thrown into general waste and litter bins with 143 million discarded a year in the UK.
However, there is a risk that the batteries they contain may cause a fire in a bin lorry or at a recycling centre.
Our waste contractor Veolia collects small electricals and vapes should be popped in a bag and included with them.
Leave the bag on top of your bin and the crew will take it for recycling. Valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese are extracted from batteries for reuse.
Alternatively, many supermarkets now have collection bins that you can use instead.
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Our online Council Tax enquiry service is available 24/7 so you can view your latest bills, update your account, make a payment or raise an issue.
This is the quickest and most efficient way for us to deal with enquiries.
However, we are aware that not everyone has access to digital services or is proficient at using them.
With that in mind, our Council Tax team will continue to deal with some enquiries by phone.
They are available from 9am to 1pm, Monday to Friday, and you can contact them on 01727 866100.
Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) wants to hear from residents who have a property that is at risk of being flooded.
They are particularly interested in hearing from people who want to find out more about taking measures to prevent future flooding.
Previously, a grant of up to £6,000 was available under the Flood Resilience Scheme for measures such as flood barriers and flood doors.
HCC is now investigating the demand for any future scheme that would support homeowners.
You can register an interest here and check if your home is at risk here.
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 Superior: Inferior, Class and Status in Roman Britain, Verulamium Museum, until Monday 11 November, free after admission charge.
Social status was important to the Roman residents of Verulamium – but how did they show off and use their social position. This interactive exhibition explores the issue of class in Roman society using archaeological objects and other clues. Can you decide who is higher – Superior – and who is lower – Inferior – status?
Celebrating Talking Newspapers, 50th anniversary, Museum + Gallery.
Talking Newspapers was established by St Albans couple Ray and Meg Bousfield to help a neighbour whose sight loss meant he could no longer read the local paper.
The organisation has grown rapidly since its foundation in 1974 and continues to support people to access their local news for free. It has expanded across the UK with over 400 Talking Newspapers in operation.
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 The Wonderful World of the Ladybird Artists, Weston Gallery, Museum + Gallery, until Sunday 8 September, free.
This is your last chance to see this popular exhibition curated by local collector Helen Day, pictured. Find your favourites in a wall of 500 classic Ladybird books or discover more about the artists that made the books iconic. Visually rich and varied, the exhibition will evoke many childhood memories.
St Albans Greener Together will shortly be launching its Net Zero Fund with grants available to support sustainability projects undertaken by local groups.
Community groups, not-for-profit organisations and small to medium sized enterprises will be able to apply to the fund for initiatives that focus on transport and energy. Details about this exciting opportunity will appear on the Greener Together website.
Greener Together, which launched in June, is creating a network of residents and organisations who are committed to improving sustainability and tackling climate change.
You can join up here and start taking action to improve sustainability. You can also contact the Greener Together team with any stories, events or ideas you want to share at greenertogether@stalbans.gov.uk.
 St Albans Healthy Hub is your free one-stop-shop for health and wellbeing information, advice and support.
You can get advice on many issues including how to lose weight, quit smoking, cut down on alcohol, become more active and manage money.
The organisations involved include Citizens Advice, Communities 1st, Mind in Mid Herts and many more. You can find more information here.
 Have you or someone close to you been affected by gambling or do you work in the betting industry?
If so, Hertfordshire County Council want to hear your views on a variety of issues. This is to help them shape the county’s first ever strategy to limit the harm that gambling can cause.
Please take part in a survey here – it only takes a few minutes to complete.
The NHS is urging people aged 40 and over to come forward for a potentially life-saving blood pressure check.
Around one in four adults in the UK have high blood pressure, but only half of them are aware of it.
High blood pressure doesn’t usually have any obvious symptoms, making it an invisible threat. If left untreated, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Dozens of pharmacies across Hertfordshire have agreed to provide free checks for anyone over 40. You can also be checked at your next GP appointment.
Find your nearest pharmacy, plus information about blood pressure and how to keep yours at a healthy level, here.
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 Everyone deserves the best experience possible at the end of life, with access to high quality care and support.
On behalf of those responsible for shaping palliative and end of life care, NHS East of England and Marie Curie are conducting a survey to better understand people’s experiences.
They want to hear from people living with a terminal illness as well as from relatives, friends and carers.
By sharing your experience, you can help ensure improved end of life care for all. Please let us know your views here.
 We are asking dog owners to make sure they scoop up any poop following concerns raised by users of wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
There has been an increase in reports of dog mess being left on pavements instead of being scooped up and disposed of properly.
The issue was raised as one of significant concern at our recent Access Forum. The Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy has been campaigning to eradicate dog poo from the streets by 2030.
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