Last November, the Government published its White Paper, Get Britain Working. It sought to address the increased number of working age people who are not in employment or seeking employment.

Employers in Hertfordshire find it particularly challenging to recruit and retain staff. As a result of this, the Government has asked Hertfordshire to produce its own Get Hertfordshire Working Plan.

This plan needs to identify local issues and define appropriate solutions. To inform the plan, partners in the county, and external consultant SQW, are seeking views and insights from businesses and other local employers via a survey.

This survey will only be seen by the research team at SQW, an independent firm supporting the public sector partners, and will be stored in compliance with the Data Protection Act.

The survey closes on Friday 15 August.

The Herts Healthy Workplace Programme, run by Hertfordshire County Council, is recruiting new businesses for the next quarter.

It is a whole organisation approach to embed a culture of health and wellbeing in Hertfordshire’s small and medium sized businesses (SMEs). 

Within one year, at least 85% of employers agreed the programme was useful in helping them support their employees' health and wellbeing as it has:

• Enabled them to have a named workplace health lead
• Trained health champions, allowing them to fulfil their role in the organisation
• Implemented an action plan supporting employee health and wellbeing
• Provided access to various support and resources

93% of employers said they were satisfied with the programme and one to one support they received, reporting improvements in:

• Wellbeing
• Diet
• Physical Activity
• Smoking
• Work social and physical environment
• Workplace culture

If you want a healthier, happier and more dynamic workplace, but you're not sure where to start, join Hertfordshire County Council’s free and accredited Healthy Workplace Programme.

Learn more by emailing: workplace.health@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Applications are now open for the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2026. These prestigious awards recognise outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the following categories:

• Innovation
• International trade
• Sustainable development
• Promoting opportunity (through social mobility)

Organisations that have got an award have benefited from worldwide recognition, increased commercial value, greater press coverage, and a boost to staff morale.

Did you know that 88% of winners are SMEs, and 14% are micro-businesses. If you’re a start-up, sole trader or a small team making bold moves across international trade, sustainability, innovation or promoting opportunity – apply now.

The application period closes on 9 September 2025.

Inn on the Park in St Albans has received accreditation from Hertfordshire County Council, in recognition of their efforts to offer healthier food options and adopt sustainable practices.

The Hertfordshire Responsible Food Award is a quality-mark that any local business serving food can apply for, to demonstrate that they are promoting healthier eating habits and reducing the environmental impact of their businesses.

Inn on the Park received their award for supporting healthier eating through their kids' and adults' menus. The food award team felt they had gone above and beyond to support sustainability by using solar power, reducing air pollution through a no idling policy, and often using fresh, seasonal, ingredients.

To find out which businesses have achieved an award, or to apply for an award, visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/hrfa.

Campaign week 6-12 October 2025

Taylor Walton Solicitors are encouraging shops in St Albans to sign up to join a week-long awareness campaign for the local charity Youth Talk.

Youth Talk provide free counselling services for young people aged 13-25 in the area. For more information on Youth Talk, visit https://youthtalk.org.uk/

Those taking part will be asked to give up a small area of their window for the week, putting on a united display across the city to raise awareness for Youth Talk.

October is a particularly challenging time for young people, as they embark on new schools, college or university courses or their first job in the workplace. There is often a spike in demand for Youth Talk’s services in the October half term.

The campaign coincides with World Mental Health Day on 10 October, and the Great St Albans’ Challenge on Sunday 12 October. Teams of everyday superheroes will work through a treasure hunt, facing superhero questions, photo and video challenges and be on the lookout for the special shop windows supporting Youth Talk.

Four Green Flag Awards have been awarded to St Albans City and District Council in recognition of its 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 awarded Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the excellent management of its ancient Roman features.

The annual Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and open spaces, setting the benchmark for green spaces across the United Kingdom and the world.