 Residents and organisations in Hertfordshire are being consulted on proposals to change how local government is structured.
Proposals are for two, three or four new unitary authorities covering the county have been put forward to replace the current two-tier system.
At present, the county council delivers one set of services, including social care, education, roads and public health whilst district councils provide another set such as planning, social housing and leisure.
The unitary authorities would be responsible for all services and are scheduled to take over in May 2028.
Click on the button below for more information and to take part in the consultation which runs until Thursday 26 March.
 Our four major leisure centres and two entertainment venues have been rated ‘excellent’ by independent assessors.
This follows a £1.5 million investment programme that is delivering significant upgrades as well as record attendances.
We own Harpenden, Cotlandswick, Batchwood and Westminster Lodge leisure centres as well as the Alban Arena and the Eric Morecambe Centre venues.
All six facilities are managed by leisure operator Everyone Active on the Council’s behalf.
Over the last year, all the locations were rated ‘excellent’ by Quest, the sport and leisure industry’s respected quality scheme.
Membership of the leisure centres increased by 12% in 2025 and now totals more than 15,000.
Photo: Everyone Active staff at Cotlandswick Leisure Centre in London Colney.
 Our Community Safety Team gained a Closure Order from St Albans Magistrates' Court to put a property off limits.
The team, working with the Police, were alerted to activities at the property in Cyril Way, St Albans, by concerns raised by residents.
They complained of drug use, disorder and anti-social behaviour linked to the property.
The closure order will make it a criminal offence for anyone to enter the property unless they have the proper authority to do so.
 Residents in St Albans District have only days left to have their say on proposals for parish and town council changes.
A consultation on the recommendations will end on Monday 23 February.
Among the proposals is the creation of a new parish council for the unparished area of St Albans. Residents’ views are also sought on whether a separate parish council should be established for the Highfield area.
Also recommended is the abolition of Harpenden Rural Parish Council with its area becoming part of Harpenden Town Council.
In addition, changes to the number of Parish Councillors and parish ward boundaries of London Colney Parish Council have been proposed.
A beautiful Kingfisher has become a star attraction again at Verulamium Park.
Wildlife photographers are among those who have been congregating by the River Ver to catch a glimpse of the bird.
Its favourite spot appears to be tree branches overhanging the river near Ye Olde Fighting Cocks pub.
However it has also been seen, as pictured here, perched on the pedestrian bridge that divides the park's two artificial lakes.
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 The boss of a waste disposal firm was ordered to pay £3,400 for dumping a hazardous fly-tip on the grounds of a Harpenden school.
James Blewitt, 35, director of Atlas Waste, based in Basildon, Essex, was also given a 16-week jail sentence, suspended for a year.
He dumped the toxic waste at Musicale, a teaching centre for young musicians at St George’s School in Harpenden.
The Council's environmental enforcement team decided to prosecute rather than issue a Fixed Penalty Notice fine because of the seriousness of the offence.
They have carried out nine prosecutions during the year 2025/26 for fly-tippers and other waste disposal offences to deter others from committing similar crimes.
A moving service to commemorate victims of the Holocaust and other genocides took place in St Albans District.
The civic event marked Holocaust Memorial Day, Tuesday 27 January, and was hosted by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sue Griffiths.
It was an occasion to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, the millions of other persecuted people killed by the Nazis and later genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda and elsewhere.
Cllr Griffiths (7th from the left) welcomed the guests to the event at the Council Chamber and Town Crier, Stephen Potter (far right), read a proclamation.
This was inspired by the theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day: Bridging Generations, a reminder that the responsibility of remembrance lives on through the generations.
An initiative has been launched to ensure residents can access support services to help with digital tasks.
Digital skills are essential for everyday life, from managing finances to staying connected with other people.
Not everyone, though, is competent and confident at navigating the internet and using apps.
Hertfordshire County Council’s Digital Help Finder brings together in one site the services that can help you.
Click on the button for information about identifying the skills you or someone you know needs and the available training opportunities.
 Hemel Garden Communities is a project to deliver around 11,000 new homes and 10,000 jobs in the years to 2050.
We are managing the project with Dacorum Borough Council as the land involved falls within both local authority areas.
Two new planning documents that will help shape the development have been published with residents, businesses and other interested parties now being given a chance to have their say.
The consultation runs until Thursday 19 March and you can see the documents and give your views by clicking on the button below.
This consultation is not about the principle of Hemel Garden Communities which is being dealt with by the Draft Local Plan process, instead, it covers how the Draft Local Plan policies should be applied in the future.
 We celebrated our annual Staff Awards this month, recognising colleagues who go above and beyond to support our residents and improve services across the District.
The event highlighted the passion, commitment and innovation that define our workforce - and the meaningful difference local government makes every day.
If you’re looking for a career with purpose, working for a local authority offers the chance to create a positive impact in your community.
From supporting vulnerable residents to shaping local spaces and delivering high quality services, your work directly contributes to improving people’s lives.
Explore the latest opportunities on our jobs and careers webpage and join a team that’s making a difference.
Photo: Cllr Paul de Kort (2nd from left), the Council Leader, with some of our Tenancy Services staff, winners of the Team of the Year Award.
 St Albans City and District Council is hosting a free-to-attend Business Summit for local business representatives offering an insight into Hertfordshire’s economic future and plans to encourage growth.
There will also be information on the resources that can be accessed to help local businesses thrive.
Date: Monday 9 March
Time: 5:30pm arrival for 6pm start, finishing at 8pm
Location: District Council Offices, Civic Centre, St Peter's Street
Speakers include William Stokes, the Chief Executive and a founder of Co-Space, the flexible workspace operator, Lucy Gravatt, Director of Partnerships and Communications at Hertfordshire Futures, Liza Armstrong, Head of Service at Hertfordshire Growth Hub, and Cllr Paul de Kort, Leader of St Albans City and District Council.
Please note that this event is relevant and open to representatives of businesses operating in St Albans City and District and that they will be prioritised in the allocation of tickets.
The upper storey of Bowers Way West car park in Harpenden has been closed to allow for essential structural repairs.
The car park is owned by Sainsbury's which has an adjoining supermarket, and operated by the Council under a lease.
The upper storey, which has 85 spaces including six disabled bays, has been shut while the lower storey, which has 67 spaces including four disabled bays, remains open.
Motorists can use the Council’s other town centre car parks and on-street parking bays with the Bowers Way West upper storey due to reopen on Monday 16 March.
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 A striking new mural to add even more vibrancy to George Street, St Albans, has been unveiled.
The work is the result of a collaboration between artist Ant Steel and the charity The Arts Society St Albans, brought together by Professor Tim Boatswain, Chair of Conservation 50.
Located on the side of the popular George Street Canteen, the artwork pays playful homage to the café’s reputation as a dog-friendly establishment. It features an array of canine characters drawn from the past as well as the present.
 Wilde, an immersive film screening, Thursday 26 February, 7:30pm, St Albans Museum + Gallery, Tickets £7.50
Celebrate LGBT+ History Month by attending this immersive film screening of Wilde - the 1997 biopic starring Stephen Fry as the poet and playwright Oscar Wilde. This dramatisation of his fall from grace was filmed in the courtroom of St Albans Museum + Gallery, where the screening will take place.
 February Half-Term, Monday 16 to Friday 20 February, St Albans Museum + Gallery and Verulamium Museum
Half term is nearly here, and there is a great line-up of family activities across both our Museums. These include space‑themed planetarium shows and creative clay workshops at St Albans Museum + Gallery as well as Romans vs Celts games, archaeology sessions and character encounters at Verulamium Museum.
You can find the full programme and book ahead on our website.
 St Albans Healthy Hub is your local centre for health and wellbeing information, advice and support.
You can get help with 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 on the Healthy Hub webpages.
 Is your New Year’s resolution about getting fitter and moving more? If so, why not start with a gentle Health Walk?
Walking helps you feel and look good, maintain a healthy weight, strengthen bones and muscles, and get a better night’s sleep.
These free group walks are fun, social and a great way to explore your neighbourhood.
There are seven regular walks in St Albans and the surrounding area, including short, gentle walks around Highfield Park and Wheathampstead. There are also weekend and evening walking opportunities available for those seeking longer, brisker walks.
Friendly volunteers – one at the front and one at the back – will ensure a suitable pace. Everyone is welcome, though our ‘First Steps’ walk, which is 20-30 minutes long, is especially suited for people who have mobility issues or are just new to walking.
* To register your interest in becoming a Health Walk volunteer, email healthwalks.cms@hertfordshire.gov.uk or call a member of the team on 01992 555888.
 Our leisure centre operators Everyone Active has introduced chair yoga classes at Harpenden Leisure Centre.
This is a relaxed and accessible form of yoga undertaken while seated or using a chair for support.
These low impact sessions can improve your flexibility, balance and general wellbeing. The classes take place on Mondays, 1.45pm to 2.40pm, and Wednesdays, 2pm to 2.50pm.
In addition, Everyone Active offers a wide range of other keep fit classes at venues around the District including Redbourn, Wheathampstead, London Colney, Bricket Wood and St Albans. This is part of its active communities programme.
You can find out more information by clicking the button below or emailing stalbansactivecommunities@everyoneactive.com.
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