Only days left to have your say on Parish and Town Council arrangements in St Albans District
Residents in St Albans District have only days left to have their say on parish and town council arrangements.
A consultation on the recommended changes will end on Monday 23 February.
It is part of a Community Governance Review (CGR) being undertaken by St Albans City and District Council.
Among the proposals is the creation of a new parish council for the unparished area of St Albans. Residents’ views are also being 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.
As part of the consultation, polls are taking place in Harpenden Rural Parish and the unparished area of St Albans where households were sent a ballot pack in the post in December.
Residents in those areas are urged to respond to the poll if they have not done so already.
The CGR was initiated following plans by central government to restructure local government across Hertfordshire.
Under the plans, the current two-tier system of district and county councils is to be replaced by new unitary authorities by May 2028.
Councillor Paul de Kort, the Council’s Leader, said:
Parish councils are an important part of our local government system and must not be overlooked during the restructuring.
We want to hear from residents, community groups and other organisations about the proposals that we have put forward.
I would ask everyone with an interest in the future of our District to take part in the consultation and let us know their thoughts.
Full details of the recommendations are available on the Council’s website.
Residents across the District who have yet to give their views can do so by completing an online questionnaire.
Alternatively, they can email CGR@stalbans.gov.uk or write to Community Governance Review, c/o Electoral Services, St Albans City and District Council, Civic Centre, St Peters Street, St Albans, AL1 3JE.
Consultation responses will help shape the final recommendations which are expected to go forward to the Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee in June 2026.
Final decisions are scheduled to be made by Full Council in July 2026 with any changes to be implemented in time for the May 2027 local elections.
Contact for the media: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.