St Albans City and District Council
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| St Albans City and District Council | |
|---|---|
| Name | St Albans City and District Council |
| Type | Non-metropolitan district |
| Caption | St Albans Cathedral dominates the city's skyline. |
| Subdivision type | Sovereign state |
| Subdivision name | United Kingdom |
| Subdivision type1 | Country |
| Subdivision name1 | England |
| Subdivision type2 | Region |
| Subdivision name2 | East of England |
| Subdivision type3 | Ceremonial county |
| Subdivision name3 | Hertfordshire |
| Subdivision type4 | Historic county |
| Subdivision name4 | Hertfordshire |
| Seat | St Albans |
| Leader title | Leadership |
| Leader name | Leader & Cabinet |
| Leader title1 | Executive arrangements |
| Leader name1 | Leader and cabinet executive |
| Leader title2 | Mayor |
| Leader name2 | Cllr Anthony Rowlands |
| Leader title3 | Chief Executive |
| Leader name3 | Amanda Foley |
| Leader title4 | Political groups |
| Leader name4 | Liberal Democrats (35), Conservative (13), Labour (6) |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1 April 1974 |
| Area total km2 | 161.2 |
| Area total sq mi | 62.2 |
| Population total | 147,373 |
| Population as of | 2021 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Population demonym | St Albanean |
| Iso code | GB-STA |
| Website | www.stalbans.gov.uk |
St Albans City and District Council. It is the local authority for the St Albans district within the ceremonial county of Hertfordshire in the East of England. The council administers a historic area encompassing the city of St Albans, the town of Harpenden, and several surrounding parishes. Its responsibilities range from planning and environmental health to leisure services and local taxation.
History
The modern council was established on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, which created the non-metropolitan district. It succeeded the former borough of St Albans and the Harpenden Urban District, absorbing areas from the St Albans Rural District and the Hertfordshire County Council. The district's history is deeply intertwined with the Roman settlement of Verulamium, a major site on Watling Street, and the later medieval importance of St Albans Abbey. The city's charter was granted by King Henry II in 1154, and it was the location of two pivotal conflicts, the First Battle of St Albans and the Second Battle of St Albans.
Governance and political control
The council operates a leader and cabinet model. Following the 2024 local elections, the Liberal Democrats hold a majority, with Anthony Rowlands serving as the council leader. The ceremonial figurehead is the Mayor of St Albans, a role currently held by Councillor Anthony Rowlands. The council's decisions are scrutinized by various committees, and it works in partnership with bodies like the Hertfordshire County Council for services such as education and highways. The district is represented in the UK Parliament by the Member of Parliament for St Albans, currently Daisy Cooper of the Liberal Democrats.
Council services and responsibilities
Key statutory functions include planning and development control, waste collection and recycling, licensing, environmental health, and the management of council housing. The council operates leisure facilities like the Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre and maintains parks including Verulamium Park and Clarence Park. It also supports cultural institutions such as the Museum of St Albans and the St Albans Organ Theatre, and oversees markets and car parks. Regulatory duties cover food safety, pollution control, and enforcing standards for private rented housing.
Electoral wards and constituencies
The district is divided into 20 electoral wards, which elect a total of 56 councillors. These wards include St Albans Central, St Stephen, Batchwood, Marshalswick, and Harpenden East. For Westminster parliamentary elections, the district is almost entirely within the St Albans constituency, with a small part of the Redbourn ward falling within the Hitchin and Harpenden constituency represented by Bim Afolami. The area is part of the East of England region for broader elections.
Finances and council tax
The council's funding derives from Council Tax payments, revenue from fees and charges, and grants from central government, notably the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. It sets an annual budget to fund its services, with a portion of the council tax bill passed to the Hertfordshire County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire. The council also manages its capital investment programme for major projects and maintains financial reserves. Its spending is audited by an external body appointed by Public Sector Audit Appointments.
Demographics and geography
The district covers approximately 161 square kilometres of southern Hertfordshire, bordering the London Borough of Harrow and the boroughs of Three Rivers, Watford, and Dacorum. The landscape includes parts of the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the River Ver. According to the 2021 Census, the population was 147,373, with a high proportion of residents holding higher education qualifications. The area is known for its affluent character and strong connections to Central London, facilitated by the West Coast Main Line and the M1 motorway.
Category:Non-metropolitan districts of Hertfordshire Category:Local authority districts of the East of England Category:St Albans