community news spring 2013

CommunitySPRING 2013

INCORPORATING Recycling News

Community News is published by St Albans City & District Council

www.stalbans.gov.uk

See page 2 for dates of this summer’s fabulous

larks, festivals, music and parties

The Council offices will be open on the following

Saturdays between 10am and 2pm to help with queries about Council Tax and rent payments and welfare benefit changes:• Saturday 16th March• Saturday 23rd March• Saturday 6th April

Get set for a

SuMMeR of fuN!

Special Saturday opening

See centre pages for details

Your Council Tax explained

You can make payments such as Council Tax online at www.stalbans.gov.uk, via your bank, at the post office or at any

shop showing the Pay Zone sign. There is also an automated telephone payment line – call 0161 7853880.

easier ways to pay your Council Tax

2 Spring 2013 St Albans City & District Council Community News

folk In focus (exhibition) Until the end of March, Museum of St Albans

Tots Tales2nd Wednesday of the month, 11am-12pm, 1:30- 2:30pm, Museum of St Albans. £1/child. Storytelling for children aged 2-4.

Storytelling Workshop Mon 1 April, 1-3pm, Museum of St Albans. Free. Ages 13-18. Part of the Lion Under The Stairs Storytelling competition.

Magical Mayhem Holiday Club Tue 2 - Fri 5 April, 10:30am-12:30pm – Museum of St Albans. £5/session or £20/week per child. Children aged 8 and over.

Storytelling Workshop Wed 3 April, 1-3pm, Museum of St Albans. Free. Ages 8-12. Part of the Lion Under The Stairs Storytelling competition.

fabulous Pharaohs Holiday Club Mon 8 - Fri 12 April, 10:30am-12:30pm, Museum of St Albans. £5/session or £20/week per child. Children aged 8 and over. Become an Egyptian and explore mummies and gods, and our Egyptian collection.

Sunday Stories 24 March, 28 April, 19 May, 30 June, 3-4pm, Museum of St Albans. Free. Storytelling for children under 7.

Storytelling Sat 4 May, 2-3pm, Clock Tower. £3. Sat 11 May, 2-3pm, Sopwell Nunnery. £3.Sat 18 May, 2-3pm, Verulamium Museum. £3.Part of National Share a Story month.

Museums at Night Fri 17 May, 6-11pm, various venues. Torch-light guided tours at the Museum of St Albans. £5. Late Night Opening of the Clock Tower. £3. Roman Night Life at Verulamium Museum with Roman theatre performance, board games and wine. £10. Evening pass: £15.

Magna Carta 1213: The Journey Starts Here (exhibition)Sat 1 June - Sun 15 Sep, Museum of St Albans

All events are subject to possible change. www.enjoystalbans.com

for visitor information on St Albans and surrounding towns and villages, visit www.enjoystalbans.com

• Things to do • What’s on• Where to stay • Eating & drinking• Travel & mapsSt Albans Tourist and Information Centre The Town Hall, Market Place, St Albans, AL3 5DJ.01727 864511, [email protected], Mon-Sat: 10am-4.30pm (closed on bank holidays).

The official visitor website for St Albans

Get set for a

Your guide to fabulous

events and festivities

on offer this spring

and summer.

What’s on at the Museums?

SuMMeR of fuN!

MarchSt Albans MusicCitySat 15 - Sun 24 March, various venues.Bands, artists, music across the district.www.stalbans.gov.uk/musiccity

Mayurban Beach WeekendSat 25 - Sun 26 May, Verulamium Park. A fun weekend of beach sports.www.stalbans.gov.uk/beach-courts

JuneMusic in the ParksSix Sundays during June and September, various locations. Summer afternoons with music, picnics and friends. www.stalbans.gov.uk/musicintheparks

St Albans Half MarathonSunday 9 June – Starts in Verlamium ParkIncluding charity half marathon, walking half marathon and fun run.www.stalbanshalfmarathon.co.uk

Alban Street PartySunday 23 June – St Albans City CentreMega summer party.www.stalbans.gov.uk/alban-street-party

Larks in the ParksSunday 30 June – Various locationsFabulous fun and games in the parkswww.stalbans.gov.uk/larks

AugustSummer in the City Various dates and locations during August, bringing the streets alive with music, art, theatre and performers.www.stalbans.gov.uk/summerinthecity

Magna Carta festivalSat 3 - Sun 4 August – Verulamium ParkMagna Carta, 800 years anniversary – celebrating the city’s pivotal role in the development of British democracy. www.stalbans.gov.uk/magna-carta

olympic Legacy festivalSaturday 10 August – Verulamium Park Sports, music and entertainment one year on from London 2012.www.stalbans.gov.uk/olympic-legacy

for a full list of events visit www.enjoystalbans.com

www.stalbans.gov.uk 3

Changes to housing benefit

at St Albans Museums

Housing benefit is changing in April for working age tenants

in council and housing association properties. Benefits will now cover the size of property the rules say you need, rather than the size of property you are in.

For some people it will mean a reduction in Housing Benefit of up to 25% of their weekly rent.

For information or advice please contact your landlord.

3

Some vehicles are stolen by opportunists who spot keys

left in the ignition. The driver may have stopped

for fuel, or to use a cash point for example. Police advice is always to lock your car.

Thieves casing a property often look out for car keys and may steal the car to get away. Police advise people to keep keys hidden when at home.

There has been an increase in the theft of catalytic

converters from cars. Thieves steal them for their scrap metal value.

Independent charity Crime Stoppers is advising people to mark their ‘CATs’. It is cheap and may reduce your insurance. A sign in your window saying your ‘CAT’ has been marked may deter thieves. If you spot anyone behaving suspiciously, please let the police know. You can call them on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Defy car thieves

‘CAT’ theftsMore residents ‘satisfied’ with council performance

Almost 70% of residents are ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ satisfied

with the way that St Albans City & District Council runs services according to the 2012 community survey. This is a 16 percentage point increase in residents’ satisfaction levels since 2010.

The survey results also show that 94% of residents are satisfied with

the local area. A high proportion of residents, 74%, feel that they strongly belong to their neighbourhood. However, the proportion of residents agreeing that they can influence decisions has fallen to 26%, the 2008 level. If you have any ideas to help improve this, please let us know. Email [email protected], or call 01727 819572.

70%SATISfIeD

You may have spotted the Council’s museums team

running Manga Carta workshops. Inspired by Japanese Manga

comics, the workshops encourage people to draw their own responses to the heritage of Magna Carta. 2013 marks the 800th anniversary of the pivotal meeting in St Albans that would eventually lead to the signing of Magna Carta in 1215. The Manga Carta project is just one of many exciting projects planned. More details at www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk, 01727 751815.

Crimestoppers is a registered charity.

CATalytic converter theft is on the increase in this area.

If you have any information about this crime

call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously.

You could even earn a cash reward up to £1000.

FOR INFORMATION ON WHO TOOK IT.

0800 555 111

Last seen under avehicle in your street.

www.crimestoppers-uk.org

CASH REWARD

LOST CAT.

Recompense numerar • Nagrody pieniężne

Naudas atlīdzības • Pinigų nauda

Hertfordshire County Council elections take place on

Thursday 2 May. To vote, you must be on the register of electors.

If you have moved house during the year you can register up to Wednesday 17 April 2013. You can also apply to vote by post or appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf. Nominations for candidates close at noon on 5 April. See www.stalbans.gov.uk/elections for details, or contact 01727 819294, [email protected].

Your vote counts


Your Council Tax explainedSt Albans City and District Council’s element of the Council Tax is frozen for the fifth year running

Council Commitments

• Refuse and recycling services• Parks, play areas, leisure centres and

sports activities• Street cleaning• Markets• Tackling crime and nuisance like

fly-tipping, noise and dog mess• Special events and festivals• Museums• Elections• Planning and building control• Public toilets• Car parking and parking control• Housing and benefit advice• Sustainability initiatives• Food, health and safety inspectors

• Protecting the vulnerable • Planning for the future • Delivering for young people and families • Supporting businesses and developing the visitor economy• Delivering sports and leisure facilities • Delivering transport improvements • Keeping the district clean, green, healthy and safe • Ensuring value for money and excellent customer service

For every £1 you pay in Council TaxHertfordshire County Council gets 76p Total £65.6mSt Albans City & District Council gets 11.4p Total £9.9mHertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner gets 10p Total £8.7mParish Councils get 2.6p Total £2.3m

St Albans City & District Council

Hertfordshire

Police and Crim

e

Commissioner

Parish Councils

Hertfordshire County Council

How Council Tax is calculated

2012/13 2013/14 Net Expenditure £m Council Tax Band (D) £ Net Expenditure £m Council Tax Band (D) £

St Albans City & District budget before fees, charges, sales, rent £26m £420.55 £25.4m £433.83 PLUS contribution to reserves £0.6m £9.91 £0.3m £4.70 LESS income from fees, charges, sales, rent, grants -£10.6m -£172.27 -£11.0m -£187.72

St Albans City & District Council net budget £16.0m £258.19 £14.7m £250.81

LESS funding from elsewhere

Central Government and Business Rates -£5.5m -£88.13 -£4.7m -£81.68 Balance transferred from Collection Fund -£0.1m -£1.78 -£0.1m -£0.85

Total funding from elsewhere -£5.6m -£89.91 -£4.8m -£82.53

Council Tax – St Albans City & District Council £10.4m £168.28 £9.9m £168.28

PLUS

Parish Precepts £2.3m £37.20 £2.3m £38.52 Hertfordshire County Council Precept £68.7m £1,118.83 £65.6m £1,118.83 Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Precept £9.0m £147.82 £8.7m £147.82

Total Council Tax £90.4m £1,472.13 £86.5m £1,473.45

On average, you pay just £3.23 a week for all the services provided by your District Council including:

The Council’s funding comes from a number of sources including Council Tax. The Council’s gross expenditure of £25.7m is the main determinant of the level of Council Tax, after allowing for expected income.


Your total bill includes Council Tax for:• Herts County Council (HCC)* • Herts Police & Crime Commissioner (HP&CC) • St Albans City & District Council (SACDC) • Town and Parish Councils

PAriSH A B C D E F G H St Albans City £965.22 £1,126.08 £1,286.96 £1,447.82 £1,769.56 £2,091.30 £2,413.04 £2,895.64

Colney Heath £992.97 £1,158.45 £1,323.95 £1,489.44 £1,820.43 £2,151.42 £2,482.41 £2,978.88

Harpenden Town £996.17 £1,162.19 £1,328.23 £1,494.25 £1,826.31 £2,158.37 £2,490.42 £2,988.50

Harpenden rural £956.51 £1,115.91 £1,275.34 £1,434.75 £1,753.59 £2,072.42 £2,391.26 £2,869.50

London Colney £993.80 £1,159.42 £1,325.06 £1,490.69 £1,821.96 £2,153.22 £2,484.49 £2,981.38

redbourn £998.95 £1,165.41 £1,331.92 £1,498.40 £1,831.39 £2,164.36 £2,497.35 £2,996.80

St Michael £952.50 £1,111.24 £1,270.00 £1,428.74 £1,746.24 £2,063.74 £2,381.24 £2,857.48

St Stephen £991.95 £1,157.26 £1,322.60 £1,487.91 £1,818.56 £2,149.21 £2,479.86 £2,975.82

Sandridge £986.01 £1,150.33 £1,314.67 £1,479.00 £1,807.67 £2,136.34 £2,465.01 £2,958.00

Wheathampstead £998.83 £1,165.27 £1,331.76 £1,498.22 £1,831.17 £2,164.10 £2,497.05 £2,996.44The HCC precept includes a levy of behalf of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (Gross Expenditure 2012/13: £19.5m, 2013/14: £20.6m; Levy 2012/13: £11.7m, 2013/14: £11.5m), and on behalf of the Environment Agency (Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee) (Gross Expenditure 2012/13: £84.6m, 2013/14: £74.6m; Levy 2012/13: £10m, 2013/14: £10.5m).

BAND % Change

from last year

SACDC -0.54% HCC 0.0%HP&CC 0.0%PARiSH N/A

SACDC -0.28% HCC 0.0%HP&CC 0.0%PARiSH 11.38%



SACDC 0.91% HCC 0.0%HP&CC 0.0%PARiSH 7.96%






Parish Council spending 2012/13 Parish Council Spending 2013/14 Parish Council Spending Cost per Band Cost per BandPAriSH Leisure Other Total D Property Leisure Other Total D PropertyColney Heath £52.7k £107.3k £160.00k £64.13 £59.7k £107.3k £167.00k £71.43Harpenden Town £405.6k £523.4k £929.00k £67.52 £431.3k £474.2k £905.50k £67.52Harpenden rural £3.75k £16.74 £3.95k £16.74London Colney £189.6k £33.5k £223.10k £61.90 £21.8k £196.0k £217.80k £66.83redbourn £63.4k £114.1k £177.50k £71.81 £92.0k £77.2k £169.20k £74.14St Michael £2.60k £9.52 £3.10k £10.73St Stephen £205.7k £175.3k £381.00k £59.27 £195.2k £187.6k £382.80k £62.23Sandridge £87.4k £128.7k £216.10k £43.74 £75.0k £130.0k £205.00k £44.01Wheathampstead £72.0k £132.2k £204.20k £68.28 £64.0k £140.2k £204.20k £71.68

Charges, and why they vary between areas St Albans City & District Council also collects Council Tax on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council, Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner and the Town and Parish Councils in the District.

The actual charge for each band varies from area to area. This is because certain services are provided by the District Council in some areas, but by the Town or Parish Council in others. District, Town and Parish Councils all make different charges (know as special expenses or precepts). The amount you pay depends on where you live. For a more detailed explanation, please visit www.stalbans.gov.uk/counciltax, or telephone 01727 819204.

Statement of budget changes in St Albans City & District Council’s estimated expenditure between 2012/13 and 2013/14 £m £m 2013/14 Net Budget £10.4m

increases: Reduction in Government support/share of business rates £0.7mService improvements and changes £2.2minflation £0.4m

Total increases £3.3m

Less reductions:Efficiencies and savings -£1.9mincrease in New Homes Bonus Grant -£0.6mLocalisation of Council Tax Support Grant -£0.7mMoney from Council reserves -£0.6m

Total reductions -£3.8m

2013/14 Net Budget £9.9m

revenue expenditure and income summary 2012/13 2013/14

income from Council activities £10.6m £11.0mContribution to reserves £0.6m £0.3mNet budget requirement £15.4m £14.4m

Total Gross Expenditure for Council Activities £26.6m £25.7m


Monday, Wednesday – 10am to 2pmTuesday, Thursday – appointments only

Monday to Thursday – 1.30 to 4.30pmFriday – 1.30 to 4pm

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday – 9am to 1pm

Wednesday – 10am to 1pm

Aldwyck Housing Group – available alternate Thursdays – 10am to 1pm from 29 November

Monday to Thursday – 8.45am to 5pmFriday – 8.45am to 4.30pm

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday – 10am to 1pm

Opening times for all organisations may vary during school holidays.

Planning permission has been granted

for a new tennis and judo facility at Batchwood, following the fire in 2011.

The site will also be the location of brand new golf and bowls pavilions. Money from the fire insurers will help cover the cost. Building works are expected to begin this April and if all goes according to plan the facility is scheduled to open within the year.

The following organisations are working together at St Albans Civic Centre.

LoCAL SeRVICeS

Batchwood gets planning go-ahead

Do it all online

Curious about council meetings? Want to have your

say on issues affecting the district? You can browse the latest

meetings and consultations online at www.stalbans.gov.uk. Many meetings are webcast and you can view them live or afterwards from the comfort of

your own home, or in person on the night. Everyone is welcome.

You can contact your ward councillors at any time. More information at www.stalbans.gov.uk/councillors. To contact Council officers, see back page for details.

You can avoid the queues and pay your council tax,

make a benefits application, pay or challenge parking fines and a host of other things online at www.stalbans.gov.uk.

We also have a map-based information site that you can tailor to your address. You can search for planning applications, find out who your local councillors are, check your waste and recycling collection day and lots more.

Take part, influence and comment

War memorials restoration

The Government has granted listed building consent for

restoration work on the war memorial in St Peter’s Street in St Albans.

This work will be the first part of a restoration programme for the war memorials in the Council’s care. The Council is committed to honouring those who died in the service of the country and to the preservation of the City’s war memorial heritage.


The east/west stretch of the new cycle path in Verulamium

Park is open. Stage one included works to make the path useable over the winter months.

Signs, bollards, a new pedestrian path, speed restrictions and a new entrance to the children’s play were completed in December. Finishing touches will be made once the spring weather arrives, including drainage and edging works.

Second cycle route open

Transport improvements

GReeN ISSueS

Residents will soon be able to recycle a wider range of plastics. The new collection arrangements,

part of the Council’s plan to get recycling in the district up to 60%, are being rolled out gradually. You will be advised of the changes as they are implemented in your area.

Coming soon – recycle more plastics

Have you thought about switching from disposables

to cotton nappies? Details of a free trial offer

and cash back scheme are available from Louise Palmer on 01727 819428. Lots of information is available at www.clothnappytree.com.

Go green with real nappies

Network St Albans transport partners are working together

to improve public transport locally. one of their improvements is the St Albans BuSnet, a unique multi-operator bus ticket.

You can buy a ticket on the first bus you board and use it for other local bus travel too. A handy pocket guide, network maps, clearer bus stop-specific timetables and real-time information have also been introduced. See www.networkstalbans.co.uk.

To say thank you for all your recycling efforts, we are again

offering residents free garden compost. This is a DIY event so please bring your own bags (max 2 per car) and a spade. It’s always very popular so get there early to avoid disappointment.

Free CoMPoSTSunday 24th March, From 7.30am (until stocks run out)

Enterprise Depot, ronsons Way, St Albans (near Household Waste Recycling Centre)

The Green Deal is the Government’s new scheme to help people improve the energy

efficiency of their properties at no upfront cost. Around 45 different measures are included such as insulation, heating,

draught proofing, double glazing and renewable energy like solar panels. For details see: www.gov.uk/green-deal-energy-saving-measures.

Green deal


Now on Twitter @StAlbansCouncil

Have your say... We welcome anything you want to say about our services.

Prin

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We hope you enjoy reading Community News. If you can spare a moment, please email [email protected] or call 01727 819572 and let us know your views and what else you want us to include.

St Albans City & District CouncilCivic Centre, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Herts AL1 3JE

Website: www.stalbans.gov.uk Email: [email protected]

Customer Service Centre opening hours: Mon-Thurs 8.45am-5pm, Fri 8.45am-4.30pm

Housing repairs: 01727 819256refuse & recycling: 01727 819285Council Tax: 01727 819204/819205Benefits: 01727 819476Cleaner District Hotline: 0845 125 8000 Textphone: 01727 819570

All Other Enquiries: 01727 866100

Harpenden Town Council Information PointTown Hall, Leyton Road, Harpenden

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm

Telephone: 01582 768278

Alternative formats: If you want to receive this newsletter in an alternative format, such as Braille, or in another language, please call 01727 819572. See www.disabledgo.com for information about access to local facilities.

Together, for a Cleaner District

Keeping the District Clean and Green

The Cleaner District Hotline: 0845 125 8000 Email: [email protected]

...please contact

If you spot a problem with...

• Abandoned vehicles • Illegal • or litter • Dog fouling or stray dogs • Dumped rubbish • Illegal • Overgrown hedgerows• Spills from refuse collection • Accumulation of leaves • Pest control • Damaged street furniture • Street cleaning required • Drugs paraphernalia • Trees (overgrown/obstructing highway) • Empty/derelict property • Air pollution

Now on twitter: @StAlbansCouncil

Cheaper energy?

Hertfordshire County Council has joined a scheme to help

residents save on energy. Residents are invited to

register their interest. Suppliers bid the lowest price to supply energy to those signed up – up to 2 million across the UK. Registered residents then have three weeks to confirm whether they want to switch. At the last bid residents saved on average £120. Details at www.hertsdirect.org/readytoswitch.

fly tipping is a costly menace that leaves a nasty

blot on our lovely landscape.If you spot anyone dumping

rubbish, please make a note of their vehicle details. A photo could give us the evidence we need to prosecute.

Make sure you take your waste to a local authority waste disposal

site or if you are a business use a waste carrier registered with the Environment Agency. You are responsible for what happens to your waste even after it has left your premises. You could be fined up to £50,000 or go to prison for up to 5 years if the waste is dumped.

To report fly-tipping, contact the Cleaner District Hotline (see right).

fly tippers beware

Market datesSt Albans Market every Wednesday and Saturday

St Albans farmers’ Market 2nd Sunday of the month

Harpenden farmers’ Market 4th Sunday of the month

community news spring 2013

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