02 Nov 2026
The first clerk of a newly-created parish council covering 28,000 households in central St Albans has been appointed.
Claire Molyneux will start in the interim role at St Albans City Centre Parish Council on Thursday November 12.
She will work with the shadow parish council to establish the new organisation and prepare for elections of 25 councillors in May next year.
Claire said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as interim parish clerk.
“St Albans is a beautiful and historic city with a real sense of community, and it is a privilege to be helping to establish its new parish council. I am looking forward to working with councillors, partners and residents to help create a parish council that truly reflects the city it serves.”
Claire, who was brought up in Oxford, has spent the past 21 years working in public service and local government, most recently as a parish clerk in Buckinghamshire.
She has a Master’s Degree in Public Leadership and is a Fellow of the Society of Local Council Clerks, the highest level of membership.
SADC voted in July to create the new council for the unparished area of the city following a Community Governance Review.
Leader Cllr Paul de Kort, said: “Claire’s appointment is a major step towards the establishment of the new St Albans City Centre Parish Council.
“She is an experienced and highly-qualified local government officer who has the knowledge and skill to get the new council up and running.”
The new parish council will cover the nine district council wards of Batchwood, Bernards Heath, Clarence, Cunningham, Hill End, Marshalswick West, Sopwell, St Peters and Verulam.
The shadow council is composed of a district councillor from each of the nine wards as well as the interim clerk.
It will develop a governance framework, identify appropriate office space and raise awareness amongst the community.
Parish councils give communities a local voice and can be responsible for delivering grassroots services.
Once established after the May elections, the new parish council will be able to charge householders a precept on their Council Tax to pay for its operations.
There are currently nine other parish and town councils in the district: Harpenden Town, Harpenden Rural, Redbourn, Wheathampstead, London Colney, Sandridge, Colney Heath, St Michael and St Stephen.
