Financial experts are invited to take a deep-dive into the district council's accounts. SADC's unaudited draft accounts for the year ending March 31 have been published on its website, and public inspection is open until September 17. Council leader Cllr Paul de Kort explained: “Auditing for the accounting periods since covid were...
Whether central St Albans should have its own parish or town council is one of the issues which will be addressed as part of SADC’s Community Governance Review (CGR). The review follows the Government’s decision to restructure local government at district and county level to create more unitary authorities by May...
Harpenden businesses have refuted suggestions by SADC leader Cllr Paul de Kort that they are in any way happy with the on-street parking charges in the town. And they have urged him to actually speak to retailers to find out how they really feel. Speaking at last week’s Full Council meeting, Cllr...
The tenancy of iconic nightspot Batchwood Hall will be going out back on the market following the collapse of pub company Oakman Inns. The firm, which was supposed to be giving the venue a new lease of life as an upmarket restaurant, bar and hotel, announced it had gone into administration...
A fresh wave of parking restrictions are being proposed for back streets around the city centre – which councillors say are to help residents who struggle to find spaces. A consultation is currently underway for changes in Zone N, which covers Bardwell Road, Belmont Hill, Grove Road, De Tany Court, Pondwicks...
Imagine you’re on trial for murder but there are only prosecution witnesses – that’s the analogy SADC leader Cllr Paul de Kort used to describe the current state of the Local Plan process. In the concluding part of our latest interview with the man in charge of the administration, we move...
Whether St Albans' historic Mayoralty continues in the wake of local government reorganisation will be determined in the coming weeks. The role, which dates back to 1553, has its long-standing civic and ceremonial duties protected by statute, with a district councillor holding the position since SADC was created in 1974. The...
The death knell has already tolled for St Albans City and District Council, and although we’re still some years away from digging the grave, it’s fair to say the funeral notices have now been published. By April 2028 there will be a new local government structure covering Hertfordshire, bringing an end...
A controversial seven-day markets operation in St Albans city centre has failed to meet expectations – yet councillors are still considering making it permanent. As part of a 12-month pilot scheme approved last July, SADC provided pitches for at least 10 stalls every day throughout the week, operating as additional markets...
A motion which could have restricted the scrutiny of planning applications at SADC has failed to succeed. A group of Lib Dems including Cllrs Edgar Hill, Jamie Day, Sharon Hollingsworth and Josie Madoc wanted to limit both the number of councillors who could speak at the planning policy and climate committee,...
Contribute
You can help keep quality local journalism alive by making a one-off donation or set up a regular direct debit. Any contributions will help ensure the long-term future of the St Albans Times.
