13 Jan 2025
St Albans Conservatives have pledged their commitment to localism in the face of the Government’s reorganisation plans.
Deputy leader Cllr Matt Cowley (pictured) said: “With the Labour Government pushing ahead with plans to impose large unitary authorities on our communities, there is a real risk that the voice of local people could be diminished in larger and larger councils.
“We will be ensuring that short term decisions by the Lib Dems to balance the books at the district council do not embed bad policy decisions for our communities over the longer term – that is particular important when considering things like the decision to impose parking charges on Harpenden’s High Street, which would be almost impossible to overturn in a much larger unitary authority if they are in force when that new council comes into effect.
“We will be protecting local decision-making and the institutions that serve local residents well.
“For example, we will be pushing to ensure that when the new unitary authority comes into being, our residents are supported by strong parish and town councils which deliver some of the most important local services people care about.
“We will need the council to be pro-active in thinking about divesting assets like parks and green spaces down to our parishes, so that local people remain in control of the future of our communities.
“We will also need to take action to protect the institution of the St Albans Mayoralty. The Mayoral office plays a vital role in civic society and raises money for worthwhile causes every year. The Conservative group will be proposing urgent action to protect the nearly 500-year long history of the Mayor – primarily with the creation of a new parish council in St Albans city which could take on the Mayoral office.
“Over the coming years, local councillors have a duty to our residents to ensure that we hand over the district council’s functions to whatever new unitary is created in the best possible shape for residents. We must meet that challenge with pro-active and delivery-focussed decision making.”
