Active News in Harpenden

Sustainability and Climate Crisis Strategy for St Albans District and Harpenden is launched.

A new sustainability and climate crisis strategy for St Albans District and Harpenden with the aim of achieving net zero by 2030 has been launched.

The strategy covers the years from now until 2027 and sets out measures to cut harmful emissions and improve the local environment.

St Albans City and District Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and produced a strategy with more than 100 actions for 2020 to 2023.

Last year, Councillors also declared a sustainability and biodiversity emergency, recognising the urgent need to protect and enhance nature.

Now the Planning Policy and Climate Committee has approved an updated strategy to progress all this vital work.

The strategy includes further initiatives to improve the sustainability of the Council’s own operations and services with its emissions having been cut by 52% since 2009.

It also sets out commitments and proposals to:

*Boost the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings around the District.

*Promote active and sustainable transport to improve air quality.

*Reduce waste, encourage recycling and campaign for sustainable food production.

*Enhance the natural environment and allow biodiversity to flourish.

Conserve precious water resources and ease flooding risks.

Councillor Raj Visram, Lead for Climate, said: “Since declaring a climate emergency, we have made great strides forward and taken many positive actions.

“For example, we have planted many thousands of trees and spent more than £20 million on improving the energy efficiency of our social housing properties with more work scheduled.

“Our parking services team now has an all-electric vehicle fleet and 18 more electric vehicle charging points have been installed around the District.

“We have also helped to set up the St Albans Home Energy Support Service which provides free advice to households on making their homes more energy efficient and how to obtain funding.

“However, we are not complacent and this updated strategy will further boost our efforts to tackle the climate emergency and create a carbon neutral District.

“It highlights the areas where we will be making major efforts in the years ahead to promote sustainability and I am sure we will have the support of our residents and businesses as we continue with this priority project.

“I would urge all those who are passionate about their local environment and the need to make improvements to take the time to read this strategy. We need everyone to buy into what we are doing.”

Among the new measures the strategy commits the Council to is a campaign to increase opportunities for the community to become involved in its climate work.

St Albans Greener Together will be launched soon with the aim of helping residents, schools, community groups and businesses find solutions to environmental issues.

New Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire - Jonathan Ash-Edwards

New Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire Jonathan Ash-Edwards has been sworn in for his four-year term in office.

The news was announced at Mr Ash-Edwards started his first official day in the role at his office based at Harpenden Police Station on Thursday (May 9).

The Declaration of Acceptance of Office is an important symbol of the Commissioner's open and transparent approach and the aim of being truly accountable to the public.

Mr Ash-Edwards (above right) said: “I am honoured to have been elected to serve as Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner for the next four years and greatly looking forward to the work ahead.

“Our county already has one of the lowest crime rates in the country and I am determined to build on that foundation, while accepting there is more that can be done.

“It is important that I work with everybody to reduce crime and harm across the county. The public need to know they can influence what happens in their neighbourhoods and I invite them to tell me what they want from their policing service.

“Hertfordshire has more police officers than ever before and I know that people want to see that translating into visible and responsive local police to make our communities even safer. My priority now is to get to work on delivering on the promises I have made and publishing a new Police and Crime Plan which will deliver results.”

The wording of the oath is set in law by the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Declaration of Acceptance of Office) Order 2012.

Will the Economic Growth of the Harpenden High Street survive the Parking Fee onslaught?

Harpenden Town Council have a key Strategic Objective in their Business Plan to promote the economic and commercial vitality of small businesses, including the High Street, Southdown and other retail hubs.

Amanda Foley. Chief Executive SADC said recently “But it’s not just about big business because our town centres and high streets are bustling with independent shops and cafes. It’s these local businesses, run by local people that help to keep us fuelled and they’re part of the reason why so many visitors come.” This being a member of The Hertfordshire Growth Board with its mission to expand Hertfordshire’s growth potential.

So, will the introduction of parking charges on the Harpenden High Street help develop economic growth OR drive more shoppers away and see a decline in business activity?

Amanda Foley and her team of officers are currently reviewing the results of the Parking Charges consultation and email responses. They have an obligation to assess this information independently to ensure it meets the positive objectives of the growth plans highlighted above.

‘I’ve been Chief Executive of St Albans City and District Council since 2017 and I’ve overseen various projects, including new sports and cultural centres in Harpenden, and a cycling and community hub in St Albans. I’ve also been involved in developing a seven-acre site in the heart of St Albans and the Strategic Local Plan for housing and development.’

With this positivity in mind it is to hoped that the Harpenden High Street will not be left behind but will be seen as a place to invest and become an engine of economic growth for the whole community.

We await a decision with a sense of trepidation.

Banking Hub now open in Harpenden Town Hall.

This vital facility will initially open as an

Interim Banking Hub at the Town Hall, on

Leyton Road, while its permanent premises

on the High Street is finalised. The poster on

the right shows the days a bank rep will be there

Cllr Pip Liver, Mayor of Harpenden said

“The Town Council has worked hard to deliver

banking services that are accessible to

individual and business banking customers.

Our commitment to delivering an interim

Banking Hub at the Town Hall means that we

can help to re-establish banking services in

Harpenden whilst we work with Cash Access UK to secure permanent premises.”

Residents, business, voluntary and community organisations are urged to use the interim Banking Hub in the same way as their own bank. Cash withdrawals, opening an account, paying in cheques, financial advice and all other services are available Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

A downloadable leaflet and further information is available on Harpenden Town Council’s website: www.harpenden.gov.uk and printed copies of the leaflet are available from Harpenden Town Hall.

Further information:

What is a banking hub?

A Banking Hub is a place where the public and businesses have daily access to face-to-face counter service, with the same transactional banking facilities that the high street banks offer. This includes the opportunity for scheduled private consultations with individual bank representatives. They are organised and funded by banks and would not be funded locally using public funds.

A hub is a dedicated and appropriate banking space, open to customers of all retail banks, situated in the centre of town and aims to be accessible to everyone.

Who would own, fund and operate the hub?

It would be owned by Cash Access UK, funded by the banking industry and operated by the Post Office (but in a separate location).

Where will the hub be located and who finds the appropriate property?

They are situated in the centre of town and aim to be accessible to all members of the public. There should be at least 1,000 sq ft, able to be secure and have appropriate back-office space

Contact

Requests for further information should be directed to Carl Cheevers, Town Clerk, Harpenden Town Council: E.carl.cheevers@harpenden.gov.uk t. 01582 768278

SEPT 23 2024 HTC COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

23.1 SADC PARKING PROPOSALS – Council considered a

report by the Town Clerk & Chief Executive. Council

RESOLVED to:Agree the following statement relating to the HTC view on what has happened so far regarding the parking proposals:

• The Town Council has been very concerned with the

proposals set out in the consultation and objects to them.

• The Town Council does not support any charges for on-street

parking in Harpenden Town Centre.

• SADC appears to be adopting a ‘one size fits all approach’ which

for example, does not reflect the key differences between St Albans City Centre and Harpenden Town Centre.

• SADC’s communications on this matter have been poor and

have created areas of concern and perceptions that could have

been avoided.

• It is questionable as to whether an appropriate consultation process has been carried out given the communications put out and timeline inconsistencies.

• Earlier engagement with the local community and Town Council

around the time of budget setting, in the form of a non statutory

consultation, would have helped SADC to understand the local

parking issues and enabled the development of a set of

proposals that could make improvements locally without the

potential for significant local damage.

• A more positive response to the Town Council offer of a formal joint collaboration in parallel to the consultation would have increased the chances of producing better proposals.

Agree the following statement as to what should happen next:

• HTC calls on SADC to carefully consider the consultation

responses and listen to the views of the community.

• We recognise that improvements need to be made to parking

policy locally, however SADC should develop an alternative

approach that sees major changes to what was proposed

during the consultation.

• HTC will carefully consider any changes proposed by SADC

and will consider its view on them at the appropriate time. If no

changes are put forward or if minor changes are suggested

that do not significantly address the consultation themes, then HTC

will consider instructing an initial legal view on the validity of

the process that has been carried out. This initial view may

lead to HTC initiating more formal legal action.

• More widely, HTC requests that SADC learn from this experience

and engage with us much earlier when developing any proposals

that have such an impact on the Town.

• HTC stands by its previous Resolution made at the

Extraordinary Council Meeting on 22 July to offer to work in

formal joint collaboration with SADC to develop alternative

proposals. Agree its support to the following alternative on street

parking proposal:

• Allow 1hr free parking, with no return within 1 hour, and no

option to remain longer than 1hr.

• Improved bay infrastructure i.e. markings, signage.

•• More effective enforcement.

•• Consistent maximum stays on all bays including Disabled Bays.

•• Minimal additional Loading Bays where there is a clear need and

they have limited impact on general parking bays.

• Introduction of more flexible permit options by SADC that

support retail workers and workers from the voluntary sector.

• Introduction of appropriate and accessible communications

channels setting out the various options for parking in

HarpendenTown Centre. END

Feb 17. Charges to be introduced at on-street parking bays in Harpenden & St Albans and a brand new Access Pass for older residents using the Council’s car parks

Charges are to be introduced at some limited waiting on-street parking bays in St Albans and Harpenden following an extensive public consultation.

St Albans City and District Council’s original proposals have been modified in response to feedback from residents, Councillors, businesses and community groups.

One aim of the proposals is to encourage active travel, such as cycling and walking, where possible, rather than car use, to improve the local environment.

Another aim is to ensure a greater turnover of premium parking places and improve enforcement by enabling new methods such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition.

Four new disabled bays are also being created to provide improved parking facilities for motorists with Blue Badges in Harpenden’s town centre.

The charges will affect an additional 243 bays in Harpenden and an additional 70 in St Albans, and are due to come into effect on Monday 17 February.

Motorists will have several payment options, including contactless via pay and display machines with new equipment to be installed at key locations, the mobile phone app PayByPhone and, soon after implementation, by cash or chip and pin at PayPoint outlets.

The decision to introduce charges required a Traffic Regulation Order authorised by the Council’s Strategic Director for Community and Place Delivery in consultation with Councillor Helen Campbell, Lead for Parking.

Cllr Campbell said: “I fully understand that some people will be disappointed at being charged for a service that they have been getting for free.

“In making the decision, we analysed the responses to the consultations and engaged with stakeholders such as ward Councillors and Harpenden Town Council.

“We listened to the feedback and we made some significant changes as a result, such as changing the start of the controlled hours to 9am in Harpenden to help parents dropping off for school, and meeting requests for a longer free period of 30 mins. In addition, we will also be improving access to Harpenden town centre for Blue Badge holders.”

Cllr Campbell added: “The charges are benchmarked against other local authorities, with many towns of a similar size to Harpenden having long had charges for on-street bays. As with other parking charges, we will monitor the impact of the changes and review if necessary.”

The charges will:

Apply from 9am to 6pm in Harpenden and, reflecting local conditions, 8.30am to 6.30pm in St Albans, both Monday to Saturday, with no charge outside these hours.

Allow for a 30-minutes free period once a day.

Be £1.25 for 30 minutes, so the charge for a one-hour stay will be £1.25 while the two-hour cost will be £3.75, both including the free period.

Cover a maximum stay of two hours with no return for two hours.

Charges will not be considered at bays in York Road, St Albans, as originally proposed, until a wider review of parking in the area takes place.

Five limited waiting bays in Leyton Green, Harpenden, will be converted into resident parking bays for the benefit of local households.

Revenue from charges will go towards the Council’s on-street car parking services budget, which is currently running at a deficit, and towards greater levels of parking enforcement.

Cllr Campbell added: “The Secretary of State is clear that parking services should be self-sufficient, funded by fees and charges, instead of subsidised by other Council services as is the case at the moment. The revenue generated will help reduce the on-street parking service deficit, which is in the interest of all Council taxpayers as it will ensure we can better protect some of our other services.

“Should any surplus income arise from on-street car parking, it would have to be kept in a ring-fenced budget and only be invested in parking, highways and environmental improvements.”

ACCESS PASS

Alongside these changes to the way on street parking operates, the Council has also approved a brand new Access Pass to help older people who may have difficulties with digital applications. This pass will be made available for purchase from Thursday 13 February and will cover all the District Council car parks.

The pass will cost £190 a year and be valid for one visit a day for up to three hours.

To be eligible for the pass, a person would need to be a resident of the District and aged 70 or over.

Feb 3. 2025

Statement from Jeff Phillips. Chair, The Harpenden Society.

“The Harpenden Society is disappointed by the insistence of SADC to impose parking charges in the centre of the town starting Feb 17th. This despite substantial local opposition and suggestions from the town council and ourselves that would have facilitated sensible compromises.

“Pushing through this charging regime, which has barely altered from the regime proposed prior to the consultation period is, frankly, insulting.

“The Society accepts the principle of charging, but as an example, the single visit 30 minute free period per day could mean parents at the two town centre schools to have to pay for parking when they pick up their children at the end of the school day. This assumes they have used the free 30 minutes on another visit during the day.

“And to add insult to injury, SADC have agreed to delay the implementation of charges in the roads around Clarence Park in St Albans ‘until a wider review’ has taken place.

“Both the town council and the Society have argued strongly for such a review of the wider parking issues to take place in Harpenden as well.

“There seems to be one law for St Albans residents and another for the residents of Harpenden. We repeat our request for these proposals to be suspended so that a fair and sensible parking strategy and charging regime can be developed for the town centre.”

Feb 3. Harpenden’s MP Victoria Collins

also comments on the Parking fees:

“Supporting local businesses and residents is

a top priority for me and I have listened to

concerns about proposed parking changes.

That is why I have highlighted the issue in

Parliament in several debates including

the debate I secured on the impact of the

budget on High Streets. It's a travesty

that many years of Conservative cuts

have impacted our local communities,

across the country and here locally.

Engaging with local businesses and

residents on this issue, I have also raised

the issue with St Albans District Council,

Harpenden Town Council and

the Federation of Small Businesses.

“Supporting our local businesses is also why I am urging the government to rethink Budget measures set to be disastrous for many of our small businesses here in Harpenden & Berkhamsted, like the NICs hike due to push up their costs and the failure to reform the broken business rates system. In the same debate I also mentioned the importance of local funding for services such as parking.

“It is a hard-hitting reminder of the huge blow local governments have faced under years of Conservative governments, from repeated cuts to funding. I highlighted that local businesses like Threads and Oui are really worried about the impact parking changes will have on them, which shows it’s time to invest in supporting our communities, high streets and local businesses.

“I was pleased to see that locally the Council have listened to concerns and amended the latest proposals to reflect feedback from local residents and businesses, including by proposing 30 mins free parking daily (to ensure people can make quick stops to do things like collect prescriptions) and free parking before 9am (to cover school drop-off times). I have repeatedly called on the Council to ensure that all has been done for the local area and will continue to do so.

“I know that councils are currently facing huge pressures and the latest budget increases financial pressure from National Insurance hikes. No council wants to be in a position where it has to increase charges to protect vital services, so I’m fighting to give local decision-making the power and funding it deserves; meanwhile, I’m using my voice as MP to fight for our high streets and local businesses in Parliament.”

March. 2025 Parking charges start in Harpenden Town Centre.

BE WARNED & pay or be fined.

The END of FREE* High Street parking has ANGERED Harpenden residents and businesses now the effects are being felt on a daily basis, three weeks after it was implemented. 803 responses.

An on-line service conducted by Elaine Bradford on Harpenden Local during w/e March 7 revealed a massive response which has been analysed and converted into understandable data as shown in the charts below.

Having owned a retail fashion business on the High St. for several years and now with a private practice as a hypnotherapist and psychotherapist, she knows the importance of free parking to make Harpenden a thriving centre.

These results have been forwarded to Paul de Kort at SADC to demonstrate the scale of opposition

to the scheme.

The Town’s retailers and other opposition groups will be collating data on an ongoing basis to maintain the pressure on SADC and seek a Review at some stage in 2025.

*30 mins free if you register on the meter, Some phones charge 10p.

Wednesday 19 March 2025

Update on on-street car parking

bay charges in Harpenden

and St Albans

An average 1,150 motorists a day are parking at on-street parking bays in Harpenden following the introduction of charges.

The data reveals a high turnover of spaces with each of the 243 bays being used almost five times a day.

The charges were introduced a month ago with one of the aims being to encourage broader use of these slots.

An update on charges was given to a meeting of St Albans City and District Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee on Monday 17 March.

Councillor Paul de Kort, Leader and Committee Chair, revealed that during the first four weeks there were 27,887 parking sessions booked in Harpenden.

Of these, 19,606 were for the free parking sessions of up to 30 minutes and 8,281 involved payment.

The PayByPhone app was the most popular booking method with 78% of the sessions authorised that way and the other 22% made using the payment machines.

In St Albans, charges were introduced at a further 70 bays and these have clocked up 2,043 sessions in the first four weeks.

Cllr de Kort, speaking after the meeting, said: “We have been closely monitoring the data given the considerable public attention the parking bay changes received.

“This shows that the new regime is settling in with more than 1,000 motorists a day booking sessions in these on-street bays in Harpenden, the majority for the free half-hour.

“The turnover of spaces is now high, meaning that people are not having to circle around the centre of town looking for an available bay should they prefer to visit without using the local car parks.”

Access Permit

Cllr de Kort also revealed the latest data for another Council initiative – a car parking Access Permit for older residents.

The permit was introduced last month for residents aged over 70, providing parking for up to three hours a day for £190 a year at all Council car parks.

A total of 294 Access Permits have been issued so far and Cllr de Kort added: “I am very pleased with the take up to date and encourage people to pass on to other eligible residence its existence.”

May 8. Harpenden Town Council withdraws the threat of a Judicial Review on Harpenden on-street parking charges.

Since the on-street parking charges were

first proposed by St Albans City & District

Council (SADC), Harpenden Town Council

(HTC) has held significant concerns as to

the impact that they would have on our local

businesses. At various points over the past

12 months, HTC has objected to what has

been proposed and offered to work jointly

with SADC to develop an approach that

would achieve a better-balanced outcome

for all and, in particular, one that sees the

retention of at least 1 hour free parking.

At each stage our offer to work collaboratively has been rejected by SADC which we maintain has meant a missed opportunity to develop better proposals that have fewer negative impacts.

Due to a lack of joint working, HTC has explored other avenues to try to seek a change of approach from SADC and this includes instructing legal representatives to examine the lawfulness of the decisions that were being proposed by SADC and were subsequently imposed.

Initiating a Judicial Review

In February 2025, HTC issued a Pre-Action Protocol Letter to SADC setting out that it was considering instigating court proceedings in the form of a Judicial Review. This pre-action letter was sent based on a large body of evidence that we built up or was provided to us. This evidence included correspondence not accessible in the public domain, that appeared to show that SADC’s final scheme was always going to be the outcome irrespective of any consultation process.

The aim of issuing a Pre-Action Protocol letter was to clearly set out the HTC position that the decision of SADC was unlawful based on:

1. An Absence of Power: Ultra vires i.e. the decision was focused on revenue raising

2. Flawed consultation process

a) Pre-determined decision

b) Misleading approach

c) Absence of evidence and assessment

d) Absence of consideration of alternative

As part of the pre-action protocol letter, HTC requested that SADC disclosed and provided copies of a number of documents that HTC had not already seen.

SADC provided a response on 17 March 2025 setting out their position that the decision, taken by an individual Officer, was lawful. The response included various documents that had been requested by HTC that we had not previously seen. This includes documents that had been produced after the decision was taken.

The response and supporting documents were considered by our legal representatives and they provided the following advice to HTC:

1. It was Counsel’s advice that the prospects of success of the proposed claim were not greater than 50%;

2. HTC’s total costs liability after a loss at a full contested trial would likely be in the region of £100,000 although it could be higher.

Counsel’s advice was reviewed by the relevant HTC Committee in late March 2025. This Committee, in deciding whether to instigate court proceedings, had to give key consideration to ensuring the efficient and effective use of public resources.

In light of the Counsel’s advice, it was resolved not to instigate court proceedings in the form of a Judicial Review and therefore HTC has not filed a claim with the court within the statutory deadline.

Whilst HTC is not progressing with a Judicial Review, we maintain the view that the proposals and the decision have been significantly flawed from the outset. We believe that given the importance of the decision, it should have been taken by Councillors at an SADC Committee Meeting and not delegated to an individual officer. The lack of

Committee decision making is a significant flaw in the SADC Governance arrangements.

Review of the new SADC policy

We are very concerned as to the impact that the new charges are already having on local businesses and are calling for an urgent review of the policy. A recent press release suggests that SADC is open to a review of the scheme however the suggested timeline of that review, being in 12 months time, we presume co-incides with or worse, comes after, SADC’s annual budget review. This is clearly not acceptable as that may be too late for some businesses that are suffering as a result of the policy.

HTC will be writing to SADC shortly to set out the need for an urgent review. We will push for a change to 60 minutes free parking in on-street parking bays as we feel this will dramatically improve the situation.

We will be calling on SADC to work with us to develop amendments to the current parking policy thereby instigating a new formal consultation process by them before July 2025.

We are also calling on our MP Victoria Collins, to support us in securing an immediate review of the current policy.

Carl Cheevers, Town Clerk & Chief Executive

Harpenden Town Council

September UPDATE 2025. Changes to the structure of Herts County Council and all Councils within the region in 2026 announced by Government. THAT MEANS HARPENDEN.

HAVE YOUR SAY NOW---see below

St Albans City and District Council held their Local Government Reorganisation Community Information Evening on Thursday 18 September.

The event featured a presentation from the Council Leader, Councillor Paul de Kort, and a question-and-answer session.

It will take place in the Council Chamber, at the Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street, AL1 3JE, at 6.30pm.

The event was webcast live on the Council’s website with the recording made available afterwards: https://stalbans.public-i.tv/core/portal/home.

Residents are urged to give their views on Parish and Town Council arrangements in St Albans District and any changes they would like to see.

The consultation is part of a Community Governance Review (CGR) being undertaken by St Albans City and District Council.

The review will examine the current arrangements and follows the Government’s decision to restructure local government at district and county level to create more unitary authorities.

In Hertfordshire, this is likely to result by May 2028 in the creation of between two and four unitary councils, each responsible for most local government functions.

This will replace the current system of one County Council and ten District or Borough Councils with each tier having different responsibilities.

Before this happens, St Albans City and District Council is looking to see if any changes should be made to the District’s parish and town councils.

Most of the District has a parish or town council which organise community events and look after assets such as open spaces, play areas and allotments.

However, a large area of central St Albans does not have a parish or town council and one of the issues the CGR will examine is whether one should be created.

The review will also explore the best way to preserve St Albans’ historic mayoralty which has existed since 1553. The post is currently filled by a District Councillor.

Have your say!

Residents can now take part in the CGR consultation, which runs until Monday 6 October, and give their views on the District’s existing town and parish councils as well as any changes they would like to see.

They should email CGR@stalbans.gov.uk or write to Community Governance Review, Electoral Services, St Albans City and District Council, Civic Centre, St Peters Street, St Albans, AL1 3JE.

the closing date is: Monday 6 October.

Responses received will be used to draw up recommendations which will then by put forward to a second public consultation towards the end of 2025.

More information

The Terms of Reference for the CGR are available online and further information can be found at www.stalbans.gov.uk/CGR.