CommunityWINTER 2011

For the latest news on services when it snows, check out

www.stalbans.gov.uk/snow.aspxYou’ll find information on refuse

and recycling, school closures, gritting, salt bins and salting routes, public transport, advice on clearing footways

outside your home and lots more.For the latest snow messages,

follow us on – twitter.com/StAlbansCouncil

INCORPORATING Recycling News

For snow service news...

Community News is published by St Albans City & District Council

www.stalbans.gov.uk

Waste & recycling collection dates

A useful all year round collection calendar is being delivered to

homes in the District this December. Keep yours somewhere handy. Also see the collection calendar at www.stalbans.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling

From pantos to Christmas craft activities, carol concerts to

markets and late night shopping, the Christmas Events Guide gives the lowdown on what’s on over the festive period. Download your copy at www.stalbans.gov.uk/christmas2011.aspx

Christmas Events Guide 2011

Services in the snow

The council will be making every effort to keep services

going this winter.But icy conditions can be

treacherous and it may be necessary to make changes to your collection day.

If the disruption lasts 1–2 days, we will operate a catch up policy with collections rolling on one day until we catch up. Crews will work on Saturdays until the backlog is cleared.

If disruption is severe and

lasts 3 days or more, green waste collections will be suspended for those areas that were missed and all black and green waste will be collected together and sent to landfill. Recycling box collections are not included – these will be emptied on the next scheduled collection day, weather permitting.

You may prefer not to put out your green bin until the next scheduled collection so the contents can be composted instead.

2 Winter 2011 St Albans City & District Council Community News

Household Waste Recycling Centres Open every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

• Dark Lane, Harpenden 10am – 6pm• Ronsons Way, St Albans 8am – 4pm (winter), 8am – 6pm (summer)• Waterdale, A405, Bricket Wood 8am – 6pm

Don’t have a rubbish Xmas

Follow our top tips to reduce your waste, and do your bit

for the environment.

Christmas trees• The council can recycle your tree

if it is small enough to go in your green bin.

• Alternatively take your tree to your local Household Waste and Recycling Centre for composting.

• Some garden centres will chip your tree. Ayletts, for example will collect – call 01727 822255 (fee applies).

Wrapping paper / Christmas cards• Please don’t put metallic and

sparkly wrapping paper and cards in with your recycling, and please remove any tape.

Christmas food and shopping• Keep packaging to a minimum.• Recycle glass bottles and jars, clean

foil, cans, paper and cardboard.• Try not to waste food and put food

waste, wrapped, in your green bin.• Buy cards, paper and gifts made

from recycled materials.• Choose rechargeable batteries.

Recycling reminders

Food waste – please wrap food waste tightly in paper, or

use a paper liner or cardboard box and put it in with your green waste.

No plastic bags please, including recyclable or biodegradable bags, or we risk having the whole consignment rejected at the recycling plant.

No waterproofed card, Tetrapak or tape in with your green waste.

For information and advice, assisted collections, a larger bin for a household of six or more, nappy collections, or to order an additional recycling box (£3), please visit www.stalbans.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling, call 01727 819285 or email wastemanagementservices@stalbans.gov.uk

The Council is taking forward plans to build a new

leisure facility at Cotlandswick Openspace, London Colney, subject to planning permission, following consultation with local ward and parish councillors.

It will include a 60 station gym, dance studio, sports hall, eight 5-a-side pitches and a 7-a-side synthetic turf pitch. About 50% of the Cotlandswick site will remain as green open space. Further consultation is to be undertaken with local people.

Meanwhile, building work for the new Westminster Lodge leisure centre continues ahead of the planned 2012 opening. The new on-site visitor centre is now open where you can look at plans and visuals of the new centre and see the works in progress. To view the live webcam, visit www.stalbans.gov.uk and follow the links in the In Focus box.

First steps have also been taken towards the Council’s third leisure project – the rebuilding of Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre and

the near-by bowls and golf club houses following last summer’s devastating fire. The Batchwood newsletter can be downloaded at www.stalbans.gov.uk/batchwoodnewsletter2.aspx

Batchwood, Cotlandswick and Westminster Lodge update

Market DatesSt Albans Market every Wednesday and Saturday

St Albans Farmers’ Market 2nd Sunday of the month

Wheathampstead Farmers’ Market 3rd Sunday of the month

Harpenden Farmers’ Market 4th Sunday of the month

www.stalbans.gov.uk 3

Over the last few years,

Community News has been produced as a front cover on the Herts Advertiser. This time we have combined it with Recycling News and we are distributing it to homes in the District.

Research tells us that people value Community News but that not everyone sees it. Recycling News is popular too. We hope by publishing the two together and distributing directly to homes, more people will see the new combined publication and find it useful. We will also be saving money overall.

We would be interested to hear your feedback, including what you would like to see in Community News. If you can spare a moment, please email communications@stalbans.gov.uk and tell us what you think.

The Council has been working with retailers to find ways to

boost business in the district. Two initiatives have been

launched recently – Thursday late night Christmas shopping in St Albans in the run up to Christmas and the introduction of 20 new free one hour on-street parking spaces in the north of the City.

An extension to the arrangements for free on-street parking in Harpenden is also being introduced in partnership with Harpenden Town Council. Parking in Council-owned city centre car parks (run by NCP) is free on Sundays and every day after 6:30pm.

Put a date in your diary for the tenth Residents First Weekend on 28th and 29th

January 2012, an opportunity for local residents to see top local attractions for free, or try leisure activities, restaurants, etc., at a discount. More details at www.stalbans.gov.uk in early January.

Introducing a new look Community News

Support for shoppers

St AlbansRetailForum

LATENIGHTCHRISTMASSHOPPINGTHURSDAYS ST ALBANSCITY CENTRESTARTS THURSDAY17 NOVEMBER

MAJOR STORESLOCALINDEPENDENT

SHOPSEVENING MARKETSTALLSCOUNCIL OWNED CITY CENTRE CAR PARKS (RUN BY NCP)

ARE FREE AFTER 6:30PM

TH

4 Winter 2011 St Albans City & District Council Community News

Police Community Support Officers in Hertfordshire have

new powers to deal with illegal and dangerous parking and anti-social motoring – some of the biggest local concerns.

Offences range from failure to exhibit a tax disc and sounding a horn at night or when stationary, to unnecessary obstruction. If you need to reach them the Police non-emergency number is 101.

Police are warning drivers of the consequences of

drinking or taking drugs before getting behind the wheel.

Officers will be carrying out breath tests and ‘field impairment tests’ on all drivers involved in road collisions. They will also be on the lookout for suspicious driving.

If you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you could face a minimum of a 12-month disqualification, as well as a fine and/or imprisonment.

The role that conservation plays in the development planning

process is under the spotlight.The aim is to ensure that the

Council’s planning decisions result in developments which are sensitive to the character and identity of

the District. A group is to review conservation services and will make recommendations as to how the service can be improved. To feed in your views, please email scrutiny@stalbans.gov.uk, marking your email ‘conservation’.

Festive season tips from the St Albans Community Safety

Partnership:• Take turns to be designated driver. • You can’t calculate your limit so

don’t try – stick to non alcoholic drinks if you are the driver.

• Use public transport or take a registered taxi.

• Remember women and men have very different alcohol tolerance levels. Drink at your own pace, not someone else’s.

• Never walk home alone and try not to let your friends do so either.

• Remember to keep enough cash for your journey home and keep your keys separate from your bag.

As the Christmas shopping season builds and the

opportunities for thieves and pickpockets increase, Herts Police is asking shoppers to look after their purses and wallets. • Try to put your purse or wallet in

a front pocket rather than in an open bag.

• Use a handbag/shopping bag that can be zipped up.

• If you use a handbag with a strap, wear it across your body not over one shoulder.

• Use a purse lanyard to attach your phone or purse to your bag.

• Be aware of the people immediately around you.

• Report incidents straight away – in an emergency, always dial 999. The Police non-emergency number is 101.

PCSOs tackle illegal parking

Highlighting conservation

Keep purse-dippers at bay

Keep safeThink before you drive this Christmas

www.stalbans.gov.uk 5

Abandoned vehicles(See anti-social behaviour)

AllotmentsThere are ten allotment sites in the St Albans City area. For parish areas, contact the relevant town or parish council. 01727 819329 groundsmaintenance@stalbans.gov.uk

Animal welfare & controlThe animal warden can assist with dangerous dogs and dead animals and provides a dog warden service. 01727 819371environmental@stalbans.gov.uk

Anti-social behaviourTo report:• Abandoned Vehicles• Bonfires• Fly-tipping• Fly-posting• Graffiti• LitterCall the Cleaner District Hotline 0845 125 8000 a.cleanerdistrict@stalbans.gov.uk

The Council works with the police to reduce and prevent crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour. Contact the Community Safety team on 01727 819416communitysafety@stalbans.gov.uk

BenefitsFor information on claiming housing and coun cil tax benefits, or about benefit fraud callBenefits Helpline 01727 819460Benefit Fraud Helpline 01727 819596

Bonfires (See anti-social behaviour)

Building control (See anti-social behaviour)

Buseswww.arriva.co.ukwww.metroline.co.ukwww.unobus.infoTravel line 0871 2002 233To report damaged bus stops and shelters call 0800 590889 (24 hrs)

Car parks0845 601 7803stalbans.gov.uk/parkingstalbans, stalbans.gov.uk/parkingharpenden

Council – St Albans City & District01727 866100 www.stalbans.gov.uk

Council taxFor general enquiries on council tax, payment arrangements, exemptions and reductions01727 819204 or 819205counciltax@stalbans.gov.uk

Disability access03001234042hertsdirect@hertscc.gov.ukwww.disabledgo.com

Fly-posting Fly-tipping Graffiti (See anti-social behaviour)

Harpenden Town Council01582 768278www.harpenden.gov.uk

HousingFor housing related matters 01727 866100www.stalbans.gov.uk/housing

Litter (See anti-social behaviour)

Leisure and sports centresAbbey View Golf and Track 01727 868 227Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre 01727 844250Charters Health Club, Highfield Park, St Albans 01727 731540 Harpenden Sports Centre 01582 767722 or 460683 Harpenden Swimming Pool 01582 460683London Colney Recreation Centre 01727 822447Redbourn Recreation Centre 01582 626202 Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre 01727 846031

Maltings Arts Theatre www.maltingsartstheatre.co.uk 07807 521436

MarketsSt Albans Market – Wed and Sat Farmers’ Markets (monthly)St Albans – 2nd SundayWheathampstead – 3rd Sunday Harpenden – 4th Sunday01727 819452environmental@stalbans.gov.uk

MuseumsVerulamium Museum 01727 751810Mon–Sat 10am–5.30pm, Sun 2pm–5.30pmMuseum of St Albans 01727 819340Mon-Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 2–5pm

Noise nuisanceDomestic, industrial, com mercial or construction noise disturbances 01727 866100Out of hours hotline (Fri, Sat, Sun nights only) 01727 819406 or 811155environmental@stalbans.gov.uk

Parish CouncilsColney Heath 01727 825314Harpenden Rural 01582 762875Harpenden Town 01582 768278London Colney 01727 821314Redbourn 01582 794832Sandridge 01727 831871St Michael 01727 854080St Stephen 01923 681443Wheathampstead 01582 832541

ParkingParking, permits, car parks, penalty charge notices, enforcement. The Parking Shop, Drovers Way Car Park, St Albans 0845 601 7803parking@stalbans.gov.ukwww.stalbans.gov.uk/parking

Parks and open spacesSt Albans – Verulamium Park and Clarence ParkHarpenden – Rothamsted ParkPlus 50 outdoor play areas01727 819366groundsmaintenance@stalbans.gov.ukwww.stalbans.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture

Pest control01727 819440 environmental@stalbans.gov.uk

PlanningIf you are intending to carry out changes to your property you may need planning permission. Call:01727 819345 or 819344planning@stalbans.gov.uk

Recycling & refuse collectionFor information on what can be recy cled in the District, collection services and recycling banks01727 819285environmental@stalbans.gov.ukwww.stalbans.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling

Road maintenance 01438 737320hertsdirect@hertscc.gov.uk

Street lightingTo report streetlights that are not working or damaged 0300 1234047www.hertsdirect.org/highwayfaults

Tourist & Information CentreInformation about what’s on locally, accommodation, local tourist attractions and lots more01727 864511tic@stalbans.gov.ukAlso, Harpenden Information Point 01582 768278

Transport related matters01992 556765Bus and train information 0871 2002 233hertsdirect@hertscc.gov.uk

Trading Standards01727 813849www.hertsdirect.org/yourbus/tradingstandards

VotingFor information on candidates, registration and polling stations01727 819565elections@stalbans.gov.ukwww.stalbans.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/elections/voting

A to Z of local services

6 Winter 2011 St Albans City & District Council Community News

DIGITAL SWITCHOVER COMING SOON

On 4 April 2012 analogue signals will be switched off and

replaced with new digital services.If you currently only receive the

5 standard channels via an aerial on any of your sets, you need to think about converting to digital. Nobody needs to throw away their old set – even a black and white one can be converted with a digital box.

Viewers in the London TV region already watching Freeview, Top Up TV or BT Vision will need to retune at switchover in order to continue

receiving all available channels. Cable and satellite services like

SKY are not affected by the switchover. For more information see

www.digitaluk.co.uk Help for older and disabled

viewers is available, call 0800 408 7654 or visit www.helpscheme.co.uk

Transport partners in the District, Network St Albans,

have produced this handy new St Albans bus map covering all the bus companies. More travel information at www.intalink.org.uk

NEW ST ALBANS BUS MAP

Save waiting – do it online

Over 3,000 customers visit the council each month. The

busy times to avoid are Monday to Wednesday 10.30am to 2.30pm.

Save yourself time and pay rent, council tax, business rates and all sorts of other payments on-line at www.stalbans.gov.uk. Follow the ‘Ways To Pay’ links on the home page.

www.stalbans.gov.uk 7

New look planning service

With energy prices increasing by an average 12% per year

over the past 5 years and set to rise further, there has never been a better time to make your home more energy efficient. Here are some simple steps you can take:

Replace a standard light bulb with an energy efficient version and save £55 over the lifetime of the bulb. Pick up your free sample at the Council’s reception desk (while stocks last).

Insulate your loft and cavity walls and save around £250 per year on your heating bills.

Draught-proof doors, letterboxes and loft hatches. Most products cost less than £20 and are easy to fit. Don’t cover air bricks though as gas appliances need to be properly ventilated.

Borrow a free electricity monitor from your local library to see which appliances use the most energy.

Don’t leave electrical devices on standby. Power off at the plug or use a remote controlled plug socket.

Reflect heat back into the room with radiator panels. Visit Reception at the Civic Centre for a free set (while stocks last).

Contact 0800 512012, www.energysavingtrust.org.uk for help and advice on saving energy.

The Council has made improvements to the planning

service following feedback from residents.

Upgraded dual screen computer terminals have been installed in a new Planning Room at the Council’s offices. You can view current planning applications including detailed plans, most property planning histories and full planning files. The dual screens allow two plans to be viewed at the same time for comparative purposes. In addition, more customer service staff have been trained

to help and support residents. Planning applications and supporting documentation are also available via the Council’s website, where planning information is to be simplified following consultation.

The informal planning advice drop-in service is now open on a first come first served basis, on Mondays 1–4pm, and on Wednesdays 9am– 12.30pm. A telephone helpline (01727 819344 or 01727 819345) offering informal planning advice is also open on Wednesdays from 1– 5.15pm.

Energy Saving

8 Winter 2011 St Albans City & District Council Community News

Now on Twitter @StAlbansCouncil

St Albans City & District CouncilCivic Centre, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Herts AL1 3JEWebsite: www.stalbans.gov.uk Email: contactus@stalbans.gov.uk

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 8.45am-5.15pm, Fri 8.45am-4.45pmCustomer Service Centre opening hours: Mon-Thurs 8.45am-5pm, Fri 8.45am-4.30pm

Housing Repairs: 01727 819256Refuse & Recycling: 01727 819285Council Tax: 01727 819204Benefits: 01727 819476Cleaner District Hotline: 0845 125 8000

Switchboard: 01727 866100 Textphone: 01727 819570

Harpenden Town Council Information PointTown Hall, Leyton Road, Harpenden Telephone: 01582 768278 Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm

Alternative formatsIf you would like 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.

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

Who to call?Every week the Council receives around 3,500 calls

through our main switchboard. To reduce waiting times as much

as possible, we are making changes to our switchboard operation so that there are more telephone operators available to connect your calls. To avoid waiting, you may prefer to contact particular services directly. See details in the box below.

Prin

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.

Green wheeled bins... are emptied fortnightly on the same day and the same week as your recycling boxes.

Black wheeled bins... are emptied fortnightly on the same day but alternate week to your green wheeled bin.

Garden waste, natural cardboard, cooked and uncooked food waste,

shredded paper, paper bags, envelopes (plastic windows removed).

Waste that cannot be recycled or reused.

Recycling boxes... are emptied fortnightly on the same day and the same week as your green wheeled bin. Please separate your materials as shown below.

Newspapers, magazines and Yellow Pages.

Squashed plastic bottles and tops, cans, aerosols

and aluminium foil.

Clear and coloured glass bottles

and jars.

What can I recycle?Oaklands College, CAB & CVS now at the Civic Centre

A joint approach to providing services is being trialled at

the Civic Centre in St Albans. If you would like advice,

guidance or information from Oaklands College, the Citizens Advice Bureau, the District Council or the Centre for Voluntary Service’s Volunteer Centre, you can now get it all in the same place, at the Civic Centre in St Peter’s Street, St Albans. See www.stalbans. gov.uk/CivicCentre for details.

FOOD WASTEHERE