In St Albans every resident is represented by two different councils.

You don’t need to worry which council does what- as your local Liberal Democrat team we represent you an any and all concerns!

However, we thought that it would be useful to explain the differences here:

St Albans City & District Council

This year we had elections for the District Council.  Most Wards, including Marshalswick South, have three Councillors, and each of us come up for election one year at a time.  So one in 2010, 2011 and 2012.  Then there’s a one year gap (2013) which is when the County Council comes up for election (see below).  St Albans City & District Council is run by the Liberal Democrats.

The District Council costs just £182.16 per year, or 13% of your Council Tax if you’re paying the national average Band D with the rest coming from the government.

• Planning
• Homelessness and Housing (we have about 5,500 council houses)
• Economic development, tourism and markets
• Museums
• Parks and Open Spaces
• Licensing everything from Alcohol to Taxis and live music
• Leisure centres such as Westminster Lodge
• Running elections and collecting council tax
• Waste collection

In Marshalswick South your Liberal Democrat District Councillors are Rod Perks, Kate Morris and Melvyn Teare.

Hertfordshire County Council

The County Council covers the whole of Hertfordshire and residents are represented by 77 councillors.  For this Marshalswick South is twinned with Batchwood to form a county division called St Albans North and is next up for election in 2013.  At the moment it’s run by the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats are the official opposition.

Herts County Council takes the lion share of your local Council Tax- 77%, or £1118.83 per year for an average Band D property.  This, along with money from central government pays for services such as:

• Education – Schools are effectively autonomous, but the council deals with strategic issues such as school places and transport
• Emergency Planning
• Highways/Roads – This is done through Hertfordshire Highways… less said the better…
• Libraries
• Rights of Way
• Street Lighting
• Social Services – Covering both Childrens Services and Adult Care Services this looks after the vulnerable in society, regardless of age
• Trading Standards, Registration of Birth, Deaths and Marriages
• Transport – liaising with bus companies etc
• Waste disposal
• Youth Service

In St Albans North, which covers Marshalswick South, your Liberal Democrat Councillor is Allan Siao Ming Witherick.

And the other 10% of Council Tax?

That £142.82, based on Average Band D, is called the “Police Authority Precept” and is used to help towards the cost of policing Hertfordshire.

What about the non-Council stuff?

Of course we all work together and also with Sandy Walkington in St Albans and our local MEP Andrew Duff, to represent you and fight for Marshalswick South residents at all levels.  With everything from the local health service and Police Authority through to train companies and local businesses.

So why are the Tories confused?

As you can see these services are very different, and residents are supported by each council equally.  Yet the local Tories believe that 500 signatures for a petition to be discussed at Full Council is acceptable for one, and yet then voted for 10,000, for the other Full Council.  (And yes, one of them voted for 10,000 and 500 within 36 hours- that’s consistency for you!)

Residents concerns don’t get bigger just because the council covers a wider area.  To put it in context 10,000 is the equivalent of EVERY single elector in St Albans North (Batchwood and Marshalswick South) agreeing and signing the same petition.

So the Tories feel an issue about the state of our roads needs 10,000 signatures, but one about Westminster Lodge needs 500…

The Liberal Democrats are consistent in arguing that 1.000 for BOTH councils.  If you agree with this why not join in at:

http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/10kagainst10k

Or on Facebook with:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118262794877610