http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/14123077.Primary_school_in_St_Albans_will_not_be_relocated/?ref=ar

Wednesday’s Autumn Statement was full of bold headline figures, but already we can see that all is not as good as it may initially seem, according to local Liberal Democrats.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst (Central Watford and Oxhey), Leader of the Opposition on Hertfordshire County Council said, “This is a politically clever statement that may at first look appeal to the person on the street, but we can already see several significant problems in it.

“Much as I welcome a £50 million a year pothole fund, if spread over the same 148 highways authorities as last year, it is not nearly enough to address the estimated £12 billion backlog of road repairs.

“Equally, cuts to public health may seem innocuous to some, but reductions to the public health budget will have a significant negative impact on the essential prevention and early intervention services provided by the County Council. Given that much of the local government public health budget pays for NHS services, including sexual health, drug and alcohol treatment and health checks, this is a reduction to the NHS in all but name and will put extra pressure on services.’

Stephen continued:

“The Chancellor also announced plans to devolve more power to local authorities, principally metropolitan authorities in the North of England.  I am delighted to see that local decisions will be taken nearer the ground there but am angry that we in Hertfordshire will not be allowed to do that too.  With devolution of powers to Scotland, Wales, and apparently now the North of England why do we still have less say in how our local area operates?

“This is a complex announcement that is still being analysed by Local Authorities and experts across the Country.  Our first impression is that the cuts are too deep and too fast, and that this will not serve the best interests of the people of Hertfordshire.” (more…)

A social media campaign to encourage people to check Food Hygiene Ratings is being backed by St Albans City and District Council.

The 5^th anniversary of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) is being celebrated with a week of educational events.

Online videos, infographics, league tables, Twitter posts and Facebook conversations will be used to raise awareness of the system and the health issues involved.

The awareness campaign will take part in the week that runs from Tuesday 24 November to Monday 30 November.

The Council is a member of the FHRS and its food safety officers inspect restaurants, takeaways, pubs, schools, hospitals, cafes and other food outlets in the District.

They award a hygiene rating that ranges from a zero, signifying “urgent improvement required”, to the top mark of five, an indication of “very good” standards.

Consumers are urged to “look and book” by checking the rating on a website before dining out or making a purchase.

More than 600 premises in the District have been rated with the vast majority being awarded three stars – “generally satisfactory” – or above. Four stars signify “good”.

However, a number of restaurants, pubs and takeaways have been rated at two, “improvement necessary”, one, “major improvement necessary”, or even none.

Inspectors check on how the food is handled, the condition of the building and the general management of the business.

People can check the ratings for outlets in the District and elsewhere on http://ratings.food.gov.uk

FHRS was launched by the Food Standards Agency in partnership with local authorities with the aim of driving up hygiene standards.

The scheme is designed to encourage all businesses, no matter how small, to aspire to the top rating.

It is hoped an improvement in standards will reduce the incidence of foodborne illness that has been estimated at 500,000 cases a year in England.

County Councillor Chris White has awarded £2,000 to Fleetville Community Centre, from his locality budget, to begin the process to replace the existing community centre with a new building.

The money will help to fund early stage consultation, legal advice, accreditation, a structural survey and the creation of a website. The current building was built in 1942, is in constant need of repair and is a drain on the Community Centre’s finances. It is intended that the new building will better serve the needs of the community, accommodating a variety of group sizes and activities, and minimise energy costs.

Chris said: “This is an important community facility and it is vital that it is renewed as it reaches the end of its useful life.”

2,600 families in St Albans will lose out under Conservative plans to cut tax credits.

Figures produced by the House of Commons Library show over three million low-income working families currently in receipt of tax credits will see their entitlement reduced, as part of the Government’s proposals.

The change will mean a total loss of £2.9 million to families in St Albans, with the average family losing £750 a year.

Despite claims from the Conservatives that those affected will benefit from plans to increase the minimum wage, the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies has said Tory figures don’t stack up.

IFS analysis shows a £750 average loss will only be offset by £200 as a result of the new minimum wage.

Liberal Democrats have opposed the move and said it undermines the work of the Coalition Government, to make sure it always pays more to be in work than on benefits.

Cllr Chris White said:

“The changes to tax credits will hammer families in St Albans.  The move completely undermines any claim the Tories have of being on the side of working families.

“Ex Conservative Councillor for St Albans Heidi Allen MP went as far as saying in Parliament that these cuts are a ‘single minded’ attempt to reach a budget surplus.

“What makes this even worse is that 4,600 in our area will now be forced to live in poorer households, reducing their life chances and making it harder for their parents to make ends meet.

“Study after study have shown that the Conservative’s claim to be supporting low income families through a minimum wage increase nowhere near make up for these cuts. It’s time for them to come clean and be honest with those doing the right thing and going out to work.

“I am pleased that Lib Dems are opposing this measure. We worked hard in Coalition to ensure that work would always pay more than choosing to remain on benefits. It is a disgrace the Conservatives are now undermining this good work.”

Residents’ favourite food and drink businesses were honoured at St Albans and Harpenden Food and Drink Awards 2015 on Monday 5 October.

The award-winners were announced at the end of St Albans and Harpenden Food and Drink Festival in a ceremony in Sopwell House Hotel.

The festival and awards were organised by St Albans City and District Council with the support of a steering group of advisors.

Earlier this year the public was invited to select their favourite food and drink businesses. Members of the steering group then visited the shortlisted venues anonymously to judge them against specific criteria for each category.

The names of the winners were announced at the awards ceremony and are:

• Best Bar – Mokoko Cocktail Bar & Grill, Verulam Road, St Albans
• Best Independent Food/Drink Shop – BEER:shop, London Road, St Albans
• Best Café – Barrisimo, St Peter’s Street, St Albans
• Best Newcomer – Dylan’s at the Kings Arms, George Street, St Albans
• Best Local Producer – Hedges Farm Shop, North Orbital Road, St Albans
• Best Local Restaurant – Lussmanns Fish & Grill Restaurant, St Albans
• Best Pub – The Boot, Market Place, St Albans
• Best Takeaway – Lebanese Kitchen, Stanhope Road, St Albans
• Most Family Friendly Venue – Relish Real Burgers, Civic Close, St Albans.

Two further awards were presented on the night:

• The coveted award for Food and Drink Champion of the Year was presented to Sean Hughes of Dylan’s at the Kings Arms.
• Sean Hughes of Dylan’s at the Kings Arms also received the Kate D’Arcy Award for Exceptional Customer Service. This award was given in memory of Kate D’Arcy, a much-admired local restaurateur who died in 2010.

Press statement from the district council

St Albans City and District Council has signaled its commitment to supporting Syrian refugees as part of the Government’s recently announced scheme.

Over the past few weeks, lots of local residents and groups have contacted the Council offering help and seeking information.  Many local people are clearly concerned for the plight of the refugees, and keen to offer help.

The Council is ready to play its part in any nationally agreed and coordinated approach to supporting refugees.  

Following the Cabinet meeting on Thursday 24 September, leaders from all the Council’s political groups met to discuss the matter and give their support. 

Overall, the Government has indicated that it will be taking 20,000 people over 5 years.  If shared equally across all areas of the country, this might mean about 100 people a year coming to Hertfordshire, or 10 per District. It is not yet clear how decisions on where people will live will be made so it could be more or fewer.

We will be talking to neighbouring councils to ensure support offered is joined up.  Where possible, we hope to be able to welcome people from the same family or community to help people feel more at home. We recognise this is a long term commitment if conditions in Syria remain as they are.

Locally, the Council’s most pressing need is to find suitable self-contained accommodation.  

We have received offers from local people who want to offer refugees rooms in their family homes.  The Home Office scheme does not extend to shared accommodation of this type.  This is because there are various issues to consider related to the safeguarding of vulnerable people.  

Since we already have a long waiting list for housing in our own council properties, we are looking to accommodate refugees in the private rented sector.  

We are therefore particularly keen to hear from anyone who is able to offer self-contained accommodation to house a refugee family locally.  To contact the Council about this, please email housingoptions@stalbans.gov.uk,  or telephone 01727 819355.

Some people may be able to offer accommodation for free. But the Council also wants to hear from people with appropriate property to rent, as we expect the Government will provide a contribution towards that cost. We are awaiting further details from the Government about this.