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Welcome to the website of Colney Heath Parish Council.
Colney Heath Parish Council is made up of 7 councillors who between them represent the wards of Colney Heath and Tyttenhanger. Details of your current Parish Councillors can be viewed here. Your Colney Heath Parish Councillors are elected members of the local community who want to do something positive and aim to make a difference by influencing decisions that affect your area. Parish Councillors give their time (they are not paid) to work on your behalf, serving to improve the quality of life and local environment.
The Parish Council meet most months of the year and minutes are available to view on the website or a hard copy can be requested by calling or emailing the Parish Office.
The parish of Colney Heath embraces a wide area of the district of St Albans and you can view a map of the parish boundary here.
Colney Heath lies within the “Colneys”, a name given to the two parishes of similar name located off the M25 near junction 22, which contain 67 acres of common and the Colne and Ellenbrook Rivers. To the north-east, the parish is dissected by the A414 main trunk dual carriageway route to Hatfield (known as the North Orbital).
The Parish Council’s role is to represent the interests of the whole community, so residents views are important. Residents can get involved in a number of ways:
- Come to a Parish Council meeting – it is your right. There is public participation at every meeting, residents can bring issues or questions to the Parish Council attention. It is helpful if you email the Parish Clerk to let us know you wish to attend and ask a question at clerk@colneyheathparishcouncil.gov.uk this will enable the Council to prepare and research an answer
- Take time to read the Parish Council minutes to find out what is covered at the meetings
- There are a number of volunteer roles and activities which you could assist with all year round contact the office for more detail
CONTACT DETAILS
The Highfield Parish Office is open Thursday and Friday 9.30 am to 12.30pm or on all other days and times by appointment. All staff are part-time so please call before visiting as we want to ensure we are there to meet you and that you do not have a wasted journey.
NOTICE OF CONLCUSION OF PARISH COUNCIL AUDIT 2023/24
We are proud to announce that external Auditors PKF Littlejohn LLP (appointed by government), in their annual inspection of accounting and financial procedures of all local councils, have concluded that Colney Heath Parish Council demonstrates an effective use of finances, holds accurate and thorough financial records and that it has a sound system of internal control. There were no matters raised for consideration or concern.
We will always strive to provide good value for money for our Colney Heath residents and be the best for our community.
For details of all accounts for 2023/2024 including the External Audit Report and Notice of Conclusion, please click on the links below:
Notice of Conclusion of CHPC Audit 2023/24
CHPC Section 3 of Signed AGAR 2023/24
CHPC Sections 1 and 2 of Signed AGAR 2023/24
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19 September 2024
Full Council Meeting – Thursday 26th September 2024, 7.30pm
The next Full Council meeting is being held on Thursday 26th September 2024 from 7.30pm at Colney Heath Primary School, High Street, Colney Heath AL4 0NP.
The agenda can be downloaded at the following link: 2024-25 CHPC Summons September 2024
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3 September 2024
Free Logs Available at Colney Heath Common – Help Yourself!
The Parish Council has recently undertaken essential safety work at Colney Heath Common by removing several trees . These trees have been carefully cut into smaller logs and have been left in convenient piles on and around the Common.
We encourage residents and visitors to take advantage of this opportunity and collect the logs for personal use. Whether you need firewood, materials for a garden project, or just enjoy a bit of DIY, these logs are available to everyone.
As you explore Colney Heath Common, keep an eye out for the log piles and feel free to take what you need.
Thank you for helping us make the most of this natural resource while keeping our community safe!
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30 August 2024
Colney Heath Play Area Update
Seeding
We are working hard to finish your play area! We realise children are keen to get into the play area and play!
We’ve had some trouble with the weather this year as you may have witnessed with the pond-now-sand-pit. We now have the opposite problem where we have had ‘too much sun’ and not enough rain. We need to work with the weather to enable the plants to grow and for the grass seed and turf to establish. If we open the play area too soon for you, then we run the risk of having to close it again to make planting repairs.
We hope you can bear with us as we would like it open as much as you do! Thank you for your continued patience.
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16 August 2024
St Albans District Council Equality Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Survey
St Albans District Council are excited to announce the launch of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Survey, and we need your valuable input! As a member of our district, your insight and experiences are essential in helping us create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone. By contributing you will directly impact the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy.
Please take a few moments to complete the survey by 23 September 2024.
Survey Link: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/16JBFG/
If you have any questions or need assistance, please get in touch with Equality@stalbans.gov.uk . Thank you for your time.
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13 August 2024
Home Upgrade Grant opportunities for households in St Albans – Final Chance for residents
Dear St Albans City and District resident,
Good news eligibility criteria has changed! You can now earn up to £36k and still receive free government funding.
If you are one of our residents that have a cold home and are worrying about paying your energy bills, there is a good chance you will be eligible for free government funding.
If you can answer yes to the below questions then you may qualify for a free Home Upgrade Grant:
- Is your home not heated by mains gas? (includes oil, coal, LPG or electric heating.)
- Is your combined combined annual income of less than £36,000 OR receiving certain income-related means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit OR you live in an eligible Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) area. You can check your postcode in the following webpage to see if you live in an eligible IMD Area: hugs2lookup.netlify.app
- Is your home hard to heat? (we can help you answer this)
How will funding help?
If eligible you will be offered energy saving improvements to help you manage your energy bills and reduce your carbon emissions. These could include:
- Insulation upgrades
- Ventilation upgrades
- A low carbon heating system, such as an air source heat pump
- Heating controls
- An energy efficient hot water solution to keep your water warm for longer.
- Solar panels (PV) to generate your own electricity.
- Energy efficient lighting which is cheaper to run.
What is the next step?
Register now by calling free on 0808 196 8255 or visit hugapply.co.uk
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1 August 2024
Grant Applications 24/25
The Parish Council are now welcoming grant applications from organisations within Colney Heath Parish.
Please complete an application form and send to the Parish Council Clerk either by post or via email to clerk@colneyheathparishcouncil.gov.uk
A copy of the grant application policy which should be read in full before applying can be viewed at the following link – CHPC Grant Awarding Policy 2024-25
An application can be submitted and either emailed or posted as stated on the application form at this link in Word – CHPC Grant Application Form 2024-25
Any questions can be answered by calling the Clerk on 07484 520070 or emailing clerk@colneyheathparishcouncil.gov.uk
Closing date for applications in this first round is 5pm on Thursday 3rd October 2024 – if for any reason you are unable to meet this deadline please speak to the Clerk.
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29 July 2024
Unrecorded footpath between High Street (A) and FP45 (B) just NW of the crossing with FP41
Do you use the footpath in this picture?
Do you have any photographs of you walking the path, perhaps with your dog?
Would you be willing to write a short to say you have regularly used the path and how long for?
This well-walked path between Colney Heath High Street and the crossroads of public footpaths 41 and 45 (see map). Despite being well walked, is NOT currently recorded as a public right of way and signs went up recently to mark the path as ‘Permissive’. If this status is accepted it would mean that the landowner could close the path at any time, without any notice or consultation and the public would have no redress.
Where a path like this has been used by the public for at least 20 years without force, secrecy or permission it is possible to apply for it to be recorded on the definitive map as a public right of way. It is then protected for public use in perpetuity.
The Colney Heath Parish Council and the St Albans and District Footpaths Society want to work alongside local residents to collect the necessary evidence and apply to get this path put on the definitive map, thus securing its future.
Experience shows that such work is more likely to succeed when local residents play a full part. Please email the clerk@colneyheathparishcouncil.gov.uk with a short statement giving your name, address, how long you have walked this path along and any photographs that you wish to share as part of the evidence in this application.
26 July 2024
Important Notice: Colney Heath Recreation Play Area
Permission has now been obtained from the adjoining landowner for a solution to the drainage issue.
Work has now recommenced and should be completed in the next 4 weeks meaning an opening date due Bank Holiday August weekend subject to any other dealys.
We appreciate your continued patience and understanding as we work to provide a safe and enjoyable play area for our community.
Thank you,
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19 July 2024
Full Council Meeting – Thursday 25th July 2024, 7.30pm
The next Full Council meeting is being held on Thursday 25th July 2024 from 7.30pm at Colney Heath Primary School, High Street, Colney Heath AL4 0NP.
The agenda can be downloaded at the following link: CHPC Summons 25th July 2024
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17 July 2024
SUMMER HOLIDAY POP-UP ST ALBANS & DISTRICT FOODBANK DISTRIBUTION CENTRE AT COLNEY HEATH SCHOOL
The St Albans & District Foodbank is running a pop-up Foodbank distribution centre at Colney Heath School, with support from both the school and St Mark’s Church.
We are going to be holding a Distribution Centre for both the families and other residents of Colney Heath that might need food support during the summer holiday period.
We will be open from 10.00-12.00 on 30th July, 13 August and 3rd September.
Colney Heath School, High Street, Colney Heath St Albans AL4 0NP
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27 June 2024
Parish Council Audit – Period of Electors Rights to View Accounts 2023/24
The period of electors rights is when any interested person has the right to inspect and make copies of the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records must be made available for inspection by any person interested.
For the year ended 31 March 2024, these documents will be available on reasonable notice by application to the Clerk – clerk@colneyheathparishcouncil.gov.uk and will be available from Friday 28th June 2024 to Thursday 8th August 2024.
A full copy of the notice can be viewed here: 2023/24 CHPC Notice of Public Rights
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21 June 2024
Full Council Meeting – Thursday 27th June 2024, 7.30pm
The next Full Council meeting is being held on Thursday 27th June from 7.30pm at Colney Heath Primary School, High Street, Colney Heath AL4 0NP.
The agenda can be downloaded at the following link: Thursday 27th June 2024 – Agenda
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14 June 2024
Parish Council Meeting – Thursday 27th June 2024, 7.30pm
Due to circumstance beyond the control of the Parish Council the next Parish Council meeting has been moved to Thursday 27th June from 7.30pm at Colney Heath Primary School, High Street, Colney Heath AL4 0NP.
The agenda can be downloaded at the following link which will be active on Friday 21st June 2024.
The Parish Council apologise for any inconvenience caused by the moving of this meeting.
10 June 2024
Important Notice: Colney Heath Recreation Play Area Opening Delayed
Due to unforeseen flooding issues caused by a significant amount of groundwater, we regret to inform you that the opening of the new play area has been delayed. The Colney Heath Parish Council planned a sandpit and not a small pond!
After pausing work to address this issue, our architect, in collaboration with the contractor, has proposed a viable solution. Funding has been allocated for this solution, which involves the installation of new drainage and water run-offs to ensure the play area remains dry and protected from future flooding and water damage.
While this will add an additional two weeks to the construction timeline, we are still hopeful that the new play area will be open during the school Summer holiday period.
Work will recommence on Monday, 17th June 2024. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to provide a safe and enjoyable play area for our community.
Thank you,