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Parish Council changes in light of COVID-19 outbreak

The Parish Council is aware that these are difficult times for many and have therefore made changes to the following in order to protect both staff and residents wherever possible.

Parish Council office

The office at The Memorial Hall will be closed until further notice, however our staff will continue to work where possible. If you wish to contact us, you can do so by phoning 01582 832541 between 9.30am and 12.30pm, Monday to Friday. You can also email us at info@wheathampstead-pc.gov.uk.

Covid-19: Coordinated support for the village

The Parish Council is working closely with various village organisations to support those in need and has created a dedicated line for people to use – 01582 380910. Please click here for more details.

Please ensure that you are following the current rules set out by the government – see https://bit.ly/2QwVhHc for more information.

Bookings at The Memorial Hall/artificial turf pitch (ATP)

We will not be taking any more bookings for The Memorial Hall or the ATP until further notice. If you wish to discuss any existing bookings that you have, please call or email us.  

Events

We are cancelling our events for the 75th anniversary of VE Day, in line with the government’s guidelines regarding mass gatherings. We hope to celebrate this day later in the year, if possible.

A decision has not yet been made about Village Weekend (11/12 July). As we do not know what will happen in the coming months, we will monitor the situation and inform the village of our decision nearer the time.

Changes to Citizen’s Advice support

Citizens Advice are adapting their service to reduce the risk of coronavirus to clients volunteers and staff. They are withdrawing all face to face services and moving all remaining resource to providing help over the phone.

As they have many older volunteers who have had to withdraw, they are not seeing clients in person until further notice. They are concentrating their resources to provide help from the base at the Civic Centre via phone and webchat.

If you are in need of any advice, please use the following free resources:

  • www.citizensadvice.org.uk

  • www.castad.org.uk – For email advice and a local webchat service which is being created and should be available soon.

  • Call 01727 811118 – They will take a few details and arrange for an adviser to call back

  • Call 03444 111 444 – Adviceline

The CAB have asked that you bear with them at this time of unprecedented challenge.

Have your say and prevent changes to Wheathampstead

As detailed within our recent news post, the Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBCE) is reviewing the electoral arrangements in the District of St Albans. The proposed changes have major implications for Wheathampstead.
 
We need your help to prevent these changes from happening by responding to the consultation. 
 
Please read our detailed booklet which provides further information. It details how you can share your views. 

Official notices on Rectory Meadow & Glebe

The Diocese of St Albans have recently made applications to Herts County Council in respect of glebe land (land owned by the church). This includes Rectory Meadow and one of the allotment fields, named Glebe, which the Parish Council rents. 

This application referred to as ‘making a deposit under the Highways Act 1980 and the Commons Act 2006’ does not affect the current use of the land. 

A representative from the Diocese has said the following:

The application does not in any way affect the current use of the land, which as you know is let to the Parish Council.  The land can continue to be used under their lease just as it is at the moment.  In addition, it doesn’t affect the designation of Rectory Meadow, which I understand to be a Local Green Space within the local plan designation which governs the uses to which the land can be put.

The effect of making a deposit is that it resets the clock on any new public rights of way, or commons rights, being acquired based solely on a period of use by the public. 

The application was made on the recommendation of the Board’s managing agents that it is prudent management and good stewardship to take this step, especially as the Board holds glebe on behalf of beneficiaries.  The Board is making deposits for other glebe land in the diocese in a similar way.

Herts County Council offer information regarding the affect of making a deposit. For a more detailed, lengthy explanation you can visit Lancashire County Council’s website.

Crossing patrol on Brewhouse Hill/The Hill

There are currently no crossing patrols on Brewhouse Hill or The Hill by the entrances to St Helen’s Primary School.

St Helen’s have tweeted following a meeting with various Councillors, including Annie Brewster and our MP, Bim Afolami, this morning. Kaye Healy and Kate Taylor have said:

“We are gravely concerned about the safety of our children. Staff, parents and carers are doing their very best but swift action needs to be taken before someone is seriously hurt.”

Could you help with the crossing patrol?

If you are interested in this role, click here to visit the Herts County Council website.

Trial period for weekend lighting on the astro turf pitch

As of 28 December 2019, the floodlighting for the ATP on Marford Playing Fields will be on during the weekend evenings, as well as during the week.

Council have agreed to a trial period of six months. If it is felt that this is being abused, the lights will no longer be on during the weekends (unless hired privately).

The ATP can be used Monday-Saturday 9am to 9pm and Sunday 9am to 8pm*.

Please be mindful of the rules, such as those regarding correct footwear, litter, noise etc.

* These times are in line with planning conditions.