Hertfordshire has a two-tier structure of local government, with the ten district councils (including St Albans City and District Council) providing district-level services, and
Hertfordshire County Council providing county-level services. In some areas there is an additional third tier of
civil parishes. Hertfordshire County Council is responsible for services including education, transport, fire and public safety, social care and libraries. The district council's responsibilities include electoral services, food safety, licensing, car parks, allotments, cemeteries, grounds maintenance, leisure and theatre facilities (in Council's ownership) museums, parks and open spaces,
markets, street cleaning, management and maintenance of council owned housing, the administration of housing benefits, town planning, and building control. The first elections to the district council were held in 1973, initially acting as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements took effect on 1 April 1974. Political control since 1974 has been as follows:
Leadership The role of mayor of St Albans is largely ceremonial. They preside at council meetings and act as first citizen of the district. They are chosen from among the councillors but are expected to maintain a non-political stance, although they do have the right to exercise a casting vote in the case of a tied vote at a meeting. The role of mayor is usually held by a different councillor each year, continuing the series of mayors of St Albans which dates back to the first borough charter of 1553. Political leadership is provided by the
leader of the council. The leaders since 2003 have been:
Composition Following the
2024 election and subsequent by-election up to May 2025, the composition of the council was: The next election is due in
May 2026. and incorporates an emergency bunker in the basement, now used as committee rooms. ==Elections==