Council and democracy

Watford Borough Council

The Mayor of Watford Borough for 2007 / 2008 is Cllr. Dorothy Thornhill.

Council Office opening hours:
* Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Main Council Departments:

Environmental Services - This Service is responsible for: Refuse Collection, Recycling, Street Cleaning, Litter Bins, Abandoned Vehicles, Garden Waste Collection, Inspection of Premises, Food Hygiene, Pollution Control, Pest Control, Noise Control, Infectious Diseases, Health Education, Street Trading, Issuing of Licenses, Taxi and private hire, Animal Wardens, Air and Water Quality, Private sector housing renewal and Care and Repair.

Housing - The Council transferred the ownership and management of its housing stock to Watford Community Housing Trust in September 2007. While no longer managing the landlord functions, the Housing Service includes the Housing Needs Team (housing register, allocations, statutory homelessness), the Homelessness Prevention and Housing Advice Team and officers dealing with strategy, housing development and partnership working.

Leisure Services and Community Services - This Service is responsible for running cultural services in the local community including Community Centres, Parks, Playgrounds, Allotments, Cemeteries, Sports Pitches, Adveture Playgrounds, Summer and East Holidays playschemes, Afterschool Clubs, Youth Clubs, Watford Museum and the Halls at the Colosseum. It also has responsibility for trees and woodland, voluntary sector funding, arts and sports development and town twinning. Leisure facilities are currently provided at the Bill Everett Centre but two replacement modern leisure facilities on the old Watford Central Baths and Watford Leisure Centre will be available for use from Summer 2008. A variety of courses and events are offered to individuals and groups - seee Watford Borough Council website for details.

Planning and Development - This Service is responsible for: Planning Applications and Appeals, Enforcement of Planning Control; Listed Building Consents; Protection of Trees; Management of Commercial Property Assets and Indoor Market; Cycling and Pedestrian Routes; Preparation of Planning Policy and the Local Development Framework; Providing Planning Advice; Preparing Development Briefs and Implementing Key Projects; Residents Parking Permits; Car Parks; Concessionary Fares and Bus Permits, Building Control and Building Regulations.

Revenue and Benefits Service - This service is responsible for: the administration and collection of council tax, the administration and collection of business rates, the administration and payment of Benefits including rent rebate, council tax rebate and rent allowance, adminstration and collection of sundry debts, payments office.