Residents associations from around St Albans will have a more powerful say at the council committee which looks after public loos, parks and litter bins.

The new chair of the City Neighbourhoods Committee, Cllr Chris White, wants the representatives of the associations who sit on the committee to have the power to submit items for the agenda.

He said: “The reason is I’m a bit shocked how residents associations seem to be marginalised.

“I want them to feel they are contributors rather than spectators and be encouraged to be as active as the constitution allows.

“The whole point of having co-opted members from community groups is to find out what is happening at the grass roots, so their voice must be heard and acted upon.”

Cllr White is also undertaking an analysis of the budget to provide clarity on the committee’s resources and a spending review to identify priorities.