Watford community contacts: councils, parishes and local support

Who looks after what

Local government around Watford has two main tiers. Hertfordshire County Council is responsible for things like roads and pavements, schools, libraries and adult social care. Your district or borough council handles bins and recycling, council tax, planning applications, parks, housing and licensing.

Which district council you contact depends on where you live, because Watford's neighbours are split across several authorities. If you are unsure, the county council's website has a postcode finder for many services.

Watford Borough Council

Watford Borough Council covers the town itself, including Oxhey, Garston and parts of Leavesden. It is one of the few councils in England led by a directly elected Mayor, who works alongside a cabinet and ward councillors. Watford has no town or parish council, so the borough council is the first port of call for most local issues.

Neighbouring councils

Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, Abbots Langley, South Oxhey and Carpenders Park are in Three Rivers District. Bushey is part of Hertsmere Borough, and Kings Langley falls within Dacorum Borough.

Parish councils

Several neighbouring communities also have a parish council, the most local tier, which looks after things such as open spaces, play areas, allotments and community halls, and gives residents a voice on local matters. Croxley Green Parish Council and Abbots Langley Parish Council serve their villages, while Watford Rural Parish Council covers South Oxhey and Carpenders Park. Meeting agendas and minutes are published on their websites.

Parish meetings are open to the public, and most councils set aside time for residents to raise questions. If you live in one of these parishes and want to get involved, going along to a meeting is a good place to start.

Libraries and voluntary groups

Hertfordshire Libraries run branches across the area, offering books, computers, study space and activities for children. For charities and community groups, Watford & Three Rivers Trust has supported local voluntary activity since 1974, helping with funding bids, governance and training, and managing a community fund with the two councils.