Tree cutting, a new supermarket levy and bus cuts were all on the agenda at a St Albans District Council meeting.

Councillors met at the Civic Offices on Wednesday to discuss issues arising in the district including the introduction of a new supermarket levy.

Councillors debated about whether to support a nationwide move that would allow councils to raise a levy on the largest retailers in their area.

The proposed levy would be up to 8.5 per cent of rates payable only by retailers with a rateable value over £500,000.

Green Councillor Simon Grover proposed the idea, which was eventually rejected. He said: "I was sorry to see that the Conservative councillors seemed to be wilfully misunderstanding the point of my motion.

"As a result, they have missed the opportunity to give a huge boost to struggling independent retailers in St Albans. I am one of three councillors representing St Peters ward, which covers the central shopping area of St Albans.

"Local shop owners will be dismayed to hear that their other two councillors joined their fellow Tories in putting the interests of a few superstores over the health of the local economy."

A motion proposed by London Colney councillor Jacob Quagliozzi to remove trees in London Colney was granted at the meeting.

He said residents on Caldeon Rd and Cotlandswick, London Colney had complained that the trees block light and drop leaves onto their property.

Also present at the meeting was Chief Inspector Kenneth Townsend of Hertfordshire Constabulary - who gave a presentation on current priorities for the police working in St Albans.