In December 2024, the Government published the English Devolution White Paper, which sets out plans to devolve more powers to local areas and to simplify local government in England through Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
Local Government Reorganisation
In Hertfordshire, there are currently two types of council:
- District and borough councils, which provide services such as housing, planning, bin collections, car parks and leisure services.
- The county council, which is responsible for schools, libraries, roads, caring for children and supporting adults who need help with daily living.
Under the Government’s plan, these councils will be replaced by new unitary councils that will deliver all services currently provided by the two separate types of council.
All councils in Hertfordshire are working together to explore what this would look like. The aim is to create a system of local government that is easy to understand, delivers good value for money and responds to the needs of local areas.
For further information on the changes, including the proposal prepared for submission to Government, visit Hertfordshire's dedicated LGR website: www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk.
Timeline
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 5 February 2025 | Statutory invitation received from government to submit unitary proposals |
| 21 March 2025 | Submit interim Local Government Reorganisation proposal |
| 1 May 2025 | Hertfordshire County Council Elections |
| July - end September 2025 | Stakeholder and Public Engagement |
| 19 November 2025 | Hertsmere Borough Council local decision - Council and Cabinet |
| 28 November 2025 | Submit full Local Government Reorganisation proposal |
| Spring 2026 | Formal government consultation on proposals |
| Summer 2026 | Government decision expected |
| May 2027 | Elections to Shadow authorities - the new unitary councils prior to them formally taking on all responsibilities. |
| April 2028 | Vesting day for new unitary councils |
Options for Reorganisation
As part of the preparation for the formal submission to Government, all Hertfordshire councils agreed to detailed modelling of three different options for reorganisation, with two three or four new unitary councils being created, with varying georgaphy, population and approach to services. Further information, including the detailed proposals for each of the options, can be found on the dedicated LGR website: www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk.
Throughout the first few weeks of November, all Hertfordshire local authorities had the chance to formally consider the options for reorganisation set out in the submission document and make a local decision about which of the two, three or four unitary options they will support.
In Hertsmere, following a full debate at Council on the 19th November, Cabinet selected the four unitary option as its preferred model. You can watch the debates at both Council and Cabinet on our webcasts page.
The four unitary proposal will see Hertsmere joined with Watford and Three Rivers in a new South West unitary authority. Dacorum and St Albans would form a new Western unitary authority, a Central unitary authority would be formed of North Herts, Stevenage, and Welwyn Hatfield. Eastern Hertfordshire authority would be Broxbourne joined with East Herts plus the existing North Herts wards of Arbury, Emine, Royston Heath, Royston Meridian, Royston Palace, and Weston and Sandon and the Welwyn Hatfield ward of Northaw and Cuffley.
Stakeholder Engagement
Over the summer, extensive engagement was carried out with residents, community groups, local businesses, voluntary organisations, parish and town councils and local authority staff. In Hertsmere we held face to face drop in session, stakeholder meetings and promoted the online survey. The views and feedback received have helped to shape proposals.
Devolution
Devolution aims to give more power to local authorities so that they can make decisions that affect their communities. In Hertfordshire, interest has been expressed in becoming a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA).
A letter has been written to Steve Reed OBE, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, dated 4 November 2025, from the Leader of the County Council with the support of the Hertfordshire Growth Board, comprising the leaders of all eleven local authorities, business, academia, health and Hertfordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner. The letter formally expresses Hertfordshire's ambition to progress towards the establishment of an MSA as soon as possible, aligning this transition with the LGR programme and its associated timelines.
Useful links
English Devolution White Paper:
The English Devolution White Paper sets out the Government’s agenda to increase and expand devolution across all parts of England.
Local Government Association (LGA) Devolution Hub:
Visit the LGA Devolution Hub to find further information and resources. This includes a list of regularly updated devolution and local government reorganisation FAQs. You can find updates on the current devolution framework and devolution deals agreed between Government and local areas.
Letter from Jim McMahon OBE. Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution:
The letter to all two-tier councils and neighbouring unitary authorities, dated 16 December 2024 sets out the Government’s process and milestones.
Feedback on Hertfordshire's Interim Submission:
Feedback report from Government on Hertfordshire's Interim Submission