Help shape Hertfordshire’s future – have your say on changes to local government
Residents, community groups, businesses and wider stakeholders are invited to share their views on how services will be delivered in Hertfordshire in the years ahead. This is a once in a generation opportunity to help shape the future of local government.
Hertfordshire’s 11 councils have today launched a second phase of engagement on the future of local government in the county.
Residents, community groups, businesses and wider stakeholders are invited to share their views on how services will be delivered in Hertfordshire in the years ahead. This is a once in a generation opportunity to help shape the future of local government.
In December 2024, the Government set out plans to simplify local government in England to make it easier for residents and businesses to access services and to save money.
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, how you can get involved and share your views visit: www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk. This will remain open until 30 September 2025.
View the interim submission - Local Government Reorganisation in Hertfordshire.
The Government is looking for a proposal for the reorganisation of local government that does not lead to fragmented services that compete against one another, requires lengthy implementation periods, or does not sufficiently address local interests and identities.
The Government has said it wants to design and implement the best local government structures for efficient and high-quality public service delivery. The Government is therefore expecting local leaders to work collaboratively by sharing information to develop proposals, which is currently being facilitated for the Hertfordshire councils by teams of our own staff and external experts from Impower Consulting.
Devolution gives combined authorities greater powers in policy areas like transport, adult education, employment and skills. Those are the areas of policy and funding that the government has pinpointed for devolution to combined authorities, though the precise suite of powers, finance and responsibilities varies considerably between areas.
The Government has said that it wants to see all of England benefit from devolution, which will include full devolution across the country. The Government wants to work towards all areas having a Mayor and thereby help to rebalance power across England.
The Government has said that the rebalance and the election of more Mayors across the country will help the Government in delivering its key missions for the country.
A Strategic Authority could provide additional Government powers and funding, helping Hertfordshire to support local economic growth, infrastructure, and investment. The Districts and Boroughs are open to exploring this option as part of a broader conversation about governance.
It refers to an area with one tier of local government providing all of the local services, as opposed to an area with two tiers of local government (county council, and district, borough or city councils). Changes of this type have recently been implemented in other areas, including Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire. The London Boroughs are other examples of unitary authorities.
The terms "Unitary Council" and "Strategic Authority" refer to different types of local government bodies and serve distinct functions.
Unitary Councils have one tier of local government, combining all the local services that are currently provided across District and Boroughs and county councils.
Strategic Authorities (such as a combined authority) are partnerships that bring together local authorities across a large geography. They focus on high-level services and strategic oversight across multiple local councils or regions, overseen by a Mayor.
In the White Paper, the Government has said that devolution is key to achieving growth as well as a more joined-up delivery of public services. For example, over the long term the Government has an ambition to align public service boundaries, including job centres, police, probation, fire, health services and Strategic and Local Authorities.
Yes. Other counties like Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Cumbria, and Somerset have recently been reorganised into unitary councils. These examples are being looked at to understand what worked well and what lessons should be learned. We will also be taking learnings from other counties that are working on a faster timeline for local government reorganisation, such as Surrey and Essex.
Local leaders are currently exploring options for a Strategic Authority for Hertfordshire. We are having discussions with neighbouring areas about collaboration to ensure alignment on cross-border issues such as transport, infrastructure, and economic development.
There are likely to be both upfront costs (such as staff restructuring, IT, or rebranding) and longer-term efficiencies.
Devolution deals entail £30 billion in spending power for Combined Authorities and areas with a devolution deal.
Yes. The Government has made £378,077 available to support areas in developing proposals. This funding can be used to cover technical work, evidence gathering, and other support needed to shape local government reorganisation plans.
The Government has encouraged collaboration but can consider submissions from individual councils or groupings of councils if consensus can’t be reached. The Government will consider any suitable proposals submitted by the relevant local authorities.
The Government is responsible for decisions on when elections take place. Elections for new unitary councils would be held once proposals are agreed.
