The changing shape of local government in Hertfordshire
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
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 (Shadow authorities)*
April 2028
Vesting day for new unitary councils
*Shadow authorities are the new unitary council/s prior to them formally taking on all responsibilities.
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 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.
Feedback report from Government on Hertfordshire's Interim Submission
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
