Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any announcements from the Chair.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and reminded attendees that the meeting was being webcast. The full webcast of the meeting can be viewed here: Extraordinary Council - 13 November 2025.

The Chairman invited the Director for Legal, Policy and Governance to provide an update following a request for the KC advice on the decision-making process to be made public at the Council meeting held on 22 October 2025.

The Director for Legal, Policy and Governance advised that they had asked the KC to prepare a separate note that could be shared with Members without waiving legal privilege. This note had now been shared with all Group Leaders and Independent Members. Members heard that the KC note confirmed that the decision in relation to the final Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) submission was not for Full Council and following debate Members could cast an indicative vote on their preferred option.

In response, the reliance on a separate note was deemed unsatisfactory, with a request that future documents referred to within reports be available for Members to review.

To receive any Members’ apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Butcher, Burt, Deffley, Jacobs, Wyllie and Woollcombe.

To receive any Members' declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

(Report to follow)

The Leader of the Council presented the Local Government Reorganisation in Hertfordshire – Submission of final proposals report. Councillor Crystall highlighted that in February 2025, the Government invited all Hertfordshire Councils to propose a single?tier system to replace the County and District Councils.

Councillor Crystall said that, since then, the eleven councils and the Police and Crime Commissioner had worked together to produce three unitary options: two, three, or four councils. Whilst a joint submission had been agreed, most leaders across the county had acknowledged that it was not their preference. Submissions were required to be received by Government before 28 November 2025, with each council only able to express a preference and the final decision to be taken by Government. The final decision was expected to be received from Government by July 2026.

Councillor Crystall proposed the recommendation as set out in the report. Councillor Goldspink seconded the proposal and reserved her right to speak.

Councillor Goldspink requested a recorded vote. This was supported by Councillors Brittain, Carter, Crystall, Daar and Dumont.

Members debated the proposals with Councillors Deering, Dumont, Glover-Ward, Andrews, E Buckmaster, Hart, Hollebon, Parsad-Wyatt, Wilson, Hoskin, Estop, Carter, Cox, Swainston, Daar, Brittain, Holt, Horner, Clements, McAndrew, Copley, Thomas, Hopewell and Marlow contributing to the discussion, ahead of Councillor Goldspink exercising her right to speak as the seconder.

Members across the chamber agreed that they were not in favour of Local Government Reorganisation across Hertfordshire or the process by which the proposal had taken. Members recognised that Hertfordshire County Council provided key services and had an outstanding Ofsted rating for Children’s Services and was rated the second highest Adult Care Service in the Country. It was noted that it remained unclear how the proposed unitary authorities would deliver these services.

Members highlighted opposition to the proposal of an Elected Mayor, which would introduce a new two-tier system, and further discussion focussed on the process and the financial outlooks associated with the proposals.

Concerns were expressed amongst Members with regards to diluting public access to local councils with the implementation of wider unity authorities. In addition, consideration was given to the barriers of becoming a Councillor in a larger unitary authority, where the location of meetings could be held at a significant distance and during the workday. 

It was noted that the Council owned a number of assets and there was a request for all assets of the Council to be reviewed and protected ahead of any changes to the local structure.

Members commented on the strengthened role that Town and Parish Councils could play in the future and considered the potential benefits of unitary authorities.

Disappointment was expressed in relation to some Executive Members proposing to abstain from the indicative vote. Members of the Executive highlighted that they would consider the full debate of Council ahead of taking a decision on 18 November 2025.

To conclude the debate, Councillor Crystall acknowledged the consensus across the Chamber with regards to the options being presented for reorganisation. Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 235.