Agenda item

(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 Crystall summarised the viability of each option for East Herts and thanked officers for the work that had been undertaken. 

The motion having been proposed and seconded was put to a recorded vote and the result was as follows:

Option a) Submit proposal and identify the two unitary (2UA) option as preferred:

Councillors Copley, Horner, Swainston (3)

Option b) Submit proposal and identify modified three unitary option (3UA modified) as preferred and request that Secretary of State formally modify the proposal by agreeing boundary changes, as set out in the proposal:

Councillors Carter, Connolly, Crystall, Daar, Dunlop, Hill, Nicholls, Thomas, Watson, Wilson (10)

Option c) Submit proposal and identify the modified four unitary option (4UA modified) as preferred and request that the Secretary of State formally modify the proposal by boundary changes as set out in the proposal:

Councillors E Buckmaster, R Buckmaster, Bull, Clements, Deering, Devonshire, Estop, Hart, Hollebon, Holt, Parsad-Wyatt, Redfern, Stowe, Willcocks, Williamson (15)

Abstained:

Councillors Adams, Andrews, Boylan, Brittain, Cox, Dumont, Glover-Ward, Goldspink, Hopewell, Hoskin, Marlow, McAndrew, T Smith, V Smith (14)

RESOLVED – Council noted the outcome of the indicative vote.