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LGR hertfordshire logo with the text Hertfordshire: Doing things differently

Have Your Say on the Future of Local Government in Hertfordshire 

The Government is inviting Hertfordshire residents and organisations to share their views on proposals that would change how local government works across the county.  

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A seven week statutory consultation opened on Thursday 5 February and closes on Thursday 26 March. The consultation can be completed on the Government website.

What is LGR?

In February 2025, councils were asked by Government to put forward proposals for local government reorganisation. The aim is to: 

  • simplify how local services are delivered 

  • reduce costs 

  • improve accountability and transparency 

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How services are delivered now 

Hertfordshire currently has two main types of councils (alongside parish and town councils in some areas): 

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District or Borough Councils that are responsible for: 

  • Social housing and homelessness support 

  • Leisure services 

  • Town planning 

  • Street cleansing 

  • Waste and recycling collections 

  • Community and cultural centres 

  • Council tax and business rates collection 

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Hertfordshire County Council which is responsible for: 

  • Adult and children’s social care 

  • Education (including special educational needs) 

  • Libraries 

  • Highways 

  • Recycling centres 

  • Public health 

  • Trading standards 

What is being proposed?

Under the Government’s plan, these councils would be replaced by new unitary councils. Each unitary council would deliver all services currently provided separately by district and borough councils and the county council. 

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Following local engagement events and an online survey, Hertfordshire’s 11 councils—alongside the Police and Crime Commissioner—submitted three potential models for Government to consider: 

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1. Two Unitary Councils 

  • Eastern: Broxbourne, East Herts, North Herts, Stevenage, Welwyn Hatfield 

  • West: Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans, Three Rivers, Watford 

  • Each covering approx. 600,000 residents 

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2. Three Unitary Councils 

  • Eastern: Broxbourne, East Herts, North Herts, Stevenage 

  • West: Dacorum, Three Rivers, Watford, plus Bushey (from Hertsmere) 

  • Central: Hertsmere, St Albans, Welwyn Hatfield 

  • Populations ranging from 350,000 to 480,000 

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3. Four Unitary Councils 

  • Eastern: Broxbourne, East Herts, six wards from North Herts, and Cuffley & Northaw from Welwyn Hatfield 

  • Central: North Herts, Stevenage, Welwyn Hatfield 

  • South West: Hertsmere, Three Rivers, Watford 

  • West: Dacorum, St Albans 

  • Each serving 290,000–320,000 residents 

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Both the three and four unitary models include boundary changes designed to reflect local communities and ensure financial sustainability. 

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Where to find more information 

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Detailed information on each of the proposals is available on the Proposed Options page. 

Timeline of the Local Government Reorganisation process. 

 

The Government’s consultation closes on Thursday 26 March 2026. 

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Complete the consultation on the Government’s consultation portal. 
 

A final decision on which proposal will be taken forward is expected in summer 2026. 

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