What you need to know
What is the current local government arrangement in Hertfordshire?
Hertfordshire currently has a two-tier system of local government. Hertfordshire County Council provides services such as education, roads and adult social care. The ten district and borough councils are responsible for services including planning, housing and waste collection.
Why is it changing?
The government has asked all areas with two tiers of local government to propose new arrangements. These would bring all council services together under a single authority, known as a unitary council.
How many unitary councils there would be in Hertfordshire has yet to be decided. All 11 councils have expressed their preference, and the decision is expected to be taken in summer 2026 by the government.
How does it affect me?
LGR will shape how your services are delivered - from bins and planning to libraries and social care. The objectives are:
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Simplified council structures
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More consistent service access
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Greater transparency in decision-making
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A stronger local voice in how councils operate
The goal is to keep what works well in Hertfordshire and improve the things that could be better and for this to be delivered by councils that are closer to communities and better equipped to plan for the future.
Devolution
Devolution means giving powers that currently sit with central government to local areas, so decisions can be made closer to the people they affect.
The government wants to do this by setting up Strategic Authorities, led by elected mayors. This would be a separate organisation from the unitary councils mentioned above.
A new Strategic Authority could cover Hertfordshire alone, or Hertfordshire could join with neighbouring counties. The authority would oversee areas such as housing, transport, highways and economic growth.
The Government Consultation
What is the government consulting on?
Following engagement with residents, businesses and other key stakeholders last year, Hertfordshire’s 11 councils submitted joint proposals to the government. These set out three possible options for reorganising the county into two, three or four unitary authorities.
The consultation is not a vote or referendum. It is an opportunity for people to share their views on the options.
What are the government criteria?
The government has set clear criteria for local government reorganisation. Any proposal must:
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Establish a single tier of local government
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Be the right size to achieve savings and withstand financial shocks
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Deliver high quality, sustainable public services
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Be developed collaboratively and locally
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Support devolution, including mayoral strategic authorities
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Enable stronger community engagement and neighbourhood empowerment
All of Hertfordshire’s proposed options have been designed to meet these criteria.
Who else is the government consulting?
In addition to consulting with all Hertfordshire councils, the government will be directly consulting:
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Health bodies
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Neighbouring councils
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Strategic authorities
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Health Bodies
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Police and Fire, and Education bodies
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Voluntary, Business, and other Public Sector bodies
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National bodies such as the Environment Agency
Who decides whether there will be two, three or four councils for Hertfordshire?
The government will decide which of the three options will be implemented in Hertfordshire.
Timescales
When will a decision be made?
A decision from the government is expected in summer 2026.