The Cabinet of Hertfordshire Council is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, with a public agenda that includes discussions on road safety, air quality, and local infrastructure plans. The meeting will also address the future of key council land holdings and the potential for bus service franchising in specific areas of the county.

Hertfordshire's Road Safety Partnership's Road Safety Strategy

The Cabinet is expected to consider Hertfordshire's Road Safety Partnership's draft Road Safety Strategy, which aims to align with national targets for reducing deaths and serious injuries on the county's highways. The strategy proposes adopting a Safe System Approach and advocates for shared responsibility among partners and communities to achieve a vision of Towards Zero: Creating Safer, Healthier Places for Everyone in Hertfordshire. The report indicates that the delivery of this strategy is expected to be managed within existing budgets, and an Equalities Impact Assessment anticipates no significant negative implications for individuals with protected characteristics.

Healthier Air Strategy

A key item on the agenda is the final Healthier Air Strategy, which has undergone public consultation. This strategy aims to build on the County Council's existing Air Quality Strategy by addressing both outdoor and indoor air pollution, including biological components like toxins and pathogens. The strategy proposes five outcome areas, with respondents indicating strong support for each. Amendments have been made following consultation, with a renewed focus on protecting those most at risk from unhealthy air and aligning with the Respiratory principle of the Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy. The report notes that the cost of the consultation was met through existing budgets, and funding has been approved for enhancing the monitoring network.

East Herts Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan

The Cabinet will be asked to consider the East Herts Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). This plan, developed in partnership with East Herts District Council and with community input, identifies key walking and cycling networks across the district, with a focus on larger settlements and villages. Adoption of the LCWIP would support the development of proposed improvements, enable bids for additional funding, and facilitate planning contributions from developers. The plan has undergone extensive public consultation, with the majority of respondents expressing support for improving walking and cycling infrastructure and feeling safer as a result.

Bus Services in North Herts, East Herts and Stevenage

The Cabinet will consider the findings of a Bus Franchising Pilot Pre-Assessment for North Herts, East Herts, and Stevenage. The pre-assessment suggests that this area is the most suitable for exploring bus reform in greater depth. The report indicates that progressing to a statutory assessment is a detailed, legally prescribed process that would allow for further analysis before any decision on implementing a franchising scheme is made. Early-stage conclusions suggest potential additional annual costs to HCC, estimated between £2.5m and £6.9m, and potential patronage growth of 4% to 8%. The report notes that an Equality Impact Assessment has been undertaken and anticipates no implications for persons with protected characteristics at this stage.

Future of Land Holdings South of A505 Royston

The Cabinet is being asked to consider a proposal that Hertfordshire County Council's land holdings south of the A505 in Royston be declared surplus and disposed of for best consideration. Officers believe there is no current or future need for these assets for service delivery. The land parcels, along with adjacent land owned by the Highfield Land Trust (HLT), have been allocated for residential development in the North Herts Local Plan. A joint sale with HLT is recommended to enable a comprehensive development scheme and achieve best consideration. The Part II paper contains further details on the proposed disposal strategy.

Sale of County Hall and Leahoe House & Gardens, Hertford

The Cabinet will receive proposals regarding the future of County Hall and Leahoe House & Gardens in Hertford, with a recommendation to dispose of both properties to City & Country, the preferred bidder. County Hall has been marketed for employment uses without significant interest, leading to a wider marketing campaign for alternative uses. City & Country, a developer specialising in heritage properties, intends to redevelop County Hall into a predominantly residential scheme, retaining and converting existing listed buildings. Leahoe House & Gardens would also be developed residentially. The sale would include protections for the cricket pitch and woodland, designated as an Asset of Community Value, ensuring their continued use for recreation and nature. The report notes that the bid from Hertford Town Council to acquire the cricket pitch and woodland separately has been considered and may have implications for the overall sale value and cohesiveness of the wider County Hall site.

The meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, at 10:00 AM in the Committee Room, Robertson House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage, SG1 2FQ. The meeting will be webcast live on the Council's website.