The Hertfordshire County Council Cabinet met on Wednesday 17 June 2026. The Cabinet agreed to endorse the proposed responses to the MHCLG regarding the structural changes order and authorised the monitoring officer to finalise and submit them. Key decisions made included approving the draft Road Safety Partnership Road Safety Strategy for public consultation, adopting the Healthier Air Strategy, and agreeing to progress to a full statutory franchising assessment for bus services in North Herts, East Herts, and Stevenage, subject to the Department for Transport confirming funding.

Structural Changes Order for Hertfordshire

Councillor Richard Roberts raised concerns about the government's proposals for structural changes to local government in Hertfordshire, which would see the county broken up into four unitary authorities. He expressed dissatisfaction with the financial and strategic implications of this reorganisation. Councillor Steve Jarvis, Leader of the Council, acknowledged that he was not an enormous enthusiast for the government's reorganisation programme, believing that devolution offered greater opportunities. However, he stated that a foundational authority status with a mayor was a mandatory step towards devolution and that the council's objective was to minimise the time spent in this foundational stage. Jarvis explained that the council's approach was to constructively engage with the government on the reorganisation process, answering questions about how the process should operate to influence it, rather than passively accepting decisions. He believed this approach was more likely to achieve a better outcome for Hertfordshire residents. The Cabinet agreed to endorse the proposed responses to the MHCLG regarding the structural changes order and authorised the monitoring officer to finalise and submit them.

Hertfordshire's Road Safety Partnership Road Safety Strategy

The Cabinet agreed to approve the draft Road Safety Partnership Road Safety Strategy for public consultation. Councillor Paul Zukowskyj, Executive Member for Environment, Transport and Growth, explained that the strategy, developed by the Hertfordshire Road Safety Partnership which includes Hertfordshire County Council, Hertfordshire Police, and the Police and Crime Commissioner, aligns with the national road safety strategy and adopts a safe system approach. This approach focuses on five areas: safer speeds, safer users, safer places, safer vehicles, and faster response times. The strategy aims for a vision of Towards Zero: Creating Safer, Healthier Places for Everyone in Hertfordshire, with ambitious national targets to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035.

Healthier Air Strategy

The Cabinet agreed to adopt the Healthier Air Strategy, which replaces the previous Air Quality Strategy. Councillor Ruth Brown, Executive Member for Environment, Transport and Growth, highlighted that the strategy now includes indoor environments, not just outdoor ones, and has received 80% approval during public consultation. Councillor Ajanta Hilton, Executive Member for Public Health and Community Safety, endorsed the strategy, noting that poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK and that the shift from air quality to healthier air is a significant change. The strategy aims for healthier air for all and will work with public health partners, Integrated Care Boards, Health and Care Partnerships, and voluntary sector organisations to achieve its objectives.

East Herts Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan

The Cabinet agreed to support the changes made to the East Herts Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) following public consultation and to formally adopt it. Councillor Paul Zukowskyj, Executive Member for Environment, Transport and Growth, stated that this makes East Herts the eighth district in Hertfordshire to adopt an LCWIP, and the third since this administration took office, indicating an increase in pace. He thanked officers and residents for their input, noting that LCWIPs do not come with funding but identify schemes ready for implementation should grants become available. Councillor Adrian England, Executive Member for Sustainability, highlighted that 40% of journeys under two miles in East Herts are currently made by car, indicating a strong potential for modal shift.

Decision on Progression to a Statutory Franchising Assessment for Bus Services

The Cabinet agreed to progress to a full statutory franchising assessment for bus services in North Herts, East Herts, and Stevenage, subject to the Department for Transport confirming funding. Councillor Ruth Brown, Executive Member for Environment, Transport and Growth, explained that pre-assessment work had been positive and that the council had applied for additional funding from the DfT. She believes this is a great opportunity to provide better transport, particularly in rural areas, and to connect villages with towns. Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE, Executive Member for Highways, noted the considerable benefit of bus franchising in getting people back onto the bus network and supporting sustainable transport. He also raised concerns about the potential annual cost of nearly £7 million. Councillor Jarvis, Leader of the Council, acknowledged the delay in hearing the outcome of the funding bid but stated that the council would have to reconsider if funding was not received. He stressed that bus franchising is essential to improve public transport in Hertfordshire and that the current arrangements are impossibly difficult.

Development of Nursing Home Provision

The Cabinet agreed to adopt the Social Investment Model for the development of nursing home provision in Hertfordshire and approved its progression to implementation. Councillor Sally Symington, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Adult Care Services, highlighted that this report received unanimous support from the Resources and Performance and Adult Care Services panels. She explained that the council faces a projected gap of over 800 beds, leading to a cost pressure of £18 million annually by 2032. The Social Investment Model will unlock capacity by working with partners to deliver between six and eight new specialist dementia nursing care homes. Councillor Chris Lucas, Executive Member for Resources and Performance, praised the innovative and groundbreaking approach, noting its potential to address a real and growing issue in nursing care provision affordably.

Consideration of Proposals Submitted by MHCLG Regarding Structural Changes Order

The Cabinet considered proposals submitted by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) regarding the structural changes order for Hertfordshire. Councillor Steve Jarvis, Leader of the Council, emphasised that the council was only answering the government's questions on how the process should operate, and that the minister would ultimately decide the order's content. He reiterated the importance of providing input to ensure the process, regardless of personal views on reorganisation, was conducted in a way that was most favourable for the people of Hertfordshire. The Cabinet agreed to endorse the proposed responses and authorise the monitoring officer to finalise and submit them.

Future of Land Holdings South of A505 in Royston

The Cabinet agreed to declare the County Council's land holdings south of the A505 in Royston as surplus to requirements and authorised their disposal, pursuing a joint disposal strategy with the Highfield Land Trust. Councillor Chris Lucas, Executive Member for Resources and Performance, explained that the land was acquired for highways and education purposes but never used. Officers reviewed its potential for other frontline services but found no realistic alternative use. The land is allocated for residential development in the North Herts Local Plan. Councillor Ruth Brown, the local member for Royston East and Ermine, inquired about alternative uses beyond housing, such as sports provision. Councillor Lucas confirmed that alternative disposal strategies would be considered, even if a joint open market sale did not proceed. Concerns were raised about the disposal of agricultural land, but it was noted that North Herts District Council had allocated the site for residential development due to its limited acreage, proximity to residential properties, and sustainable location.

Sale of County Hall and Leahoe House & Gardens, Hertford

The Cabinet agreed to declare County Hall, including the woodland and former cricket pitch, as surplus to requirements and available for disposal, identifying City & Country as the preferred bidder to acquire both County Hall and Leahoe House & Gardens, subject to the agreement of terms. Councillor Chris Lucas, Executive Member for Resources and Performance, stated that County Hall was no longer required following the relocation of functions to the Stevenage Campus. He highlighted that the sale would generate a capital receipt and save £2.3 million per annum in running costs. Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE, Executive Member for Highways, praised the plan for retaining and re-profiling the existing buildings, noting the positive contribution to the carbon neutral agenda. He also sought confirmation that there was no interest in retaining the facility for a new unitary authority, which was confirmed due to the unsatisfactory working environment and cost-effectiveness constraints of the heritage building. Councillor Lucas also confirmed that restrictions would be included in the sale agreement to preserve the cricket pitch and woodland for recreation and nature. The Cabinet then moved into Part II of the meeting to discuss commercially sensitive details.