The Hertfordshire County Council Cabinet met on Wednesday 15 July 2026, addressing a range of financial and service-related matters. Key decisions included the introduction of a £12,000 charge for schools converting to academies, the endorsement of the Hertfordshire Youth Justice Plan 2026-28, and the approval of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act annual report. The Cabinet also reviewed the Finance Budget Monitor for Quarter 4 2025/26, noting a small operational overspend of £800,000 which was covered by contingency, and approved the reprogramming of £44.3 million within the capital programme. Significant discussions also took place regarding the future of the Performing Arts library service and Sunday opening hours for six libraries, with revised recommendations proposed for the Performing Arts service to maintain access to music collections and drama playsets.

Charging Mechanism for Academy Conversions

The Cabinet agreed to introduce a charging mechanism for schools converting to academies from January 2027. Schools will be charged £12,000 to cover the majority of local authority costs incurred during the conversion process. This decision aims to recover the officer time and resources dedicated to facilitating these conversions, which historically the council funded. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Children's Services and Education, in consultation with the Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, to review and update these charges annually.

Hertfordshire Youth Justice Plan 2026-28

The Cabinet endorsed the Hertfordshire Youth Justice Plan for 2026-28, which will now be presented to the full council for approval. The plan, developed with a multi-agency approach, focuses on two key themes: the voice of the child, families, and victims, and addressing disproportionality and anti-racist practice. It highlights positive performance trends, including a 31% decrease in first-time entrants into the youth justice system and significant reductions in blade-related offences and serious violence offences. The plan also emphasizes support for victims through restorative justice, with 62% of those offered restorative justice receiving reparations.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) Annual Report

The Cabinet approved the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) annual report, confirming that the council's policies regarding directed surveillance, covert human intelligence sources, and the acquisition of communications data remain fit for purpose. The report detailed that there were two directed surveillance authorisations granted for Trading Standards work related to underage sales of vapes, knives, and alcohol. Communications data applications saw 86 requests, with 83 progressing to acquisition, primarily used by the Shared Anti-Fraud Service and Trading Standards to investigate fraud and rogue trader cases. The council reported no breaches of policy during the year, and its previous inspection by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (IPCO) in 2023 resulted in a clean bill of health.

Finance Budget Monitor – Quarter 4 2025/26

The Cabinet reviewed the Finance Budget Monitor for Quarter 4 of the 2025/26 financial year. The council reported a small operational overspend of £800,000 against a budget of over £1.2 billion. This was more than covered by a £10 million contingency budget, leaving £9.2 million available to strengthen financial resilience for the 2026-2027 financial year. The report highlighted significant pressures within Children's Services, with children looked after services overspending by £4.2 million and the 0-25 service overspending by £2.9 million due to increasing demand for complex support packages. Adult care services also reported a net overspend of £1.7 million. The council delivered over £40 million worth of savings against its target. The Cabinet agreed to the capital reprogramming of £44.3 million and the transfer of the remaining £9.2 million contingency to a reserve for future pressures.

Hertfordshire County Council Performance Monitor Q4 2025-26

The Cabinet reviewed the Q4 2025-26 performance report, noting strong momentum across major programmes. Highlights included the adoption of the SEND Strategy, the launch of the Care Leaver Free Bus travel scheme, confirmed expansion of HertsLynx, and progress on speed management and 20mph zone consultations. Waste recycling reuse performance was strong, and the Economic Strategy delivery is underway. The report indicated that NEET figures remain lower year-on-year, adult social care performance is stronger in reablement, independence, and safeguarding, and prevention, volunteering, and employment support are scaling. Challenges remain in SEND services, and management is working with residents and partners to drive improvement.

Decision Post Consultation on Performing Arts Service Provision

The Cabinet considered the findings of the public consultation regarding the proposal to cease the Performing Arts service. The consultation revealed significant public concern about the potential financial impact on groups, the risk of group closures, and the loss of access to materials. Many respondents highlighted the positive impact of these activities on mental health, wellbeing, and social inclusion, particularly for older adults and young people. While acknowledging the financial pressures, the Cabinet agreed to a revised recommendation. Delegated authority was given to the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources and Performance, to implement the decision to withdraw the Performing Arts service provision. Crucially, this is subject to agreeing arrangements for access to the existing music collection with Hertfordshire-based specialist music organisations and individuals. Additionally, drama playsets will be maintained within the library service and managed similarly to existing reading group collections, with single copies of plays integrated into Tier 1 libraries.

Decision Post Consultation on Ceasing Sunday Opening Hours at 6 Library Settings and Reducing Evening Opening Hours at Welwyn Garden City Library

Following a public consultation, the Cabinet agreed to maintain current Sunday opening hours at six libraries and instead implement equivalent reductions in weekday opening hours. This decision aims to achieve the required savings while addressing concerns raised during the consultation about the impact on families and working individuals who rely on weekend access. The evening opening hours at Welwyn Garden City Central Library will be reduced to one evening per week to align with other large Tier 1 libraries in the county. Delegated authority was given to the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources and Performance, to implement these proposals. The consultation highlighted that Sundays are particularly valued by families and working individuals, while older residents were less impacted by Sunday closures. The decision to shift reductions to weekdays aims to mitigate the impact on these groups.