The Hertfordshire County Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 21 July 2026, was set to cover a range of significant topics, including the Hertfordshire Youth Justice Plan for 2026-28 and proposed changes to the Council's Constitution. Several motions were also scheduled for discussion, addressing issues such as prostate cancer awareness, utility company roadworks, the placement of looked-after children, local healthcare provision, and charges for temporary road closures.

Hertfordshire Youth Justice Plan 2026-28

The Council was scheduled to consider the Hertfordshire Youth Justice Plan for 2026-28. This plan, a statutory requirement under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, outlines how youth justice services in the area will be provided and funded. It details the partnership's responsibilities, including preventing offending behaviour and reducing reoffending. The plan is structured around two golden threads : the Voice of Children, Families and Victims and Disproportionality and Anti-Racist Practice. Four key priority areas were identified for 2026-28: enhancing the Youth Justice Partnership Board's visibility and collaborative decision-making, strengthening early intervention and diversion pathways, improving support for victims of youth crime and embedding restorative practice, and enhancing partnership-wide data maturity. The report highlighted that while White children are under-represented in the Youth Justice Service compared to their population share, Black children and those from Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are over-represented. The plan also detailed performance data from 2025-26, including reoffending rates, first-time entrants to the criminal justice system, custody rates, and education, employment, and training outcomes.

Proposed Changes to the Council's Constitution

The Council was due to consider proposed revisions to its Constitution, specifically focusing on Annex 3 (Responsibility for Functions) and Annexes 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. These changes, recommended by the Standards Committee, aim to align the Audit Committee's responsibilities with the Global Internal Audit Standards (GIAS) in the UK Public Sector, thereby clarifying and strengthening its role in relation to internal audit. The proposed revisions to Annex 9, which consolidates Standing Orders for Scrutiny Committees and Scrutiny Reviews, include changes to the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Health Scrutiny Committee, ensuring they are appointed from opposition political groups. Other amendments relate to the procedures for calling in executive decisions and the conduct of meetings.

Motions on Notice

Several motions were scheduled for discussion, indicating significant public interest in various local issues:

Prostate Cancer Awareness Strategy

A motion proposed by Councillor M Bright and seconded by Councillor P Seeby highlighted that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer affecting men in England and a leading cause of cancer-related death. The motion noted that while Hertfordshire performs broadly in line with the England average for many cancer indicators, there is no dedicated county-wide strategy for prostate cancer awareness and early detection. The motion proposed requesting that the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Safety work with NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board to develop a Prostate Cancer Early Detection and Awareness Strategy. This would include establishing an annual awareness campaign, developing targeted programmes for at-risk groups, encouraging informed discussions about PSA testing, producing an annual report on prostate cancer incidence and inequalities, and working with community organisations to improve awareness. It also proposed writing to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the UK National Screening Committee to support a national targeted screening programme.

Utility Company Works and Highway Disruption

A motion submitted by Councillor M R Cowley and seconded by Councillor V Patel expressed concern that disruption from utility company works on highways remains a concern for residents, nearly a year after the Administration's commitment to reduce it. The motion proposed that a review of local processes for managing utility company works be undertaken, inviting ideas from councillors and officers and exploring best practices. It also proposed a Keeping Hertfordshire Moving Summit to agree priorities for changes to national legislation around utility company roadworks, and for the Executive Member for Highways to write to the Secretary of State for Transport requesting further powers to tackle disruption.

Out-of-County Placements for Looked-After Children

A motion proposed by Councillor Paula Hiscocks and seconded by Councillor Dee Hart noted that at the end of March 2026, 393 Hertfordshire looked-after children were placed outside the county, with 276 in neighbouring authorities. The motion raised concerns about the disruption caused by long-distance placements to children's education, stability, and family contact, and questioned whether financial pressures were contributing to these decisions. The motion recommended that the Executive Member for Children's Services publish a breakdown of out-of-county placements, an assessment of their impact, and a long-term plan to reduce reliance on them. It also recommended that financial pressures never override safeguarding needs and that the Council commits to ensuring every Hertfordshire child in care has access to safe, local care unless absolutely necessary.

Local Healthcare Provision

A motion submitted by Councillor D Hart and seconded by Councillor M Bright noted residents' variable access to GP appointments, dental, and mental health services, alongside growing demand and concerns about the future of cancer services and the impact of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) covering multiple county areas. The motion recommended expediting a clear statement on cancer services in Hertfordshire, meaningful engagement with towns and villages to guide local health provision, prioritising local urgent care in the South West due to poor facilities, and ensuring the NHS works to give residents confidence in local health support. It also highlighted that 80% of health determinants are outside the health service, advocating for closer working with councils, and questioned the future of patient voice following the potential abandonment of Healthwatch. The motion further recommended that the Chair write to Hertfordshire MPs requesting they lobby through the Health Bill readings to secure engagement and improvement in local services.

Temporary Road Closure Charges for Community Events

A motion submitted by Councillor I Albert and seconded by Councillor A K O Willoughby noted the vital role of community groups, charities, and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in strengthening local identity and delivering events. It highlighted that Hertfordshire County Council currently waives charges for Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) for these groups, but this arrangement is due to end in October 2026. The motion expressed concern that the cost of TTROs can be a significant barrier for volunteer-led organisations. It recommended the permanent continuation of exemptions from TTRO charges for community groups, registered charities, and BIDs, and a review of the exemption criteria. It also proposed writing to Hertfordshire Members of Parliament requesting that national regulations be updated to remove the statutory requirement for advertising road closures in local newspapers.

Council of Sanctuary Accreditation

A motion submitted by Councillor A K O Willoughby and seconded by Councillor B Kelly recognised that people fleeing violence, persecution, and conflict deserve dignity, compassion, and respect. It acknowledged Hertfordshire's tradition of supporting those seeking sanctuary and the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers. The motion requested consideration of the implications and resource requirements for Hertfordshire County Council working towards recognition as a Council of Sanctuary. It proposed requesting officer advice on the accreditation process, existing support, potential benefits, risks, and partnership opportunities. The motion also suggested exploring the development of a county-wide action plan to strengthen inclusion and community cohesion, and considering whether a Member Champion or cross-party working group would assist oversight. Finally, it proposed making recommendations to Cabinet regarding formal accreditation and the required actions and resources.

Other Scheduled Business

The agenda also included reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Health Scrutiny Committee, an interim appointment for the Section 151 Officer and Director of Finance, and proposed revisions to the Council's Constitution. The Executive Report to Council, covering decisions taken by the Cabinet and activities of the Leader of the Council, was also scheduled. Additionally, there were provisions for oral and written questions from members to the Leader and Executive Members, and questions from the public. The Council was also set to confirm the minutes of its previous meeting.