The Southern Rural Community Forum was scheduled to convene to address community grant applications, receive an update on local government reorganisation, and discuss community matters. The forum was also expected to discuss topics for future meetings. Councillors were reminded to declare any interests at the start of each relevant item.

Community Grant Applications

The forum was scheduled to consider community grant applications for recommendation to the Executive Member for Governance. A report in the public reports pack outlined the current expenditure and balances of the Community Grant budget, detailing recent requests for funding from community groups and local organisations.

The Community Grant budget for the Southern Rural Community Forum for the year 2025/26 is £15,000. To date, £2,198 has been paid out, leaving a remaining budget of £12,802.

The forum was asked to consider the following applications:

• Offley Parish Council requested £600 towards the purchase of three Christmas trees and lights for local village festivals. According to the report pack:

Following requests from local residents, Offley Parish Council intend to erect three Christmas trees and outdoor lights across the village and hamlets of Cockernhoe, Mangrove Green, and Tea Green. This is with the aim of bringing comfort and joy during the festive period. Offley Village already benefits from a similar installation, and this expansion ensures a more inclusive celebration across the parish.

The environmental implications of using real Christmas trees were considered, with the report pack stating that Offley Parish Council had opted not to use potted trees due to their higher cost and the difficulty in sourcing trees of the required size. Councillor Steven Patmore is a District Councillor and also on Offley Parish Council.

• Preston School Association requested £1,500 towards the replacement of the outdoor activity trail at Preston Primary School. The report pack stated that the school's wooden activity trail has been condemned as unsafe and is no longer usable. The total cost of the replacement project is £12,798, with the school and PSA having already secured £8,600 through fundraising and internal contributions. The PSA also has an open application with the National Lottery Community Fund to cover the remaining balance of the project. The report pack noted that a phased replacement of the activity trail would minimise wood waste and environmental impact, using biodegradable and renewable wooden materials, with all removed waste responsibly recycled by the supplier.

Local Government Reorganisation

Councillor Laura Williams, Executive Member for Local Government Reorganisation/Devolution, was scheduled to deliver a presentation and Q&A session on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

The government requires all local authorities in areas with two tiers of local government to develop proposals for reorganisation to establish a single tier. According to the report pack, the objectives for LGR are:

• Simplified, more efficient and more resilient council structures
• More consistent service access
• Greater transparency in decision-making
• A stronger local voice in how councils operate

A single unitary council for the whole of Hertfordshire has been ruled out because it would be too large. Instead, councils are working together to explore options that are more locally focused and responsive, including multiple unitary authorities that better reflect the identity of different parts of the county.

The 11 councils in Hertfordshire have developed three potential options for how local government could be structured in the future. A survey is available online for residents to provide feedback on the proposals. The deadline for submissions is 28 November 2025.

An Extraordinary Council meeting is scheduled for 13 November 2025 to consider the submission, and a final decision will be made at a Cabinet meeting on 19 November 2025. A decision on which proposal to take forward is expected in 2026, with elections to the new unitary authorities anticipated in May 2027, and Vesting Day in 2028.

Community Update

The forum was scheduled to receive a community update to ensure members are kept informed of the work of the Community Partnerships Team.

Districtwide updates included:

• Co-ordinating various local and district wide Network Groups including Youth Action, Food Provision, Arts and Culture and Green and Growing Group.
• Coordinating voluntary support response to Asylum Seekers based in North Herts.
• Continuing to facilitate NHC Councillors' Community Surgeries.
• Sharing and disseminating information on social media and to mailing lists, keeping in touch with the community, voluntary, statutory, and non-statutory agencies

Area community updates from Laura Hartley, Community Partnerships Officer, included:

• Continuing to attend Parish Council meetings to make closer links with the parishes and local groups.
• Meeting with Kimpton Folk Festival to discuss the future of the festival, support and guidance on the Community Grant.
• Attending the 'Topping out' ceremony for the new Pirton Pavilion, who received funding towards the project from North Herts Council.
• Presenting and holding a stall at the North Herts & Stevenage Centre for Voluntary Service's Funding Summit on 18th September.
• Attending Ickleford Village Hall's 100 years of service celebration on 20th September.