The Cabinet of Hertfordshire Council met on Thursday 6 November 2025. The Cabinet agreed to consult on a new SEND strategy and unanimously agreed to the proposal to enlarge Southfield School by 26 places from September 2026. The Cabinet also agreed to proceed with public consultations on proposed school reorganisation arrangements for Sandon JMI School, Albury C of E VA Primary School, and St Nicholas Elstree C of E VA Primary School. The Cabinet endorsed the proposed five-year Care Homes Commissioning Strategy for Older People and the accompanying two-year action plan, and adopted the Three Rivers District Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

Agreement to Consult on a New SEND Strategy

The Cabinet agreed to a 12-week public consultation on the draft SEND Strategy 2026-2029. Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, Councillor Mark Watkin, presented the strategy, highlighting that it has been developed following extensive engagement, including a SEND Summit and surveys involving over 1000 voices from young people, parent carers, staff, and schools. The strategy aims to improve experiences for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) by focusing on six ambitions: Listen, Engage, Collaborate, Evolve; Early Identification & Support; Local Provision for Children and Young People; Aspirational for All; Preparing for the Future; and Strong Foundations. The consultation will run from mid-November 2025 to early February 2026.

Outcome of Consultation on Proposal to Enlarge Southfield School, Hatfield

The Cabinet unanimously agreed to the proposal to enlarge Southfield School by 26 places from September 2026. Councillor Mark Watkin, Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, reported that the consultation on the proposal to increase the school's capacity from 100 to 126 places received 53 responses, with 77.4% agreeing with the expansion. Concerns raised during the consultation primarily focused on the impact of increased traffic on Woods Avenue, which is already busy due to four schools located on the road. Officers responded by outlining plans to increase the on-site pick-up and drop-off area for minibuses and taxis to prevent queuing on Woods Avenue. The expansion will involve the delivery of a new modular building, and the necessary capital funding of £1.711 million has been approved. The enlargement is expected to save £1.248 million per year compared to placing pupils in costly independent provision.

Approval to Consult on Proposed Future School Reorganisation Arrangements

The Cabinet agreed to proceed with public consultations on proposed school reorganisation arrangements for Sandon JMI School, Albury C of E VA Primary School, and St Nicholas Elstree C of E VA Primary School. Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, Councillor Mark Watkin, explained that falling birth rates and declining pupil numbers across Hertfordshire are impacting school viability. The proposals aim to address a projected surplus of 2,500 reception children by 2029-30, equivalent to 84 forms of entry.

• Sandon JMI School: This rural community school currently has 27 pupils on roll against a capacity of 105. The summer 2025 pupil forecast indicates a surplus of 0.4-0.7FE over the next four years. The school's financial analysis shows a projected cumulative deficit of £48,634 by 2027/28. The cost of closure is estimated at £150,000. The Cabinet panel supported providing an extra year for the school to demonstrate its viability.
• Albury C of E VA Primary School: This rural Voluntary Aided school has a capacity of 84 pupils but only 44 on roll. The summer 2025 pupil forecast indicates a surplus of 0.6-0.7FE over the next four years. The school's financial analysis shows a projected cumulative deficit of £506,419 by 2027/28. The cost of closure is estimated at £500,000.
• St Nicholas Elstree C of E VA Primary School: This Voluntary Aided school has a capacity of 105 pupils but only 57 on roll. The summer 2025 pupil forecast indicates a surplus of 1.3FE rising to 3.8FE over the next four years. The school's financial analysis shows a projected cumulative deficit of £681,495 by 2027/28. The cost of closure is estimated at £500,000.

The public consultations for Albury C of E VA Primary School and St Nicholas Elstree C of E VA Primary School will commence on 17 November 2025 and will be followed by reporting back to the Education, SEND & Inclusion Cabinet Panel and Cabinet in early 2026. A decision on Sandon JMI School was deferred for one year.

Care Homes Commissioning Strategy for Older People

The Cabinet endorsed the proposed five-year Care Homes Commissioning Strategy for Older People and the accompanying two-year action plan. Executive Member for Adult Care Services, Councillor Sally Symington, presented the strategy, highlighting the significant financial commitment of £110.7 million for residential and nursing care purchasing in 2025-26. The strategy aims to address challenges identified by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), including improvements to nursing care, and to tackle economic, operational, and workforce challenges that contribute to an undersupply of affordable care. The strategy focuses on four priority areas: commissioning better outcomes for older people with dementia and frailty, supporting provider partnerships and sustainability, partnerships for strategic care estate delivery, and working with Integrated Care System (ICS) partners to better support people living in care homes. The strategy acknowledges a projected shortfall of 800 affordable nursing beds by 2032 and aims to address this by bringing forward council-commissioned homes to shape the market and ensure the best possible care at the best rates.

Three Rivers District Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan

The Cabinet adopted the Three Rivers District Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). Executive Member for Environment, Transport and Growth, Councillor Paul Zukowskyj, reported that the plan has been in development since 2020 and has undergone extensive public consultation, resulting in several amendments. Key changes include the removal of a proposed route across Chorleywood Common and Common Road, with an alternative focus on extending a cycle route along the A404 to Clement Danes School. The plan identifies five priority cycle routes and three core walking zones, aiming to encourage modal shift towards active travel by improving infrastructure. The adoption of the LCWIP will enable the council to bid for further Department for Transport funding and negotiate developer contributions for scheme implementation. Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Executive Member for Highways, noted the unanimous support for the plan and its potential to leverage significant funding.

The meeting also confirmed the minutes of the previous Cabinet meeting held on 13 October 2025 and noted that there were no questions from members of the council or public petitions.