Here's a summary of the Hertfordshire Council Cabinet meeting:

The Hertfordshire County Council Cabinet convened to discuss several key issues, including education, social care, and infrastructure. The cabinet agreed to consult on a new SEND strategy, approved the expansion of a special school, considered proposals for school reorganisations, endorsed a care home commissioning strategy, and adopted a local cycling and walking infrastructure plan.

Here's a more detailed look at the topics discussed:

School Reorganisation

The Cabinet considered proposals to consult on the future of three primary schools facing challenges due to low pupil numbers. Councillor Mark Watkin, Executive member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, explained that the Albury community did not react with the same passion and energy as the other two.

The Cabinet made the following decisions:

• Sir Nicholas Elstree CofE VA Primary School: Supported a consultation on the potential closure of the school.
• Albury CofE VA Primary School: Supported a consultation on the potential closure of the school.
• Sandon JMI School: Deferred a decision on the school's future for a year, allowing the school an opportunity to progress a plan to increase pupil numbers.

Councillor Steve Jarvis, Leader of the Council, spoke in support of the deferral for Sandon JMI School, noting the community and governors had made a case for reasons that went beyond falling numbers, and that new developments could bring in pupils.

Tim Williams, standing in for the Executive member for Resources and Performance, highlighted that birth rates in Hertfordshire are declining and are not expected to rise until the 2040s, leading to an oversupply of school places. He said:

there is an oversupply of places and there are challenges and we need to be on top of that.

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE, Executive member for Highways, raised concerns about factoring in the government's growth agenda for Hertfordshire and the potential influx of younger children. Councillor Watkin responded that the long-term strategic development for Hertfordshire is a factor, but the immediate education of children currently in struggling schools must be considered.

Councillor Paul Zukowskyj, Executive member for Environment, Transport and Growth, added that growth in certain areas can safeguard schools, as it maintains their economic viability. Councillor Anthony Rowlands, Executive member for Children's Social Care, noted that officers are heavily invested in projecting forward birth rates.

SEND Strategy

The Cabinet agreed to launch a 12-week public consultation on the draft SEND Strategy 2026-2029. Councillor Mark Watkin explained that the panel supported the consultation exercise unanimously. The panel had asked for a more detailed plan for how the consultation would be conducted, with emphasis on consulting schools, families and young people.

The strategy is intended to show how the council intends to continue improvements in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and make a significant difference within the limitations of the national SEND structures.

Southfield School Expansion

The Cabinet approved a proposal to enlarge Southfield School, a special school in Hatfield, by 26 places from September 2026. Councillor Mark Watkin said there was unanimous support for the proposal.

Councillor Paul Zukowskyj expressed initial reservations due to the cumulative impact of school expansions on the road network, but was delighted with the response from the team, who engaged with local schools and highways to mitigate traffic impacts.

Care Home Commissioning Strategy

The Cabinet endorsed a five-year care homes commissioning strategy for older people, along with a two-year delivery plan. Sally Symington, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive member for Adult Care Services, explained that residential and nursing commissioning for older people is a major statutory responsibility, with a budget of £110 million for 2025-26.

The strategy builds on feedback from a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report, highlighting priorities for improvements to nursing care. It aims to address the increasing number of older people with high and complex frailty, dementia, and nursing needs, as well as economic, operational, and workforce challenges driving undersupply in affordable care homes. The strategy focuses on proactively shaping the market, particularly in North Hearts and Three Rivers, where there are the lowest numbers of care homes and the highest nursing care rates.

Three Rivers Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)

The Cabinet adopted the final Three Rivers District Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan and its appendices. Councillor Paul Zukowskyj said the plan was long in gestation but coherent, and it was unanimously recommended to Cabinet.

Councillor David indicated that the plan had been a long time coming, and there had been considerable public consultation, with substantial changes made to meet the needs of Chorley Wood residents. He said the plan would helpfully lever in substantial funding, either from central government or from Section 106 agreements, and further develop the individual routes within this plan.

Councillor Zukowskyj noted the balance between walking and cycling, and the need to think more carefully about walking infrastructure in these plans.