The Hertfordshire County Council met on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, to discuss and vote on proposals for local government reorganisation within the county. The council ultimately voted to recommend a two-unitary authority model as the preferred option for the government's proposed reforms.

Local Government Reorganisation

The primary focus of the meeting was the submission of final proposals for local government reorganisation in Hertfordshire. Councillors debated the merits and drawbacks of various models, including two, three, and four unitary authorities, as well as the option of maintaining the current structure.

Councillor Steve Jarvis, Leader of the Council, moved the motion, stating that the government had asked councils to submit proposals for replacing existing authorities with unitary ones. He noted that significant resources had already been invested in developing these proposals and that the two-unitary model would, in his estimation, minimise the disruption to this Council and reduce the costs of the lowest cost solution.

Councillor Richard Roberts, Leader of the Conservative Group, expressed concerns about the process, describing it as a foreshortened and brutal curtailment of democracy. He highlighted the significant cost of reorganisation, estimated to be over £100 million, and warned of potential increases in council tax and disruption to services. He also noted that the government's plan was not in its manifesto and that there had been a lack of continuity in government leadership on the matter.

The lead speaker for the Reform UK group, David Herring, thanked officers for their work but questioned whether residents cared about governance models or simply wanted services delivered well. He pointed to previous reorganisations in places like Dorset, Cumbria, and Buckinghamshire, which had incurred substantial costs and taken years to implement, often impacting frontline services. He concluded that Local reorganization may have its day but that day is not today.

Kirsty Taylor-Moran, Leader of the Green Group, argued that the reorganisation was being imposed without a mandate and that the process was rushed. She expressed concern that town and parish councils had been ignored and that new unitary authorities would not have adequate resources to invest in public services. The Green Group's preferred option was three unitary authorities, which they believed offered a better balance for residents and financial viability.

Nigel Bell, Leader of the Labour Group, acknowledged that there was no ideal option but leaned towards supporting a four-unitary model, believing it would be closer to residents and better reflect local identities. He stressed that reforms should be about more than just saving money, aiming for a more efficient and democratic outcome.

Councillor Chris Lucas, Executive Member for Resources and Performance, argued strongly in favour of the two-unitary authority model, stating that it was the only viable and responsible option from a financial perspective. He warned that other models would almost certainly bake in inefficiencies and certain bankruptcies.

Councillor Fiona Thomson, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group, described local government reorganisation as the gift that no one asks for and no one wants. She expressed concern that breaking up Hertfordshire would not improve services and highlighted the lack of consensus across the county for any specific model.

Councillor Anthony Rowlands, Executive Member for Children's Social Care, spoke in favour of the two-unitary model, citing the success of Hertfordshire's children's services, which had been rated outstanding by Ofsted. He quoted a letter from independent scrutineers stating that the more we disaggregate the services to adults children and their families the higher the risks are which directly correlate to fragmentation of partnership workforce and funding.

Councillor Seamus Quilty BEM, a councillor for 24 years, expressed his belief that the current system works well and that dismantling it was unnecessary. He stated, it doesn't really matter to me whether you do two three four five six whatever it's wrong what you are doing is breaking something that works and works well and why are we breaking it because the wretched government want to move the goal posts.

Councillor Liz Needham, Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee, supported the two-unitary authority model, arguing it made both strategic and financial sense. She highlighted the scale required for adult social care and children's services and the potential for savings and resilience with larger authorities.

Councillor Vishal Patel argued for the reconsideration of a single unitary authority, suggesting it could deliver the greatest financial savings and that area working groups could maintain local identity and responsiveness.

Ultimately, after extensive debate and a vote, Hertfordshire County Council recommended the two-unitary authority model. The vote was as follows:

• Two unitary authorities: 24 votes
• Three unitary authorities: 2 votes
• Four unitary authorities: 5 votes
• Abstentions: 2 votes
• Not voting: 7 votes
• Absent: The remainder of the members.

The meeting also included a brief statement from the Chairman of the Council, Councillor Laurence Brass, regarding personal abuse he had received following a previous meeting. He used the opportunity to urge for greater respect and courtesy among elected members. There were no public questions or petitions.