The Cabinet of Hertfordshire Council met on Wednesday 18 March 2026 to discuss and approve several key strategies and plans. Decisions made included the endorsement of a street lighting policy review, the approval of the Adult Care Services Plan 2026-2028, the adoption of the refreshed Hertfordshire Carers Strategy, and the approval of the new SEND Strategy 2026-2029, alongside capital investment for new special educational needs provision.

Street Lighting Policy Review

The Cabinet agreed to endorse the scope of a review into the council's street lighting policy. This review will examine the implications of potential changes to the current part-night lighting policy, which sees street lights turn off between 1 am and 5 am. The review will consider financial implications, the effect on carbon emissions, and any changes within local areas since the policy was first introduced in 2012. The findings will be reported back to the Highways Cabinet panel in due course.

Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Plan Performance Report 2024/25

The Cabinet noted the Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Plan Asset Performance Report for 2024/25. This report, which looks back at the previous financial year, is submitted to the Department for Transport to support bids for additional funding. While the report highlights concerns, particularly regarding U-class roads, it also identifies areas where funding has been allocated to maintain highway infrastructure. The council acknowledged the significant national shortfall in highway infrastructure funding and agreed to reflect on how to bring such performance reports to be more timely and relevant.

Adult Care Services Plan 2026-2028

The Cabinet approved the Adult Care Services Plan for 2026-2028. This overarching plan outlines the strategy for adult care services over the next two years, encompassing a range of detailed strategies. The plan acknowledges the significant scale of services provided, including over 75,000 requests for support annually and care for over 30,000 residents. Key themes include increasing independence, preventing the need for higher levels of social care through initiatives like the Connect and Prevent programme, tackling loneliness, and improving supported living and nursing home provision.

Refreshed Hertfordshire Carers Strategy

The Hertfordshire Carers Strategy was approved, representing an all-age strategy for both children's and adult carers. Developed through co-production with carers and carers' organisations, the strategy highlights the foundational role of unpaid carers, whose work is valued at £184 billion annually across the UK. The strategy aims to enhance the well-being of carers, identify those who may not self-identify, and provide support at an early stage to prevent them from becoming overburdened. A key focus is on raising awareness within schools regarding the responsibilities of young carers. The strategy also details the transition of support for young carers from an external provider to an in-house service, with a commitment to a follow-up report to ensure the strengthened support.

Crisis Resilience Fund

The Cabinet agreed to the proposed Crisis Resilience Fund allocation plan, which replaces the Household Support Fund. While the new fund offers three years of funding, it represents a 26% reduction in overall financial provision compared to previous years. The fund's focus is on supporting individuals and households in crisis and building resilience within both their lives and the community. A significant change is the discontinuation of blanket voucher provisions for households with children in receipt of free school meals. Instead, a crisis support fund will be established to provide payments for food, energy and other essential goods to households identified as being in crisis by professionals. The plan also includes provisions for care leavers and acknowledges the crucial role of voluntary sector partners in delivering services.

New SEND Strategy 2026-2029

The Cabinet agreed to the new SEND Strategy for 2026-2029 and agreed that it should be published. This strategy has been developed in collaboration with children, young people, parent carers, schools, and health colleagues. The strategy sets out six key priorities for improving outcomes and experiences for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Hertfordshire. It aims to make the best use of available resources and systems to improve the experiences of parents, schools, and children while awaiting national changes. The strategy will be supported by an annual improvement plan and will be reviewed continuously.

Approval of Capital Funding for New SEND Provision

The Cabinet approved the proposals for new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision across four schools and approved capital funding to deliver those schemes. This investment will support the delivery of the SEND strategy by creating new units and expanding existing provision. Specifically, a 12-place unit for children with cognition and learning needs will be established at The Morgan School in Hertford, and a 24-place unit for similar needs at Shepherd School in Rickmansworth. A 12-place unit for children with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs will be created at Westfield Primary School and Nursery in Berkhamsted. Additionally, Watling View Special School will see a 32-place expansion through a satellite provision at Oakmere Primary School in Potters Bar, catering to children with severe learning difficulties. These new provisions are designed to be embedded within the school communities, with governing bodies having confirmed their support following consultation.