Devolution and local government reorganisation in Hertfordshire

In December 2024, the government published the English Devolution White Paper which sets out proposals for major changes to the way local government is structured and run.

The ambition is for:

all areas of the country to be covered by an elected Mayor – devolution
all 2-tier areas, like Hertfordshire, to be reorganised into single tier unitary authorities – local government reorganisation.

Our priority is to ensure that any changes benefit Hertfordshire’s residents and businesses, and maintain our excellent local government services.

Read the English Devolution White Paper (GOV.UK)

Devolution in Hertfordshire
Local government reorganisation in Hertfordshire
Next steps

Devolution in Hertfordshire

Devolution involves giving powers that currently sit with the government to a local area. This allows local decision-makers to have more say in what happens in their area.

The government wants to achieve this by establishing "Strategic Authorities" led by elected Mayors.

A new Strategic Authority could be created covering just Hertfordshire, or Hertfordshire could join with neighbouring counties. The new authority would oversee areas such as:

housing
highways and transport
economic growth
skills and employment support
environment and climate change
health and public safety.

We have written to the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government (PDF 189KB) to express Hertfordshire's ambition to request progress towards the establishment of a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA), as soon as possible.

Local government reorganisation in Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire currently has a 2-tier system of local government with:

Hertfordshire County Council providing countywide services such as social care, highways, and education
10 district and borough councils delivering local services such as planning, leisure, housing, and waste collection.

Government has asked all 2-tier areas to submit interim proposals for how the reorganisation could work by 21 March 2025 – and full proposals by 28 November 2025. Letter to Hertfordshire (GOV.UK)

Hertfordshire also has 124 parish and town councils. The government is not currently proposing any changes to this these.

Next steps

Hertfordshire's Local Government Reorganisation Proposal is now available to view as draft documents. These documents will be reviewed by the 11 councils of Hertfordshire in a series of meetings from 12th - 20th November. It is expected that each council will decide to support either the 2, 3, or 4 unitary authority model.

The final version of the Local Government Reorganisation Proposal will be published and submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) by Friday 28th November.

All 11 councils in Hertfordshire are dedicated to reshaping local government to deliver simple, accountable, and sustainable services for our 1.2 million residents.

Hertfordshire LGR Proposal (PDF 4.7MB)

Hertfordshire LGR 2UA Sup-proposal (PDF 2.4MB)

Hertfordshire LGR 3UA Sup-proposal (PDF 3.4MB)

Hertfordshire LGR 4UA Sup-proposal (PDF 2.6MB)

Hertfordshire LGR EQIA (PDF 383KB)

If you’d like a document in another format, email: Communications@broxbourne.gov.uk

Whilst proposals are developed, there won't be any immediate changes to services provided by Hertfordshire County Council or the district and borough councils.

Timescales

We're working to these timelines, set out by the government:

21 March 2025 – interim submission to Government on local government reorganisation (PDF, 467KB) submitted.
1 May 2025 – Hertfordshire County Council elections were held.
15 May – Government feedback on interim submission on Local Government Reorganisation received.
28 November 2025 – submit full local government reorganisation proposal.
May 2027 – elections for shadow authorities. Shadow authorities are the new unitary council(s) before they formally take on all responsibilities.
April 2028 – when the new authority formally takes on all responsibilities (this is sometimes called "vesting day").

How many councils will Hertfordshire have in future?

No decisions have been made.

There are currently differing views on the future model for local government in Hertfordshire. A number of options have been put forward in our interim submission to government. We're working with district and borough councils to find the best way to protect and improve services to our residents, support our businesses to grow, and provide value for money.

Impact on County Council elections

Hertfordshire County Council elections were held on 1 May 2025.

Unlike some areas, Hertfordshire County Council did not ask government to delay this year’s elections, nor apply for a fast-track devolution priority programme. We decided this would: