Hertfordshire council reorganisation decision withdrawn and delayed

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 30 Oct, 17:19 · Archive

The Government has withdrawn its decision to reorganise Hertfordshire's councils into four unitary authorities under local government reorganisation, delaying the process by a year. The announcement was made on 29 October by local government minister Jim McMahon. A new decision will be made by early next year, with the aim of holding elections to shadow unitary authorities in May 2028 before they formally take power in 2029. Elections to existing councils will now proceed as scheduled in May next year.

The original proposal, announced in July, would have replaced Hertfordshire County Council and ten district or borough councils with four new unitary authorities, each taking over all county, district and borough council responsibilities. However, the Government had paused the local government reorganisation process in September after councils across the country began exploring the possibility of judicial reviews against the shake-up.

McMahon said that in Hertfordshire and similar areas, 'all options and proposals will remain under consideration and I'll approach all of those with an open mind'. This means the four-unitary plan could be changed. Alternative proposals have been put forward for the county to be split into two or three unitary authorities instead.

The minister stated that withdrawing the decisions was 'not a reflection on the work underpinning those proposals'. He added that a review of the local government reorganisation process had concluded it was 'robust' and that 'existing criteria' for assessing proposals would remain in place.

Steve Jarvis, leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said he was 'pleased' that the Government had withdrawn its four-unitary decision.

How it is being reported

• Hertfordshire council leader pleased by four-unitary decision withdrawalThe leader of Hertfordshire County Council, Steve Jarvis, has said he is “pleased” that the Government has withdrawn its decision to create four new unitary authorities for the county.Hemel Gazette · 30 Oct, 16:50
• Government announces delay to reorganisation of Hertfordshire's councilsThe reorganisation of Hertfordshire’s councils has been delayed by a year, the Government has announced.Hemel Gazette · 29 Oct, 14:13
• Hertfordshire council reorganisation decision withdrawn and delayed for a yearHertfordshire council reorganisation delayed as Government withdraws four-unitary plan; new decision due early next year, with May 2028 elections before 2029.Herts Advertiser · 29 Oct, 13:25
• Hertfordshire council reorganisation decision withdrawn and delayed for a yearHertfordshire council reorganisation delayed as Government withdraws four-unitary plan; new decision due early next year, with May 2028 elections before 2029.The Comet · 29 Oct, 13:25

In this story: Jim McMahon · Steve Jarvis · Hertfordshire · Hertfordshire County Council

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