Hertfordshire’s 11 councils have today (3 September 2025) launched a second phase of engagement on the future of local government in the county.
Residents, community groups, businesses and wider stakeholders are invited to share their views on how services will be delivered in Hertfordshire in the years ahead. This is a once in a generation opportunity to help shape the future of local government.
In December 2024, the Government set out plans to simplify local government in England to make it easier for residents and businesses to access services and to save money.
In Hertfordshire, there are currently two types of council:
- District and borough councils, which provide services such as council tax collection, housing, planning, bin collections, car parks and leisure services.
- The county council, which is responsible for education (including special educational needs), libraries, highways, social care (caring for children and supporting adults who need help with daily living).
Under the Government’s plan, these councils will be replaced by new unitary councils that will deliver all services currently provided by the two separate types of council.
All councils in Hertfordshire are working together to explore what this would look like. The aim is to create a system of local government that is easy to understand, delivers good value for money and responds to the needs of local areas.
Over the next month, councils will hold a mix of in-person and online events across the county. An in-person event will take place in Broxbourne on Wednesday 17 September, 6-7.30pm at the Council’s offices in Cheshunt. Residents can register to attend this in-person event here.
There will also be an online event on Thursday 18 September, 6-7.30pm. Details of how to register can be found here.
A dedicated website will also give further information on the changes, how you can get involved and share your views. This can be accessed via www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk
This will remain open until 30 September 2025. After this date, councils will review all feedback before submitting the final proposal to Government at the end of November.
Leader of Broxbourne Council, Councillor Corina Gander said:
This is one of the biggest changes to local government in the last 50 years and it is important that residents have the opportunity to hear more about what is happening and share their views on what they think works well and what we can improve.
I am committed to working with the other council leaders in Hertfordshire to create new councils that are designed around what really works best for residents and local areas.
I would encourage everyone to attend one of the engagement events scheduled in Broxbourne to help shape the future of our area.