Help shape Hertfordshire’s future – have your say on changes to local government

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 housing, planning, bin collections, car parks and leisure services.
• The county council, which is responsible for schools, libraries, roads, 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. A dedicated website will also give further information on the changes, how you can get involved and share your views at: https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/. This will remain open until 30 September 2025. After this date councils will review all the feedback before submitting the final proposal to Government at the end of November.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE, the leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “This is set to be a huge moment of change for local government in Hertfordshire, and in Three Rivers. For many years we have all been accustomed to having a county council and a district council responsible for different services in our areas.

“This forthcoming reorganisation will change that, and now is you chance to have your say about what you would like the future of local government in our county to look like. Would you like smaller councils or larger councils, covering bigger areas? Visit the website, come to the events, find out more and have your say.”

Find our more about the in-person events taking place in Three Rivers here.