Herts Residents invited to have their say on Local Government Reorganisation

Residents and organisations across Hertfordshire are being urged to have their say on proposals to change the structure of local government in the county.

In February 2025, the Government invited councils to submit proposals for local government reorganisation to simplify local government and reduce costs. The Government has today (5 February 2026) launched a seven-week statutory consultation on the proposals.

In Hertfordshire, there are currently two types of council delivering services (although parish and town councils also operate in some areas):

• District/borough councils provide services such as social housing and homelessness support, leisure services, town planning, street cleansing, waste and recycling collections, community and cultural centres, and council tax and business rates collection.
• The county council is responsible for services including children’s social care, education (including special educational needs), libraries, highways, recycling centres, public health and trading standards

Under the Government’s plan, these councils will be replaced by new unitary councils that will deliver all services currently provided by the county council and the district/borough councils.

Following a series of engagement events for residents and stakeholders, plus an online survey, Hertfordshire's 11 councils, together with the Police and Crime Commissioner, submitted proposals for two, three and four unitary council models for the Government to consider.

Full details of the three proposals, including business cases, financial analysis, maps showing the proposed boundaries, and a link to the Government’s consultation are available at: Local Government Reorganisation | Shaping Hertfordshire's Future.

Paper copies of the Government’s consultation will also be available in council receptions and in Hertfordshire libraries.

The Government’s consultation will close on 26 March 2026.

The Leaders of the 11 Hertfordshire councils said:

“We are committed to working together to deliver services that are as simple to access, accountable, and sustainable as possible for our 1.2 million residents.

“We have worked together throughout this process, listening to local communities and developing evidence-based proposals that reflect what matters most to people across our county.

"This statutory consultation is your opportunity to tell Central Government what you think. We encourage you to get involved and make your voice heard."

A decision from the Government is expected in summer 2026.

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Notes to Editors:

Two unitary council model

In the two unitary model Hertfordshire two unitary councils would be formed:

• Eastern (Broxbourne, East Herts, North Herts, Stevenage and Welwyn Hatfield)
• West (Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans, Three Rivers and Watford),

Each authority would serve approximately 600,000 residents.

Three unitary council model

In the three unitary model, three unitary councils would be formed:

• Eastern (Broxbourne, East Herts, North Herts, Stevenage)
• West (Dacorum, Three Rivers, Watford, plus Bushey from Hertsmere)
• Central (Hertsmere, St Albans, Welwyn Hatfield).

Populations in each authority would range from 350,000 to 480,000.

Four unitary council model

In the four unitary council model four unitary authorities would be formed:

• Eastern (Broxbourne, East Herts, plus six wards from North Herts and Cuffley & Northaw from Welwyn Hatfield)
• Central (North Herts, Stevenage, Welwyn Hatfield)
• South West (Hertsmere, Three Rivers, Watford)
• West (Dacorum, St Albans).

Each authority would serve 290,000–320,000 residents.

The three unitary and four unitary models include requests for boundary modifications to reflect local communities and ensure financial sustainability.