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. In East Herts, information and the feedback survey will be shared at the following:
Saturday 13 September
10:00 – 12:00 Hertford Farmers' Market, Market Place, SG14 1DF
Thursday 18 September
10:00 – 12:00 Bishop’s Stortford Market, CM23 2LD
Friday 19 September
10:00 – 12:00. Bell Street Car Park, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 9AA
Monday 22 September
10:00 – 12:00 Buntingford Market, Market Hill, Buntingford, SG9 9AB
Tuesday 23 September
10:00 – 12:00 Ware Market, Tudor Square, Ware, SG12 9XF
Tuesday 23 September
19:00 – 20:00 The Council Chamber, Council Offices, Wallfields, Hertford, SG13 8EQ. In-person and on Teams - joining details below:
Meeting ID: 360 014 862 808 9
Passcode: gy36BF6R
A dedicated website also gives further information on the changes, how you can get involved and share your views at 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.
Councillor Ben Crystall, Leader of East Herts Council, said: “We’re looking forward to visiting communities throughout September to hear what people think. We especially want to know what matters most to protect, what opportunities people see for the future, and any concerns they may have. Our services touch people’s lives every single day, so these changes will affect everyone. That’s why it’s so important to share your views – whether online or in person.”
