Hertfordshire, United Kingdom —A major restructuring of local government in Hertfordshire is entering a decisive phase, as councils across the county begin formal deliberations on the future shape of local authority governance. Over the coming weeks, each council will determine which of three proposed “unitary” models they will support before submitting a joint recommendation to central government later this month.
The move follows the UK Government’s invitation to councils operating under a two-tier system — where responsibilities are split between county and district authorities — to propose new structures that streamline services and improve efficiency. In Hertfordshire, this process involves the county council, ten district and borough councils, and the Police and Crime Commissioner, all of whom have been collaborating to evaluate the potential models for reform.
Evidence-Based Options for Reform
As part of the review, councils jointly commissioned detailed modelling on three possible configurations for reorganisation: the creation of two, three, or four new unitary councils, each varying in geography, population size, and service delivery structure. The evidence-based approach was endorsed by all eleven participating authorities and incorporates findings from public engagement carried out across Hertfordshire in September 2025.
The consultation process provided residents, local businesses, and community groups with an opportunity to comment on how local government should operate in the future. The feedback, according to officials, has been integral to shaping the analysis now under consideration by elected councillors.
Councillors in each authority will debate the merits and potential drawbacks of the three proposed models, assessing how each could affect local services, fiscal sustainability, and the overall responsiveness of government. The debates are expected to take place throughout November, culminating in the preparation of a joint submission to Westminster by Friday, 28 November 2025.
Democratic Process and Public Accountability
The joint submission will outline the findings and evidence supporting each model and will be made available for public viewing at www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk. While all three configurations are expected to remain under consideration, individual councils will indicate their preferred option, which will form part of the collective recommendation.
“The joint submission will be made to Government on Friday 28 November and will include evidence to support the three unitary model options,” a spokesperson confirmed. “The document can be viewed at www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk.”
Once submitted, the proposal will undergo review by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), which is overseeing the national local government reorganisation initiative. A final decision from the Government is anticipated in summer 2026.
Evaluating the Options
The three models under review differ primarily in how they would consolidate administrative and service functions across Hertfordshire.
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The two-unitary model could divide the county roughly into northern and southern authorities, aiming to balance population size and economic capacity while maintaining regional coherence.
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The three-unitary model would create smaller authorities, each focused on distinct sub-regions, potentially allowing for more localised service delivery.
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The four-unitary model represents the most decentralised option, with each authority covering a smaller geographical footprint, thereby offering a highly localised approach but possibly at higher administrative cost.
Officials involved in the process have emphasised that the modelling work has been data-driven, assessing factors such as population growth, economic activity, infrastructure, transport networks, and the financial viability of service delivery.
Balancing Efficiency and Local Representation
The reorganisation aims to address long-standing challenges associated with the two-tier system, where overlapping responsibilities between county and district councils can lead to duplication, inefficiency, and confusion for residents. Advocates of unitary governance argue that consolidating local services under a single administrative body can lead to more efficient decision-making and improved accountability.
At the same time, many councillors are keen to ensure that smaller communities do not lose their representation or local identity under a larger, unified structure. Public sentiment has reflected both the desire for simplified governance and concerns about accessibility and local autonomy.
Next Steps
The next several weeks will see lively debate in council chambers across Hertfordshire, as members weigh the evidence and public opinion. The process will culminate in the county’s formal submission to government, outlining all three unitary models along with each council’s preferred choice.
If approved, the reorganisation would mark one of the most significant shifts in Hertfordshire’s local governance in decades — potentially reshaping how services such as planning, housing, transport, and social care are delivered to more than 1.2 million residents.
A decision from the UK Government is expected in summer 2026, setting the stage for implementation planning in the years that follow.
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