Council backs four unitary authority option at Special Cabinet meeting
At a Special Cabinet meeting tonight (17 Nov), WHBC's Cabinet Members decided that a four unitary authority is their preferred approach for the reorganisation of Local Government in Hertfordshire.
There was a good discussion among Cabinet members about the merits of the different options and the Cabinet took the views of the Councillors at the recent Council meeting and those of the residents into consideration in coming to their choice.
All ten Borough and District councils in Hertfordshire, along with the County Council, have worked closely together over the past year to review options, considering a range of factors including local democracy and identity, local services, and key issues such as financial stability.
Councils agreed to detailed modelling of three different options, with two, three or four new councils being created, with varying geography, population and approach to services.
Councillor Max Holloway, Leader of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, said:
“The reorganisation of Local Government in Hertfordshire will influence the future of service delivery for a long time to come. I would like to thank officers at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and across Hertfordshire for their hard work in producing the submission document. I would also like to thank the councillors that attended last Wednesday’s Council meeting to discuss what is one of the most important and substantial changes to Local Government in over 50 years. It is now up to the Government to decide what they believe will be the best option for Hertfordshire.”
Councillor Jane Quinton, Deputy Leader of the Council, said:
“This important decision which will have major consequences for the future of Welwyn Hatfield, its businesses and residents was not a straightforward choice. All the Cabinet members were committed to selecting the best option for Borough even if our views differed on what the option was. We now hope the Government will take those views into consideration and listen to our choices.”
The final submission to Government will be made by 28 November, with the Government due to launch a formal consultation on the proposals in spring 2026, and a decision expected in summer 2026.