The Hertfordshire County Council meeting on Tuesday 17 February 2026 saw the adoption of the Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy for 2026/27 to 2029/30, which includes a 2.99% Council Tax increase plus a 2% Adult Social Care precept. The council also agreed to join the Border to Coast Pension Partnership Ltd investment pool and approved the Pay Policy for 2026-27.

Budget 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy

The council adopted the Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2026/27 to 2029/30, setting a revenue budget of £1,207.5m and a Council Tax Requirement of £877.3m. This includes a Band D Council Tax of £1,545.69 plus a £312.50 Social Care precept for 2026/27. The budget also incorporates an additional £1m investment in highways maintenance and £350k for air quality projects. A key decision was to extend the care leaver council tax support scheme up to the age of 25, at an estimated annual cost of £150k. An amendment proposed by Councillor M Hurst and seconded by Councillor S Jacob, which sought to reinstate funding for youth engagement in the Fire Service, increase Member Locality budgets, and fund the Carers Hub, was lost. The council also agreed to a capital programme totalling £1,309.1m for the period 2026/27 to 2029/30.

Members' Allowances 2026 - 2027

The council approved a Scheme for Members' Allowances for 2026/27, adopting all the recommendations of the Independent Panel on Members' Allowances. This includes aligning the Basic Allowance percentage increase with the National Joint Council for Local Government Employees settlement and maintaining current Special Responsibility Allowances. The Dependants' Carers' Allowance for childcare will increase to £14.80 per hour, and for adult care to £27.24 per hour.

Decision on the Pension Fund Investment Pool

The council agreed to become a shareholder of Border to Coast Pension Partnership Ltd (BCPP) and to set up a Joint Governance Committee. This decision follows the government's directive for LGPS funds to consolidate investments into larger pools. Hertfordshire Pension Fund will join six other ACCESS funds and twelve other authorities in BCPP, creating a pool managing approximately £110bn in assets. The council also agreed to amend the Inter Authority Agreement with the ACCESS Pool to facilitate its winding up.

Report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee's report on its scrutiny of the budget was received. The committee had conducted evidence-gathering sessions and made recommendations to Cabinet, which were subsequently considered by the council.

Report from the Health Scrutiny Committee

The Health Scrutiny Committee's report was received. The committee had been active in writing letters to various NHS bodies requesting updates on issues such as blood test waiting lists at Cheshunt Community Hospital and waiting times for fracture clinics. They are also drafting a letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care regarding capital investment for adult mental health inpatient bed provision.

Pay Policy 2026 – 2027

The council adopted the Pay Policy for 2026-27, which remains consistent in format with the previous year's policy, with updated figures and dates. The policy outlines the council's approach to senior manager remuneration and the lowest paid employees, adhering to the Localism Act 2011.

Motions on Notice

Several motions were referred to Cabinet Panels for consideration:

• Adult Care Services Cabinet Panel: A motion concerning future support for unpaid carers, including identifying hidden carers, improving transition points, and working with employers and educational providers.
• Children's Social Care Cabinet Panel: A motion calling for a review and uplift of fees and allowances for in-house foster carers to improve recruitment and retention, and reduce reliance on Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs).
• Resources and Performance Cabinet Panel: A motion addressing a drop in Council Tax collection, proposing a review of collection practices with district councils and Council Tax Support Schemes.
• Environment, Transport and Growth Cabinet Panel: A motion noting the government's new powers to restrict pavement parking and instructing officers to report on the impact, mitigation options, communication plans, and verge damage prevention.

Written Questions to Executive Members

Written questions were submitted and responded to on various topics, including:

• Adult Care: A question regarding the increase in adults waiting for Occupational Therapy assessments, with a detailed response outlining current waits, recruitment efforts, and management strategies.
• Highways: Questions concerning the number of temporary pothole repairs and subsequent permanent repairs, and steps being taken to better coordinate works on the public highway to minimise disruption.
• Public Health and Community Safety: Questions regarding the delay in the redevelopment of The Joint Emergency Services Academy (JESA) in Stevenage, and the council's role in helping community groups bid for grassroots sports facility funding.
• Children's Social Care: Questions addressed the increase in children coming into care, with a response clarifying that numbers have not increased year-on-year and detailing preventative measures. A further question focused on innovations in foster carer recruitment, with a detailed response outlining marketing campaigns and the Foster East Alliance.
• Education, SEND and Inclusion: A question regarding SEND provision in the Borough of Broxbourne, with a detailed explanation of how new provision is allocated and plans for expansion.
• Environment, Transport and Growth: A question about the council's strategy for supporting young people into employment and education, given national trends in job vacancies and unemployment.
• Highways: Questions regarding pavement and carriageway repair quality, the roll-out of the Roadmender scheme, and the impact of higher weight vehicles on roads.
• Public Health and Community Safety: Questions about fire station closures, fire safety advice for properties with combustible materials, the Public Health Nursing Service, and action to combat domestic violence.
• Resources and Performance: Questions concerning the format of performance reports, financial management of the budget, and the capital programme.
• Sustainability: Questions about the council's approach to environmental sustainability and the promotion of a 'home-grown Christmas tree' campaign.

The meeting also included the confirmation of previous minutes, Chairman's announcements, and reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Health Scrutiny Committee.