This week in Hertfordshire:

Schools Face Mobile Phone Crackdown

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussed a report on mobile phone policies in schools, highlighting the challenges and benefits of restricting phone use Link to meeting. While most Hertfordshire schools have restrictions in line with national guidance, concerns remain about equity and implementation.

• The Stakes: Mobile phone policies can impact student well-being, academic performance, and online safety.
• The Guidance: The Department for Education (DfE) recommends that all schools prohibit mobile phone use throughout the school day.
• The Challenges: Schools face challenges such as the cost of secure storage, pupils bringing multiple phones, and the need for parental cooperation.
• The Equity: Equity concerns arise as costs and enforcement can disproportionately affect some families.
• The Pledge: Local initiatives like the Smartphone-Free Childhood pledge have gained traction, with over 3,700 parents across 317 Hertfordshire schools committing to delay smartphone ownership until Year 9.
• The AI: Schools are encouraged to leverage Generative AI and digital tools to address underachievement, especially for disadvantaged pupils.

Economic Strategy and Growth Under Review

The Environment, Transport & Growth Cabinet Panel convened to discuss a range of issues, including the Hertfordshire Futures – Economic Strategy, recycling centres, street adoption, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure Link to meeting. They also discussed Hertfordshire's Speed Management Strategy and the Growth Annual Monitoring Report. No video was provided.

• The Stakes: These discussions shape the future of Hertfordshire's economy, environment, and infrastructure.
• The Economy: The panel discussed the Hertfordshire Futures – Economic Strategy, which aims to promote economic growth and prosperity across the county.
• The Environment: The panel considered reports on recycling centres and street adoption, highlighting the importance of waste management and public spaces.
• The Infrastructure: The panel received updates on electric vehicle charging infrastructure and Hertfordshire's Speed Management Strategy, reflecting the council's commitment to sustainable transport and road safety.

Scrutiny Work Programme Prioritises Key Issues

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee reviewed and updated its scrutiny work programme for 2025-26, ensuring it is balanced and reflects issues affecting Hertfordshire and its residents Link to meeting.

• The Stakes: The scrutiny work programme ensures that the council is held accountable for its decisions and actions.
• The Themes: The committee will focus on budget scrutiny and HCC staffing performance and productivity.
• The Review: A scrutiny review will include evidence on infrastructure delivery, planning enforcement, and sustainable transport.
• The Home Care: Councillor Richard Short raised concerns about home care delivery and whether cost is the primary driver leading to loneliness of people in receipt of care. A written response/briefing has been requested from Adult Care.

This week in Hertfordshire:

Council Examines Voting Controversy and Constitution Review

Hertfordshire County Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee convened a special meeting to dissect the contentious voting process at an extraordinary council gathering last month Link to meeting. The session aimed to extract lessons and prevent similar democratic snags in the future.

• The Flashpoint: The extraordinary meeting on November 19th saw an indicative vote on local government reorganisation, where councillors felt stifled in expressing opposition.
• The Protest: Councillor Alexander Curtis, who triggered the scrutiny meeting, decried the process as a mockery of deliberation that silenced, gagged, and provide a fair natural right to oppose.
• The Defense: Quentin Baker, Director of Law and Governance, defended the process as a necessary measure to avoid judicial review, given strict government parameters for reorganisation proposals. He stated that the process for the extraordinary council meeting was designed with an abundance of caution.
• The Fallout: The meeting exposed a divide, with some councillors feeling unheard and others defending the need for procedural rigor.
• The Resolution: The committee recommended a cross-party working group to review the council's constitution[^1], last fully updated in 2019, to ensure clarity and democratic principles are upheld. [^1]: The HCC Constitution is the document that sets out how Hertfordshire County Council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people.
• The Future: The Standards Committee will spearhead the review, with a working group ensuring all political voices, including independent Councillor Jan Maddern, are heard.

Standards Committee Tackles Complaints and Reviews Conduct Code

Following the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, the Standards Committee convened to address complaints against councillors and discuss potential overhauls to the ethical framework Link to meeting.

• The Complaints: The committee reviewed 16 complaints received under the Councillor Code of Conduct, ranging from failure to respond to emails to social media posts deemed racist.
• The Outcomes: Most complaints fell outside the committee's jurisdiction or did not warrant further action.
• The Changes: The committee discussed proposed changes to the standards regime, including a mandatory code of conduct, formal standards committees, and powers to suspend elected members.
• The Concerns: Councillor Ruth Brown raised concerns about the potential for increased activity and external resources needed to administer the revised system.
• The Balance: Councillor Ken Crofton emphasized the need for a timeline for both complainants and subject members to ensure timely resolution and prevent drawn-out stress.

County Council Grapples with Street Lighting, Devolution, and Political Divisions

Hertfordshire County Council tackled a packed agenda, ranging from a petition to keep street lights on to debates over devolution and the government's budget Link to meeting. The meeting also saw the appointment of Councillor Caroline Clapper as Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

• The Petition: A public petition urged the council to maintain street lighting throughout the night, citing safety concerns, particularly for women.
• The Response: Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE, Executive member for Highways, clarified that the policy involved dimming, not switching off, lights at 1 a.m. and committed to a review.
• The Devolution Debate: Councillors clashed over the merits of pursuing a mayoral strategic authority for Hertfordshire, with Conservatives expressing skepticism about the government's commitment and funding.
• The Budget Battle: A Conservative motion criticizing the government's budget was defeated, highlighting deep political divisions within the council.
• The School Safety: A Reform UK motion to reduce the speed limit outside Sherrards Wood School was ultimately carried, demonstrating a commitment to child safety.
• The Parting Words: Councillor Simon Rhodes emphasized that the meeting wasn't a debate. It wasn't a discussion and it wasn't a vote, expressing bemusement at the process.

Pension Board Focuses on Audit, Risk, and Investment Strategy

The Local Government Pension Scheme Local Pension Board convened to scrutinize the fund's financial health, risk management practices, and investment performance Link to meeting.

• The Audit: KPMG's draft audit report identified control deficiencies related to related party identification and journal authorization, prompting a response from the Director of Finance.
• The Risk: The board reviewed the pension fund's risk register, covering areas such as governance, funding, and administration.
• The Performance: The fund's investment performance outperformed its benchmark for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, with an overall return of 4.9%.
• The Consultations: The board received updates on consultations regarding access and fairness in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), including proposals to address survivor benefits and the gender pension gap.
• The Investment: The board discussed the process for reviewing the fund's Investment Strategy Statement and Responsible Investment policy, considering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.

Garden Town Committee Eyes Sustainable Transport

The Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Joint Committee convened to advance the ambitious project, with a focus on sustainable transport and financial oversight Link to meeting.

• The Vision: The committee considered adopting a new Sustainable Transport Strategy, aiming to reduce reliance on cars and promote walking, cycling, and public transport.
• The Progress: The committee received an update on the overall progress of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town (HGGT) programme, including the delivery of new homes and infrastructure.
• The Finances: The committee reviewed the financial performance of the HGGT programme, examining expenditure and projected costs.

Upcoming Meetings

• Environment, Transport & Growth Cabinet Panel on Tuesday 16 December 2025. Link to agenda
• Development Control Committee on Thursday 18 December 2025. Link to agenda
• Overview & Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 17 December 2025. Link to agenda

This week in Hertfordshire:

Council Approves Nature Recovery Plan Amid Funding Concerns

Hertfordshire County Council's Cabinet has approved the launch of its Local Nature Recovery Strategy in January 2026, aiming to actively improve biodiversity and habitats across the county Link to meeting. However, concerns remain about securing sufficient funding to implement the strategy effectively, particularly given the turbulence of local government reorganisation.

• The Stakes: The Local Nature Recovery Strategy is intended to reverse the decline of nature in Hertfordshire, benefiting both the environment and residents' well-being.
• The Partnership: The strategy involves a partnership of farmers, major land managers, and expert organisations.
• The Launch: The public launch is planned for January 2026, with a summit to raise awareness and encourage participation.
• The Concerns: Councillor Adrian England, Executive member for Sustainability, expressed hope that DEFRA[^1] will secure more funding for the strategy, not least to protect it from the turbulence of local government. [^1]: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the UK government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities in England.

Financial Overspend Forecast, but Children's Services Show Improvement

The Cabinet also discussed the council's financial performance, revealing a forecasted revenue overspend of £6.2 million against a budget of £1.2 billion Link to meeting. While financial pressures persist, particularly in high needs and children looked after services, there are positive signs of improvement in adoption and kinship care.

• The Stakes: Financial constraints could impact the council's ability to deliver essential services, especially for vulnerable children and families.
• The Pressures: The high needs block is facing an in-year deficit of almost £11 million, driven by increasing demand for educational health and care plans.
• The Improvements: Councillor Anthony Rowlands, Executive member for Children's Social Care, reported a significant increase in children being placed in long-term kinship care arrangements, a 69% increase since October 2023.
• The Adoptions: Councillor Rowlands also noted a rise in the number of children with a plan for adoption, from 34 in 2023-24 to 58 in 2024-25.
• The Focus: Councillor Chris Lucas, Executive member for Resources and Performance, emphasized the need to keep a very close eye or close hand on the tiller to manage departmental pressures.

Land at The Valley School Declared Surplus Amidst Transparency Concerns

The Cabinet declared residual land at The Valley School, a former special educational needs facility in Stevenage, as surplus to requirements and available for disposal Link to meeting. However, the discussion regarding the terms of disposal took place in private, raising concerns about transparency and public accountability.

• The Stakes: The disposal of public land could have implications for community assets and the provision of services.
• The Decision: The Cabinet agreed to declare the land surplus and delegate the terms of disposal to the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director for Resources, in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources and Performance.
• The Secrecy: The press and public were excluded from the second part of the discussion due to the discussion of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council) .

Pension Fund Audit Reveals Control Deficiencies

The Pensions Committee discussed the Pension Fund's 2024/25 draft audit report, highlighting control deficiencies related to related party declarations and journal authorisation Link to meeting. While the audit found no significant misstatements, the identified weaknesses raise concerns about governance and financial oversight.

• The Stakes: Weaknesses in internal controls could increase the risk of fraud, errors, and mismanagement of pension fund assets, potentially impacting the retirement security of Hertfordshire residents.
• The Deficiencies: KPMG, the external auditor, identified a lack of a formal process for obtaining declarations of interest and instances where journals above £500,000 were posted without appropriate authorisation.
• The Response: The Director of Finance assured the committee that a new process has been implemented requiring all journals to be parked and posted by separate individuals, regardless of value.
• The Concerns: Councillor John Graham questioned the timetable of the audit, noting that it was still not complete in December.

LPPA Performance Shows Improvement, but Call Wait Times Remain a Challenge

The Pensions Committee also received an update on the performance of the Local Pensions Partnership Administration (LPPA), revealing improvements in service levels and retirement notifications Link to meeting. However, average call wait times remain above the target of four minutes, indicating a need for further improvement in customer service.

• The Stakes: Efficient and responsive administration of pension benefits is crucial for ensuring the financial well-being of retirees and their families.
• The Improvements: LPPA reported improvements in employer retirement notifications and an increase in the number of returned customer satisfaction surveys.
• The Challenges: Average call wait times remain above the target of four minutes, particularly during peak periods.
• The Solutions: LPPA is exploring new technologies, such as web chat and call rerouting, to improve call handling efficiency.

Upcoming Meetings

• Environment, Transport & Growth Cabinet Panel on Tuesday 16 December 2025. Link to agenda
• Development Control Committee on Thursday 18 December 2025. Link to agenda
• Standards Committee on Monday 08 December 2025. Link to agenda
• County Council on Tuesday 09 December 2025. Link to agenda
• Local Government Pension Scheme Local Pension Board on Friday 12 December 2025. Link to agenda
• Overview & Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 17 December 2025. Link to agenda
• Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Joint Committee on Monday 08 December 2025. Link to agenda
• Overview & Scrutiny Committee on Monday 08 December 2025. Link to agenda

This week in Hertfordshire:

Honorary Aldermen Appointed as County Hall Says Goodbye

Hertfordshire County Council held an extraordinary meeting to appoint 19 Honorary Aldermen, recognising their service as past members Link to meeting. The meeting also marked the last council gathering in the Council Chamber at County Hall in Hertford, before meetings move to the Stevenage Campus.

• The Stakes: The title of Honorary Alderman is conferred on individuals who have rendered eminent services to the council as past members, acknowledging their contributions to local government.
• The Nominees: Motions to appoint all 19 nominees were proposed and carried, recognising individuals from across the political spectrum and various districts of Hertfordshire.
• The Farewell: Councillor Laurence Brass, Chairman of the Council, noted the historical significance of the meeting as the last one held in the Council Chamber at County Hall in Hertford.
• The Future: Future meetings will be held at the Stevenage Campus, marking a new chapter for the Hertfordshire County Council.

Financial Pressures Mount as Council Reviews Budget and Land Disposal

The Resources and Performance Cabinet Panel discussed the county council's financial performance, revealing a forecasted revenue overspend of £6.2 million, with Adult Care Services facing the greatest pressure Link to meeting. The panel also considered declaring land at the former Valley School in Stevenage as surplus to requirements.

• The Stakes: Financial pressures could impact the council's ability to deliver essential services, particularly for vulnerable groups such as older adults and children in care.
• The Overspend: The forecasted revenue overspend of £6.2 million is attributed to increasing demand in older people's nursing and residential care, as well as a rise in the number of children looked after.
• The School Budget: The school's High Needs funding block is facing a forecasted in-year deficit of £63 million, resulting in an accumulated deficit of £88.5 million by the end of the financial year.
• The Land Disposal: The panel discussed declaring part of the property known as the Former Valley School, a special educational needs and disability (SEND) facility in Stevenage, as surplus to requirements and available for disposal.
• The Debt: The council's current debt is approximately £100 million, an increase of £24.7 million since the start of the financial year, with £23 million owed by NHS partners.

Performance Monitor Sparks Debate Over Transparency and Key Indicators

The Resources and Performance Cabinet Panel reviewed the Hertfordshire County Council Performance Monitor, prompting discussions about the need for greater transparency and more comprehensive key performance indicators Link to meeting.

• The Concerns: Councillors expressed concerns about the lack of detail in the report, particularly regarding financial indicators and pressures in various service areas.
• The Response: Officers acknowledged the need for improvement and committed to working with panel members to develop a more comprehensive and informative report.
• The Carers: Councillor Matthew Hurst, Vice-Chair of Scrutiny Committee, shared his personal struggles as a carer, highlighting the need for better support and joined-up services for carers and those they care for.
• The Next Steps: The panel agreed to hold an informal meeting to discuss the report's content and identify key indicators for future monitoring.

Other Matters

• The Employment Committee met to discuss a recruitment update for the Executive Director of Adult Care Services, excluding the press and public due to the confidential nature of the discussion Link to meeting.

Upcoming Meetings

• Public Health & Community Safety Cabinet Panel on Monday 01 December 2025. Link to agenda
• Cabinet on Tuesday 02 December 2025. Link to agenda
• Pensions Committee on Wednesday 03 December 2025. Link to agenda
• Audit Committee on Thursday 04 December 2025. Link to agenda
• County Council on Tuesday 09 December 2025. Link to agenda
• Local Government Pension Scheme Local Pension Board on Friday 12 December 2025. Link to agenda
• Standards Committee on Monday 08 December 2025. Link to agenda