This week in Hertfordshire:

Day Services Strategy Aims for Inclusivity Amidst Funding Concerns

The Adult Care Services Cabinet Panel met on July 4, 2025, to discuss a new Day Services Strategy and review Adult Social Care performance. A key focus was the Day Services Strategy (2025-2030), designed to enhance services for vulnerable adults. Link to agenda

• The Stakes: Day services provide crucial support for adults with disabilities and their carers, promoting independence and well-being.
• The Strategy: The strategy emphasizes diversity, inclusion, quality, and value for money, with objectives including expanding specialist support, improving activities, and ensuring accessible transport.
• The Consultation: A public consultation showed strong support for the strategy, but respondents reiterated the importance of day services to them and their families and said that they would be concerned about any cuts to funding.
• The Impact: If approved by the Cabinet, the strategy will lead to a review of service provision across the county, with potential changes to buildings, transport, and activities. An Equality Impact Assessment¹ (EqIA) acknowledges potential negative impacts on people with protected characteristics, but aims to mitigate these through a focus on diversity and inclusion.

Social Care Faces Rising Demand and Safeguarding Challenges

The Adult Care Services Cabinet Panel also reviewed the performance of Adult Social Care (ACS) for the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year. Link to agenda

• The Stakes: Effective social care is essential for supporting vulnerable adults and ensuring their safety and well-being.
• The Numbers: New requests for support rose by 20% from pre-COVID levels, with over 27,000 adults currently receiving services.
• The Challenges: While waiting times for needs assessments have decreased, safeguarding concerns remain high, with 8,665 reports received. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards² (DoLS) applications also increased by 8.6%.
• The Response: The ACS Connect and Prevent programme aims to improve interventions and support carers, while the council is working on a new 3-year plan for Adult Care Services.

Scrutiny Committee Examines Patient Experiences in Hertfordshire

The Health Scrutiny Committee met on July 1, 2025, to conduct its annual scrutiny of patient experiences within the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (HWE ICB). The focus was on access, quality, and equality across GP practices. Link to agenda

• The Stakes: Ensuring equitable access to high-quality healthcare is crucial for all residents of Hertfordshire.
• The Themes: The scrutiny covered access and equality, quality and consistency, communication, and complaints.
• The Questions: Key questions included how the ICB manages high demand for primary care, reduces inequalities in access, and ensures consistency of services across GP practices.
• The Focus: The committee examined issues such as waiting lists, reasonable adjustments for patients with specific needs, and the accuracy of practice websites.

Upcoming Meetings

• Overview & Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 09 July 2025 to consider a call-in request regarding the marketing of County Hall for alternative uses and the relocation of democratic meetings. Link to agenda
• Education, SEND & Inclusion Cabinet Panel on Wednesday 09 July 2025 to discuss updates to the SEND priority action plan, proposals for specialist resource provisions, additional capital funding for SEND, closing the attainment gap in early years, and the children and young people's strategic plan. Link to agenda
• Environment, Transport & Growth Cabinet Panel on Thursday 10 July 2025. Link to agenda
• Highways Cabinet Panel on Friday 11 July 2025. Link to agenda
• Children's Social Care Cabinet Panel on Tuesday 15 July 2025. Link to agenda
• Hertfordshire Growth Board on Wednesday 16 July 2025. Link to agenda
• Resources and Performance Cabinet Panel on Thursday 17 July 2025. Link to agenda
• Health and Wellbeing Board on Thursday 17 July 2025. Link to agenda
• Local Government Pension Scheme Local Pension Board on Friday 18 July 2025. Link to agenda
• Public Health & Community Safety Cabinet Panel on Tuesday 08 July 2025 to discuss updates on policing and crime, public health nursing, the Public Health Grant, violence against women and girls, and stop smoking services. Link to agenda
• Pensions Committee on Monday 07 July 2025 to consider the Pension Fund Audit Plan, review the risk register and discuss investment performance. Link to agenda

This week in Hertfordshire:

School Exclusions Highlight Disparities for Vulnerable Children

Hertfordshire's Overview and Scrutiny Committee examined the concerning trend of permanent exclusions in schools, revealing a disproportionate impact on children with special educational needs (SEN). The Overview & Scrutiny Committee heard that exclusion rates for children with an education health care plan (EHCP) are twice the national average.

• The Stakes: Exclusion from school can derail a child's education and future prospects, particularly for those already facing challenges.
• The Concern: Councillor Stephen Watson, Vice-Chairmen of Scrutiny Committee, raised concerns about the power given to headteachers and the potential for bias in exclusion decisions. He also highlighted the high rates of EHCP exclusions in years 7 and 8.
• The Response: Richard Woodard, Head of Access, Inclusion and Alternative Provision, explained that headteachers are required to discuss potential exclusions with colleagues, and that there is a right of appeal through an independent panel.
• The Call for Data: Councillor Miriam Swainston requested more detailed data on exclusions broken down by gender, locality and ethnicity. The committee agreed to request this data and consider further scrutiny of this area.

Councillor Terry Smith highlighted a case in Buntingford where excluded children were involved in vandalism and asked how the council was addressing the needs of children out of school. Richard Woodard, Head of Access, Inclusion and Alternative Provision, explained that the council works closely with the youth justice board and other services to support these children and provide alternative provision.

Council Grapples with Workforce Challenges Amidst Reorganisation Fears

Hertfordshire County Council is facing a competitive labor market, particularly in areas like children's social work and engineering. The Overview & Scrutiny Committee discussed the council's people strategy and the challenges of workforce recruitment and retention.

• The Stakes: Staff shortages can impact the delivery of essential services to residents.
• The Challenge: Turnover within the council is currently at 11.2%, which is considered healthy, but 50% of leavers have less than five years of service, and 20% leave within 12 months, suggesting a need to improve early retention.
• The Intervention: Strategic interventions in place include colleague surveys, an induction process, staff network groups, wellbeing support, inclusive branding and attraction activity, establishment management, workforce planning, regional collaborations, robust pay and reward structures, and apprenticeships.
• The Reorganisation Fears: Councillor Stephen Watson, Vice-Chairmen of Scrutiny Committee, raised concerns about the impact of local government reorganisation on workforce stability and asked how the council was addressing these concerns. Richard Taylor, Director of People, responded that the workforce was used to change and that the council was committed to communicating regularly and as early as possible to provide clarity and stability.

Councillor Matthew Hurst highlighted the generous pension contributions offered to council employees and suggested that this should be promoted more effectively in total reward statements. Richard Taylor, Director of People, agreed and said that total reward statements would be introduced by the end of the year.

County Hall's Future Uncertain as Council Eyes Relocation

Hertfordshire County Council is moving closer to marketing County Hall for alternative uses, a decision driven by cost savings and operational efficiency. The Cabinet agreed to relocate democratic meetings to the Hertfordshire Development Centre in Stevenage¹, a move that has sparked debate about the future of the historic Hertford building.

• The Stakes: The decision could reshape Hertford's civic landscape and raise questions about the accessibility of local government.
• The Rationale: Chris Lucas, Executive member for Resources and Performance, explained that the decision was a continuation of a strategy agreed to in July 2023 to relocate most of the County Council's services to the Stevenage Campus and explore alternative uses for County Hall.
• The Cost: According to Chris Lucas, Executive member for Resources and Performance, creating a council chamber at the Hertfordshire Development Centre will cost approximately £730,000, with an £81,000 revenue budget. Separating the front of County Hall from the back would cost around £9.7 million, but the overall capital receipt from disposing of County Hall is estimated to be around £50 million.
• The Sustainability Argument: Adrian England, Executive member for Sustainability, highlighted the sustainability issues with County Hall, noting that the building is difficult to heat and cool, and that requiring officers and members to travel to County Hall for meetings was not environmentally sound.

Other Matters

• Youth Justice Plan: The Cabinet endorsed the Hertfordshire Youth Justice Plan 2025-26, which outlines the services' priorities for the coming year and will be hosted on the Hertfordshire County Council website.
• Fire Pension Board: The Hertfordshire Fire Pension Board elected Councillor Peter Hill as the new Chairman, and John Boulter as the Vice Chairman. The board also reviewed the Fire Pension Scheme's risk register and discussed performance reports from the Local Pensions Partnership Administration (LPPA).

Upcoming Meetings

• Health Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 01 July 2025 to discuss the annual patient experience scrutiny and review the minutes from their last meeting. Link to agenda
• Adult Care Service Cabinet Panel on Friday 04 July 2025. Link to agenda
• Pensions Committee on Monday 07 July 2025. Link to agenda
• Public Health & Community Safety Cabinet Panel on Tuesday 08 July 2025. Link to agenda
• Education, SEND & Inclusion Cabinet Panel on Wednesday 09 July 2025. Link to agenda
• Environment, Transport & Growth Cabinet Panel on Thursday 10 July 2025. Link to agenda
• Highways Cabinet Panel on Friday 11 July 2025. Link to agenda

This week in Hertfordshire:

County Hall Sale Sparks Debate Over Hertford's Future

Hertfordshire County Council is moving forward with plans to market County Hall in Hertford for alternative uses, potentially ending its long history as a democratic hub. The Resources and Performance Cabinet Panel voted to recommend the move, sparking concerns about the loss of a civic presence in the county town and the impact on local employment.

• The Stakes: The decision could reshape Hertford's identity and raise questions about the accessibility of local government. Critics worry about the impact on employment and the potential loss of a historic building.
• The Critics: Councillor Rachel Carter, representing Hertford St Andrews, voiced concerns about the loss of a democratic hub and the need to ensure any new owner respects the building's history. Milena Nuti, Vice Chair of the Hertford Civic Society, expressed dismay that the plans were at such an advanced stage without public awareness or scrutiny.
• The Rationale: The council argues that retaining the building would cost £10 million and incur ongoing expenses. Relocating meetings to the Stevenage Campus[^1] would save money and improve accessibility for people with disabilities. [^1]: The Stevenage Campus is a Hertfordshire County Council office complex located in Stevenage.
• The Promise: SAS Pleasure, Director for Property, assured the panel that the council would stress the architectural and heritage nature of the asset to interested parties.

Councillor Alexander Curtis questioned the £10 million cost of retaining the frontage and suggested the front of the building could be a liability, reducing the site's value. Councillor John Graham echoed these concerns, suggesting that marketing the back of the building separately might be the best option.

Youth Justice Plan Endorsed Amidst Violence Concerns

The Children's Social Care Cabinet Panel endorsed the Hertfordshire Youth Justice Plan 2025-26, but concerns were raised about a rise in serious violent offences committed by under-18s. The plan aims to reduce youth offending and support victims of crime.

• The Stakes: A rise in youth violence poses a threat to community safety and requires effective intervention strategies.
• The Concern: Dee Hart raised concerns about a 40% increase in serious violent offences committed by under-18s in Hertfordshire, as indicated in the plan. She also expressed concern about county lines[^2] and what was being done to protect young people. [^2]: County lines is a term used to describe drug gangs from big cities expanding their operations to smaller towns, often exploiting children and vulnerable people to sell drugs.
• The Response: Lydia Phillips, Youth Justice Service Manager, clarified that the national data set used by the Youth Justice Board has a broader definition of serious violence, including any drug, robbery, or violence against a person offence with a gravity score of five or more.

Councillor Chris Lloyd noted a decrease in the number of children sentenced at court and receiving a custodial sentence.

Care Leavers Face Education and Employment Hurdles

The Children's Social Care Cabinet Panel reviewed a report on improving education, employment and training (EET) outcomes for care leavers¹ in Hertfordshire, noting a recent dip in figures.

• The Stakes: Without adequate support, care leavers face significant challenges in accessing education and employment, hindering their long-term prospects.
• The Challenge: 54.2% of 17 to 21-year-olds were in EET in mid-April 2025, a decrease from 57.5% in November 2024.
• The Support: Peter Hosier, Head of Services for Young People, emphasised that all services treat each young person as an individual, offering one-to-one support, employment training programmes, and drop-in services at the care leaver hub.
• The Covenant: Samantha Jeffery, Care Leaver Service Manager, noted that Hertfordshire became a signatory to the National Care Leaver Covenant[^4] in May 2024, committing to work with employers to expand opportunities for care leavers. [^4]: The Care Leaver Covenant is a national scheme that helps organisations to provide support for care leavers aged 16-25.

Fiona Thomson, Deputy Leader, Conservative Group, highlighted the importance of safe, stable, and affordable housing for care leavers.

Other Matters

• Police and Crime Commissioner's Report: The Hertfordshire Police and Crime Panel were scheduled to review the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner's annual report and any complaints made against the PCC.

Upcoming Meetings

• Overview & Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 25 June 2025 to discuss permanent school exclusions, workforce recruitment and retention. Link to agenda
• Hertfordshire Fire Pension Board on Friday 27 June 2025. Link to agenda
• Health Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 01 July 2025. Link to agenda
• Adult Care Service Cabinet Panel on Friday 04 July 2025. Link to agenda

This week in Hertfordshire:

Recycling Centre Cuts Loom as Council Seeks Savings

Hertfordshire residents may face reduced opening hours and a new booking system at Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) as the council explores ways to manage demand and cut costs. The Environment, Transport and Growth Cabinet Panel discussed proposals that could significantly change how residents dispose of their waste.

• The Stakes: Reduced hours could inconvenience residents, particularly those with limited time or transport options. A booking system could disproportionately affect those without internet access.
• The Backlash: Councillor Alistair Willoughby, Deputy Leader, Labour Group; Vice-Chairmen of Scrutiny Committee, voiced concerns that reduced opening hours could lead to increased fly-tipping[^2], the illegal dumping of waste.
• Staff Abuse: A recent staff survey revealed that 32% of staff have experienced abuse, but recent tours of the centres suggested that the true figure may be closer to 100% in terms of daily verbal abuse, as well as more serious physical threats.
• The Alternative: The panel rejected a public consultation on the Integrated Plan proposals, and instead requested that officers set out a range of alternative proposals for consideration via a public consultation exercise.

Councillor Eric Buckmaster supported a booking system, drawing on his experience using one in Essex, and emphasised the need to ensure staff safety and manage the amount of waste that Hertfordshire residents should not be paying for.

Maternity Services Under Scrutiny Amidst Safety Concerns

Hertfordshire's maternity services are under the microscope as the Health Scrutiny Committee received an update on the Hertfordshire & West Essex Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS). A recent national review found that almost half of maternity services in England require improvement or are inadequate, raising concerns about patient safety.

• The Stakes: Substandard maternity services can have devastating consequences for mothers and babies.
• The Goal: The LMNS aims to improve oversight and ensure the safety and quality of maternity and neonatal services across Hertfordshire and West Essex.
• The Progress: A new screening programme for hypoxia¹ has been rolled out, detecting major congenital cardiac abnormalities in babies.
• The Challenges: The report identified systemwide areas for development across all three Trusts: cross border working, development of the Personal Care and Support Plan documentation & process, implementing MEWS² and/or NEWTT2³ early deterioration assessment tools across the Trusts outside of maternity services and neonatal deterioration scores, and improving access to interpreting services.

Other Matters

• Youth Justice Plan: The Children's Social Care Cabinet Panel will discuss Hertfordshire's Youth Justice Plan 2025-26, which aims to reduce youth offending and support victims of crime.
• Care Leavers: The Children's Social Care Cabinet Panel will receive an update on education, training and employment outcomes for care leavers⁴, with a focus on improving support and opportunities.
• County Hall's Future: The Resources and Performance Cabinet Panel are scheduled to discuss a report regarding the potential marketing of the County Hall site in Hertford for alternative uses, and the relocation of democratic meetings to the Stevenage Campus.

Upcoming Meetings

• Cabinet on Monday 23 June 2025 to discuss the Hertfordshire Youth Justice Plan 2025-26, and the potential relocation of democratic meetings and marketing of County Hall, Hertford. Link to agenda
• Overview & Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 25 June 2025. Link to agenda
• Development Control Committee on Thursday 26 June 2025. Link to agenda
• Hertfordshire Fire Pension Board on Friday 27 June 2025. Link to agenda