AI Generated

Weekly updates

Herts approves nature plan amid funding fears, land sale secrecy

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

Herts Council: Financial Pressures, Transparency Concerns, Aldermen

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

Herts Council Considers Local Gov Reorganisation Options

This week in Hertfordshire:

Council Faces Pressure to Reorganise Local Government Amidst Funding Concerns

Hertfordshire County Council is grappling with the government's invitation to reorganise local government, a move that could reshape the delivery of services and impact residents across the county Link to meeting. The Cabinet met to discuss the proposal, following an extraordinary meeting of the County Council Link to meeting where councillors were invited to recommend one of the options to the Cabinet.

  • The Stakes: Local government reorganisation could lead to significant changes in how services are delivered, funded, and managed, potentially affecting everything from bin collections to social care.
  • The Options: The council is considering three options for unitarisation[^1]: two, three, or four unitary councils for Hertfordshire. [^1]: Unitarisation is the process of merging local authorities to create a single, unified authority.
  • The Vision: The council desires a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) for Hertfordshire by 2028, aiming to devolve greater power and funding to the local area.
  • The Engagement: The council has engaged with stakeholders and the public through roundtables, webinars, and a dedicated microsite.
  • The Transition: The council proposes a three-phase plan for transitioning to the new unitary councils, overseen by a Member-led Board.
  • The Finances: The financial implications of the proposed unitary options have been assessed using a modelling approach developed collaboratively with Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) from all 11 councils.

Council Discusses Local Government Reorganisation

The Hertfordshire County Council held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the Local Government Reorganisation Business Case Link to meeting.

  • The Focus: The meeting was called to address the issue of Local Government Reorganisation in Hertfordshire.
  • The Report: A report from the Chief Executive regarding this matter was presented.
  • The Public: The agenda allowed for members of the public to participate in the meeting through questions and petitions.

Other Matters

  • The Hertfordshire Police and Crime Panel met on Thursday 20 November 2025 Link to meeting. No video was provided.

Upcoming Meetings

Herts Mental Health Services Strained; Bed Shortages Exposed

This week in Hertfordshire:

Mental Health Services Face Increased Demand and Bed Shortages

Hertfordshire's Health Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the challenges facing mental health and learning disability services, revealing a surge in demand, particularly among young people, and a persistent shortage of adult mental health beds Link to meeting. The committee agreed to write to the Secretary of State to advocate for increased funding to address these critical needs.

  • The Stakes: Insufficient mental health resources can lead to longer waiting times, inadequate care, and increased risk of crisis for vulnerable individuals.
  • The Demand: The Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) has seen a 25% increase in demand from young people since COVID-19, especially for ADHD and ASD assessments, with waiting times up to two years. Adult demand has also risen by 20%.
  • The Beds: HPFT has only 98 adult mental health beds across Hertfordshire, far short of the benchmarked national number of 160. This forces the trust to spend £16 million annually on independent sector beds.
  • The Cost: Karen Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, HPFT, stated that it would cost about half that amount to run their own beds, saving about £8 million.
  • The Letter: The committee agreed to write a strong letter to the Secretary of State in support of funding for adult acute mental health beds. Councillor Seamus Quilty BEM emphasized the need for a strong letter to demonstrate the committee's commitment to addressing the issue.
  • The Strengths: Karen Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, HPFT, highlighted the strong partnership between HPFT and Hertfordshire County Council as a unique strength in the region.

This discussion echoes previous concerns about mental health funding and service provision, as reported in earlier newsletters.

Phlebotomy Services Under Scrutiny Amidst Growing Waiting Times

The Health Scrutiny Committee also addressed concerns about increasing waiting times for phlebotomy services, with residents in Broxbourne facing waits of up to three weeks for routine blood tests Link to meeting. The committee agreed to investigate the issue and explore potential solutions.

  • The Stakes: Delays in phlebotomy services can hinder diagnosis and treatment, potentially impacting patient outcomes.
  • The Concerns: Councillor Dee Hart raised concerns about residents in Broxbourne waiting three weeks for routine blood tests, calling the situation totally unacceptable.
  • The Investigation: The committee agreed to send an email to the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to investigate phlebotomy waiting times.
  • The Countywide Issue: Councillor Richard Roberts stated that long phlebotomy waiting times are an issue countywide.

Health Scrutiny Committee to Review Work Programme and Prioritize Key Issues

The Health Scrutiny Committee discussed and agreed upon their work programme for the coming year, prioritizing key issues such as patient experience, ICB changes, and gambling harms Link to meeting.

  • The Priorities: The committee agreed to focus on feedback from patient experience, the ICB changes, Mount Vernon, the gambling harms report, CAMHS, and phlebotomy services.
  • The ICB Changes: The committee agreed to write a letter to the Integrated Care Board (ICB) reminding them of their responsibility to provide up-to-date contacts.
  • The Generative AI: Councillor Jon Claydon inquired about the use of generative AI by NHS trusts, but no response had been received from Chief Information Officers (CIOs).

Other Matters

  • HPFT representatives outlined key challenges, including addressing the needs of people with co-existing drug and alcohol conditions and mental illness, ADHD and ASD, and ensuring consistent support for individuals with mental illness and learning disabilities.
  • HPFT highlighted the opening of a new mental health urgent care centre and the work done with Cherry Tree Cottage for children looked after as successes of the past year.

Upcoming Meetings

  • Employment Committee on Monday 24 November 2025. Link to agenda
  • Resources and Performance Cabinet Panel on Tuesday 25 November 2025. Link to agenda
  • County Council on Wednesday 26 November 2025. Link to agenda

Herts Schools Face Closures; Care Strategy; Active Travel Plan

This week in Hertfordshire:

School Closures Loom as Cabinet Considers Reorganisation Plans

Hertfordshire's Cabinet met this week to discuss the future of several primary schools facing declining enrollment, sparking concerns about access to education in rural communities Link to meeting. While one school received a reprieve, the Cabinet approved public consultations on the potential closure of two others, highlighting the difficult choices facing the council amidst changing demographics.

  • The Stakes: School closures can disrupt communities, displace students, and impact access to education, particularly for vulnerable children in rural areas.
  • The Schools: Sandon JMI School, Albury C of E VA Primary School and St Nicholas Elstree C of E VA Primary School were all under consideration for potential closure.
  • The Numbers: Pupil numbers have been declining in Hertfordshire since 2019, with a projected 74 fewer classes needed in the coming years.
  • The Decision: The Cabinet voted to proceed with public consultations on the proposed closures of Albury C of E VA Primary School and St Nicholas Elstree C of E VA Primary School, while deferring a decision on Sandon JMI School for one year.
  • The Rationale: Councillor Mark Watkin, Executive member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, emphasized the need to consider the education of children currently attending the struggling schools, stating, We cannot continue to allow schools to sort of struggle and go on and incurring, I'm afraid to say, huge deficits.
  • The Concerns: Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE, Executive member for Highways, cautioned against repeating past mistakes of closing schools only to later need to expand them again, urging serious consideration of future population growth.
  • The Rural Impact: Councillor Steve Jarvis, Leader of the Council, expressed his pleasure with the panel's decision to provide an extra year for Sandon JMI School to demonstrate its potential for growth, recognizing its importance to the rural community.

This decision follows previous discussions about declining enrollment and financial pressures on Hertfordshire schools, as reported in earlier newsletters.

Care Home Strategy Aims to Address Growing Needs of Older Population

The Cabinet also endorsed a proposed five-year care homes commissioning strategy for older people, acknowledging the increasing number of older adults with complex needs and the challenges of providing affordable care Link to meeting.

  • The Stakes: The strategy aims to ensure that older people in Hertfordshire have access to high-quality, affordable care as their needs increase.
  • The Challenges: The report highlights significant increases in the number of older people with frailty, dementia, and nursing needs, as well as economic, operational, and workforce challenges that are driving an undersupply of affordable care.
  • The Priorities: The strategy sets out four priority areas: addressing the increasing needs of older people with complex conditions, tackling the undersupply of affordable care, improving outcomes for people with dementia, and enhancing support for those with non-cognitive symptoms of dementia.
  • The CQC Findings: The strategy references a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report that highlighted priorities concerning nursing care.
  • The Financial Commitment: Residential and nursing care commissioning for older people represents a major financial commitment for the council, totaling £110.7 million for 2025/26.
  • The Market Shaping: Councillor Sally Symington, Deputy Leader of the Council; Executive member for Adult Care Services, emphasized the council's proactive efforts to shape the market and ensure the best possible care at the best rates for residents.

Active Travel Plan Approved for Three Rivers District

The Cabinet adopted the Three Rivers District Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), signaling a commitment to promoting active travel and addressing climate change Link to meeting.

  • The Stakes: Increasing the uptake of cycling and walking is seen as a key strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, meeting clean air targets, and promoting healthy lifestyles.
  • The Focus: The Three Rivers LCWIP identifies key walking and cycling networks across the district, with infrastructure improvements focused on the larger settlements of Rickmansworth, Maple Cross, and Chorleywood.
  • The Consultation: The draft LCWIP underwent public consultation in May 2023, receiving over 1500 responses.
  • The Priorities: The plan identifies five top priority cycle routes and three potential areas for walking improvements.
  • The Balance: Councillor Paul Zukowskyj, Executive member for Environment, Transport and Growth, noted the importance of balancing walking and cycling infrastructure, emphasizing the need to carefully consider walking infrastructure in future plans.

Other Matters

  • The Cabinet agreed to a 12-week public consultation on the draft SEND Strategy 2026-2029, aiming to improve outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Link to meeting

Upcoming Meetings

Local Government Pension Scheme Local Pension Board

Local Government Pension Scheme Local Pension Board - Friday, 12 December 2025 10.00 am

The Local Government Pension Scheme Local Pension Board is scheduled to meet virtually on 12 December 2025 to discuss the pension fund's audit report, risk management, investment performance, and upcoming consultations. The board will also note the dates of future meetings.

December 12, 2025
County Council

County Council - Tuesday, 9 December 2025 10.00 am

The Hertfordshire County Council met to discuss a range of issues, including a petition to keep street lights on at night, devolution, and revisions to the council's constitution. The council also paid tribute to former Councillor Tony Dodd, and appointed Councillor Caroline Clapper as the Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

December 09, 2025
Overview & Scrutiny Committee

Special Meeting, Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 8 December 2025 10.00 am

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to consider the proceedings of the extraordinary meeting of Hertfordshire County Council held on 19 November 2025, especially regarding the voting process. Councillors also planned to discuss items for report to the council.

December 08, 2025
Standards Committee

Standards Committee - Monday, 8 December 2025 1.00 pm

The Standards Committee of Hertfordshire County Council met on 8 December 2025. The agenda included a discussion of the committee's responsibilities, proposed changes to the standards regime, and a review of the annual complaints report. Also to be discussed was a verbal update regarding dispensation in respect of the council's budget.

December 08, 2025
Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Joint Committee

Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Joint Committee - Monday, 8 December 2025 5.30 pm

The Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Joint Committee met to discuss the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town (HGGT) project, including progress on key projects and financial updates. The committee also considered the adoption of a new Sustainable Transport Strategy.

December 08, 2025
Audit Committee

Audit Committee - Thursday, 4 December 2025 10.00 am

The Audit Committee met to discuss a range of topics, including the Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Authority's (HFRA) annual statement of assurance, the 2024/25 audit update, the pension fund audit report, treasury management, and risk management. The committee approved the HFRA's Statement of Assurance, and agreed to a risk-focused report on local government reorganisation at its March meeting, while also requesting a review of the SEND risk and a separation of the cyber attack risk.

December 04, 2025
Pensions Committee

Pensions Committee - Wednesday, 3 December 2025 10.00 am

The Hertfordshire County Council Pensions Committee met to discuss the pension fund's draft audit report, risk management, investment performance, and responsible investment strategy. The committee reviewed the fund's performance, noting its strong financial position and discussed strategies for managing its surplus. Members also considered consultations on LGPS [^2] access and fairness, and the implications of pooling investments with Border to Coast Pensions Partnership[^3].

December 03, 2025
Hertfordshire Police and Crime Panel CANCELLED

Hertfordshire Police and Crime Panel - Wednesday, 3 December 2025 6.00 pm

This meeting has been cancelled.

December 03, 2025
Cabinet

Cabinet - Tuesday, 2 December 2025 2.00 pm

In a meeting held on Tuesday, the Hertfordshire County Council Cabinet approved the launch of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy in January 2026 and endorsed a partnership approach to its delivery. They also reviewed the financial budget monitor for quarter two of the 2025/26 financial year, agreeing to a capital reprogramming of £28.4 million and a £847,000 transfer from the Adult Care Services Day Services Transformation budget to the Adult Care Services Relocation of Day Opportunities Services. Finally, the Cabinet agreed to declare the residual land at The Valley School in Stevenage as surplus to requirements and available for disposal.

December 02, 2025
Public Health & Community Safety Cabinet Panel

Public Health & Community Safety Cabinet Panel - Monday, 1 December 2025 10.00 am

The Public Health and Community Safety Cabinet Panel met to discuss updates on policing, sexual health, public health investments, and fire and rescue services. The panel noted improvements in crime recording and solving, and discussed concerns about rural policing, firearms licensing, and waste crime. They also discussed strategies for sexual and reproductive health, the allocation of public health grants, and progress in fire and rescue services, including station refurbishments and inspection outcomes.

December 01, 2025
Environment, Transport & Growth Cabinet Panel

Environment, Transport & Growth Cabinet Panel - Tuesday, 16 December 2025 2.00 pm

December 16, 2025
Overview & Scrutiny Committee

Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 17 December 2025 10.00 am

December 17, 2025