Decision

RESOLVED that Cabinet approved the funding for £70,000 across 2026/2027 for Hertfordshire Futures and their partners, funded from this year’s contingency budget. 

Reasons for decision

With funding no longer being available from external sources, the continuation of this package of support would only be able to continue if funding was sourced from within the Council.

Alternative Options Considered

The Cabinet could have decided not to agree any funding; this would have meant that the business support currently provided through this mechanism would cease and additional business support across Hertsmere would not be provided.

The Cabinet could have sought to establish business support elsewhere. There was currently no other business support that had been identified beyond what was already funded or provided across Hertsmere.