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DECISION TAKEN
Cabinet agreed for delegated authority to be
given to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with Deputy
Leader, to submit an interim plan to Government by 21 March 2025
for Local Government Reorganisation in Hertfordshire.
 
 
REASON FOR DECISION
On 16 December 2024, the government published
a white paper on English devolution and reform to local government,
setting out the potential for the most significant reforms to local
government since the Local Government Act 1972.  On 5 February 2025, the Minister of State for
Local Government and English Devolution wrote a letter to the
Leaders of all District and Borough Councils in Hertfordshire and
Hertfordshire County Council, formally inviting them to develop a
proposal for local government reorganisation for the area, setting
out further detail on the criteria, guidance for the development of
proposals, and the timeline for the process. In order to comply
with the Government’s request to submit an interim plan for
local government organisation in Hertfordshire by 21 March 2025,
the purpose of this report is to seek delegated authority to be
given to the Leader of the Council to submit a plan on behalf of
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.