Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: November 18, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Cllr Symington read out the following statement   We had a full debate on this item at the Extraordinary Meeting on 12 November which allowed comments from all members which have been recorded in the published minutes.   Tonight we are asked to note the indicative resolution of Full Council.   The Indicative vote of the Full Council was that Dacorum Borough Council should submit the Local Government Reorganisation proposal and identify the modified four unitary option (4UA modified) as preferred and request that the Secretary of State formally modify the proposal by agreeing boundary changes as set out in the proposal.   The vote at Full Council was 26 for 4UA and 16 for 2UA. There were no votes for 3UA. 9 Councillors sent apologies or were absent.   I committed to listen to the will of the Council. As a majority expressed a view that Dacorum should identify the modified 4UA as the preferred model, I recommend to Cabinet that this option be submitted to the Secretary of State.   The ultimate decision on the number, size and structure of the new unitary authorities lies with the Secretary of State. The criteria set have been undermined by changes in the Secretary of State and ministers and briefings that the identified criteria, including population do not need to be observed.   I am proud that Hertfordshire Leaders have been one of the few two-tier areas to agree a common set of financial and geographic projections to put forward to government. Protecting the delivery of the vital and huge services representing adult and children’s social care, as well as education, from excessive fragmentation and risk of internal competition between the new unitaries needs to be prioritised and I hope that whatever the Secretary of State decides, adequate protection is put in place to protect the unitary projected to be at risk of financial collapse.   The 3UA option received no votes at Dacorum. There was a strong feeling that the Hemel Garden Communities should be included in any unitary that includes Hemel Hempstead. I have agreed with Group Leaders that we write to the Secretary of State to request that in the event that the Government selects the three unitary model, that a review of the principal boundary be carried out to consider aligning all of Hemel Garden Communities Growth Areas to within the same unitary authority as Dacorum Borough Council.   Many councillors spoke of the need for local representation and as Liberal Democrats we have a strong belief in and credentials for promoting localism, so we share the view that local voices need to be heard. We have strong town and parish councils across nearly half the borough and will be bringing forward a proposal for a Community Governance Review to consider the options for the unparished Hemel Hempstead area. The government’s own proposals are for Local Neighbourhood Committees that will include wider presentation from local stakeholders, the police, health services and where they exist, town and parish councils to ensure improved community engagement in delivering services.   The Liberal Democrats did not seek this reorganisation. It comes at time of upheaval in our health structures and planning regulations, as well as at a time when the cost-of-living crisis continues to bear down on many residents. There are benefits to unitary authorities and I am assured that all those who have gone the process would not wish to reverse it. A unitary authority will provide a ‘one-stop council’ for residents and a rethinking of the delivery of services to improve outcomes such as the integration of housing and social care.   It is disappointing that some people have chosen to put party politics ahead of their judgement as to the best outcome for residents (the mental gymnastics to move from wanting a single county-wide unitary that would have precluded a Strategic Mayoral Authority with fiscal devolution to wanting four unitary authorities is some for Matt Whitlock to behold) and I am disappointed that others have resorted to personal threats. I guess that is the so-call ‘rough and tumble’ of politics.   Regardless of the threats, I committed to listen to the will of the council and will abide by that promise. I appreciate that views differ on the best outcome for residents. Nevertheless, we must all work together for the benefit of our residents and the ongoing improvement of the delivery of services in Dacorum remains our priority.   She invited comments from cabinet colleagues.   She then summed up with the following:. Five Cabinet committee decisions have now been confirmed : Stevenage, Welwyn and Hatfield and Broxbourne have supported 4UA. Watford and Three Rivers have supported the 3UA option.   I want to put on record my thanks to the officers in Dacorum and across Hertfordshire for all the work they have put into the proposals. Cabinet: -   1.Noted the indicative resolution of Full Council.   2.Agreed to option c) from the options below: -   a)     Submit proposal and identify the two unitary (2UA) option as preferred.   b)     Submit proposal and identify modified three unitary option (3UA modified) as preferred and request that Secretary of State formally modify the proposal by agreeing boundary changes as set out in the proposal.   c)     Submit proposal and identify the modified four unitary option (4UA modified) as preferred and request that the Secretary of States formally modify the proposal by agreeing boundary changes as set out in the proposal.   3.Agreed that authority be delegated to the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council to agree any final minor amendments to the Hertfordshire submission document prior to submission to Government by 28 November 2025.   4.Agreed that the decision is urgent and shall not be subject to call-in.   5.Noted that the Mayor has agreed that the decision is reasonable in all the circumstances and has agreed that it shall be treated as an urgent decision.   6.Agreed that the Leader of the Council in consultation with Group Leaders shall write to the Secretary of State to request that in the event that the Government selects the three unitary model, that a review of the principal boundary be carried out to consider aligning all of Hemel Garden Communities Growth Areas to within the same unitary authority as Dacorum Borough Council.