Hertfordshire County Council's Cabinet is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, with a public agenda that includes discussions on the county's road safety strategy, a healthier air strategy, and local cycling and walking infrastructure plans for East Herts. The Cabinet will also consider proposals regarding the development of nursing home provision across Hertfordshire and the potential progression to a statutory franchising assessment for bus services in North Herts, East Herts, and Stevenage. Additionally, a decision is to be made regarding the future of County Hall and Leahoe House & Gardens in Hertford, with a recommendation to dispose of these properties to City & Country.

Hertfordshire's Road Safety Partnership's Road Safety Strategy

The Cabinet is scheduled to consider Hertfordshire's Road Safety Partnership's draft Road Safety Strategy, with a recommendation to approve it for public consultation. The strategy aims to align with national targets, proposing a Towards Zero vision for creating safer, healthier places across the county. It adopts a Safe System Approach which acknowledges human error and seeks to create a resilient system where mistakes do not lead to fatalities. The strategy outlines actions across five pillars: Safe Roads and Places, Safe Road Users, Safe Speeds, Safe Vehicles, and Post-Crash Response, with an additional focus on Community responsibility. The report indicates that the delivery of the strategy is expected to be managed within existing budgets, and an Equalities Impact Assessment anticipates no significant negative implications for protected characteristics.

Healthier Air Strategy

A key item on the agenda is the final Healthier Air Strategy, which seeks Cabinet agreement following a public consultation. This strategy builds upon the existing Air Quality Strategy, expanding its focus to include both outdoor and indoor air pollution, as well as biological material such as toxins and pathogens. The strategy proposes a renewed focus on protecting those most at risk from unhealthy air and aligns with the Respiratory principle of the Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy. The report highlights that air pollution remains the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK, and that significant growth is expected across Hertfordshire, necessitating a balance between development and air quality improvement. The strategy aims to achieve World Health Organisation evidence-based limits for nitrogen dioxide and reduce emissions of particulate matter, with a particular focus on domestic burning and transport.

East Herts Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan

The Cabinet is also set to consider the East Herts Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). This plan, developed in partnership with East Herts District Council and with community input, identifies key walking and cycling networks across the district. Infrastructure improvements are concentrated on larger settlements such as Hertford, Ware, Bishop's Stortford, Sawbridgeworth, and Buntingford, as well as larger villages. The adoption of this plan is intended to support the development and implementation of proposed improvements, facilitate bidding for additional funding, and negotiate planning contributions from developers. The report notes that increasing active travel is seen as crucial for addressing climate change, reducing emissions, and promoting healthy lifestyles, while acknowledging that the quality of existing infrastructure is often a barrier to uptake.

Development of Nursing Home Provision in Hertfordshire

The Cabinet will receive an overview of evaluated options and delivery models for increasing nursing home capacity in Hertfordshire. The report highlights a growing demand for nursing care due to an ageing population and increasing complexity of need, leading to a projected shortfall of 839 beds by 2032, with associated cost pressures. The paper recommends a preferred approach based on a social investment model, which involves external investment for the development of new nursing homes, with the County Council retaining strategic influence and securing access to provision for residents. This model aims to increase local capacity, improve market stability, and support better value for money.

Decision on Progression to a Statutory Franchising Assessment for Bus Services in North Herts, East Herts and Stevenage

Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) is seeking Cabinet agreement to progress to a Statutory Bus Franchising Assessment for bus services in North Herts, East Herts, and Stevenage. This follows a pre-assessment phase undertaken as part of the Department for Transport's Bus Reform and Franchising Pilot Programme. The pre-assessment indicated that this area is the most suitable for exploring bus reform in depth. Progression to the statutory assessment is a detailed, legally prescribed process that includes further analysis, independent audit, and statutory consultation, and would not constitute a final decision to implement franchising. The report notes potential additional annual costs to HCC, estimated between £2.5m and £6.9m, and highlights potential patronage growth and economic benefits.

Sale of County Hall and Leahoe House & Gardens, Hertford

The Cabinet is asked to consider proposals for the future of County Hall and Leahoe House & Gardens in Hertford. Following the relocation of County Council functions to Stevenage Campus, County Hall has been largely vacant and continues to incur significant running costs. Marketing for employment uses did not yield significant interest, leading to a broader marketing campaign for alternative uses. The report recommends the disposal of both County Hall and Leahoe House & Gardens to City & Country, a developer specialising in heritage properties, based on their track record and the bid representing the best financial value. The proposal also addresses a bid from Hertford Town Council for the cricket pitch and woodland at County Hall, recommending its decline due to potential negative impacts on the wider sale, while ensuring protections for existing recreational and natural uses.