The Hertfordshire Growth Board met on Tuesday 2 June 2026. The Board discussed the draft Digital Strategy for Hertfordshire, which aims to enhance digital infrastructure, inclusion, adoption, and development across the county over the next decade. They also reviewed the Hertfordshire Growth Board Delivery Plan and Budget for 2026-27, which will support the county's advocacy efforts and the development of its Local Growth Plan.

Draft Digital Strategy Discussed

The Board discussed the draft Digital Strategy for Hertfordshire, a 10-year plan designed to align with the county's Economic Strategy and support its ambitions for growth and innovation. The strategy focuses on four key areas:

• Digital Infrastructure: This ambition aims to ensure Hertfordshire has outstanding broadband and mobile infrastructure. For broadband, the focus is on achieving over 90% full fibre countywide coverage by 2036, addressing remaining connectivity gaps in rural areas and multi-dwelling units, and supporting the ongoing delivery of Project Gigabit. For mobile infrastructure, the plan includes increasing coverage across all mobile network operators, improving capacity in busy areas, and identifying and addressing 'not-spots'.
• Digital Inclusion: The strategy seeks to ensure all residents have the opportunity to be digitally included, regardless of their personal circumstances. This involves tackling basic digital skills shortages, addressing affordability issues for connectivity and devices, and providing targeted support for vulnerable groups, including older people and those with dementia, who may not be on a trajectory to learn new digital skills. The Essential Digital Skills Framework¹ and the Minimum Digital Living Standards² are key guiding documents for this ambition.
• Digital Adoption: This ambition focuses on encouraging businesses, particularly SMEs, to adopt digital technologies to improve productivity and resilience. It highlights the link between digital adoption and business performance, and the growing demand for digital skills across all sectors. The strategy aims to support SMEs in adopting digital tools, explore the creation of digital hubs, and develop local guidelines for responsible AI use.
• Digital Development: This ambition addresses the growth of digital infrastructure, with a particular focus on data centres. It acknowledges the significant opportunities and challenges presented by data centres, including their high energy and water consumption. The strategy aims to advance plans for AI Growth Zones, develop a development charter for data centres, and explore opportunities for recycling waste heat.

During the discussion, several members raised important points. Councillor Jeremy Newmark highlighted the need for granularity in AI guidelines for different sectors, such as film and TV, and questioned the tangible benefits of AI Growth Zone designation. Councillor Peter Taylor sought clarity on the governance of the strategy and the progress of the joint digital inclusion service with Essex, which was confirmed to now be Hertfordshire-only. Councillor Ben Crystall felt the strategy's approach to AI was somewhat backseat and could become outdated quickly. Councillor Rose Grewal and Councillor Helen Campbell emphasised the need for greater focus on sustainability and nature-based solutions in relation to data centres, particularly concerning water usage. Neil Hayes, Director of Hertfordshire Growth Board, acknowledged these points and committed to incorporating them into the strategy before its final sign-off by the county council.

Hertfordshire Growth Board Delivery Plan and Budget Reviewed

The Board also reviewed the Hertfordshire Growth Board Delivery Plan and Budget for 2026-27. The plan outlines the core areas of activity for the coming year, focusing on advocacy, strategic engagement, and demonstrating devolution readiness. Key activities include continued advocacy for Hertfordshire, engagement with the development of the Local Transport Plan and the emerging Spatial Development Strategy, and aligning the Growth Board's mission-based framework with devolution.

The budget for 2026-27 is £410,681, funded from the Hertfordshire Business Rates Retention Pilot Growth Reserve. This budget will support the Growth Board's coordination, advocacy, and engagement role, and contribute to the development of the Local Growth Plan. The plan also details planned activities such as seeking AI Growth Zone designation, supporting the UK Screen Investment Programme, and developing a placemaking framework.

During the discussion on the delivery plan, Neil Hayes noted that the pooled business rate growth pot established in 2019 has been depleted, indicating a need to address future operational funding. He also highlighted the importance of aligning the Growth Board's work with the forthcoming devolution structures.