The Resources and Performance Cabinet Panel of Hertfordshire Council was scheduled to meet on Tuesday 14 July 2026 to discuss a range of financial and performance-related matters. Key topics included the council's financial outturn for the 2025/26 financial year, proposed changes to library opening hours, the future of the Performing Arts service, and the council's approach to Artificial Intelligence.

Scheduled Discussion: Post Consultation on Whether to Cease the Performing Arts Service Provision

The panel was scheduled to consider the findings of a public consultation regarding the proposal to withdraw the Performing Arts service from Hertfordshire Libraries. The report aimed to seek direction on recommendations following an analysis of public feedback, with the intention of achieving financial savings set within the Council's 2026/27 budget. The report proposed delegating authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources & Performance, to implement the decision to withdraw the service. It also proposed arrangements for access to the existing music collection and the retention of drama playsets within the library service.

Scheduled Discussion: Post Consultation on Whether to Cease Sunday Opening Hours at 6 Library Settings and Reduce Evening Opening Hours at Welwyn Garden City Library

This agenda item focused on the findings of a public consultation concerning proposals to cease Sunday opening hours at six libraries – Bishops Stortford, Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, Stevenage, Watford, and Welwyn Garden City – and to reduce the number of evenings Welwyn Garden City Library opens beyond 6:00 p.m. The report sought direction on recommendations following the analysis of public feedback, with the aim of achieving financial savings for the 2026/27 budget. The recommendations included maintaining current Sunday opening hours but making equivalent reductions during weekdays at the six affected libraries, reducing evening opening hours at Welwyn Garden City Library to one evening per week, and delegating authority for implementation.

Finance Budget Monitor – Quarter 4 2025/26

The panel was scheduled to be presented with the Outturn Budget Monitor report, summarising the Council's financial position for the 2025/26 financial year against revenue and capital budgets. The report highlighted a small overspend of £0.8m for the financial year, which was offset by the use of a £10m contingency budget, resulting in a net underspend of £9.2m. Significant financial pressures were noted within the schools' High Needs funding block, leading to an in-year deficit of £9.9m and an accumulated deficit of £83.0m. The report was also scheduled to detail the delivery of £40.4m of the £42.0m savings programme, with shortfalls primarily in Waste, property-related savings, and income-generating areas. The capital programme was expected to show an underspend of £20.0m, with £44.3m of expenditure reprogrammed into future years due to various delays.

Hertfordshire County Council Resources & Performance Monitor – Quarter 4 2025-26

This report was scheduled to provide an overview of the Resources Directorate's performance for the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. It was intended to detail key performance indicators across the directorate's functions, reflecting on trends against historic data, internal targets, and external benchmarks. The report was expected to indicate encouraging progress across the Corporate Plan priorities, while also acknowledging ongoing challenges in specific services, particularly SEND. Management actions were noted as continuing to address these challenges, with investments aimed at driving improvements.

Locality Budget Scheme 2025/26 – Overall Breakdown of Spend

The panel was scheduled to receive a breakdown of the overall spend against the 2025/26 Locality Budget Scheme. In this financial year, Members were scheduled to award 771 grants totalling £359,190, representing 92.1% of the available budget. The report was expected to indicate a decrease in the number and value of grants compared to the previous year, attributed to the lower overall budget following the May 2025 elections and the ability for Members to carry forward unspent funds into 2026/27. The analysis was expected to highlight a clear shift towards supporting core community services and organisations with high social value, with groups working with socially disadvantaged residents, people with disabilities, primary schools, community residents' associations, and grassroots sports organisations maintaining or increasing their share of support. Conversely, organisations reliant on larger, one-off, or capital-intensive grants were expected to experience proportionate reductions.

AI in Hertfordshire County Council

This agenda item was scheduled to provide an update on Hertfordshire County Council's current use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), outlining the benefits being realised and the governance arrangements in place for its safe and responsible adoption. The report aimed to inform Members about the council's strategic direction for AI, including the controlled scaling of proven use cases and continued investment in enabling capabilities, while emphasising the importance of strong governance and oversight to manage risks. Members were asked to note the progress made, endorse the strategic direction and governance approach, and support the safe scaling of proven AI use cases where benefits can be demonstrated.

Other Part I Business

There was no other Part I business scheduled for discussion.