Hertfordshire County Council was scheduled to consider a range of important matters, including proposed changes to the council's constitution regarding planning delegations and pension fund revisions. The meeting agenda also included discussions on the impact of bus fare changes, school admissions policies, and the rising number of children in care.

Appointment of Vice-Chairs

The council was scheduled to appoint Vice-Chairs to its Health Scrutiny Committee and Overview and Scrutiny Committee. This involved appointing additional Vice-Chairs to the Health Scrutiny Committee to ensure representation from different political groups, and appointing a new Vice-Chair to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee following a change in membership.

Motions on Notice

Several motions were scheduled for consideration, reflecting key concerns of residents and councillors.

Impact of Bus SaverCard Cuts on Families

A motion was scheduled to be debated concerning the impact of recent changes to the Hertfordshire SaverCard scheme, specifically the withdrawal of the Adult SaverCard and the reduction in the young person's discount. The motion was scheduled to request a report on the consultation process, impact assessments, and alternatives considered before the changes were implemented. It also aimed to request the reinstatement of the 50% discount for young people and the investigation of targeted mitigation measures for pupils using multiple bus journeys.

Hertfordshire First Approach to Mainstream School Admissions

This motion was scheduled to address concerns about competition for mainstream school places, particularly from pupils living outside the county. It was scheduled to request the Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion to write to the Secretary of State for Education calling for a review of the admissions framework arising from the R v Greenwich London Borough Council judgment. The motion also aimed to urge the government to introduce measures allowing local authorities to prioritise children resident within their administrative area and advocate for a 'Hertfordshire First' admissions power.

Financial Pressures and the Rising Number of Children in Care

This motion was scheduled to highlight the council's financial pressures, including a projected overspend and a significant increase in the number of children in care. It was scheduled to recommend that the Cabinet publish an urgent recovery plan for Children's Services, provide monthly information on children entering and leaving care, and review the availability of early-help and in-house provision to prevent unnecessary entries into care.

Safer Speed Limits on Hertfordshire's Rural Roads

The council was scheduled to consider a motion regarding safer speed limits on rural roads. This motion was scheduled to recommend a phased, risk-based review of Hertfordshire's 60mph country lanes, prioritising routes with high traffic volumes or significant use by vulnerable road users. It also aimed to establish clear assessment criteria, consider proportionate measures such as lower speed limits, and report annually on progress.

Reinstate the Hertfordshire Adult Savercard and Strengthen Local Accountability in the Bus Network

This motion was scheduled to address concerns about sustained bus service reductions and the cessation of the Adult Savercard. It was scheduled to recommend that the Cabinet commit to reinstating the Adult Savercard, strengthen the council's negotiating position with bus operators, review the use of current powers to protect and improve the bus network, and write to the Secretary of State for Transport requesting additional powers for local authorities.

Establish a Local Reinvestment Principle for County Land Disposals

This motion was scheduled to propose the establishment of a Local Reinvestment Principle, ensuring a defined proportion of capital receipts from land disposals is retained for reinvestment in communities directly affected by development. It was also scheduled to call for a review of current practices regarding land disposals and developer contributions, and for consultation with district councils, town and parish councils, community groups, and local councillors.

Tackling Racial Hatred and Creating Greater Community Cohesion

A motion was scheduled to address the rise in hate incidents and concerns about safety, trust, and cohesion. It was scheduled to call for fair and sustained funding for community safety, explore enhanced hate crime policing capacity, convene a multi-faith and community safety roundtable, and work with schools to strengthen education on hate and cohesion.

Beat the Heat—Preparing for a Warming Climate

This motion was scheduled to address the increasing frequency and severity of extreme heat events. It was scheduled to ask the Cabinet to prepare a 'Beat the Heat Resilience Plan' for Hertfordshire, covering council buildings, care and education settings, workplaces, housing, and public spaces. It also aimed to ask the Leader to write to the Government calling for a fully funded heat-resilience programme and enforceable maximum temperature standards.

Hertfordshire County Council's Commitment to Supporting Young People Not in Education, Training or Employment

This motion was scheduled to address the issue of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET), particularly those from vulnerable groups. It was scheduled to propose the development and publication of an HCC Apprenticeship and Skills Strategy, expanded partnership working, and a review of the council's own recruitment practices to increase access for disadvantaged young people and remove barriers for SEND learners.

Proposed Changes to the Council's Constitution

The council was scheduled to consider proposed changes to its constitution, including amendments to Council Standing Orders (SO14), the Code of Conduct for Members and the Register of Interests, and the Protocol for Appointments, Official Events and Media. These changes were intended to clarify provisions for ungrouped members moving motions, update terminology, and refine protocols for appointments and media engagement.

Proposed Changes to the Council's Constitution – National Scheme of Delegation (Planning)

The council was scheduled to consider proposed amendments to its constitution to align with the new National Scheme of Delegation for town and country planning decision-making. This national scheme mandates which planning applications must be determined by officers and which can be referred to committee.

Proposed Changes to the Council's Constitution – Pension Fund Revisions

The council was scheduled to consider proposed revisions to its constitution to comply with new governance requirements for Local Government Pension Schemes. These changes included the appointment of an LGPS Senior Officer, the appointment of an Independent Person, and the establishment of an Enhanced Knowledge & Understanding Framework for committee members and officers. A new Annex 31, outlining the Terms of Reference for the Pensions Committee, was also scheduled for approval.

The Executive Report to Council

The council was scheduled to receive the Executive Report, which would provide updates on Cabinet decisions made since the last meeting, activities undertaken by the Leader of the Council, and the position of Key Decisions in the council's Forward Plan.

Report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

A report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to be presented, outlining the committee's work programme, including upcoming scrutiny reviews on youth offending and the coordination of infrastructure delivery. The report was also to provide updates on the work of the Impact of Scrutiny Advisory Committee (ISAC).

Report from the Health Scrutiny Committee

The Health Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to present its report, detailing its recent work on patient experience scrutiny, including feedback from the Central East Integrated Care Board and Carers in Herts. The report was also to include recommendations regarding GP patient experience, support for unpaid carers, and access to primary care for Deaf patients.

Written Questions by Members

Written questions from Members to the Leader of the Council and Executive Members were scheduled to be addressed. These questions covered a range of topics, including the impact of scrutiny committee cancellations, senior management structures within Adult Care Services, and mental health support for children.

Oral Questions by Members

Oral questions were scheduled to be put to the Leader of the Council and Executive Members from both members of political groups and ungrouped councillors. These questions covered diverse areas such as highway expenditure, bus services, school admissions, children in care, rural road safety, and climate change.

Questions by the Public

The agenda indicated that no qualifying public questions had been notified for the meeting.

Petitions by the Public

The agenda stated that there were no public petitions for presentation at this meeting.

Declarations of Interest from Members

Members were scheduled to declare any interests they might have in the matters to be discussed.

Chairman's Announcements

The Chair was scheduled to make announcements to the council.

Personal Announcements from Members

Members were scheduled to have the opportunity to make personal announcements.

Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Council, held on 21 July 2026, were scheduled to be confirmed as a correct record.