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Summary

The County Council of Hertfordshire met to discuss several key issues, including political proportionality, revisions to the council's constitution, a petition regarding traffic enforcement, and the Youth Justice Plan. Tributes were also paid to former Councillor Alan Plancy.

The council addressed errors in prior calculations of political proportionality on committees, unanimously approved revisions to its constitution, and debated a petition concerning traffic congestion at the Rush Green Roundabout.

Tributes to Alan Plancy

The meeting began with tributes to Alan Plancy, a former County Councillor and Honorary Alderman, who recently passed away. Councillor Anthony Rowland, speaking for the Liberal Democrat group, remembered Plancy's wide experience, deep compassion and an abiding and unquenchable desire to do his best for all who he served from their time together on the adoption panel. Councillor Richard Roberts recalled Plancy's work enhancing the reputation of Jewish communities in Hertfordshire and his ability to make people smile. Councillor Hurst spoke of Plancy's support when he was a new councillor, and Councillor Bell praised his advice on Holocaust remembrance events in Watford.

Political Proportionality on Committees

Following a review that revealed an error in previous calculations, the council unanimously approved a revised distribution of seats across its committees to comply with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Councillor Steve Jarvis, Leader of the Council, explained that the changes were needed to ensure proper proportionality across all committees. Councillor Richard Roberts welcomed the new arrangements, and Councillor Doug Bainbridge thanked officers for their hard work in sorting the problem out.

Revisions to the Council's Constitution

The council voted to approve revisions to Annex 6 of its constitution, specifically Standing Orders 8, 9, and 11. These revisions adjust the allocation of motions and written questions to reflect the new balance of power among the political groups in the council. The changes also aim to ensure fairness in debates, giving all groups an opportunity to participate. Councillor Sally Simington noted the irony of the Conservative group now supporting changes they had previously resisted when they were in the majority. Councillor Roberts explained that the changes were needed to ensure proper debate, especially for smaller parties. The approved changes also mean that speeches will be slightly shorter, and motion time will be used more efficiently.

Public Petition: Enforcement of Urban Clearway at Rush Green

Nigel Bowen presented a public petition concerning traffic congestion at the McDonald's /BP site on the Rush Green Roundabout. He requested that the council install enforcement cameras to address the issue. Councillor Helen Campbell moved a motion acknowledging the problem and committing to finding a sustainable solution.

The motion recognised that Hertfordshire County Council needs agreement from the Secretary of Transport to undertake camera enforcement on the A4141. Councillor Matt Cowley supported the motion, emphasising the need to support businesses while ensuring they do not adversely affect residents. Councillor Bainbridge suggested McDonald's should be involved in finding a solution. Councillor Ben Crystal supported the motion and called for an open options appraisal report. Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst explained the legal limitations preventing the council from enforcing the clearway and expressed openness to discussions with McDonald's about contributing to enforcement costs. The council voted to pass the motion.

Hertfordshire Youth Justice Plan 2025-2026

Councillor Anthony Rowlands introduced the Hertfordshire Youth Justice Plan 2025-2026, highlighting its focus on the voice of children, families, and victims, as well as addressing disproportionality and anti-racist practices. Councillor Fiona Thomson acknowledged the plan's strong performance and partnerships, while also noting areas needing close monitoring, such as disproportionality and the increase in serious violence offences committed by under 18s. Councillor Ralph Munzer spoke in support of the plan, emphasising the importance of early intervention and partnership working. Councillor Beth Kelly raised concerns about the percentage of children not in suitable education, employment, or training. The council voted to approve the plan.

Executive Report

Councillor Jarvis presented the Executive Report, outlining progress made in the first hundred days of the new administration's ten-point plan. Achievements included setting up a SEND Summit, launching a trial for fixing adjacent potholes, reviewing the speed management strategy, scrapping plans to cut household recycling site hours, agreeing to relocate council operations to Stevenage, and launching a tree planting initiative.

Conservative Group Motion on Notice

Councillor Roberts introduced a motion expressing concern about the scale of change facing the council, particularly with local government reorganisation and the unfair funding review2. He called for strategic thinking to deliver a Hertfordshire for the future that is in the best interests of residents and businesses. Councillor Jarvis expressed sympathy for the concerns raised but argued against a single unitary council, favouring two unitary councils instead. Councillor Taylor-Moran stated that the Green group did not support the motion. Councillor Bell said that the Labour group would be voting against the motion. After further debate, the motion was defeated.

Labour Group Motion on Notice: Youth Parliament

Councillor Willoughby introduced a motion to re-establish a youth parliament in Hertfordshire, emphasizing the importance of empowering young people and preparing them for democratic participation. Councillor Kelly supported the motion, highlighting the benefits of engaging young people in local democracy. Councillor Lucas proposed an amendment to ensure the re-establishment was subject to available resources, which was accepted. Councillor Watkin spoke in favour of the motion, regretting potential funding cuts. The council voted to approve the amended motion.

Questions to Executive Members

The council then moved to questions to executive members, covering topics such as road repairs, adult care funding, local government reorganisation, youth services, and the Youth Justice Plan.

Reports from Committees

The council received reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Health Scrutiny Committee, and the Annual Report of the Audit Committee for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Motions on Notice

The meeting concluded with a motion from Councillor Muncer regarding delays in the Breakspear School expansion, a motion from Councillor Graham regarding pressures faced by Hertfordshire's high streets, a motion from Councillor Cowley regarding incursions into the highway, and a motion from Councillor Willoughby regarding the Highways Locality Budget.


  1. The A414 is a major road in England running from the A12 near Danbury, Essex to the A1 in Huntingdonshire. 

  2. The 'fair funding review' is the name given to the government's planned changes to the way local authorities are funded. 

Attendees

Profile image for Helen Campbell
Helen Campbell  Deputy Executive Member for Highways •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Rachel Carter
Rachel Carter  Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee •  (Green)
Profile image for Caroline Clapper
Caroline Clapper  Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee •  (Conservative)
Profile image for Peter Colley
Peter Colley  (Reform UK)
Profile image for Matt Cowley
Matt Cowley  (Conservative)
Profile image for Ian Albert
Ian Albert  Vice-chairman Pensions Committee •  (Labour)
Profile image for Christopher Alley
Christopher Alley  (Conservative)
Profile image for Doug Bainbridge
Doug Bainbridge  Leader, Reform Group •  (Reform UK)
Profile image for Janet Bainbridge
Janet Bainbridge  (Reform UK)
Profile image for David Barnard
David Barnard  (Conservative)
Profile image for Nigel Bell
Nigel Bell  Leader, Labour Group •  (Labour)
Profile image for Tina Bhartwas
Tina Bhartwas  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Mark Biddle
Mark Biddle  (Reform UK)
Profile image for Michael Blissett
Michael Blissett  (Reform UK)
Profile image for Laurence Brass
Laurence Brass  Chairman •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Morris Bright MBE
Morris Bright MBE  (Conservative)
Profile image for Ruth Brown
Ruth Brown  Deputy Executive member for Environment, Transport and Growth; Vice-Chairman Standards Committee •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Eric Buckmaster
Eric Buckmaster  (Conservative)
Profile image for Ken Crofton
Ken Crofton  (Conservative)
Profile image for Alexander Curtis
Alexander Curtis  (Conservative)
Profile image for Adrian England
Adrian England  Executive member for Sustainability •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Matt Fisher
Matt Fisher  Deputy Leader, Green Group •  (Green)
Profile image for Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE
Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE  Executive member for Highways •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for John Graham
John Graham  (Conservative)
Profile image for John Hale
John Hale  Chairman of the Audit Committee •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Dee Hart
Dee Hart  (Conservative)
Profile image for David Herring
David Herring  Deputy Leader, Reform Group •  (Reform UK)
Profile image for Penelope Hill
Penelope Hill  Vice-Chairmen of Scrutiny Committee; Chairman Impact of Scrutiny Committee •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Tony Hill
Tony Hill  (Reform UK)
Profile image for Ajanta Hilton
Ajanta Hilton  Executive member for Public Health and Community Safety •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Paula Hiscocks
Paula Hiscocks  (Conservative)
Profile image for Calvin Horner
Calvin Horner  Deputy Executive member for Adult Care Services •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Matthew Hurst
Matthew Hurst  Vice-Chairmen of Scrutiny Committee •  (Reform UK)
Profile image for Saul Jacob
Saul Jacob  (Reform UK)
Profile image for Steve Jarvis
Steve Jarvis  Leader of the Council; Chairman Employment Committee •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Dr Beth Kelly
Dr Beth Kelly  (Labour)
Profile image for Tony Kingsbury
Tony Kingsbury  (Conservative)
Profile image for Chris Lloyd
Chris Lloyd  Vice-Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Chris Lucas
Chris Lucas  Executive member for Resources and Performance •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Jan Maddern
Jan Maddern  (Independent)
Profile image for Gemma Moore
Gemma Moore  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Ralph Muncer
Ralph Muncer  (Conservative)
Profile image for Liz Needham
Liz Needham  Vice-Chairman of the Audit Committee •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Anthony Owen
Anthony Owen  (Reform UK)
Profile image for Robin Parker
Robin Parker  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Vishal Patel
Vishal Patel  (Conservative)
Profile image for Mark Pope
Mark Pope  (Conservative)
Profile image for Sean Prendergast
Sean Prendergast  Chairman Standards Committee •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Louise Price
Louise Price  Deputy Executive member for Children's Social Care •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Seamus Quilty BEM
Seamus Quilty BEM  (Conservative)
Profile image for Simon Rhodes
Simon Rhodes  (Reform UK)
Profile image for Richard Roberts
Richard Roberts  Leader, Conservative Group •  (Conservative)
Profile image for Stuart Roberts
Stuart Roberts  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Wendy Rouse
Wendy Rouse  (Reform UK)
Profile image for Anthony Rowlands
Anthony Rowlands  Executive member for Children's Social Care •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Paul Seeby
Paul Seeby  (Conservative)
Profile image for Richard Short
Richard Short  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Hillary Skoczylas
Hillary Skoczylas  Deputy Executive member for Education, SEND and Inclusion •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Terry Smith
Terry Smith  (Reform UK)
Profile image for Caroline Smith-Wright
Caroline Smith-Wright  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Miriam Swainston
Miriam Swainston  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Sally Symington
Sally Symington  Deputy Leader of the Council; Executive member for Adult Care Services; Chairman Health & Well-being Board; Vice-Chairman Employment Committee •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Nigel Taylor
Nigel Taylor  Chairman of Development Control Committee •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Peter Taylor
Peter Taylor  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Kirsty Taylor-Moran
Kirsty Taylor-Moran  Leader, Green Group •  (Green)
Profile image for Fiona Thomson
Fiona Thomson  Deputy Leader, Conservative Group •  (Conservative)
Profile image for Sandy Walkington
Sandy Walkington  Vice-Chairman •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Mark Watkin
Mark Watkin  Executive member for Education, SEND and Inclusion •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Steven Watson
Steven Watson  Vice-Chairmen of Scrutiny Committee •  (Green)
Profile image for Andrew Williams MBE
Andrew Williams MBE  (Conservative)
Profile image for Tim Williams
Tim Williams  Deputy Executive Member for Resources and Performance; Chairman of the Pensions Committee •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Alistair Willoughby
Alistair Willoughby  Deputy Leader, Labour Group; Vice-Chairmen of Scrutiny Committee •  (Labour)
Profile image for Steve Wortley
Steve Wortley  (Conservative)
Profile image for Dr Allison Wren
Dr Allison Wren  Deputy Executive Member for Public Health and Community Safety •  (Liberal Democrats)
Profile image for Christopher Wright
Christopher Wright  (Reform UK)
Profile image for Colette Wyatt-Lowe
Colette Wyatt-Lowe  (Conservative)
Profile image for Paul Zukowskyj
Paul Zukowskyj  Executive member for Environment, Transport and Growth •  (Liberal Democrats)

Topics

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