The Cabinet of Hertfordshire Council met on Monday 13 October 2025 to discuss several key issues, including proposed changes to school admission numbers, the council's financial performance, and the adoption of a new corporate plan. Decisions were made regarding the consultation process for reducing the Published Admission Number (PAN) at four primary schools, the approval of a capital reprogramming of £21.2 million, and the endorsement of the new Corporate Plan for 2025-2028. The Cabinet also agreed to enter into new lease and licence arrangements to support the waste transfer station operational contract.

Proposed Changes to School Admission Numbers

The Cabinet agreed to begin a formal consultation process on proposals to reduce the Published Admission Number (PAN) at four primary schools: Kimpton Primary School, St Mary's Junior School in Baldock, Leavesden Green Primary School in Watford, and Little Green Junior School in Croxley Green. These reductions are proposed due to declining numbers of children in these areas, with Kimpton Primary School potentially reducing its intake from 30 to 15 pupils, St Mary's Junior School from 60 to 30, Leavesden Green Primary School from 60 to 30, and Little Green Junior School from 90 to 60. Two schools, Widford and Hunsdon Primary Schools, are proposing marginal increases to their PANs. The consultation period will run from 27 October to 7 December 2025, with a final decision expected in February 2026. The existing admission arrangements for other schools will be retained.

Finance Budget Monitor – Quarter 1 2025/26

The Cabinet received a report on the council's financial position for the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. A projected overspend of £4.2 million was reported, primarily driven by pressures in Resources, Adult Social Care, and Community Protection. Despite these pressures, the overspend is considered significantly less than in the previous financial year and remains within the £10 million contingency fund. There are ongoing upward pressures on social care demand, with mitigations in place to manage these. A forecast capital underspend of £13.8 million was also noted, partly due to the decision not to proceed with an office accommodation purchase. The Cabinet approved a capital reprogramming of £21.2 million.

A significant concern raised was the funding for the schools' High Needs block, which is projected to have an in-year deficit of £51 million, leading to an accumulated deficit of £77 million by the end of the financial year. Councillors highlighted that government funding is woefully insufficient to meet the needs of these children, with the council spending £50 million more than the grant available. The fair funding formula was also identified as a significant issue impacting the authority. The council plans to lobby Hertfordshire's MPs and ministers regarding these funding concerns.

Approval of the County Council's New Corporate Plan

The Cabinet endorsed the new Corporate Plan for Hertfordshire County Council for 2025-2028. The plan, titled Building a sustainable, inclusive and thriving Hertfordshire, outlines the administration's strategic priorities. Key objectives include helping children and young people thrive, fixing roads and buses, growing a more sustainable Hertfordshire, supporting those most in need, and delivering more efficient services. The plan builds upon the initial 100-day priorities set by the new administration. The Chief Executive was authorised to make minor amendments to the plan in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader. The plan will be recommended to the County Council for noting at its meeting on 21 October 2025.

Agreement of Proposed Lease and Licence Arrangements for Waste Transfer Station

The Cabinet agreed to enter into new lease and licence arrangements to support the operational contract for the waste transfer station. This is a technical item arising from the change of contractor for waste services, with Veolia ES (UK) Limited set to take over the contract from 1 July 2026. The arrangements involve new leases for two council-owned sites: the Eastern Transfer Station in Ware and Waterdale Transfer Station in Watford. These leases will be for a term of seven years, with a peppercorn rent, and will be contracted out of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. Authority was delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive & Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with relevant executive members and officers, to agree the terms of the legal documents required.