The Hertfordshire County Council met to discuss a range of issues, including the appointment of a chair to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, political proportionality on committees, and a petition regarding the Hertfordshire Local Government Pension Scheme. The council also discussed and approved a new corporate plan, and heard reports from various committees.

Appointment of the Chair of the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Following the resignation of the previous chair from the Conservative Group, the council appointed Councillor Fiona Thomson as the new Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC). Councillor Steve Jarvis, Leader of the Council, proposed the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Sally Symington, Deputy Leader of the Council.

Political Proportionality on Committees

The council reviewed and approved the allocation of seats to party groups on ordinary committees, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and the Health Scrutiny Committee, in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. The report of the Director of Law and Governance outlined the proposed seat allocation based on the political composition of the council.

Public Petition: Divestment from Companies Complicit in War Crimes

The council considered a public petition requesting the Hertfordshire Local Government Pension Scheme (HLGPS) to divest from companies allegedly complicit in Israeli human rights abuses against Palestinians. Peter Segal presented the petition, and Councillor Tim Williams moved a motion for the pensions committee to review the responsible investment policy.

Arguments for the motion:

• Councillor Ian Albert, Vice-Chair Pensions Committee, supported the motion, noting that human rights are an important factor in the responsible investment policy.
• Councillor Jan Maddern supported the motion, agreeing with Councillor Albert's comments.
• Councillor Stephen Jarvis, Leader of the Council, seconded the motion, stating that the Pensions Committee should consider whether its decisions on responsible investment in relation to human rights considerations are correct.
• The Green Party supported the petition, emphasising that criticism of the Israeli government is distinct from criticism of Jewish people.

Arguments against the motion:

• Councillor Richard Roberts, Leader, Conservative Group, stated that the petition was a Trojan horse for political discourse and that the pensions committee should retain its independence and focus on its fiduciary duty to pensioners.
• The Reform UK group opposed the petition, arguing that no Israeli company has been found guilty of war crimes in a court of law and that the council should not conduct foreign policy.

The council voted on the motion, The Council requests the Pensions Committee to review Hertfordshire County Council's responsible investment policy and for this to be done at its earliest opportunity. The motion was carried by one vote, and the matter will go to the Pensions Committee for further consideration.

Report of the Independent Panel for Members' Allowances

The council approved the recommendation of the Independent Panel for Members' Allowances to keep the posts that qualify for special responsibility allowances and the formula applying to each post unchanged.

Hertfordshire County Council Corporate Plan 2025-2028

The council considered the Hertfordshire County Council Corporate Plan 2025-2028, which sets out the administration's priorities for the county. Councillor Steve Jarvis, Leader of the Council, introduced the plan, highlighting its vision for a sustainable, inclusive, and thriving Hertfordshire.

The plan outlines four key priorities:

• Helping all children and young people to thrive and achieve their potential
• Fixing Hertfordshire's roads and buses
• Growing a more sustainable Hertfordshire
• Supporting those most in need

Arguments for the plan:

• Councillor Adrian England emphasised the plan's focus on sustainability and inclusivity.
• Councillor Matt Fisher stated that sustainability can and must mean opportunity and economic growth.
• Councillor Chris Lucas stated that the plan sets out the commitment to children and young people, fixing roads and buses, and supporting those most in need.
• Councillor Paul Zukowskyj highlighted the administration's work to secure funding for bus franchising.
• Councillor Anthony Rowlands stated that the underpinning ambition is that every child should be able to achieve their full potential.

Arguments against the plan:

• Councillor Richard Roberts, Leader, Conservative Group, criticised the plan for lacking ambition, identity, and a sense of urgency.
• Councillor Steve Wardley expressed disappointment in the plan's lack of a clear vision for Hertfordshire's economy.
• Councillor Tony Kingsbury raised concerns about what's missing in the new corporate plan, particularly in adult care.
• Councillor Matt Cowley said that the plan is all talk and no plan, with no stretching targets or new ideas.
• Councillor Ralph Muncer stated that the plan is unambitious, unimaginative, and seemingly unfinished.
• Councillor Paul Seabay said that the plan needs to focus on making public transport services run on time and addressing the specific needs of individuals with SEND¹.
• Councillor Fiona Thompson said that the plan lacks ambition and any milestones or measurables.

The motion to note the plan was carried, with abstentions winning the day.

Executive Report to Council

Councillor Steve Jarvis, Leader of the Council, presented the Executive Report, highlighting the administration's achievements in its first 100 days, including trials of fixing potholes, a SEND summit, and scrapping plans to cut recycling centre opening days.

Motions on Notice

The council debated three motions on notice:

Infrastructure to Support Growth

Councillor Eric Buckmaster moved a motion, as amended by Councillor Paul Zukowskyj, regarding infrastructure to support growth in Hertfordshire. The motion called for a spatial growth strategy, updates to the local transport plan, and engagement with relevant agencies to demand government support for infrastructure. The council voted to approve the amended motion.

Increased Police Visibility

Councillor Saul Jacob moved a motion, as amended by Councillor Alexander Curtis, regarding increased police visibility in Hertfordshire. The motion called for increased foot patrols and a stronger law enforcement presence. The council voted to approve the amended motion.

Unadopted Roads

Councillor Beth Kelly moved a motion, as amended by Councillor Alistair Willoughby, regarding unadopted roads in Hertfordshire. The motion called for a review of processes for road adoption and improvements to services for residents affected by unadopted roads. The council voted to approve the amended motion.

Questions to Executive Members

Members of the council asked questions of the executive members on various topics, including:

• The Leader of the Council was asked about the council's priority for Hertfordshire and how they will keep driving that priority forward.
• The Executive Member for Children's Social Care was asked about the decision to cut school holiday food vouchers and what support has been put in place to mitigate children going hungry.
• The Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion was asked about the number of schools earmarked for closure and the plans for the SEND summit.
• The Executive Member for Environment, Transport and Growth was asked about how the additional funding to improve the bus network will help everyday bus users.
• The Executive Member for Highways was asked how many extra potholes a year they expect will be filled by 2028.
• The Executive Member for Public Health and Community Safety was asked about the council's support for the new state-of-the-art joint emergency services academy in Stevenage.
• The Executive Member for Resources and Performance was asked whether there will be sufficient funds in the 2026-27 budget to meet the aspirations contained in the revised corporate plan.

Reports from Committees

The council received reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Health Scrutiny Committee.

Constitution of the Hertfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board

The council approved an amendment to the constitution of the Hertfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board to formally appoint the Chief Constable of Hertfordshire Constabulary as a non-statutory, discretionary member.