The Highways Cabinet Panel meeting scheduled for Thursday, 29 January 2026, was set to discuss the council's budget for 2026/27 and the medium-term financial strategy concerning highways. Other key agenda items included a review of the Highway Locality Budget Scheme, an update on Hertfordshire's 20mph programme, and a response to a motion regarding streetlighting policy. The panel was also scheduled to approve the Highways & Transport Integrated Works Programme and associated capital budgets for 2026/27.

Budget 2026/27 and Medium Term Financial Strategy (Highways)

The panel was to consider the proposed revenue budget for 2026/27 and the projected financial position for the subsequent three years, as detailed in the draft budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) report. This report highlighted significant financial pressures, including a substantial loss of government funding and rising demand and costs for services. The council's net revenue budget for 2026/27 was projected to be £1,197 million, with significant investments planned in Adult Care Services, Children's Services, and Growth and Environment services, which includes highways and transport. The report also outlined proposed savings targets across departments and a proposed council tax increase. For highways specifically, the budget included an increase in highways locality budgets and additional capital investment for pothole repairs and the rollout of 20mph zones.

Review of Highway Locality Budget Scheme for 2026/27 Onwards

This report was to present a review of the Highway Locality Budget (HLB) scheme, prompted by a motion to the November 2025 panel. The review aimed to address concerns about the erosion of the HLB's value due to inflation, which has reduced the scope and responsiveness of member-led schemes. The report was to propose new and revised processes for the HLB scheme from 2026/27, including an initial project evaluation service, the introduction of 'works packages' to allow members to 'club together' for efficiencies, and an optimisation of decision-making milestones to allow for more in-year delivery. A simplified price list and enhanced design stage planning were also to be discussed to improve financial and programme delivery performance.

Hertfordshire's 20mph Programme Delivery Update

This report was intended to update the panel on the delivery of 20mph areas across Hertfordshire. It was to cover new approaches being piloted, including a revised strategy focusing more on the intended functionality of streets and fewer physical measures, which aims to enable more roads to be included within the programme. The report was also to outline priority locations for the next phase of 20mph delivery, supported by an additional £1.5 million in capital investment proposed in the council's draft budget for 2026/27. The report also detailed the engagement and communications strategy for these schemes, aiming to increase public awareness and compliance.

Response to Streetlighting Policy Motion

This report was to enable the panel to consider a motion referred by the County Council concerning the council's streetlighting policy. The motion noted the council's general presumption against new streetlighting, the limitations on using Highways Locality Budget (HLB) funding for streetlighting on remote footpaths, and the associated costs of installation, lifetime revenue, and removal. The motion also proposed that members should have discretionary power to install new streetlighting on roads they deem appropriate, with members expected to cover these costs, which would be placed into a special reserve. The report was to provide background on the existing streetlighting policy and relevant financial implications.

Approve Highways & Transport 2026/27 Integrated Works Programme & Associated Capital Budgets for 2026/27

This report was to present the proposed Integrated Works Programme (IWP) for 2026/27, outlining the planned works funded by the council's budget. The IWP is designed at a county level to achieve best value for money and follows an asset management approach. The report was to include a table detailing the number of schemes planned and the associated capital funding, noting that the total number of schemes is an underestimate as additional schemes may be added during the year. The report also included a separate item on the street lighting programme, which requires separate approval due to its value exceeding £5 million. This programme planned to use LED technology and a central management system for individual light control and fault reporting.

The appendices to this report contained detailed divisional lists of proposed schemes for 2026/27, categorised by work type, including carriageway refurbishment, drainage schemes, integrated transport schemes, casualty reduction schemes, highway locality budget funded work, active travel fund projects, 20mph zones, and bus service improvement plan initiatives.