Steven Watson

Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 9 February 2026 10.00 am

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Hertfordshire Council met on Monday 09 February 2026 to discuss the council's budget for 2026/27 and its Medium Term Financial Strategy. The meeting was scheduled to confirm the minutes from a previous meeting and to ratify recommendations arising from evidence-gathering sessions held in the preceding week.

Budget Scrutiny - Evidence Gathering Session, Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 4 February 2026 9.00 am

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Hertfordshire Council convened for evidence-gathering sessions on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, to scrutinise the council's budget for 2026/27 and its Medium Term Financial Strategy. The committee focused on the Adult Care Services, Public Health and Community Safety, and Resources and Performance portfolios, as well as a strategic overview of the overall budget. Key discussions revolved around the sustainability of the capital programme amidst construction cost inflation, the impact of local government reorganisation (LGR) on finances and services, and strategies for workforce retention and development.

Budget Scrutiny - Evidence Gathering Session, Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 3 February 2026 9.00 am

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Hertfordshire Council convened for evidence-gathering sessions on Tuesday, 03 February 2026, to scrutinise the proposed budget for 2026/27 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy. The sessions covered Children's Social Care, Education, SEND and Inclusion, Highways, and Environment, Transport and Growth. Key discussions included the recruitment and retention of foster carers, support for care leavers, investment in SEND services, home-to-school transport, the sustainability of the high needs block deficit, and the management of highways infrastructure.

Highways Cabinet Panel - Thursday, 29 January 2026 10.00 am

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.

Employment Committee - Tuesday, 27 January 2026 2.00 pm

The Employment Committee of Hertfordshire Council met on Tuesday 27 January 2026 to discuss and approve the council's pay policy for the upcoming financial year, review its pay principles and structures, and address the recruitment of a Programme Director for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) transition. Key decisions included endorsing the pay policy for 2026-2027, approving adjustments to pay structures for specific roles within the Organisational Leadership Job Family, and agreeing to the creation and recruitment process for a Programme Director for LGR transition. The committee also discussed and approved the introduction of a Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme (MARS) as part of the workforce savings programme.