Issue - meetings

To note the LGR structural changes order submission report.

Report to follow.

Cabinet received a report seeking approval to the Council’s proposed response to a consultation from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), regarding the drafting of the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Structural Change Order for Hertfordshire.

The Leader advised that as the report was not circulated five clear days prior to the meeting, he had accepted the matter as urgent due to the requirement for Hertfordshire authorities to provide a single response within the timeframe to MHCLG.  He also advised that the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny had agreed to waive call-in, reflecting both the urgency of the decision and the necessity of progressing within the limited time available.

Members were informed that the Structural Change Order would establish the detailed legislative and governance framework for transition to new unitary authorities, including how services, assets, responsibilities and decision-making arrangements would transfer and operate.

It was noted that Hertfordshire’s proposed response had been developed through close collaboration across all eleven councils and reflected a shared officer-level view on the practical arrangements needed to support a smooth and effective transition.

The Chief Executive reported feedback from the Hertfordshire Leaders’ Group.  It was confirmed that the Structural Changes Order would establish joint committees covering proposed unitary arrangements.  Members noted that naming conventions for the future authorities would be determined by shadow authorities at a later stage, although some initial preferences had been expressed.  Clarification was also provided that the question regarding political proportionality on joint committees posed by MHCLG applies to Hertfordshire County Council.

The Chief Executive also advised that feedback had also been received from the MHCLG advisor which highlighted the strength of cross?party and cross?tier collaboration in Hertfordshire, encouraging early establishment of voluntary joint committees, emphasising the need to focus on improved outcomes for residents, and recognising the importance of addressing wider financial challenges across the public sector.

A Member emphasised that, throughout the transition period, it would be essential to ensure that residents continued to receive high?quality services, while also providing staff with as much clarity and stability as possible.

It was RESOLVED that the proposed responses detailed in Appendix A to the report be approved and authority be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer to finalise the response and submit to MHCLG in accordance with the required timeframe.

Cabinet received a report seeking approval to the Council’s proposed response to a consultation from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), regarding the drafting of the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Structural Change Order for Hertfordshire.

The Leader advised that as the report was not circulated five clear days prior to the meeting, he had accepted the matter as urgent due to the requirement for Hertfordshire authorities to provide a single response within the timeframe to MHCLG.  He also advised that the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny had agreed to waive call-in, reflecting both the urgency of the decision and the necessity of progressing within the limited time available.

Members were informed that the Structural Change Order would establish the detailed legislative and governance framework for transition to new unitary authorities, including how services, assets, responsibilities and decision-making arrangements would transfer and operate.

It was noted that Hertfordshire’s proposed response had been developed through close collaboration across all eleven councils and reflected a shared officer-level view on the practical arrangements needed to support a smooth and effective transition.

The Chief Executive reported feedback from the Hertfordshire Leaders’ Group.  It was confirmed that the Structural Changes Order would establish joint committees covering proposed unitary arrangements.  Members noted that naming conventions for the future authorities would be determined by shadow authorities at a later stage, although some initial preferences had been expressed.  Clarification was also provided that the question regarding political proportionality on joint committees posed by MHCLG applies to Hertfordshire County Council.

The Chief Executive also advised that feedback had also been received from the MHCLG advisor which highlighted the strength of cross?party and cross?tier collaboration in Hertfordshire, encouraging early establishment of voluntary joint committees, emphasising the need to focus on improved outcomes for residents, and recognising the importance of addressing wider financial challenges across the public sector.

A Member emphasised that, throughout the transition period, it would be essential to ensure that residents continued to receive high?quality services, while also providing staff with as much clarity and stability as possible.

It was RESOLVED that the proposed responses detailed in Appendix A to the report be approved and authority be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer to finalise the response and submit to MHCLG in accordance with the required timeframe.