Agenda item

Pursuant to the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules in the Constitution, the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny has agreed that the decision to disapply the call in provision is reasonable and urgent, in respect of the Cabinet’s decision on the 18 November 2025 as to which unitary authority model they are supporting and to submit the joint submission to Government by 28 November 2025 for Local Government Reorganisation. The decision is deemed urgent as any delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would prejudice the Council and the public interest in terms of meeting the submission deadline.

The Committee received an update from the Strategic Director regarding the submission of the final proposal for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). Cabinet had noted the indicative resolution of Full Council and following debate, agreed that the four unitary model be identified as the Council’s preferred option.

Cabinet had approved the submission of the proposal, and delegated authority was granted to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to finalise and submit Hertfordshire’s proposal by 28 November 2025.

Members thanked the officers involved and noted that the Council’s approach to the LGR process had been conducted professionally.

The Chair informed the Committee that, prior to the meeting, he had agreed to disapply the call-in provision of the Cabinet decision regarding its preferred option to Government on the LGR submission, due to the urgency of the decision to be submitted by the deadline of 28 November 2025.

The Committee noted the decisions of Cabinet.