Hertfordshire councils decide on future council arrangements

The four unitary model has been backed by Dacorum Borough Council as its preferred model for the future of local government in Hertfordshire. All ten district councils, and the county council have worked closely together over the past year to review options, considering a range of factors including local democracy and identity, local services, and key issues such as financial stability.

Councils agreed to detailed modelling of three different options, with two, three or four new councils being created, with varying geography, population and approach to services.

At a Full Council meeting on Wednesday 12 November Dacorum Borough members indicated that a four unitary council is their preferred approach, for reasons of maintaining closeness to community, a resident first approach to providing services and ensuring local voices continue to be heard. The four unitary model was favoured over the two unitary model which offers maintaining greater cohesion of social care and education services, better financial resilience, as well as significant savings for the taxpayer.

The result of the indicative vote was 26 votes for the four unitary model, 16 votes for the two unitary model and no votes for the three unitary model.

Based on the result of the indicative vote, the decision was made by Cabinet at a meeting on Tuesday 18 November to submit the four unitary option as Dacorum’s preferred model.

Cllr Sally Symington, Leader of the Council, said: ‘Every Councillor has carefully considered what they believe is best for Dacorum and our residents. Following a constructive and inclusive debate, a majority of the members indicated that a four unitary model is Dacorum’s preferred option for the future.

‘As I committed to as Leader, we have listened to the will of the Council and supported the indicative vote of the majority of Dacorum Borough Council’s members.

‘Throughout this process, we have kept true to our values – community engagement, service improvement and delivery, and keeping residents at the heart of everything we do – and the whole of Hertfordshire has worked collaboratively to ensure that local voices have been heard.

‘Whatever the outcome of Government’s final decision, my priority will be to ensure that we deliver better, more sustainable services for our residents in the long-term.’

The final submission to Government will be made on 28 November, with a decision expected in summer 2026.