Council leader responds to Government's letter on local government reform

The letter sets out the criteria to be considered and the timescale including initial plans to be submitted in March and full proposals later this year.

In response, Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, the Leader of Three Rivers District Council said: 

“Our shared priority remains to ensure that any changes benefit Hertfordshire residents and businesses, and maintain our excellent local government services, whilst ensuring strong democratic accountability to our communities and neighbourhoods.

“There are currently differing views on the best model for local government in Hertfordshire and we  are committed to working together to determine how we can best achieve this goal.

“All 11 councils in Hertfordshire, with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, are already collaborating to develop a shared evidence-base to inform the options available to our county.

“Having not yet agreed a joint proposal, Hertfordshire will not be included in the first phase of reforms, but together we will now carefully consider the Government’s request and develop our response.

“At this time we remain open minded to what the future of local government in Hertfordshire may look like, and as leader I will be considering all options that emerge with my focus firmly on what will offer the best outcome for the people of Three Rivers and the wider county.

“This work is at an early stage and the views of residents, businesses, local government partners, our colleagues and other stakeholders across the public and private sectors will be essential as it develops.”