What is LGR?

In February 2025, councils were asked by Government to put forward proposals for local government reorganisation. The aim is to: 

• simplify how local services are delivered 

• reduce costs 

• improve accountability and transparency 

What is being proposed?

Under the Government’s plan, these councils would be replaced by new unitary councils. Each unitary council would deliver all services currently provided separately by district and borough councils and the county council. 

Following local engagement events and an online survey, Hertfordshire’s 11 councils—alongside the Police and Crime Commissioner—submitted three potential models for Government to consider: 

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1. Two Unitary Councils 

• Eastern: Broxbourne, East Herts, North Herts, Stevenage, Welwyn Hatfield 

• West: Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans, Three Rivers, Watford 

• Each covering approx. 600,000 residents 

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2. Three Unitary Councils 

• Eastern: Broxbourne, East Herts, North Herts, Stevenage 

• West: Dacorum, Three Rivers, Watford, plus Bushey (from Hertsmere) 

• Central: Hertsmere, St Albans, Welwyn Hatfield 

• Populations ranging from 350,000 to 480,000 

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3. Four Unitary Councils 

• Eastern: Broxbourne, East Herts, six wards from North Herts, and Cuffley & Northaw from Welwyn Hatfield 

• Central: North Herts, Stevenage, Welwyn Hatfield 

• South West: Hertsmere, Three Rivers, Watford 

• West: Dacorum, St Albans 

• Each serving 290,000–320,000 residents 

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Both the three and four unitary models include boundary changes designed to reflect local communities and ensure financial sustainability. 

Who decides whether there will be two, three or four councils for Hertfordshire? 

The government will decide which of the three options will be implemented in Hertfordshire.