Hertfordshire's councils split over shake-up plans

Steve Jarvis, leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said having two councils would result in the most money for services

Hertfordshire's councils are divided over their preferred options for the upcoming shake-up of local government in the county.

The majority of the 11 authorities say four unitary authorities should be established.

But some councils want there to be just two or three authorities.

The leader of the county council is one of those who believes two authorities would be the most cost-effective solution.

At the moment, Hertfordshire has a county council, which looks after things such as social care and education, and 10 district and borough councils, which provide services such as housing, planning and waste collection.

The government believes having a smaller number of all-purpose councils would make local government simpler, more accountable and more sustainable.

All 11 existing councils in Hertfordshire were asked whether they thought the county should split into two, three or four unitary authority areas in the future.

The government hopes there will eventually be a single proposal agreed across the board, but at the moment there is a three-way split among the councils.

Areas opting for four councils:

• Broxbourne (Conservative)

• Dacorum (Liberal Democrat minority administration)

• Hertsmere (Labour and Lib Dem coalition)

• North Hertfordshire (Labour minority administration)

• Stevenage (Labour)

• Welwyn Hatfield (Labour and Lib Dem coalition)

Areas opting for three councils:

• East Hertfordshire (Green and Lib Dem coalition)

• Three Rivers (LibDem minority administration)

• Watford (Liberal Democrat)

Areas opting for two councils:

• Hertfordshire County (Liberal Democrat)

• St Albans (Liberal Democrat)

Steve Jarvis, leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said: "We think the two-unitary option is the one that is best placed to deliver services to people at the lowest cost, which will mean we have the most money available for delivering services."

Richard Henry, leader of Stevenage Borough Council, believes his authority is backing the right horse by opting for four councils

Richard Henry, leader of Stevenage Borough Council, said his authority wanted four authorities because "smaller councils will be naturally closer to communities, deliver better services for residents, build stronger connections with local businesses and offer more support to those who need it".

The four council layout would involve some boundary changes with parts of Broxbourne and North Hertfordshire splitting away from the rest of their councils and joining the adjacent authority.

Ben Crystall, who leads East Hertfordshire Council, said: "People want, above all else, good-quality local services that offer value for money.

"They also want to feel confident that their area won't be overlooked within a large organisation.

"That is why we, as an administration, believe that three unitary councils serving Hertfordshire would best balance these priorities."

St Albans City and District Council is concerned about the three-council option

St Albans City and District Council has written to the government expressing concern about the proposal for three unitary authorities because it would separate them from Dacorum Borough Council, its partner in the Hemel Garden Communities project.

The councils have until 28 November to come up with a joint submission to the government. A decision is expected next summer.