Cabinet divided on the best option for Welwyn Hatfield in Local Government Reform

At a Special Cabinet meeting on Monday night, WHBC Cabinet members made a decision on which Unitary Authority option to support for Welwyn Hatfield in the Local Government reorganisation of Hertfordshire.  It was decided by four votes to three to support the four unitary option which was favoured by the four Labour Cabinet Councillors despite the cross party support for the three unitary option at full council on Nov 12th. 

Over the last year the ten Borough and District Councils and also the County Council have worked closely together to gather and assess a range of data related to local identity, council services, and demographics. This led to three proposals for splitting Hertfordshire with two, three or four Unitary Councils with varying geography, populations and varying financial outcomes.

The Welwyn Hatfield Liberal Democrat Councillors prefer the three unitary option which would link WelHat with St. Albans and Hertsmere and which creates three well balanced Unitaries which are financially stable and well balanced in size.  The three unitaries would be of sufficient size to be economical but also small enough to be relatable to residents.

We were very disappointed by the Cabinet decision for four unitaries, especially when the four Labour Councillors chose to go against an indicative (non-binding) vote at last week’s Council meeting where Councillors supported the three unitary option by a majority of 26 to19.

Despite this process of all the Hertfordshire councils choosing an option they support, the final decision will lie in the hands of the government.  They will first decide which options will be put forward for another public consultation in the new year and then decide by July 2026 which option Hertfordshire will follow. Provided there are no delays in the timetable, the new Unitary Authorities will take over in April 2028.