The English Devolution White Paper published in December 2024 sets out the government's plans to devolve powers from national government to local areas, and for the wider reorganisation of local government. This will affect all existing councils in Hertfordshire, including North Herts.
Devolution
The white paper includes proposals on devolving powers and funding to new Mayoral Strategic Authorities.
These new authorities would be larger than individual councils and would mostly be led by directly elected mayors. They would be responsible for areas including housing, regeneration, local growth, transport, skills and employment support.
Local government reorganisation (LGR)
The government has set out plans to simplify the current two-tier system of district and county councils in England by replacing them with one or more unitary councils. They would be responsible for all local government services in their area.
The white paper talks about creating councils with a population of 500,000 residents or more, though there may be exceptions to this.
Interim submission
The government has asked councils to work together to make proposals for reorganisation.
Alongside the other Hertfordshire councils we submitted an interim proposal to the government on 20 March 2025.
Timeline
| Date | Event | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 5 February 2025 | Statutory invitation received from government to submit unitary proposals | Confirmed |
| 21 March 2025 | Submit interim Local Government Reorganisation proposal | Confirmed |
| 1 May 2025 | Hertfordshire County Council elections | Confirmed |
| 28 November 2025 | Submit full Local Government Reorganisation proposal | Confirmed |
| May 2027 | Elections (shadow authorities) | Proposed |
| April 2028 | Vesting day for new unitary councils | Proposed |