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Herts Live, Hertford (2025)

23/12/2025

Today's weather forecast for Hertfordshire

23/12/2025

Hertfordshire County Council estimates that recent government funding announcements could leave the authority £40 million worse off annually by March 2029.

Officials received allocation details from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on December 18 and are analysing the data to assess impacts on services such as education, social care, waste disposal, and highways.

Cllr Steve Jarvis, the council leader, said it would take time to fully understand the implications of the new multi-year funding system. He warned that Hertfordshire could lose over £40 million a year under the revised allocation method, which fundamentally alters previous funding arrangements.

The government states the provisional settlement will provide £78 billion for councils nationwide in 2026/7. It claims the new evidence-based system recognises local needs, with deprived areas expected to see a 24% increase in funding per head.

Minister Alison McGovern highlighted that the settlement aims to address systemic inequalities by directing funds where most needed. Hertfordshire is preparing draft budget proposals for 2026/7, due for publication in January, with council discussions scheduled for February 17.

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Deborah Price

22/12/2025

Tomorrow's weather forecast for Hertfordshire

22/12/2025

A 140-year-old school in Hertfordshire is fighting to remain open as a public consultation on its future concludes. St Nicholas Church of England Primary School in Elstree, one of two schools facing closure by Hertfordshire County Council, has seen strong community support.

Teachers, parents, councillors and the local MP launched a campaign, with pupils staging ‘The Walk of Hope’ protest dressed as characters from the Wizard of Oz. Headteacher Kate Johnston-Grant expressed pride in the backing received, noting the community’s strong sense of loyalty.

The school currently has just 53 pupils, down from 137 in 2021, with plans to increase numbers through new initiatives like an on-site nursery. Local councils support keeping the school open, citing demographic changes and potential growth opportunities.

Hertfordshire County Council cited declining pupil numbers and national birth rate drops as reasons for considering closure, with a decision expected early next year. Councillors emphasised their long-term view, opposing the short-sightedness of the proposed closure.

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Stewart Carr

18/12/2025

The Government is set to consult on plans to replace Hertfordshire’s existing councils with a smaller number of unitary authorities in February, council leaders have been told.

Hertfordshire currently operates under a two-tier system of local government, with a county council and 10 smaller district and borough councils.

But last month, the 11 existing council leaders agreed to a joint submission including proposals to replace the existing structure with two, three or four unitary authorities.

That document was submitted to the Government in advance of the November 28 deadline.

Now, less than three weeks later, Minister for Local Government and Homelessness Alison McGovern MP has written to leaders across the county to inform them of the Government’s plans to consult in February.

In her letter, Ms McGovern thanks them for their “continued hard work to deliver unitary local government”, acknowledging the “excellent joint working” that has gone into the proposals.

And she says: “As I have set out, this Government is determined to work with you to streamline local government by replacing the current two-tier council system with new single-tier unitary councils.

“We are progressing this landmark reform at pace, which will be vital in delivering our vision: stronger local councils equipped to drive economic growth, improve public services and empower their communities.

“Empowered local government, based on unitary councils and strategic authorities, is the foundation for growth across the country – the Government’s number one mission.

“I am therefore grateful for the collaborative work you have already done to produce proposals, and I look forward to working with you over the coming months.”

According to the letter, statutory consultation must first consult any council affected that has not submitted a proposal and “any other persons considered appropriate”.

In the letter, the Minister tells leaders she expects to launch the consultation, set to last seven weeks, in early February.

In addition to Hertfordshire, consultation on local government reorganisation is also expected to be launched in 13 other areas across the country.

Chair of the Hertfordshire Leaders Group, Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, who is leader of Three Rivers District Council and a member of the county council, says that the leaders were expecting a period of consultation.

And he says he hopes the Government will take note of whatever preference was to be expressed by the public.

He also said that the timeline for the consultation suggested that Hertfordshire was still on track for new unitary authorities to be in place in 2028.

Meanwhile, officials at the county council have also confirmed receipt of the letter and that they expect the consultation to begin in February.

“We, and all councils in Hertfordshire, have today received a letter from the Government in relation to the Local Government Reorganisation proposals we submitted,” said a spokesperson for the county council.

“The letter indicates their intention to undertake a consultation on proposals in early February, which will last for seven weeks. This will apply to all 14 areas that submitted proposals at the end of November.

“As soon as we have a clearer understanding of how the Government intends to carry out their consultation, we will ensure that the residents of Hertfordshire are clear about how they can take part and make their voices heard.”

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Deborah Price

18/12/2025

The speed limit outside a school on the edge of Welwyn is expected to be cut to 40mph within months, Hertfordshire county councillors have been told.

Currently, motorists can travel at up to 70mph as they pass the entrance to Sherrardswood School, on Hertford Road.

But parents and pupils have been campaigning for a reduced speed limit on the stretch of the A1000 that leads to the A1(M) for some time.

At the latest meeting of the county council, Reform Cllr Michael Blissett highlighted the need for immediate action to reduce the speed limit – citing two school-gate accidents this year.

However, it emerged that there were already plans to permanently reduce the speed limit on the stretch of road, which were expected to be complete in spring 2026.

Cllr Blissett had initially called for an emergency speed limit to be implemented. However, the council “noted with approval” that the planned reduction was “being progressed quickly and expected to be complete in spring 2026”.

Cllr Blissett suggested that the council had turned down three requests for an emergency temporary speed limit.

But at the meeting, he was told that the council already had plans to publish a Traffic Regulation Order for the permanent reduction in speed limit this month.

And it was suggested that a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order would still be subject to the same consultation process, so it could not be implemented any more quickly.

Backing an amended motion that included amendments from the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, councillors ultimately agreed to formally recognise the desire of pupils and parents for a reduced speed limit.

And they formally recognised that action was being taken to reduce the speed limit – from 70mph to 40mph – in an amended motion.

They noted that the location had not met the previous criteria for inclusion on the “hazardous sites list”, based on accident and police reports.

And also noted that following the change in the council’s administration, and the proposed revised speed management strategy, previously agreed plans to reduce the speed limit to 50mph had been revised to 40mph.

Following the meeting, Cllr Blissett told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Having been a police officer for 32 years, I am all too aware how dangerous a 70mph speed limit can be outside a school.

“I had already requested that Hertfordshire County Council lower the speed limit on a temporary basis on three occasions. Each occasion has been refused.

“I am happy that they are finally taking action to implement it as soon as possible – and that all parties are in agreement that it must be lowered immediately.

“But it is shameful that this has taken 10 years of campaigning by the school. That is completely unacceptable.”

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Deborah Price

18/12/2025

Hertfordshire County Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst has been awarded an OBE by HRH the Princess Royal at St James Palace.

The Three Rivers District Council leader was recognised for his services to local government in the King Charles III’s 2025 Birthday Honours.

He received the honour earlier this month, accompanied by his husband Kevin and children Andrew and Christina. Cllr Giles-Medhurst said, “It was a great pleasure to be received by Her Royal Highness – and for Kevin, my husband, and my two children, Andrew and Christina, to be present as we were received in the Throne Room.”

He added, “The honour is not just for me, but all my family, friends and colleagues, as well as residents who have supported my long service in local government over four decades.” The councillor, who has lived in Hertfordshire since 1999, has served on Three Rivers District Council since 2000.

He previously represented the Central Watford and Oxhey division for 24 years and was elected as Abbots Langley parish councillor in 2008. Before moving to Hertfordshire, he served for 20 years on Harrow Council in London.

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Deborah Price

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