St Albans Council backs plan to split Hertfordshire into two unitary authorities
St Albans City & District Council has formally backed proposals to reorganise Hertfordshire’s local government by creating two new unitary authorities.
The plan would see all county, district, and borough councils replaced, with a single council in each area responsible for providing all local services.
At a council meeting on Thursday, the ruling Liberal Democrat group supported the two-unitary option, which would combine St Albans with Dacorum, Hertsmere, Three Rivers, and Watford to form a West Hertfordshire authority.
This new council would serve around 625,000 residents and be run by 117 councillors.
Supporters of the plan say it could save between £366 million and £418 million across Hertfordshire over the first ten years.
Cllr Paul De Kort, leader of St Albans Council, said:
“This option is the most financially viable and offers a chance to maintain local services without repeatedly increasing council tax.”
However, not all councillors are in agreement. Conservative, Labour, and Green representatives favoured a four-unitary model, arguing it would provide better local accountability.
They also point out that the four-unitary option was the most popular with residents during a consultation earlier this year.
The Government will now consider submissions from all 11 councils before making a final decision on the county’s reorganisation.
A public consultation is expected in spring next year, with elections for the new authorities scheduled for May 2027 and the new councils taking over in 2028.
For residents, the changes could mean one council responsible for all services in their area, from schools and roads to waste collection and social care. Supporters argue this could simplify services and reduce costs, while critics caution that larger councils might feel less connected to local communities.