Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans, has slammed the disarray created by the government’s announcement (on 7th September) of Local Government Reorganisation in Hertfordshire being “paused” whilst under review.
Within her statement, the Secretary of State confirmed that this decision is “in light of legal advice” received, and that May 2027 local elections will take place on existing council boundaries (of St Albans District Council) rather than new unitary council boundaries, as anticipated up to this point.
Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans, said:
“Local government reorganisation has been a shambles from start to finish.
“Taxpayer money has been wasted preparing for a change that won’t now go ahead as planned, and the time and energy of councillors and officers have been needlessly distracted by a top-down re-organisation away from the delivery of local services, like SEND and social care.
“But even if reorganisation has been paused, devolution must not be. Whether or not the government creates the role of a Hertfordshire Mayor, Hertfordshire must not miss out on being given the same powers as other parts of the country – our county council must be given these powers now.”
