Residents in Rickmansworth and across the county are one step closer to seeing a major change in how their local services are managed following the close of a government consultation on 26 March 2026. The seven-week public engagement period sought feedback on proposals to replace the current two-tier system of county and district councils with new, larger authorities.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is now reviewing the plans, with a final decision on the future of local government in Hertfordshire expected in summer 2026. If approved, the new council structures are set to take over responsibilities by April 2028.
Three Rivers District Council, which serves approximately 93,000 residents, has formally supported a model that would create three regional authorities across the county. Under this proposal, Three Rivers would merge with Watford and Dacorum to form a new West Hertfordshire authority. This plan also includes shifting some boundaries, specifically moving four wards from Hertsmere into the new western area.
The move to reorganize local councils is part of a national effort to simplify government by creating larger authorities, with the government indicating a preference for new councils to serve populations of at least 500,000. In November 2025, all 11 councils in the county, along with the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, jointly submitted three competing models—two, three, or four unitary councils—for the government to consider. Notably, all local leaders have ruled out creating a single council for the entire county, arguing that it would be too removed from local communities.
As the transition planning continues, the impact on local democracy has already been felt in some areas. For example, local elections in Stevenage were postponed for 2026 to allow for preparations for the new structure. Leadership at Three Rivers, headed by Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE, continues to navigate these changes while also managing ongoing debates regarding planning policies and housing targets for the region.
While the various councils maintain different preferences for how many authorities should be formed, officials have pledged to work in partnership to ensure the transition maintains high-quality services for residents regardless of the government’s final decision.
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