County Hall Abandoned

Published: 29/07/2025

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A foolish move before local government reorganisation determined or a buyer identified?

Hertford Civic Society Chair Jan Goodeve comments on behalf of the Committee

July 21st: The Cabinet of minority led Liberal Hertfordshire County Council decided to move local democracy, from Hertford's Grade II* purpose built art deco council chamber, to a Stevenage office block. The Overview & Scrutiny panel's concerns around lack of financial information provided to members and consideration of the review of local government structure were ignored. 

A newly created unitary authority headquarter has yet to be decided. Government will abolish District Councils and divide the county into probably two or three large unitary authorities. East Herts likely to be combined with Broxbourne and Welwyn & Hatfield. At this point this is speculation only. Major decisions around property disposals being made now and borrowing almost £1m to build another Council chamber seems unwise.

Hertford itself is clearly suffering from decline in both daytime and evening economies. The causes are many: the move of jobs at County Hall to Stevenage being a contributory factor, increased burdens on employers by increases in NI, minimum wage and inflationary pressures.  Individuals have less discretionary spend available as their outgoings increase.  There have been many shop closures with a few new ones opening but are not the kind residents wish to see, retail choice is diminishing.

Is Hertford is to become a dormitory town to meet housing numbers imposed by Government? People need local employment or face travelling to find work, of course those in a knowledge based roles are more easily able to work from home at least some of the time but what of others. 

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