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."