Six councils across Hertfordshire are being asked for their views on the postponement of elections next year, as plans for local government reorganisation in the county progress.

Broxbourne, St Albans, Stevenage, Three Rivers, Watford and Welwyn Hatfield borough and district councils are all scheduled to hold votes for some seats in May.

But Minister for Local Government and Homelessness Alison McGovern has now asked the leaders of all six councils – as well as a further 58 nationwide – for their views on postponement of the polls.

In a letter to the 64 council leaders, she points to ongoing work to "streamline" local government – that could see Hertfordshire's two-tier structure replaced with a smaller number of unitary authorities by April 2028.

She alludes to unnamed councils that have told them about the "constraints" they are operating in.

And she says it is right that they listen to concerns about their "capacity to deliver a smooth and safe transition to new councils, alongside running resource-intensive elections to councils that may be shortly abolished".

She says there have already been requests from "multiple councils" to postpone their elections in May.

In the letter, she asks council leaders to share their views by January 15.

However, two council leaders in Hertfordshire say they believe the elections should go ahead in their areas.

Others have said they will seek the views of residents and neighbouring councils before expressing a view, or have yet to make a decision.

No leader from the six Hertfordshire councils has yet told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they intend to seek a postponement.

Among those to believe the elections should go ahead as planned is Conservative Cllr Corina Gander, leader of Broxbourne Borough Council, where a third of the 30-strong council is due to be re-elected in May.

Her view is shared by the Liberal Democrat Elected Mayor of Watford Borough Council, Peter Taylor.

"I am absolutely clear Broxbourne Council will not be asking for the 2026 Broxbourne Council local elections to be delayed," said Cllr Gander.

"The Government is asking elected councillors to choose to cancel elections on the basis that holding these elections will adversely affect the capacity of councils to deliver local government reorganisation. I do not believe this to be the case.

"As the leader of this authority, I see absolutely no conflict between our democratic duty and our ability to run Broxbourne.

"As ever, I am guided by doing what is in the best for the people we represent. I believe in democracy and giving people a voice; therefore, I am not prepared to deny them their voice at the ballot box."

In a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Peter Taylor – whose own position is scheduled to be part of the elections – said: "I believe these elections should take place.

"Democracy is important, and residents should have their say on their town.

"Residents should decide who has the honour of serving as elected mayor and as one of their local councillors in the final years of Watford Council."

Elsewhere in the county, councils are reviewing the situation before the need to formally respond to the Government.

Officials at St Albans and District Council – where roughly a third of the 56 seats are due for re-election – stressed that they have not asked for a postponement.

Chief executive Amanda Foley says they will now look at the impact of a postponement, as well as seeking the views of group leaders and others, before responding.

"We are surprised to receive this letter from the Government asking if we want to postpone next May's elections in view of the demands of local government reorganisation," said Ms Foley.

"We have not lobbied for such a postponement and did not expect to receive this request for our views on implementing one.

"The Government has given us a deadline of January 15 to respond to their letter, and we will now examine the impact of a postponement.

"In doing so, the views of all group leaders and other interested parties will be sought to see what their position is."

Cllr Richard Henry, leader of Stevenage Borough Council – where 13 of the 39 seats are due to be re-elected in May – is also planning to consult further before responding to the minister.

"The council will carefully consider the announcement and will make all decisions transparently," said Labour Cllr Henry, in a statement issued by the borough council.

"We will use the guiding principles of protecting local services, ensuring prudent use of taxpayers' money, and delivering the best possible outcomes for Stevenage residents.

"We will engage with other councils in Hertfordshire because we are managing our transition as a group of councils, and not every council has annual elections like Stevenage.

"Residents will be kept informed as the process progresses."

At Three Rivers District Council – where 13 seats are due to go up for re-election in May – the council is said to be "considering its position".

A spokesperson for Three Rivers told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "No decision has yet been made.

"The council is still considering its position, and if a decision is required, it will be taken in due course."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has yet to receive a response from Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.

According to the letter from the Minister for Local Government and Homelessness, Alison McGovern, the Secretary of State has adopted a "locally led approach".

She says that Steve Reed is only minded to make an order to postpone an election for those councils that "raise capacity concerns".

"The Secretary of State has adopted a locally-led approach," writes the minister.

"He is clear that should a council say they have no reason for postponement, then we will listen.

"But if you voice genuine concerns about your capacity, then we will take these concerns seriously.

"To that end, the Secretary of State is only minded to make an order to postpone elections for one year for those councils who raise capacity concerns."

Last month (November), the 11 existing councils in Hertfordshire agreed a joint submission to the Government that included proposals to replace the existing two-tier structure with two, three or four unitary councils.

The councils have already been told that consultation is expected to go ahead in February (2026).

In the latest letter about local elections, Ms McGovern stresses that she is committed to the indicative timetable that would see elections to new councils in May 2027 – and those councils "going live" in April 2028.