Councillors in North Herts have backed moves to consider 'alternative arrangements' for local government in Hertfordshire – including the option of a 'unitary' model.

But they stress any change to the current system must be in the interests of the residents in the district.

Currently Hertfordshire operates on a two-tier model of local government with 10 district and borough councils and a county council.

But – in advance of the expected Devolution and Recovery white paper – the government has signalled a wish for more unitary authorities and more elected mayors across the country.

And exploratory work commissioned by the county council has already suggested that replacing Hertfordshire's 11 councils with a single unitary could save up to £142million a year.

The leaders of all 10 of Hertfordshire's district and borough councils have said they will oppose plans for a single unitary council in the county, which they say would be too big.

But at a meeting of the North Herts District Council on Thursday (August 27), councillors backed 'the consideration of unitary options and other alternative arrangements'.

They agree, however, that it would be 'premature' to support any particular option.

At the meeting councillors agreed that with any changes to existing arrangements there should be 'a more representative voting system'.

And, they agreed that if there were to be a unitary option, properly resourced democratic bodies should be planned for currently 'unparished' areas.

Now council officers and senior councillors at North Herts will seek to work with others 'to investigate all the options that meet these criteria' and to seek the views of residents.

Initially leader of the Conservative group Cllr David Levett had asked that moves to establish a 'single' unitary authority in Hertfordshire 'in the shortest possible time frame' were backed by the council.

But council leader Martin Stears-Hanscomb put forward a substantial amendment that removed this.

Labour Cllr Stears-Hanscomb said it was not yet even clear whether the government would allow a single unitary authority for a county the size of Hertfordshire, which has a population of around 1.2million.

He questioned the need for it to be done in the shortest possible time frame, suggesting that the council was currently focussed on protecting residents from Covid -19 and supporting business recovery.

And he spoke to promote a process of asking questions and gathering evidence rather than 'this rush to a single authority'.

Cllr Levett had unsuccessfully argued that Cllr Stears-Hanscomb's amendment should not be accepted as it negated the initial motion.

And then – in a dramatic turn – he asked to withdraw the motion, which would have ended the meeting.

But councillors were allowed to vote on whether to continue, which they did.

Cllr Levett said the initial motion had been about the 'principle' of unitaries and he pointed to potential benefits of accountability, localism and efficiency.

He said the current system could be "confusing" for the public, who didn't always know which council to go to. And he said a unitary would provide a 'one stop shop' for residents.

When it came to localism he said councillors would be able to deal with all issues and represent residents on all matters.

And he pointed to the current duplication in management and in systems such as recruitment and IT – and to the number of councillors, the number of elections required and the differing policies between councils.

Currently in Hertfordshire the 10 district and borough councils – including North Herts District Council – provide services such as planning, environmental health, bin collection, housing and licensing.