There was plenty to talk about when Sandy Walkington, Chair of Hertfordshire County Council, sat down with Peter Ashman, Chair of Community Action, at Radio Dacorum recently. 

From what we are seeing in communities today to the changes facing Hertfordshire in the years ahead, the conversation covered some of the bigger questions affecting the county. Sandy also spent time hearing more about the work we deliver through Radio Dacorum, part of Community Action, and the communities we work alongside. 

It was useful to hear Sandy’s perspective on Hertfordshire and the changes ahead, while also sharing what we are seeing through our work with communities. 

With Local Government Reorganisation currently paused, uncertainty remains about what the future landscape will look like. Devolution, however, remains part of the Government’s wider direction towards more local decision-making, including through mayoral authorities. For Hertfordshire, much is still to be determined. 

The structures may still be uncertain, but our role is clear: build the relationships that matter, bring local experience into the conversation and make sure communities have a voice in what comes next. 

That matters because people’s lives rarely fit neatly into organisational boundaries. Employment can be linked to skills, confidence, health or transport. Independence can depend on getting to an appointment, finding the right support or staying connected to others. Language and digital barriers can affect whether people can access services and opportunities in the first place. 

We see those connections every day through our services and through the voluntary and community organisations we work alongside. 

As the wider picture becomes clearer, there will be important questions about what it means for Hertfordshire. Sharing experience, understanding what is happening locally and keeping communities part of those discussions will be important. 

Our thanks to Sandy for spending time with us at Radio Dacorum, hearing more about the work taking place here and sharing his perspective with Peter. 

Whatever comes next for Hertfordshire, keeping communities at the heart of it is something we can all get behind.