Recent Government announcements have changed the landscape for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) across England. As proposals are reviewed, there is currently less clarity about the future shape and timing of reform.

For voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, however, the needs of local people have not changed. This is a period to stay informed, remain flexible and continue working alongside partners to support residents, strengthen communities and ensure local voices are heard as future arrangements take shape.

What Has Changed?

The Government has announced a review of elements of its Local Government Reorganisation programme following legal advice. As part of this process, some previously announced reorganisation proposals have been withdrawn, while others have been paused and are being reviewed.

The Government has also confirmed that local elections scheduled for May 2027 will proceed on existing council boundaries.

The Government has stated that the review will examine whether future reforms are legally robust and aligned with the priorities of the current administration. At present, there is no indication that the overall principle of local government reorganisation has been abandoned.

What Does This Mean for Hertfordshire?

For organisations across Hertfordshire, the most immediate implication is reduced clarity around:

• The timing of any future reforms
• The future structure of local government
• Long-term commissioning and funding arrangements
• Governance and decision-making arrangements
• The pace of strategic planning and change

Many organisations have spent the past year considering what local government reorganisation could mean for partnership working, service delivery and local influence. Those conversations remain relevant, but it is now more difficult to predict when change may happen and what form it may ultimately take.

What Does This Mean for VCSE Organisations?

Existing Relationships Remain Important

Local councils, NHS partners and other statutory agencies continue to be the organisations through which funding, commissioning and partnership activity are delivered.

For voluntary and community organisations, there is little reason to shift focus away from existing relationships in anticipation of future structures. For many organisations, the priority will remain delivering positive outcomes for residents while maintaining strong engagement with current partners and decision-makers.

Flexibility Will Be Valuable

Many organisations have been planning on the assumption that a particular form of reorganisation would emerge.

Given the current position, organisations may find it helpful to consider a range of possible scenarios, including:

• Delays to reform
• Reorganisation progressing more slowly than anticipated
• Alternative governance structures
• Changes to the national approach to local government reform

Organisations that remain adaptable will be best placed to respond, whatever direction reform ultimately takes.

Community Needs Have Not Changed

While discussions about governance and structures can attract considerable attention, the challenges facing local communities remain unchanged.

Many of the issues that organisations continue to respond to across Hertfordshire include:

• Health inequalities
• Demand for mental health support
• Social isolation and loneliness
• Cost-of-living pressures
• Challenges in recruiting and retaining volunteers
• Pressure on local services

The role of the VCSE sector in responding to these challenges remains as important as ever, regardless of future local government arrangements.

An Opportunity to Influence Future Thinking

Periods of change can also create opportunities for communities and the voluntary sector to help shape future approaches.

Experience from previous reorganisations has highlighted the importance of ensuring that local voices, community engagement and neighbourhood-level decision-making remain strong throughout periods of change.

This creates an opportunity for the VCSE sector to continue championing:

• Locality-based working
• Community participation and engagement
• Co-production with residents
• Prevention and early intervention
• Effective partnership working with voluntary organisations
• Strong connections to local communities and places

The key question is not simply what future council structures might look like, but how communities can continue to influence the decisions that affect them.

What Can VCSE Organisations Do Now?

Over the coming months, organisations may wish to:

• Monitor developments without overcommitting to any single outcome
• Maintain strong relationships with existing councils and public sector partners
• Keep their focus on community outcomes and resident needs
• Strengthen collaboration across the Hertfordshire VCSE sector
• Share evidence, insight and lived experience when opportunities for engagement arise
• Consider how local voices can be protected and strengthened under any future governance arrangements

Looking Ahead

The Government’s review means that the future direction and timescales of Local Government Reorganisation are still evolving.

However, it does not change the challenges facing Hertfordshire’s communities, nor the important role that voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations play in supporting residents and strengthening local communities.

As a sector, our focus remains clear: supporting residents, strengthening communities and ensuring that the voice of the VCSE sector is heard as future arrangements continue to develop.

Community Action Dacorum will continue to monitor developments, share updates where appropriate, and work with partners across Hertfordshire to help ensure the voluntary sector remains informed, connected and able to contribute to future discussions.