Hertfordshire could get elected mayor, says Healey

Hertfordshire could soon get a directly elected mayor, it was announced in the Budget.

Chancellor John Healey said the government was in the final stages of agreeing Mayoral Strategic Authorities for Hertfordshire and other areas, including Kent, Leicestershire, Rutland and Devon.

The mayor would make key decisions in transport, housing, and infrastructure.

Steve Jarvis, Hertfordshire County Council's Liberal Democrat leader, said it was an "important step towards unlocking the county's full potential".

"We've been talking to the government, trying to engage with them about the Mayoral Strategic Authority for Hertfordshire for some time," he said.

"They always indicated that they were sympathetic to that... there are some details still to be finalised, but it's the first time they've actually made a public statement that they want to see a Mayoral Strategic Authority."

Jarvis said he did not yet know what funding the county might get to enact the change in organisation, but the announcement was "a big step forward" for the county.

"Devolution gives us the opportunity to build on those strengths by bringing greater powers and investment closer to Hertfordshire and giving us a stronger voice nationally," he added.

A joint statement from several local councils, including Stevenage Borough Council and North Herts Council, added the authorities were "delighted" with the announcement.

"This is fantastic news for our towns and villages," the statement said.

"It means we will be able to invest in local priorities like building more council homes, investing in transport, attracting new jobs for local people, and giving more powers to local communities to create a bright future."

The chancellor said the government would also continue working with Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes where there was "broad agreement" on Mayoral Strategic Authorities, "but not yet local consensus".

The government aimed to achieve full devolution coverage by the end of 2028, it said.

Andrew Sinclair, the BBC's East of England political editor, said the government saw devolution as "one of the key ways to get more money into the regions".

"Its ambition is to see devolved authorities led by a mayor in every part of England by 2028," Sinclair explained.

"As well as Hertfordshire, it announced a further 12 strategic authorities today (including one for Thames Valley) and even though the final details are still being hammered out the fact the announcement was made on page 66 of the budget book means, I am told, that ministers are very confident they will all go ahead."

Sinclair added that the Chancellor said future mayors would be able to keep 100% of business rates collected locally, along with a proportion of income tax to help fund needed infrastructure projects.

Mayors would have their "own source of funding" which they could "borrow against and decide how best to spend it", Sinclair said.

Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.