Hertfordshire local government

That this House notes the opposition by the residents of Hertfordshire to the proposal by Hertfordshire County Council to create a single unitary authority for its 1.2 million residents; further notes that such a proposal has been rejected by the leaders of all ten District and Borough Council Leaders in the county; takes the opportunity to remind the Government that Covid-19 has shown that localised solutions are often the most effective; notes that the spirit of devolution is that democratic decisions affecting people’s lives should be made where they are most effective and have greatest impact; and calls on the Government to express its opposition to any such plan for an unwieldy and arbitrary super-council in Hertfordshire.