Hertfordshire stands on the edge of one of the most significant transformations in its modern history. Unlike previous reorganisations elsewhere in England where counties transitioned into a single unitary authority, Hertfordshire faces a much more complicated map. The county could be carved into two, three or even four separate unitaries, each absorbing current districts into new, larger geographies that most residents have never identified with.

This is not a simple merger. It is a redraw of the civic map that defines how people see their home.

Broxbourne merged with East Herts?
Welwyn Hatfield combined with Stevenage?
North Herts, St Albans and Dacorum forming a single super-unit?
A southern Hertfordshire unitary swallowing Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere?

These are not small adjustments. These are identity shocks.

People have spent decades identifying with their district, their towns and villages, their councils, their local representation. Replace all that overnight with new mega-boundaries and the public is left trying to understand where they fit, who speaks for them and how the new authority relates to their community.

This is the starting point Hertfordshire must face honestly.

Consider this your wake-up call.

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Most reorganisations involve merging multiple councils into one coherent structure. Hertfordshire’s challenge is different and more complex:

The public will experience this as:

“What unitary am I going into?”
“Why am I grouped with this area and not the one next door?”
“Who will represent my town now?”
“Why is my community being pulled into a boundary that makes no sense?”

The uncertainty is magnified because even the shape of the new map is still under discussion.

Web pages, newsletters, press releases and council social media posts cannot explain:

These channels broadcast information but do not help residents navigate the deeper anxiety:

When boundaries expand, identity fragments. And fragmented identity becomes distrust.

In reorganisations where one unitary replaces many, identity can be built around the new, single structure.

In Hertfordshire’s case - multiple unitaries forming at once, the identity challenge multiplies.

Each emerging unitary will need:

Without a dedicated engagement platform, every new authority will begin life with:

You cannot expect residents from different districts to adopt a shared identity simply because a boundary review says so.

Identity must be built deliberately and collaboratively.

A citizen engagement platform gives each new unitary the tools needed to prevent disorder and resentment:

This prevents a chaotic vacuum where rumours and assumptions control the narrative.

After the map is final:

The platform becomes the civic home where this happens.

It enables:

This is how a unitary becomes a community, not just a boundary.

The political argument for reorganisation focuses on:

That argument does nothing to help residents whose identities are being redrawn.

People care about:

If Hertfordshire proceeds with reorganisation without building this civic infrastructure, every new unitary will begin life divided.

☐ Multi-tenancy during transition period
☐ Tools explaining boundary changes
☐ Postcode-based clarity on unitary allocation
☐ Real-time service status
☐ Consultation features
☐ Boundary and identity analytics
☐ Integration with legacy systems
☐ Security and compliance
☐ Accessibility
☐ Scalability

☐ Experience with local government reorganisations
☐ Fast deployment
☐ Strong UK public-sector references
☐ Support during critical transition periods

☐ Cross-authority project team in place
☐ Budget secured across districts
☐ Communications plan aligned with boundary timeline

Authorities that invest in engagement infrastructure now will be the ones that guide residents through identity disruption with clarity and confidence. Those that delay will be repairing damage for years.

Local government reorganisation is the biggest transformation Hertfordshire will undertake. It affects every resident, every service, every relationship. And because Hertfordshire’s future map may split into two, three or four unitaries, the impact on identity will be deeper than in other counties.

Getting citizen engagement right during transition determines whether each new unitary:

A citizen engagement platform is not optional infrastructure. It is the foundation of successful reorganisation.

The platform enables you to:

The investment is modest. The return is substantial. The risk of not investing is catastrophic.

For reorganising authorities needing strategic guidance:
Emeka Ogbonnaya
Founder, Hertstown Media | https://hertstownmedia.co.uk
Citizen engagement strategy for public-sector transformation
Email: [email protected]
Subject: “Reorganisation Engagement Strategy – [Proposed Unitary Name]”

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Cheers,
Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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