In Hertfordshire, you have 3 levels of local government:

 

Hertfordshire County Council (us)

From fixing the roads to looking after children and adults who need care, we're responsible for a wide range of services.

More about what we do

 

District and borough councils

There are 10 district and borough councils in Hertfordshire. They're responsible for things like:

  • bin collections
  • planning – new houses, extensions and shops
  • council tax – registering, paying and payment enquiries
  • housing
  • parking
  • licensing
  • pest control
  • environmental health
  • leisure services.

More about district and borough councils

 

Town, parish and community councils

There are 125 town, parish and community councils in Hertfordshire.

They look after things like:

  • allotments
  • village halls
  • cemeteries and closed churchyards.

They have to be consulted on local planning matters too.

What's the difference in town and parish councils?


Town councils have a mayor whereas parish councils have a chairman.

The laws governing town councils are the same as for parish councils.

They can be responsible for services, including leisure facilities, parks, supporting museums, running tourist information centres, parks, village halls and allotments.

All town councils must hold an annual public meeting where the residents can question them.


Parish councils have a chairman instead of a mayor (like town councils have).

They're governed by the same rules as town councils. 

A typical parish council will maintain their village hall, the parish churchyard, provide allotments and will comment on planning applications affecting the parish.

Parish councils often don't have a permanent office or full-time staff. They might meet in the local village hall or school.

All parish councils must hold an annual public meeting where the residents can question them.

Some of the smaller parishes share a council with another parish.


Some of the smallest parishes don't have a parish council. Instead, they have a 'Parish Meeting'. Everyone in the parish can take part.

A Parish Meeting is a legally recognised form of local government for very small parishes.

A Parish Meeting elects a chairman and a clerk. They are legally responsible for all decisions by the Parish Meeting.

View all the town and parish councils in Hertfordshire