Frequently asked questions

Local Government Reorganisation means that East Herts Council is expected to be replaced by a new unitary authority by May 2028. From that point onward, any decisions about the site would be taken by this new authority rather than East Herts Council. 

Option 1 

If the Friends of Water Lane Hall are unable to raise enough money or operate the building in a financially sustainable way, the building would return to public ownership. At that point, ownership would transfer to the new unitary authority. 

This creates a higher risk that, if the building were sold in the future, the proceeds may not be reinvested back into Bishop’s Stortford, as decisions would be made at a new, larger authority level with wider priorities. 

Options 2 and 3 

The council will work to ensure that any money from a sale is protected for use in Bishop’s Stortford before the new unitary authority is in place. Over the next two years, this could include establishing a formal agreement with the town council to guarantee that the funds are ringfenced for local benefit – such as contributing to the public square on Old River Lane or other improvements within the town centre.