Hertfordshire County Council’s Conservatives bosses are relieved to have racked up a £2m overspend in 2023/24. The latest data for the last financial year shows the authority budgeted to spend £1.1bn on education, social care, highways, public health and other services. According to a report presented to the latest meeting of the cabinet, the council ended the 23/24 year with a £2m deficit – despite £10m already set aside as a contingency. Nevertheless after a “very challenging year”, coming within £2m of a balanced budget – equivalent to 0.2% overall – was welcomed. At one point – halfway thr…