Hertfordshire County Council chiefs need to make £14m of additional savings – as latest estimates predict an overspend of almost £21m by the end of the financial year. The authority is responsible for adult care, highways, children’s services and public health, trading standards and the fire and rescue service. To provide those services throughout 2024/25 the council set a budget of just over £1.1bn. However, the latest data shows that by the end of June – just three months into the new 2024/25 financial year – the council had already spent £4.6m more than expected. Increasing material costs, …