The Liberal Democrats have condemned the arrangements in place for the county council to cope with the effects of the postal strike, especially in connection with schools admissions applications.

Opposition leader Chris White said: ‘We suggested that they make arrangements with district councils to be drop off points for anxious parents.

‘We were told that the best county would offer was the ability to drop off at their offices in Stevenage or Hemel – totally useless if you don’t live in those towns.

‘There will be no possibility of dropping forms off at schools, at libraries – or at district council offices for that matter. They even suggested that parents use first class post!.’

He added: ‘This really isn’t good enough. Parents have the right to know that they will not lose out on school places because of industrial action. The county council should not be quite so stubborn.’