Month: April 2026

Community activities for adults with additional support needs

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Community Activities consultation launched to transform choice, flexibility and independence for adults with additional support needs in Herefordshire

 

Herefordshire Council has launched a public consultation on plans for a new and improved way of providing community activities for adults with extra care and support needs.

Proposals in the Community Activity and Day Services public consultation outline a transformational community‑based approach, providing more choice, flexibility and independence. They were developed alongside people with additional support needs, their families and carers, including a co-production workshop involving 80 people.

Plans would mean a wider range of activities, at times to suit people, including evenings and weekends, and include volunteering, supported employment, and independent living skills. Structured support will continue for those who need it.

The consultation runs from Friday 24 April to Tuesday 2 June. It includes options on the future of four existing day centre buildings.

As more people enjoy flexible, personalised approaches and activities out and about in different community settings, use of traditional buildings-based day services has dropped significantly.

Herefordshire Council Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Carole Gandy, said: “People with extra support and care needs, their carers and families have told us clearly that we need to focus on offering activities people want to do, when and where they want, in their local communities.

“This is about transforming people’s lives – providing the choice, control and independence they deserve, and the chance to enjoy everyday activities where they live. It will support independence, skills development, mental health and wellbeing, and social connectivity – rather than relying on traditional day centre services.”

Adult Social Care staff from Herefordshire Council, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), and the service provider Aspire, have already started discussions with service users at St Owen’s on potential alternative options. These include continuing to attend a different Aspire service in Hereford city centre, at the Hub, where the staff from St Owen’s will be transferred. Other popular options include one-to-one support at home; and taking part in wider activities at varied community locations delivered by other specialist providers; and personalised care and support programmes. Discussions are also under way with the five people who use the three day centres for older people on alternative options.

Summary of the proposals

  • The redesigned Community Activity approach will give individuals more choice and control over how they spend their time, with flexible, personalised support based on their specific strengths, preferences and goals and a wider range of activities, at times to suit them.
  • The new model will enable people to take part in everyday activities in their local communities, supporting independence, skills development, mental health and wellbeing, and social connectivity – rather than relying on traditional Day Centre services
  • The consultation also seeks views on closing three existing day centres for older people, where just 6.2% of the commissioned 225 days a week are currently used, and on stopping service delivery from the building at St Owen’s, run by Aspire for Adults with Learning Disabilities. Staff from St Owen’s will move to alternative Hereford city location ‘The Hub’ on Canal Road, also run by Aspire. People using these types of services have told us they want us to keep expanding the variety and locations of community activities available to them outside of traditional buildings-based care and support, which is a continued trend in the evidence of service usage. This will also enable Aspire to continue enhancing the specialist services provided in a single Hereford city centre location for adults who need specialist support
  • The strategy was shaped with people currently using Adult Social Care community activities who are eligible for support under the Care Act. It recognises people want more flexibility, and activities in various community settings. It proposes personalised approaches and reflects that people need different levels of support at different times in their lives, which change over time. The model incorporates four tiers of support:
  • Preventative support: keeping people connected, active, and independent through ordinary community life, with minimal/no formal support.
  • Enablement support: Short, outcome focused, time limited support that helps people gain skills, confidence and connections.
  • Personalised support: ongoing, flexible, person-centred support for people with continuous needs, who need regular, structured input (often community based, sometimes building based)
  • Specialist support: High quality, specialist support for people with complex needs, including intensive, longer term or condition specific support
  • The proposed new approach reflects national guidelines from central Government such as the Transforming Care framework, and best practice identified by organisations including the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, the Care Quality Commission, Local Government Association, and Skills for Care

 Next steps

  • Staff are continuing to discuss options and get further input from current users of existing day centre services.
  • Herefordshire Council is now seeking formal feedback from service users, their carers and families, and professionals working in this area.
  • The consultation runs from Friday 24 April 2026 to Tuesday 2 June and can be completed at: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/communityactivity
  • Full details including the new Strategy, accessible versions, and opportunities to input are also online with the consultation survey at: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/communityactivity

 

 

 

 

 

West Mercia Police consultation

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Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) John Campion has launched a consultation on the future of policing which closes on Monday 15 June.

The PCC wants to ensure as many people as possible have their say on the Government’s proposals to create 12 ‘mega police forces’.

As this could be the biggest shake up to policing in six decades, the PCC wants to make sure your views are known. He will share the public response directly with the Government to consider in their review.

Have your say by visiting the West Mercia PCC website – www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk

 

 

Allotments Plot available

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A plot has become available on the Parish Council-run allotments in Gorsley. If interested, please contact the Parish Clerk Rich Hunt on e-mail pcclerk@lintonpc-herefordshire.gov.uk or telephone 07763793695.

 

Council plan for 2026/27 to drive countywide improvement and investment 

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Herefordshire Council sets out ambitious plan for 2026/27 to drive countywide improvement and investment

Herefordshire’s Delivery Plan for 2026/27 – recently approved by Cabinet – sets out an ambitious and comprehensive programme of action for residents and businesses.

The plan reflects the breadth of services and programmes for the year ahead. In children’s services, the council will continue to strengthen early‑help support, develop new alternative provision and advance further investment in schools. This includes completing improvements to Brookfield School, Hereford and progressing the expansion of Aylestone School, also in Hereford.

The plan also reaffirms the council’s ambition to create a Child Friendly Herefordshire, ensuring children and young people are at the heart of local decision‑making and that services, spaces and opportunities across the county are designed to help every child feel included, valued, happy, healthy and safe in their homes and communities.

The council commits to delivering the new Prevention in Adult Social Care Strategy, expanding community‑based support, advancing reablement and hospital discharge improvements, and strengthening supported living, day opportunities and carer services – developments to reduce long‑term care needs and ensure people can live well within their communities.

The council will continue to drive major upgrades across the transport network – progressing the Hereford Transport Hub, Holme Lacy Road corridor and Aylestone Hill improvements, while also expanding and enhancing local bus services. The plan confirms the council’s intention to begin construction of phase one of the Hereford Bypass, marking a significant step toward delivering long‑term congestion relief and improved strategic connectivity for the county.

More travel choices remain a strong focus, with implementation of the Local Cycling, Walking and Wheeling Infrastructure Plan, which also supports safer routes to school, town‑centre connections, rural links and hospital access.

The council will continue delivering one of its most significant highways investment programmes to date, reflecting residents’ priorities around potholes, safer travel and better‑maintained roads. More than £37 million is being invested across 2025/26 and into 2026/27 in resurfacing, surface dressing, drainage and road safety improvements, with over 140 schemes planned across the network, from key A and B roads to neighbourhood streets. This includes £12 million for resurfacing and preventative treatments to reduce pothole formation, building on recent programmes that have delivered around 100 miles of improvements, repaired 25,000 potholes, upgraded crossings and signage, and strengthened routes that support daily life, commuting and business across Herefordshire.

Alongside major road upgrades, the council is investing strongly in the wider network of Public Rights of Way and bridges, recognising their importance for rural connectivity, tourism, agriculture and community access. The 2026/27 programme includes £1 million for PROW improvements and targeted funding to repair bridges, culverts and structures, protect routes from land slippage and erosion, maintain safer walking links and support parish‑level environmental improvements.
Housing and community resilience form a core part of the plan, with commitments to expand emergency accommodation through refurbishment of council‑owned properties, accelerate housing delivery on council sites, develop transitional accommodation, and progress the flood alleviation works at Merton Meadow and Essex Arms. The council will also continue work with registered providers and Homes England to bring more affordable homes forward, while addressing homelessness through strengthened prevention and winter provision.

The environment and climate portfolio will deliver the new Carbon Management Plan, expand home energy‑efficiency schemes, progress the next phase of integrated wetlands, contribute to the Catchment Management Plan for the River Wye, publish the Nutrient Management Plan and advance the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

In culture and heritage, the plan supports ongoing redevelopment of the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery, restoration of the Shire Hall, delivery of new cultural participation programmes, continued expansion of community arts work and progress on the Herefordshire Cultural and Library Strategies.

The council will continue to help strengthen the local economy by supporting business growth across the county. This includes progressing key employment sites such as the Ross Enterprise Park, which was formally opened last month, and expanding the network of business hubs in market towns, giving local enterprises the space, infrastructure and advice they need to thrive. Meanwhile, free 30 minutes’ parking in council-owned car parks to help bolster town centres begins later this month.

A renewed focus on attracting inward investment will see the council champion Herefordshire’s high‑value sectors and raise the county’s profile as a dynamic place to do business. Close collaboration with the defence, cyber and security cluster, alongside promotion of innovation‑led industries, will help draw new investors, employers and skilled professionals into the county.

To support long‑term growth, the council will work with partners, including NMiTE and the Skills Board to strengthen pathways into education, training and higher‑skilled employment. These programmes will equip residents with the skills needed by local employers, broaden career opportunities and help ensure businesses can access a strong and future‑ready workforce.

The council will continue to modernise operations, including a new delivery model for SEND home‑to‑school transport, an updated commissioning strategy, improvements to procurement, and further digital transformation – building on successful pilots of artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and free-up time for frontline staff.

Financially, the plan is supported by a stable and well‑managed position, with the council taking effective action throughout the year and delivering strong performance. The Delivery Plan will operate within the balanced 2026/27 budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy, with risks closely monitored through established governance and performance frameworks.

Cllr Jonathan Lester, Leader of Herefordshire Council said: “This Delivery Plan sets out a clear programme for the year ahead, building on strong progress and focusing investment where it matters most – better roads, safer travel, quality services and the infrastructure that supports a thriving economy. From major highways work to sustainable transport, housing, skills and community wellbeing, the plan is designed to deliver real benefits for local people while sharpening our focus on economic growth by supporting businesses, attracting investment and working with high‑value sectors including defence, security and advanced manufacturing. It also reinforces our commitment to a Child Friendly Herefordshire, putting children and young people at the heart of local decision‑making so they feel safe, supported and able to thrive. Together, these priorities will strengthen connectivity, communities, our environment and the wider economy – a practical plan focused on delivering the best for Herefordshire in everything we do.”

Changes to home phone lines

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Herefordshire residents encouraged to get ready for changes to home phone lines

Telecare and Technology Enabled Care users may be affected by the digital switchover

Herefordshire Council is reminding people that home phone lines across the UK are changing, and all old style landlines will move onto a new digital network system in January 2027.

The UK Digital Switchover means all phone calls will be made over the internet instead of the old analogue landline network, which has become difficult to maintain and breaks more often. The upgrade will be by the phone companies, on a gradual ‘area by area’ basis. Residents don’t need to do anything yet – they will be contacted by their phone company.

Cllr Pete Stoddart, Herefordshire Council’s Digital Champion and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Resources, said: “Most people won’t see much change, but we want to make sure everyone is aware, especially those using telecare and other Technology Enabled Care services which are vital to helping people live safely and independently at home.”

Herefordshire Council’s Technology Enabled Services (TECS) team has already made sure the 3,000 households using its ‘Lifeline’ telecare devices are ready for the digital switchover.

However, some residents using different suppliers may need extra support because older alarms and devices were designed to work with the old analogue phone system and may need upgrading by the provider, particularly if they:
• Use a medical alarm or pendant alarm
• Rely on a landline for essential communication
• Have hearing aids that work with your phone
• Use assistive technology connected to your phone line
• Have mobility issues that make phone access crucial
• Live alone and depend on your home phone for safety

Cllr Stoddart added: “If you’re unsure about how a device in your home or business might be affected, please contact the equipment supplier or device manufacturer to find out whether it will still work on a digital phone line. Although we’ve already ensured Council TECS users are digitally-ready, we want to ensure everyone who uses this technology is aware.”

“For most residents, the switch will be simple, and your phone company will guide you. We’re advising anyone using a private telecare to contact their provider to confirm their equipment is compatible and act early if any updates are needed. We want everyone in Herefordshire to stay safe, connected, and supported during this change.”

Further information:
• Your phone provider will contact you before anything changes.
• More information is available at: www.digitalswitchover.com
• Support Openreach: https://www.openreach.com/help-and-support/support-for-vulnerable-customers