Penyard Ward Report – Spring /Early Summer 2026
I would now like to update you on key developments in delivery, investment and engagement since Council last met in March, alongside progress against our strategic priorities and the ongoing challenges facing the organisation.
As many of you will know – Paul Walker – Chief Executive of the Council is soon to retire and Council has approved the appointment of Paul Satoor as Herefordshire’s new Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service, following a comprehensive national recruitment process. Paul is expected to take up the role at the end of June, bringing significant experience from both local and central government. He will play a key role in driving delivery of the Council Plan and supporting residents and businesses across the county.
You will see that we have delivered a balanced budget for 2025/26, despite significant financial and demand pressures. The final outturn report, presented to Cabinet on 21 May, shows the council ended the year with income and expenditure matched, reflecting strong financial management and the hard work of services to control spending. As a result, we have delivered £13.2 million in savings while actively managing cost pressures, particularly in adult social care, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), home-to-school transport and temporary accommodation.
Turning to capital expenditure, the council delivered £86.0 million of investment in key priorities during 2025/26. This includes significant programmes such as highways and local transport grants, which were fully utilised, ensuring maximum benefit for residents.
The council continues to deliver a broad programme of economic development and regeneration. The Ross-on-Wye Enterprise Park has been formally launched, creating new opportunities for business growth, inward investment and job creation.
We have also launched grant funding for SEND activities, enabling local organisations to offer inclusive opportunities for children and young people with additional needs. Alongside this, we have celebrated the achievements of care-experienced children and young people through special awards recognising resilience and success. The continued development of Child Friendly Herefordshire, formally launched in March, reinforces our commitment to placing children and young people at the heart of decision-making and ensuring the county is a place where they can thrive.
The council continues to strengthen support for adults and communities. A new community activities consultation has been launched to shape future provision for adults with care and support needs, ensuring services reflect the preferences and lived experience of residents. We have also introduced a five-year plan to reduce homelessness, supported by investment in new accommodation and innovative services to tackle rough sleeping and improve housing stability.
This work continues against a backdrop of sustained financial pressure, particularly for rural authorities, and demonstrates how the council is prioritising services while responding to growing demand.
Significant progress is also being made in infrastructure investment to unlock growth and keep Herefordshire moving. This includes more than £37 million for road improvements and £1 million to enhance public rights of way and footbridges. We are also progressing a multi-million-pound programme to improve transport, expand active travel and deliver safer routes to schools. Works to enhance Great Western Way have recently been completed, and you may have seen the Hereford Transport Hub taking shape, alongside wider ambitions to improve walking, cycling and wheeling across the county.
Delivery of the Hereford Bypass continues to progress. The council has appointed a contractor to begin Phase One, marking a significant milestone in this priority project. Alongside this, the “Back the Bypass” campaign has been launched, bringing together residents, businesses and partners to build support and communicate the scheme’s economic, environmental and connectivity benefits.
To support residents, seasonal garden waste collections have resumed, and we have introduced free 30-minute “pop and shop” parking across our car parks to support local high streets and improve access to services.
Additional support is being promoted for residents, including financial assistance for low-income households reliant on oil and LPG heating, helping to address cost of living pressures in rural communities amid ongoing global energy pressures.
I was pleased to see NMITE successfully hold its second graduation ceremony this month, building on the momentum of last year’s inaugural event. As NMITE continues to establish itself as a key partner in skills and economic growth, the ceremony provided an important opportunity to celebrate student success and reaffirm the council’s commitment to opportunity and world-class education in Herefordshire.
We were also honoured to receive a gold award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme—the highest accolade for supporting the Armed Forces community. This reflects our long-standing commitment to supporting service personnel and encouraging employers across the county to do the same.
The public consultation on the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s draft recommendations for future electoral arrangements is now open. Members and residents are encouraged to share their views on proposals, including the retention of 53 councillors across 53 single-member wards and changes to 22 ward boundaries, before final recommendations are confirmed later this year.
In summary, since my last report we have made continued progress across a wide range of priorities, including infrastructure investment, strengthened support for vulnerable residents, and advances in economic development. This has been achieved in a challenging financial and national context
Local government is not always easy. The decisions taken in this chamber matter deeply to our communities, and I recognise the time, effort and personal commitment necessary.
Please feel free to contact me on 07900 918384, or by email on harry.bramer2@herefordshire.gov.uk.
Regards,
Cllr Harry Bramer Penyard Ward Member – Cabinet Member for Community Services and Assets.