News Updates

New Herefordshire Council Chief Executive

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New Herefordshire Council Chief Executive takes up role

Herefordshire Council’s new Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service, Paul Satoor, will formally take up the role on Friday 26 June. Mr Satoor takes over from incumbent Chief Executive Paul Walker, who steps down on Thursday after five years in the role. Mr Satoor’s appointment was confirmed on 1 May by full council following a comprehensive recruitment process.

 

Cllr Jonathan Lester, Leader of Herefordshire Council, said: “I am delighted to welcome Paul as he formally takes up the role of Chief Executive of Herefordshire Council. Through a rigorous recruitment process, we sought an exceptional candidate with the experience, skills and values needed at this important time for the council. The employment panel, made up of members from across political groups, recognised Paul’s outstanding track record and is confident he will be a real asset as we continue to modernise services and provide excellent and efficient public services. I look forward to working with Paul as he drives delivery of the Council Plan for the benefit of residents and businesses across the county.”

 

Paul Satoor said: “I am proud to be taking up the role of Chief Executive at Herefordshire Council and to be joining the organisation at such an important time. It is clear that the Council and county have much to be proud of, alongside significant opportunities for the future. I am keen to build on the strong progress already made and help lead the next phase of improvement. I look forward to working with the Leader, Cabinet, members, staff and partners to deliver excellent public services, support our most vulnerable residents and make a positive difference for communities across Herefordshire.”

 

The transition follows Mr Walker’s announcement last September that he would be stepping down, having joined the council in 2021. During his tenure, he oversaw a period of significant progress and improvement, including strengthening the council’s financial position and delivering major investment in infrastructure and key services. This was most notable in the transformation of children’s services, which went from “inadequate” in 2022 to being rated ‘good’, with ‘outstanding’ leadership by Ofsted.

 

The council’s progress was also independently recognised through the Local Government Association’s Corporate Peer Challenge, which described Herefordshire as a ‘good council’ with strong leadership and a clear ambition to improve further. Since that assessment, the council has continued to deliver, including balancing its budget despite reductions in central government funding, investing in roads, transport and housing, and progressing major projects such as the Hereford Transport Hub, Ross Enterprise Park, a new public realm service and the Hereford Bypass.

 

Paul Walker said: “It has been an honour to serve as Chief Executive of Herefordshire Council and a real privilege to work alongside councillors, staff and partners across the county. I am proud of what we have achieved together over the past five years. We have strengthened the council’s finances, improved key services and helped create the conditions for growth and investment in Herefordshire. Significant progress has been made on major infrastructure and regeneration projects that will support jobs, homes and opportunities for residents for years to come, while at the same time improving services for those who rely on us most. Herefordshire is a county with enormous opportunity, and I leave confident that the Council is in a strong position to build on this momentum, deliver its ambitions and help create an even brighter future for communities and businesses across the county.”

 

Cllr Lester added: “As we welcome Paul Satoor to Herefordshire, I also want to place on record my sincere thanks to Paul Walker for his outstanding service over the past five years. As Chief Executive, Paul steered the council through a period of significant challenge and transformation, leaving the organisation in a far stronger position than when he first arrived. Under his tenure, we have strengthened our financial resilience, delivered major investment in infrastructure and services, and achieved real progress in key areas such as children’s services. On behalf of the administration, I would like to thank Paul for his dedication, professionalism and commitment to the county, and to wish him every success for the future.”

 

Herefordshire Council Highways and Public Realm Services

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New era for Herefordshire Highways and Public Realm Services

Herefordshire Council is today (June 1, 2026) marking the start of a new chapter for highways and public realm services, with a new model designed to give greater local control and improved outcomes for residents.

Highways and public realm services include the maintenance of roads, drainage, street lighting, street cleansing, green spaces and winter gritting, services essential to keeping the county moving.

Services have today moved back under council control, with day-to-day oversight delivered in-house, and works carried out by new delivery partner M Group and a range of approved local contractors through a new framework.

Councillor Dan Hurcomb, Cabinet Member for Local Engagement and Community Resilience, said: “This is an important step forward for how we deliver highways and public realm services in Herefordshire.

“By bringing control back in-house, we can focus on what matters most to residents, better roads, well-maintained spaces and a service that responds more quickly to local needs.

“Most importantly, it puts us in a stronger position to deliver the high-quality, value-for-money services that people across Herefordshire expect and deserve.”

The new service has been mobilised carefully to ensure no disruption to essential services as the council brings its current contract with Balfour Beatty Living Places to an end.

The new delivery partnership with M Group places a strong emphasis on collaboration, safety and efficiency, with a shared commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality services for communities across Herefordshire.

M Group has also committed to delivering social value through the contract, supporting local employment, skills development and community initiatives as part of its work in the county.

Councillor Dan Hurcomb, Cabinet Member for Local Engagement and Community Resilience, said: “This isn’t about overnight change, but about putting the right foundations in place to improve how services are delivered over time.

“We are looking forward to creating a strong partnership with M Group that focusses on delivering safe, reliable, and high-quality services that make a real difference for local communities.

“The framework also enables the council to appoint a range of local contractors to deliver schemes of different sizes, ensuring value for money while supporting local employment and skills development.”

Kevin Cotterell, Contract Director, M Group, said: “We’re looking forward to working in partnership with the council and delivering safer, greener highways for the people of Herefordshire, bringing the best of M Group to our service delivery.

“We’ve spent months preparing to ensure a smooth transition and are investing in plant and fleet and adopting innovative ways to improve the quality of highway maintenance”

Ward Councillor Report Spring/Early Summer 2026

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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.

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