Herefordshire Council leader looks at priorities for the year ahead
Cllr Jonathan Lester was reappointed last month
Following his re-election Cllr Jonathan Lester has been looking at his priorities for the year ahead.
Cllr Lester, ward member for Three Crosses in North East Herefordshire, was first appointed Leader in 2018 and again at the beginning of the current administration in 2023.
Cllr Lester said:
“Over the past year, the council has continued to deliver against our priorities, with a clear focus on improving services and outcomes for residents, supporting those most in need, and maintaining sound financial management.
“We have continued to improve children’s services, which are now rated as “good”, with “outstanding” leadership by Ofsted. We have supported thousands of children and young people across the county, including over a thousand with EHCPs and hundreds receiving specialist transport or care.
“Over 6,000 adults were supported with either short- or long-term support, carried out around 5,000 needs and occupational therapy assessments, and adapted 1,200 properties to help people live more independently at home.
He also highlighted roads being resurfaced and over 15,000 potholes being fixed.
One challenge remains moving into the next year that funding will continue to be cut, but they remain confident after delivering their financial year on budget for the past two years.
Cllr Lester added:
“For the year ahead, we’ll be building on the progress so far. We’ll be resurfacing even more roads and improving how the public realm – highways, parks, paths and footbridges – is maintained. 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.
“We will complete many of our big projects and begin new ones, including the first phase of the Hereford Bypass. We will focus on meeting our ambitious goals in our 2026/27 Delivery Plan, including transport, housing, economic growth and support for communities.
He noted that there is always room for improvement in all areas and it's a privilege to lead a council with hardworking staff and dedicated councillors from all parties, all of whom are committed to delivering the best for Herefordshire.