• Council members re-elect Cllr Roger Philips as Chairman of the Council with Cllr Kevin Tillett reappointed as Vice Chairperson
  
  
• Chairs and membership of committees, panels and external bodies also elected

Herefordshire Council has today, Friday 22 May re-elected Cllr Jonathan Lester as Leader of the Council for the coming civic year.

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.

On his re-appointment, Cllr Lester said: “I am deeply honoured to have been re-elected as Leader of Herefordshire Council. As we now enter the final year of this current administration, I remain as determined as ever to deliver the very best for Herefordshire in everything we do.

“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.

“We made strategic investments to help vulnerable families, such as the acquisition of John Venn building to meet the growing demand for temporary accommodation – ultimately reducing the cost burden with less reliance on private rents.

“52 miles of roads were resurfaced with a further 58 miles surface-dressed, and in the first nine months of last year, we fixed 15,113 potholes. During the winter, once again were out 24/7 tackling flooding, often in treacherous conditions, to help keep highways clear and safe, and the county going.

“We are making good progress on our big transport infrastructure projects, such as the Hereford Transport Hub, Holme Lacy active travel schemes and multiple safer routes for schools. We have launched the Ross-on-Wye Enterprise Park, are expanding Rotherwas Industrial Estate and launched an inward investment campaign to help attract and enable economic growth and hundreds of new jobs.

“All this and much more has been delivered while at the same time facing increasing and more complex demands, significant funding challenges and divestment from central government. Just this month we once again delivered a balanced budget and made further savings for council tax-payers, adding to the £40 million in savings already delivered over the last five years.

“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.

“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. We will also focus on those residents facing the worst cost-of-living pressures, providing the most vulnerable with the support they need.

“It is 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.”

Also at the annual general meeting of the Council, held on Friday 21 May, Cllr Roger Philips was re-elected as Chairman of the Council, and Cllr Kevin Tillett was reappointed as Vice Chairperson.

The Chairman of the Council is the civic lead and ceremonial head of the authority and serves as the First Citizen of Herefordshire. In this role, the Chairman acts as an ambassador for the council, promoting Herefordshire and supporting community cohesion by attending civic events, hosting official visitors and engaging with local organisations across the county. They also preside over meetings of the full council, ensuring that business is conducted fairly, in line with the constitution, and that all councillors have the opportunity to contribute. The position is non-political, focused on upholding the values and reputation of the council, fostering pride in the county, and serving as a visible symbol of continuity, democracy and public service.

Speaking on being re-elected, Cllr Phillips said: “It is a great honour for somebody like me, that was born and bred in Herefordshire, to be Herefordshire’s first citizen and I thank you very much. I hope we continue to have an enjoyable and hard-working year ahead.”