Council celebrates 25 years of serving residents, businesses and communities across Herefordshire
Today, 1 April 2023, marks 25 years since Herefordshire Council was formed.
Herefordshire Council became a unitary authority on 1 April 1998 following, the split of Hereford and Worcester County Council (which had been in place since 1974) back into two separate counties.
The original council office was at Brockington, Hafod Road, Hereford, before the staff relocated to the Plough Lane offices.
114 members of staff have worked at the council for 25 years or more and have been on every step of the authority’s journey. That’s a total of 2,850 years of service between them!
To celebrate this landmark event and to acknowledge their long service, a small gathering was held at the council office on Plough Lane. Staff were able to sign a book of memories and look back at photos taken across the past 25 years that showed the projects and work they helped to deliver, in all aspects of serving our communities. Long service certificates were awarded and everyone had a chance to mingle and share memories.
Nick Winwood, graphic designer, has worked for Herefordshire Council since it began, and recalled the busy build up prior to the formal formation and how excited everyone was about the future for the county. He explained how his time with the council has definitely seen a change as technology has evolved and the impact this has had on how he undertakes his work.
One of his first roles was to identify locations for new signage and he recalls:
“Email was just getting going and mobile phones were not smart phones like the phones of today. The council website was extremely basic - I think it might have only been one page but we had great plans for the future.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with many great people over the years who have always wanted the best for this amazing county. I wonder what the next 25 years may bring.”
Paul Walker, Herefordshire Council Chief Executive, said:
“Today is an historic day for Herefordshire Council as we’ve reached our 25 year milestone from when the council was first established on 1 April 1998.
“I would like to thank our residents for their continued support over the past two-and-a-half decades.
“I am very proud to be the chief executive of Herefordshire Council and the head of a workforce that has seen a great deal of change over the past quarter of a century but remains committed to providing best possible service to residents, businesses and communities across Herefordshire.
“The number of long-serving employees, whom I had the pleasure to meet this week are a great testimony to our organisation and the commitment demonstrated day in and day out to serving our residents and communities.
“I know that the next 25 years will bring a range of new challenges and opportunities, but I believe we are well paced to meet and embrace them and we will continue to deliver on our vision for Herefordshire.
“Our Council Members who have played an integral and important role in the Council’s achievements throughout the past 25 years will be formally gathering for a celebration event and undertaking other celebratory activities within our communities after the election on 4 May and I look forward to being able to join them at some of these, as we recognise the council achievements throughout our wonderful county.”