Herefordshire Council welcomes the findings of the Local Government Association’s Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) report, following the peer team’s visit in June 2025.
The report provides a comprehensive and constructive assessment of the council’s performance, leadership, governance, and capacity for improvement.
The CPC recognises Herefordshire Council as a “good council that is striving hard to improve further,” highlighting our strong sense of place, maturing political culture, and growing confidence in leadership.
We are particularly pleased that the peer team acknowledged our commitment to transformation, our improving children’s services, and our increasingly strategic role in regional partnerships.
The report commends the council’s leadership, both political and managerial, for its openness, accessibility, and collaborative approach. It also notes the positive shift in organisational culture, improved staff engagement, and our strong commitment to equalities and inclusive service delivery.
We are proud of the progress made in key areas, including:
- Children’s Services: Significant improvements have been recognised by Ofsted monitoring visits, reflecting the dedication of our staff and leadership.
- Financial Management: A stable financial base, national recognition for excellence in governance, and a proactive approach to medium-term financial planning.
- Partnership Working: Constructive engagement with strategic partners, including the voluntary sector, health bodies, and regional economic boards.
- Transformation and Innovation: A clear strategy is in place, and we are working with SOCITM to strengthen our digital and data capabilities.
- Leadership and Management: Visible and accessible leadership which has contributed to a positive shift in organisational culture, creating a more open, listening council, focused on delivery and collaboration.
Herefordshire Council leader, Jonathan Lester said:
This report reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering the best for Herefordshire in everything we do.
I’m delighted the LGA recognises that this clear and focussed direction is part of what makes us a good council.
It also notes that the political maturity and positive culture we’ve built is providing a strong foundation to deliver the best outcomes for our communities.
Paul Walker, Chief Executive said:
We welcome the LGA’s recognition of our progress and ambition, and we’re proud of the dedication shown by our staff and partners.
I’d like to thank those who’ve given their time to engage with the LGA throughout this process and give their feedback on the things the Council does well and areas for further improvement.
This report strengthens our resolve to deliver meaningful transformation and ensure the best possible outcomes for our communities.
The council acknowledges the recommendations made by the peer team and is committed to taking forward the following key actions:
- Accelerate corporate transformation with a clear delivery plan and appropriate resourcing.
- Strengthen data and insight capabilities to support strategic decision-making and service improvement.
- Refresh the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and undertake robust scenario planning.
- Build internal capacity to support transformation and improve oversight of commissioned services.
- Deepen strategic engagement with partners, especially the voluntary sector, to co-deliver services.
We are grateful to the LGA and the peer team for their thorough and thoughtful review. Their insights will help us continue our journey of improvement and ensure we deliver the best possible outcomes for the people of Herefordshire.
The council will publish a detailed action plan within five months and will participate in a progress review in March 2026, as part of our commitment to transparency and continuous improvement.