A renewed commitment to collaboration has been presented to councils across the county, with parishes invited to adopt the newly published Charter for Herefordshire’s Councils 2025.
This new agreement, which has already been adopted by Herefordshire Council and other parish councils, is designed to enhance partnership working, improve service delivery and empower communities across the county.
Launched at the Parish Council Summit (Tuesday 7 October), the Charter is the result of nearly two years of consultation and co-production between councils of both tiers. It sets out a shared vision for stronger, more transparent and more effective local governance.
The Charter outlines:
- Strategic aims to strengthen partnership working and enable community action.
- Principles of partnership including mutual respect, clear communication, transparency and strengths-based collaboration.
- Service standards such as timely responses to correspondence and consultations and prompt payments for devolved services.
- Frameworks for joint working in key areas like planning, highways, drainage, public rights of way and neighbourhood development planning.
- Benefits for residents who can expect more responsive and joined-up services, clearer communication from their councils, greater opportunities to engage in local decision-making and improved transparency and accountability across both levels of local government.
It also includes a resolution process for addressing issues between councils, starting with direct dialogue and escalating to senior leadership if needed. Success will be measured by how well councils share best practices, remove barriers to collaboration and deliver improved outcomes for residents.
Progress against the Charter will be reported to Parish Summits, while quarterly meetings between Herefordshire Council’s Leader and Chief Executive and the Charter Reference Group – made up of representatives from across both tiers - will drive developments and improvements.
Charter Working Group
Councillor Jonathan Lester, Leader of Herefordshire Council, said:
“This Charter is more than a document - it’s a commitment to action and a recognition of the vital role that every council plays in shaping the future of Herefordshire. Parish councils are the closest tier of government to our communities. They know their areas, understand local priorities, and are often the first point of contact for residents. By signing this Charter, we’re acknowledging that effective local governance depends on mutual respect, open communication, and shared responsibility. I’m proud of the collaborative spirit that shaped this Charter, and I’m confident it will help us build a stronger, more responsive, and more joined-up local government for Herefordshire. This is about working together to deliver real improvements that people can see and feel in their everyday lives.”
Councillor Simon Hairsnape, Chair of the Charter Reference Group, added:
“The Charter is a genuine partnership agreement, shaped by councils across Herefordshire and designed to evolve with us. It’s not a top-down directive - it’s a co-produced framework that reflects the voices and experiences of town and parish councils, who are essential to the democratic fabric of our county. The Reference Group will act as both developer and guardian of the Charter, ensuring it remains relevant, effective, and accountable. We’ve built in mechanisms for review, performance monitoring, and resolution - this is about real change, not just good intentions. I would encourage every council to engage with the Charter, not just as a policy document, but as a practical tool for improving how we work together. It’s taken time and effort to get here, and now we have a shared foundation to build on.”
You can view the new Charter on the council website.