Month: May 2026

Joining Herefordshire, are Forest of Dean District Council, Wye Valley National Landscape, Powys Council and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, alongside community and environmental organisations.

Monmouthshire County Council are expected to confirm their support in the near future, completing what is the first coordinated effort of its kind across the full River Wye catchment to align local authorities behind the concept of a shared “rights of rivers” approach.

Developed in 2025 by a working group of community representatives, councillors and environmental organisations with an interest in the future of the river, it sets out a series of principles recognising the importance of the River Wye and its tributaries to people, nature and future generations.

The Charter provides a shared framework to support more coordinated working across the catchment. It does not change existing statutory responsibilities such as planning, regulation or enforcement.

Herefordshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Culture and Environment, Councillor Swinglehurst, said: “Protecting the River Wye requires genuine partnership across borders and organisations. Supporting the Charter is about standing alongside our partners and communities in recognising the river’s importance, and committing to work together on its long-term recovery. It doesn’t change our legal responsibilities, but it does strengthen the shared direction and ambition we all need if we are to make real progress.”

Forest of Dean District Council was the first to formally support the Charter following Herefordshire Council’s initial involvement, with other partners now joining or preparing to confirm their support.

Andrew McDermid, River Wye Charter original working group member, District Councillor and River Water Quality Champion for Forest of Dean District Council, said: “The concept of rights for rivers is an idea whose time has come. It is gaining momentum amongst local councils across the country and becoming more influential given the unsatisfactory state of many of our rivers due to pollution from sewage and agricultural run-off. It is a moral rather than a legal movement at this stage but one day hopefully gain enough critical mass to influence central government to take stronger action to restore our precious rivers.”

What is the Charter?

The Charter for the River Wye sets out a shared ambition for the river and its catchment, recognising its intrinsic value and importance to biodiversity, communities and local economies.

It encourages organisations to think and act at a catchment scale and to use shared principles to inform conversations and decision-making. It does not create legal duties or override existing responsibilities.

A partnership across the river

The Charter has been developed through collaboration across the England–Wales border, involving local authorities, environmental organisations, land managers and community groups. While it is not the first river charter in the UK, it represents the first time an attempt has been made to bring together local authorities across the full River Wye catchment in support of a shared ‘rights of rivers’ approach.

The approach reflects growing collaboration across the catchment and a shared commitment to long-term recovery of the river through partnership working.

The Charter was formally launched on 24 May at a riverside event featuring readings, speeches and a symbolic appearance of the Goddess of the River Wye. Aspects of the launch event were curated by ceremonialist Vey Straker, also known as Lady Wye, and featured performances by the Climate Choir.

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.”

Now, aluminium foil, foil trays, metal or foil-lined tubes (such as tomato purée tubes), and plastic tubes – including toothpaste and cosmetic tubes – can all be placed in household recycling.

The change makes it easier for residents to recycle common household items that may previously have been thrown away.

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Environment, Cllr Elissa Swinglehurst, said: 

“We know residents are keen to recycle as much as possible, and this update makes it easier to do just that. By adding items like foil and tubes to our collections, we’re helping people recycle more of what they use every day.

“Small changes at home can make a big difference, and we’d encourage everyone to take advantage of the expanded service.”

Recycling plays a vital role in protecting the environment. It reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill, cuts the need for extracting and processing raw materials, and helps save energy.

By recycling more, we can lower greenhouse gas emissions and help tackle climate change, while making better use of the world’s limited natural resources.

Across the UK, recycling already prevents millions of tonnes of carbon emissions every year – but there is still more we can all do.

To help ensure items can be successfully recycled, residents are asked to follow a few simple steps:

• Make sure items are clean and dry – a quick rinse is enough
• Squeeze out any remaining product from tubes
• Leave lids and caps on tubes before recycling
• Place recycling loose in the bin, not in plastic bags

For aluminium foil, residents can also scrunch smaller pieces into a ball to make them easier to process.

The Council is also urging residents to Be Clued Up about recycling and understand what items they can put in their recycling bin. Find out more on the Council’s website.