A fresh initiative aimed at bolstering collaboration between councils has been unveiled across Herefordshire, as parish councils are invited to adopt the newly launched Charter for Herefordshire’s Councils 2025. The agreement, already endorsed by Herefordshire Council and several parish bodies, seeks to improve service delivery, foster stronger partnerships, and empower communities throughout the county.
The Charter was formally introduced during the Parish Council Summit held on Tuesday, 7 October. It marks the culmination of nearly two years of consultation and joint development between councils at both the county and parish levels. The document lays out a shared vision for more transparent, effective, and cooperative local governance.
Key elements of the Charter include:
- Strategic goals to reinforce partnership working and support community-led initiatives.
- Core principles such as mutual respect, clear communication, transparency, and strengths-based collaboration.
- Service standards that commit to timely responses to correspondence and consultations, as well as prompt payments for devolved services.
- Frameworks for joint working in critical areas, including planning, highways, drainage, public rights of way, and neighbourhood development planning.
- Resident benefits, promising more responsive services, more transparent communication, increased opportunities for civic engagement, and enhanced accountability across local government tiers.
The Charter also introduces a resolution process for inter-council issues, beginning with direct dialogue and escalating to senior leadership when necessary. Success will be measured by the councils’ ability to share best practices, eliminate barriers to cooperation, and deliver tangible improvements for residents.
Progress will be monitored through regular Parish Summits. At the same time, quarterly meetings between Herefordshire Council’s Leader and Chief Executive and the Charter Reference Group—comprising representatives from both tiers—will guide ongoing development and refinement.
Councillor Jonathan Lester, Leader of Herefordshire Council, emphasised the Charter’s significance:
“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, echoed the sentiment:
“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.”
As councils across Herefordshire consider adoption, the Charter stands as a blueprint for a more unified and community-focused approach to local governance.
Image credit: iStock
