Ward Councillor Bromyard Bringsty – Peter Stoddart
Update from Herefordshire Council as at 18 May 2026
Herefordshire Council has selected a new Chief Executive to replace Paul Walker. The appointment of Paul Satoor was formally passed by full council on 1 May with a unanimous vote. He is expected to take up the role in the summer.
Earlier this month the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) published its draft recommendations for new electoral arrangements in Herefordshire, another significant announcement for the county. Its recommendations are based on the consultation carried out from 25 November 2025 to 2 February 2026. The Commission aims for councillors to represent a similar number of electors, which ward boundaries are appropriate for local communities, needs and people’s views. Its draft recommendations for Herefordshire are based on retaining 53 councillors, with 53 single-member wards. It proposes leaving 31 wards unchanged, but with revised boundaries for 22 wards. I can confirm that there are no changes proposed for the Bromyard Bringsty ward.
More than 140 roads across Herefordshire are set to benefit from resurfacing and maintenance work as part of a wider £37 million investment in roads, footpaths and public spaces in 2026/27.
The photo on the left shows the recent major road resurfacing on the A44, Bromyard Road, Whitbourne. The resurfacing programme forms part of a broader package of improvements designed to maintain and improve the county’s highways and public spaces. Together, these investments will support a wide range of improvements including better drainage, safer walking routes, repairs to bridges and other structures, and upgrades to local public spaces.
Herefordshire Council have also announced some significant developments that will make a real difference to people across the county. Our new Strategic Housing investment programme aims to reduce homelessness, cut use of expensive and unsuitable temporary accommodation for families, and help young people and care leavers take their next, safe steps towards independence. We also joined forces with the Police and Crime Commissioner, John Campion, to announce funding for nine local organisations and groups, supporting them to provide inclusive social activities for children and young people with SEND.
On the 24th April Herefordshire Council’s new ‘Pop and Shop’ 30 minutes’ free parking scheme went live in all council-operated pay and display car parks and on-street pay and display bays across the county. It’s designed to make it easier and more convenient for people to make quick trips into local towns, while supporting high streets and independent businesses.
I would also like to remind you all of the various major projects that we are on track to deliver – all making a huge impact for local people – including opening the new Transport Hub in late autumn/early winter, major improvements to Great Western Way and Holme Lacy Road, the new flood alleviation zone at Merton Meadow, phase one of Ross-on-Wye Enterprise Park – unlocking opportunities for developers and investors and bringing associated new jobs, and of course starting work on Phase One of the Hereford Bypass in December 2026.
Talk Community are working with AbilityNet to support them to deliver a programme for Digital Skills, funded by BT, across the county. We are seeing a growing disparity in digital skills, with older people and those with a disability being most affected, so local Talk Community Hubs and partner organisations can now apply to host a series of three two-hour sessions covering online safety and scam awareness, smartphone skills, and tailored digital support based on community needs, all delivered by a specialist Digital Skills Trainer. The programme aims to help residents build confidence, independence and access to important online services. Where we have very rural or isolated communities, we will be looking to utilise the Talk Community Bus which is equipped with IT to ensure all residents have access to support.
Please remember to inform Herefordshire Council of the location of non-emergency pot holes, drainage issues and Public Rights of Way (PROW) issues using the Herefordshire Council website https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/roads-1 For any emergency potholes please report them via the 24hour telephone number: 01432 261800
In respect to the four Parish and Town Councils which make up the Bromyard Bringsty ward, I have the following updates:
Bromyard and Winslow Town Council.
I would like to acknowledge the excellent work carried out by the Bromyard Foodbank who have worked incredibly hard to develop their offer beyond emergency food parcels, to help provide really holistic support to people in need. They are also now running a twice weekly Food and Advice walk-in service on top of the usual foodbank offer, to enable people to get access to support from a range of services, including (but not limited to) early help with housing, energy advice and budget coaching.
The condition of the A44 underpass has been brought to my attention. Through the Ward Locality Steward and as part of the Public Realm contract, I have now had a task raised for the drains to be cleaned. Together with another task raised for the footways to be scraped along the A44 taking them back to their full width.
Last year a number of residents of Kirkham Gardens raised their concerns with me regarding the issue of cars parking on pavements and blocking the pathway on the side of the road leading off of Church Lane. I have recently had confirmation that Herefordshire Council Officers will be addressing this issue during this current financial year.
A resident of Kirkham Gardens raised an issue with environmental health over the noise from a concert at the Conquest Theatre which has now been investigated by the team.
Further to my investigation regarding the issue of parking in the Schallenge I have now been advised that this road is the responsibility of Platform Housing and subsequently I have been in touch with them and await to hear from them.
In respect to the topic of disabled parking in Bromyard, officers are working on re-installing the disabled bay on Broad Street together with the bollards on Broad Street where Frog Lane joins it. Work continues on allocating a disabled bay in the market square.
In respect of the Hop Pole hotel, officers are engaging with the applicant in regard to an update on requested information. Building Control have also inspected the property and there are no immediate safety concerns, the roof has been repaired and is currently ‘safe’.
A resident has raised an issue in regard to a retaining wall on the path between the rear of Kirkham Gardens and the Coop. I have asked property services to investigate.
Brockhampton Group of Parish Councils.
In respect to the traffic situation at Brockhampton School, I have written to the Chief Executive of the Blackpear Trust who has responded and I look forward to meeting with her in the near future.
Bafour Beatty Livinig Places have visited the drainage issue at the entrance to the Royal Oak pub. I now await to hear from them in regard to their plan of action to address this issue.
The Head of School Transport has now been in touch with the resident who contacted me in regard to school transport for her disabled child.
Following a complaint from a resident regarding potential damage to protected trees I have requested that planning enforcement investigate the matter.
Whitbourne Parish Council.
Following a complaint from a resident of Old Forge regarding encroachment onto the footpath, I arranged for the Ward Locality Steward to visit. He subsequently has spoken to residents and has informed them that they have 28 days to remove their garden growth from the footpath.
The resident who submitted a complaint regarding a local holiday park has been informed that the enforcement team are currently investigating the matter.
I have been informed by a number of residents that the 420A bus service to Worcester has been subject to a number of erratic service provisions, with some buses not running. I have subsequently been in touch with the Head of Bus Services and the matter is currently under investigation.
A resident has been in contact with me in regard to the delivery of a mobile home to a location that they believe does not have the requisite planning permission. I have subsequently been in touch with planning enforcement who are investigating the matter.
A resident in Lower Poswick has contacted me regarding the state of the road there. I then contacted the Head of Highways who will be despatching an officer to investigate the matter.
North Bromyard Group of Parishes.
The work to introduce a 40MPH speed limit on the B4203 through Upper Sapey, continues. I expect to see this come to a conclusion in the near future.
The project in respect of improving the safety of the B4204 and B4203 crossing at High Cross continues, with officers assessing a number of options to provide the safest solution.
Surface dressing will be taking place on the B4203 Beauty Bank Entrance to Old Smithy under a full road closure between 08:00–17:00 between Wednesday 20th May to Friday 22nd May 2026.
I am present at the Surgery in the Foyer of the Conquest Theatre on the first Saturday of the month from 10:30 – 12:00 for residents to meet with me in person.
It remains my pleasure to assist residents of the Bromyard Bringsty Ward with their Herefordshire Council issues and concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact me via telephone or email if you have any Herefordshire Council related issues.
If you wish to contact me, my contact details are
Councillor Peter Stoddart MBE MBA CEng
Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services
Bromyard Bringsty Ward
Address: Herefordshire Council, Plough Lane, Hereford, HR4 0LE
Telephone: 07529 188727
Email:peter.stoddart@herefordshire.gov.uk