This is the report I presented to the Pyons Group Parish Council on 2nd June 2026
S19 reports into Flooding
Subsequent to our previous meeting, where this was raised, I have chased for the report for Canon Pyon, and indeed received it this afternoon. Too late to read and comment, but I know it will be published imminently.
Regarding Ledgemoor, I have confirmed that there will not be a section 19 report produced as although there was flooding there, it didn’t reach the necessary thresholds for a section 19 report. I’d like to stress that the absence of a section 19 report does not mean work won’t be undertaken – indeed works defending Arrow Cottage were some of the earliest work undertaken by the new flood & drainage team.
Councillors will also be aware of the enforcement action regarding the straightened meander upstream of the bridge in Canon Pyon, which I hope is welcome.
Yeomans Yard
I have given indication that I will seek to call in the planning application amendment. This is particularly in light of drainage concerns which I have previously discussed. I have also asked the planning team to correct the weird typo by which the site was referred to as Canyon Pyon.
S106 money
At recent meetings, the PC has expressed concerns about the progress of works using the s106 money. This is an issue affecting the whole of Herefordshire at the moment, with a large backlog arising from ongoing issues with staffing the team that manages them, but also in my view because the approach taken is not as agile as it could be. I have raised these concerns over the last few months with the leader, and am delighted that not only has the vacant role, previously held by John Maddy, been filled in the last few weeks, but also a number of other staff will be brought in, some with previous experience in this area, to work through the backlog. Secondly, I know my suggestion for alternative delivery mechanics is also actively being worked through at the moment – I hope to report back on this shortly, but it will expedite the works.
I’d like to reiterate the assurances I have been given and have passed on before that there is no risk of the remaining moneys being lost.
Derndale road
This was one of the roads high on my priority list for repairs (others in the Pyons Group area being the centre of Kings Pyon, and of course Ram Road; which are scheduled and completed respectively). There will be a road closure later in the month, but have been in liaison with Highways officers to minimise disruption. In particular, we hope that the road closure that reaches up into Westhope will be limited to a day at most of actual obstruction; even then there is the route out to Bush Bank.
M Group
As of Monday, the “public realm” contract managing our roads and related infrastructure has transferred from Balfour Beatty. I’ve talked at length about the improvements in the new scheme; both in how work will be managed – most notably the locality stewards and others moving in house – and also how it will be communicated and tracked with improved systems. There will of course be teething problems, but so far I am cautiously optimistic that they will be no more than those, and I am certain that this will be a change for the better. Note that this also means we’ve been able to move some of the drainage team from BBLP over to HC, which will help flooding matters.
Consultation on local governance structure – ward boundaries etc.
The second stage of the consultation is open – but I am relieved that there has been little suggestion that we change the ward boundaries around here. There are far more important matters to deal with.
The flood works in Westhope – “the Lip”
Still pressure on the executive director – on all three assurances that the work will be done, that the costs will be recovered, and that there will be better collaboration with residents reflecting their knowledge and assistance.
Oil Grant Scheme
Still going on – consistently getting grants of circa £300. I urge people to continue to spread the word.
Finances
I am pleased to report that Herefordshire Council have deliverer a balanced budget for year end of 2025/26, despite significant funding and demand pressures. The final outturn report, presented to Cabinet on 21 May, confirms that the council ended the year with income and expenditure aligned, reflecting strong financial management and the sustained efforts of services to control spending. That included delivery of £13.2 million in savings while actively managing cost pressures, most notably in adult social care, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), home-to-school transport and temporary accommodation. This is great credit to our finance team at the council and the Cabinet Member Cllr Peter Stoddard particularly when you considered we have less population than some of our neighbours
Minutes and new Chief Executive
In the minutes of the last meeting, it was reported that I said of the incoming Chief Executive that “he is likely to be more often in Herefordshire than the present chief executive.” I suspect that those words were not verbatim, however if they were then that clumsiness must be a consequence of the arrival earlier that morning of my third child. What I remember intending to say – borne out in my speaking notes – was, as I have said previously, that it is important that a Chief Executive lives in or near the area they oversee, as does the new Paul, and share the experiences of residents. I will also take the chance here to give credit to the outgoing Chief Executive, who has been excellent, despite an extraordinarily difficult time, and also note that recent hires have been critical to turning around areas of the Council that were in real trouble (children’s services, finances, project management, and yes public realm) and I am optimistic that the selection panel will have been able to repeat their magic.