STORY
Herefordshire Council has brought day-to-day oversight of highways and public realm services back under council control, marking the start of a new delivery model for roads, drainage, street lighting, street cleansing, green spaces and winter gritting. The authority said the change had taken effect today, with works to be delivered through a new partnership with M Group and a framework of approved local contractors.
The council said the change followed careful mobilisation work intended to avoid disruption as its previous contract with Balfour Beatty Living Places came to an end. The authority said the new framework would allow it to appoint local contractors for schemes of different sizes, with a stated aim of improving value for money while supporting local employment and skills development.
Councillor Dan Hurcomb, cabinet member for local engagement and community resilience, said bringing control back in-house would allow the council to focus on better roads, well-maintained spaces and a service responding more quickly to local needs. M Group said it had spent months preparing for the transition and would be investing in plant and fleet as part of the new arrangement.