A ROSS-ON-WYE councillor has secured unanimous backing from Herefordshire Council for proposals aimed at helping farmers improve water security and reduce barriers to building agricultural reservoirs.

Cllr Ed O'Driscoll, who represents Ross East, brought forward a motion on agricultural water security following discussions with local farmers and the National Farmers' Union (NFU).

The motion, supported by councillors from across the political spectrum, seeks to address the significant costs, delays and bureaucracy faced by farmers looking to invest in reservoirs and other water storage infrastructure.

Among the measures proposed is the establishment of an Agricultural Water Security Roundtable, bringing together farmers, the NFU, regulators and council officers to identify practical solutions.

The council will also explore ways of simplifying the planning process for agricultural reservoirs, helping farmers navigate existing requirements while identifying opportunities to reduce unnecessary costs and delays.

Agricultural water security will also be considered as part of Herefordshire's emerging Local Plan, which will guide future development across the county.

Cllr O'Driscoll welcomed the unanimous support, describing the decision as a positive step forward for Herefordshire's farming community.

He said: "I'm delighted that my motion on Agricultural Water Security was unanimously adopted by Herefordshire Council on Friday, with excellent support from councillors across all political parties."

He also thanked the NFU for its backing and highlighted comments from Cllr Ivan Powell about the importance of agricultural reservoirs for firefighters.

The proposals come amid growing concerns about the availability of water for farming, particularly during prolonged dry periods when agricultural businesses face additional pressures.

Cllr O'Driscoll said he would now work with council officers to ensure the recommendations were progressed as quickly as possible.

He added: "Our farmers put food on our tables. We need to do everything we reasonably can to help them secure the water they need to keep doing so."