HEREFORDSHIRE is owed a proper turn-out for today’s council election.

This is a crossroads moment.

The authority is reducing in size and a host of familiar faces have decided to call it a day.

There are others who enter the fray for the first time, seeking to play their part in making a difference in our county.

In addition there are those seeking re-election and asking to be trusted to continue representing us for the life of the next council.

We hope that a new-look council, brimming with enthusiasm, takes the view that the essential issues – as diverse as litter and transport - remain the focus rather than the workings of the council itself.

Week after week we seem to have been reporting scenarios by which the authority came to exist as a commentary on its own proceedings.

So perhaps this is the time take a step back for a moment and consider the kind of council we want.

When you mark your cross on the ballot paper today, ask yourself whether you are voting for what you believe can be achieved.

In reaching its crossroads, the council now has to think about the way ahead, as do those who are voting for its make-up.

This starts with a turnout that gives a proper mandate to steer this county into the future.