Accessible WordPress Website for a Local Authority

Website Design | WordPress Development | Accessibility Compliance

The Challenge

Hereford City Council serves as the Parish Council for the City of Hereford, acting as a key voice for local residents while supporting community initiatives and representing local interests.

Although the council does not directly deliver large-scale public services such as education, healthcare or highways, it plays an important role in influencing decisions, communicating with residents and supporting the community.

The council required a new website that would:

• Provide a modern and accessible digital platform for residents
• Allow staff to easily manage and update website content
• Present council information clearly and transparently
• Meet public sector accessibility standards
• Support communication with the local community

The existing platform made it difficult for the council team to update content efficiently and did not fully reflect modern accessibility expectations.

Our Approach

We designed and developed a new website using WordPress, creating a platform that is easy for council staff to manage while providing residents with clear access to information and resources.

The project focused on usability, accessibility and clarity to ensure the website supports both council operations and public engagement.

Accessible Website Design

Accessibility was a key consideration throughout the project.

Public sector websites must ensure that information is accessible to all users, including those using assistive technologies.

The new website was designed with:

• clear page structure and navigation
• readable typography and colour contrast
• accessible content layouts
• responsive design for mobile and tablet users

This ensures residents can easily access council information regardless of the device or technology they use.

WordPress Platform for Easy Management

The website was built on WordPress, giving the council team a flexible and easy-to-manage content management system.

This allows staff to:

• update council information and notices quickly
• publish meeting agendas and minutes
• share community news and updates
• manage the website without technical complexity

Using Elementor also allows the council to maintain consistent page layouts while editing content efficiently.

Clear Communication with the Community

The website now provides a structured platform for communicating with residents, including:

• council updates and announcements
• information about local initiatives
• meeting documentation and governance information
• contact information for council services

The improved navigation and structure make it easier for visitors to find the information they need.

Impact

The new Hereford City Council website delivers:

• A modern and accessible digital presence for the council
• A platform that meets public sector accessibility expectations
• Easier content management for council staff
• Improved communication with the local community
• A scalable platform for future updates and initiatives

The project provides the council with a stable digital foundation that supports transparency, accessibility and community engagement.

What This Demonstrates

This project highlights The DM Lab’s ability to:

• Deliver accessible websites for public sector organisations
• Build WordPress platforms that are easy for internal teams to manage
• Design digital platforms that prioritise clarity and usability
• Support local authorities with modern and scalable digital infrastructure