To receive a report from the leader on the activities of the executive (cabinet) since the meeting of Council in July 2018.

Council received an update on the work of the Cabinet since Council’s previous meeting on 13 July 2018.

The Leader introduced the report, highlighting the launch of and desire to promote the care heroes website; a council tax reduction for care leavers; success of the community brokers team; schools performance results; the recognition of the need to do more to improve educational outcomes for looked after children; the visit from members of the House of Lords Select Committee on the Rural Economy; and the launch of the quarterly council publication ‘Herefordshire Now”.

The following issues were raised in discussion:

·        A member welcomed the introduction of a bike share scheme in Hereford city, the council’s support for cycling and highlighted the opportunity to bid for national funding for a closed cycling track that could be at the heart of encouraging cycling.  He also urged that old railway lines across the county be developed for cycling which would amongst other things contribute to the income from tourism.

·        Referring to the sale of land and buildings within the Enterprise zone at Rotherwas an assurance was sought that disposals would not limit the potential for a route of an eastern bypass for the City.  The Leader noted that this matter had been previously been discussed by council.  The focus of economic development was linked to the western bypass.

·        In response to a question about representation of small and medium enterprises at the visit from the House of Lords Select Committee on the Rural Economy the Leader agreed to provide detail to members.

·        A member expressed dissatisfaction that elected members had not been invited to the Select Committee’s visit and about communication with him both about the event and generally as local ward member.  The Leader replied that the event had not been arranged by the council.  He had sent the councillor information about the event in advance of it.  He recognised the importance of there being engagement with local ward members.

·        It was noted that, as referred to at paragraph 11 of the report, Council had resolved in July to ask the Leader to consider an additional objective for the chief executive to “champion high standards of conduct and a strong commitment to public service throughout the council.”  As the report said, the Leader had decided not to include such an additional objective as it restated what was a general requirement of all managerial posts.

Several members questioned the decision not to include the proposed additional objective. It was suggested that the decision was contrary to council’s wishes, in itself unwelcome, and did not set a good example.  The objective’s inclusion would have demonstrated public facing leadership on these issues in accordance with the recommendation of the Committee on Standards of Public Life in its report in 2013, “A review of best practice in promoting good behaviour in public life”, that chief executives of all organisations delivering public services should take personal responsibility for ethical standards in their organisations.  The Leader’s decision was to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31