To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Roger Phillips and Cllr Helen Heathfield.

To receive details of any councillor nominated to attend the meeting in place of a member of the committee.

Cllr Richard Thomas was present as the named substitute for Cllr Roger Phillips. Cllr Justine Peberdy was present as the named substitute for Cllr Helen Heathfield.

To receive declarations of interest in respect of items on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were made. 

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 15 April 2026.

The minutes of the previous meeting were received.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2026 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive any written questions from members of the public.

Documents containing questions received from members of the public and the responses given, plus supplementary questions and their respective responses were published as an appendix to the minutes.

To receive any written questions from members of the council.

No questions had been received from councillors.

To provide Connected Communities with updates on key capital projects being undertaken by Herefordshire Council in 2026.

The committee considered a report on the Year of Delivery - Capital Projects item.

The Chairperson introduced the item and explained that it provided updates on key capital projects being undertaken in 2026.

The principal points of the subsequent discussion are summarised below:

A.    Hereford Western Bypass Phase One

A.1 In relation to Hereford Western Bypass Phase 1, the Chairperson noted that the committee would be scrutinising the full business case at a separate meeting later this month. It was therefore considered unnecessary to spend significant time on the bypass at this meeting, although some points of clarification were sought.

A.2 In response to a question from a committee member, officers confirmed that the full business case assessed phase one of the scheme as a standalone project.

A.3 A committee member questioned why the project was shown with a green RAG rating given the scale of the identified risks, including matters relating to cost, planning and affordability. In response, officers explained that the rating reflected continuing progress on the scheme and the existence of mitigation measures which were reported regularly to Cabinet.

B.    Hereford Transport Hub

B.1 The committee then moved to consider the Hereford Transport Hub project. The Delivery Director – Infrastructure reported that the scheme was nearing completion, with opening expected in October 2026, and that construction had progressed well overall.

B.2 It was reported that the waiting area works had been completed and that public realm works were progressing well. It was explained that one design issue affecting the tie-in with the highway had caused delay during construction, but that some of this delay had been recovered and the project was forecast to complete under budget.

B.3 The Chairperson welcomed representatives of bus operators to the meeting in order to assist the committee in understanding operational issues associated with the new hub design. It was commented positively on the integration of bus, rail and pedestrian access and on the quality of engagement by council officers, while also identifying continuing operational concerns.

B.4 The principal concern raised by operators related to the drive-in, reverse-out layout, which they considered carried safety and operational risks, particularly in a constrained space and during busy periods. Concerns were also raised about congestion, visibility in poor weather and darkness, the interaction between buses and other vehicles, and the possibility of conflict with pedestrians or cyclists despite mitigation measures.

B.5 It was advised that some issues relating to layover arrangements had been addressed and welcomed discussion around enforcement and possible additional facilities for drivers. It was also stated that operators would undertake their own risk assessments once the hub became operational and would provide feedback to the council on any further adjustments required.

B.6 In response to questions about the choice of layout, the Delivery Director - Infrastructure explained that a drive-in, drive-out arrangement had been explored but had not been considered possible through road safety audit. It was stated that the adopted design was intended to keep pedestrians out of the bus operating  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider the draft work programme for Herefordshire Council’s scrutiny committees.

The committee considered the draft work programme. It was agreed that consideration of the item be deferred to the next meeting of the committee.

The date of the next meeting is Monday 20 July 2026, 10:00 am.

The date of the next meeting is Monday 20 July 2026, 10:00 am.