To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies from members of the cabinet.

To receive declarations of interests in respect of Schedule 1, Schedule 2 or Other Interests from members of the committee in respect of items on the agenda.

None.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2021.

Resolved:       That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2021 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.

To receive questions from members of the public.

Questions received and responses given are attached as appendix 1 to the minutes.

To receive questions from councillors.

Questions received and responses given are attached as appendix 2 to the minutes.

To agree the approach to progressing the development and delivery of the transport strategy in 2021/22.

To allocate funding required to support the development and delivery of activities set out in this report.

The cabinet member for infrastructure and transport introduced the report

The head of transport and access services presented the report, details of which are outlined in the agenda pack.

In discussion of the report, the cabinet members noted that:

1.            A new river crossing could take up to 8 years.  One of the tasks would be to look at the programme and to identify work which could be brought forward. The aim would be 5 years, subject to this piece of work being undertaken

2.            There were statutory processes to undertake which were not in the control of the council with regard to the new river crossing so the timetabling had taken a cautious approach.  

3.            There was now additional in-house capacity so other measures could now move with more pace rather than rely on consultants.

4.            The school traffic was a major cause of congestion and funding had been identified to help with school travel plans and communications.  

5.            It was anticipated that as restrictions further eased, people would start to use buses more.

6.            There were new regulations which allowed councils to work with bus providers.

7.            There was a commitment to ensure that all transport projects had a detailed climate assessment undertaken.

8.            There had been a motion at council which had broadly agreed a move to 20mph in all residential areas so there was a request that this was followed through as this lower speed reduced accidents and deaths.

9.            There should be consultation with equality groups within the county, e.g. women’s equality group.

10.         There would be a need to identify public toilets so that there were sufficient numbers.

11.         There needed to be consideration for better signage for travel around the city.

Group Leaders and representatives were invited to present their views and queries from their group.  It was noted:

1.            The commitment to the active travel measures and school travel plans were welcomed.

2.            The improved connectivity between the A49 and A465 was positive.

3.            Improved infrastructure between Bridge Sollars and Belmont may also take traffic out of the city.

4.            There were mixed views on the river crossing.  It was accepted that there was a need for resilience with an additional river crossing.   It was also commented that an Eastern crossing may encourage more through travel.  

5.            In order to bid for capital funding from government, there would need to be a business plan and this would now be developed.

6.            The effective use of the bus network was noted but there would be a need to understand the long term revenue impact for the council. 

7.            If there was more capacity to travel in different ways, there will be a reduction in traffic congestion.

RESOLVED that:

(a)        Cabinet confirms its priorities for progressing the Hereford Transport Strategy and    allocates £1.24m one off revenue funds for 2021/22 as follows:

i.     £300k to progress feasibility and design for safer routes to school infrastructure schemes;

ii.    £150k to develop a cycling and walking masterplan  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

To approve the Covid 19 Recovery Plan 2021/22 delivering the immediate actions required to enable short term economic, community wellbeing and organisational recovery.  The plan is centred on three key areas; Economic, Community Wellbeing and Organisational recovery.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report, details of which are set out in the agenda pack.

In discussion of the report, the cabinet members noted that:

·        The recovery plan was positive and would build resilience.

·        There would be health, environment and economic benefits.

·        The current situation is affecting people’s mental health and addressing issues as part of this recovery plan would assist.

·        It was a good plan where each part reinforced the other.

·        TalkCommunity would be expanding which would also support the plan.

Group Leaders and representatives were invited to present their views and queries from their group.  It was noted:

·        The recovery plan and the spending of the money was welcomed.

·        The general scrutiny committee had looked at some length at the council’s response to the pandemic and recommendations would be forthcoming.

·        Tourism was important to Herefordshire.  The sector was performing well and there was an opportunity to put Herefordshire on the map. 

·        There was a proposal to hold an economic summit over the summer for business leaders and the recovery plan could be used as a catalyst.

·        There was a need to keep putting an emphasis on looking after the Herefordshire environment.

RESOLVED that 

a)                The Covid 19 Recovery Plan 2021/22 is approved, implementing up to £6.144m of Covid 19 funding to deliver the immediate actions required to enable short term economic, community wellbeing and organisational recovery; and

b)               The Director of Economy and Place, Director Adults and Communities, Director Children and Families and Director of Public Health be authorised to take all operational decisions to implement recommendation including, but not limited to, the procurement and commissioning of the identified projects (as set out in the detailed action plan in appendix A).

To approve the tender for a new home care framework which will commence from 1 November 2021 due to the cessation of the current framework. This will ensure high quality providers support the eligible needs of adults to remain safe and independent in their own home.

The cabinet member for health and adult wellbeing introduced the report.

The head of care commissioning presented the report, the details of which are set out in the agenda pack.

In discussion of the report, the cabinet members noted that:

·        There had been consultation with the smaller care providers.  None had indicated that these new arrangements would impact on their business.  These businesses did have a large numbers of self funders so the council was not their primary contract.   

·        There were safeguards are in place to ensure that customers’ eligible needs are met.

·        Technology enabled living was not about replacing carers, but was to complement the customers’ needs.   The technology would be for the carer as well as those receiving care.

Group Leaders and representatives were invited to present their views and queries from their group.  It was noted that the new commissioning arrangements were welcomed.

The adults and wellbeing scrutiny committee had scrutinised the arrangements.  The committee had noted and praised the directorate for their engagement with the providers.   It was noted that all the scrutiny committee recommendations had been accepted by cabinet.   It was further noted that a self-funders’ action plan would be forthcoming.

Resolved that:

a)         A framework for the purchasing of commissioned home care services be introduced from 1 November 2021;

b)        The duration of the framework will be four years with the option to extend for a further 12 months;

c)         Applicants admission to the framework will be determined via competitive tender;

d)        The director for adults and communities is authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the above recommendations.

e)         That cabinet approves the response to the scrutiny recommendations in Appendix 2