To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Polly Andrews, Bowes, Johnson and Seldon.

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

Agenda item 5: In year changes to the capital programme budget for priority flood works.

Councillor Hardwick declared an other declarable interest as a resident of Fownhope.

To receive questions from members of the public.

Deadline for receipt of questions is 5:00pm on Wednesday 29 July 2020.

At extraordinary meetings of the Council questions must relate to reports on the agenda.

Accepted questions and answers will be published as a supplement prior to the meeting. Submit questions to councillorservices@herefordshire.gov.uk.

A copy of the public question and written answer, together with the supplementary question asked at the meeting and the answer, is appended to the minutes.

To receive any written questions from members of the Council.

Deadline for receipt of questions is 5:00pm on Wednesday 29 July 2020.

At extraordinary meetings of the Council questions must relate to reports on the agenda.

Accepted questions and answers will be published as a supplement prior to the meeting. Submit questions to councillorservices@herefordshire.gov.uk.

None.

Following consideration at Cabinet on 23 July 2020, approve the allocation of funding for priority flood damage repairs and for works to enhance the resilience of the county’s infrastructure.

Further to consideration at Cabinet on 23 July 2020, Council considered approving the allocation of funding for priority flood damage repairs and for works to enhance the resilience of the county’s infrastructure. 

The Cabinet member finance and corporate services introduced and moved the report, seconded by the cabinet member infrastructure and transport.

Councillor Shaw moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Gandy as follows:

(The proposed changes to the wording of the original motion are shown in bold.)

“This amendment proposes that the recommendations be amended as follows:

(a) The £7.674m (Pothole and Challenge Fund 2020/21 grant allocation) be added to the capital programme as a new programme;

(b) The £4.027m (Priority Flood Repair Works) be added to the capital programme as a new programme;

 (c) Priority flood repair works totalling £4.027m, as set out in paragraph 27 of this report, are funded through allocation from the financial resilience reserve; and

(d) In the event that new funds are made available by Government specifically to address the priority flood repair works, then those funds would first be used to refinance the financial resilience reserve with any funding over and above £4.027m added to the Priority Flood Repair Works programme. “

Council debated the amendment.  The amendment was put to a recorded vote and lost.

For (22): Councillors Bartrum, Bolderson, Durkin, Gandy, Guthrie, Hunt, I’Anson, James, Graham Jones, Mike Jones, Kenyon, Lester, Matthews, Millmore, Phillips, Price, Rone, Shaw, Stone, Swinglehurst Symonds and Tillett.

Against (27): Councillors Graham Andrews, Paul Andrews, Bartlett, Boulter, Bowen, Chowns, Crockett, Davies, Fagan, Foxton, Hardwick, Harrington, Harvey, Hewitt, Hey, Hitchiner, Howells, Jinman, Marsh, Milln, Norman, Stark, Summers, Toynbee, Tyler, Watson and Wilding. 

A recorded vote was then taken on the original motion.  The motion was carried.

For (35): Councillors Graham Andrews, Paul Andrews, Bartlett, Bartrum, Boulter, Bowen, Chowns, Crockett, Davies, Fagan, Foxton, Hardwick, Harrington, Harvey, Hewitt, Hey, Hitchiner, Howells, Hunt, James, Jinman, Mike Jones, Kenyon, Marsh, Matthews,  Milln, Norman, Price, Stark, Summers, Tillett, Toynbee, Tyler, Watson and Wilding. 

Abstain (14) Councillors Bolderson, Durkin, Gandy, Guthrie, I’Anson, Graham Jones, Lester, Millmore, Phillips, Rone, Shaw, Stone, Swinglehurst and Symonds.

(There were no votes against the motion.)

RESOLVED:

That      (a)     the £7.674m (Pothole and Challenge Fund 2020/21 grant allocation) be added to the capital programme as a new programme;

              (b)     the £4.027m (Priority Flood Repair Works) be added to the capital programme as a new programme;

              (c)     priority flood repair works totalling £4.027m, as set out in paragraph 27 of this report, are funded by extended prudential borrowing; and

              (d)     in the event that new funds are made available by Government specifically to address the priority flood repair works, then those funds would be added to the Priority Flood Repair Works programme.

To consider a Notice of Motion concerning an urgent matter.

Council considered a motion concerning an urgent matter directly affecting part of the county and which it was not practical to defer to the next ordinary meeting of Council.

The motion, proposed by Councillor Kenyon and seconded by Councillor Lester was as follows:

“We ask that the temporary infrastructure measures brought in across the county to encourage cycling and walking be debated at the full Council meeting on 4 August 2020 and in light of the debate the executive is asked to reconsider its decision to implement the temporary measures.”

The motion related to an officer decision taken on 13 July 2020: Development and delivery of emergency transport measures associated with the response to COVID 19 outbreak.

Recent central government funding to local authorities had been brought forward to 2020/21 as an emergency active travel fund. Herefordshire had been successful in a bid for funding.  Guidance required councils to reallocate road space and make additional provisions for cyclists and pedestrians wherever possible. This was to facilitate the easing of the lockdown restrictions by making provisions that supported social distancing, including providing alternatives to public transport.

Councillor Kenyon moved the motion.  He commented that many residents and businesses in Hereford City had contacted him expressing their concerns about the measures that had been introduced.  He wanted council to discuss the measures and possible amendments.

The following principal points arose in discussion:

·        Government had provided funding as part of the response to Covid 19.  Initial measures had to be implemented as swiftly as possible and in any event within 8 weeks of the funding being awarded.

·        Measures had been introduced in Hereford City.  They were in the process of being implemented in the Market Towns.

·        There had been prior consultation with ward members, town and city councillors, local businesses, traders, transport providers and other organisations.  The cabinet member – infrastructure and transport had listened to representations and had been accommodating. He indicated that he would continue to seek and receive feedback and consider adjustments where practicable.

·        Members outlined specific issues relating in the main to their wards.  Some expressed concerns. Others welcomed the proposals. A consensus emerged that it would be most productive if any further discussions were held on an area basis where the local knowledge of councillors would be most constructive.

The cabinet member offered to undertake a series of online area based meetings involving ward members and stakeholders, with measures in Hereford City to be scheduled for discussion first.

Councillor Kenyon indicated that he was willing to withdraw the motion he had proposed on that basis.

The debate concluded accordingly.