To receive any written questions from Councillors.

Questions from Councillor WLS Bowen to the Cabinet Member Resources.

 

1.1       Do you agree that Herefordshire Councils’ efforts to establish a baseline for energy use and to discover the whereabouts of its various electricity, gas and water meters has been agonisingly and pathetically slow?

 

1.1.2    Why has it taken so long to achieve this relatively simple, yet vital objective and when will this objective be achieved?

 

Answer from Councillor H Bramer, Cabinet Member Resources

 

1.1       No.

 

1.1.2    This is not a simple task but a complex process involving almost 700 individual meters for electricity, gas and water. The co-operation of the utility companies is required to identify which meter location relates to which invoice received and even then in order to provide a completely accurate baseline, all 700 meters would have to be read at the same time. This cannot be done practically, unless by remote electronic reading. An added complication is that  sites using LPG or fuel oil do not have consumption meters.

 

That said, we are able to provide a reasonably robust baseline of the Council's CO2 emissions, which last year perty were approximately 14,500 tonnes from property. This is the Council's baseline position against which we will measure our reduction targets.

 

We are continuing to improve our ability to provide accurate and up to date information both in respect of the council’s own property and through working with key partners such as HALO.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor WLS Bowen

Eight years was a long time in which to achieve baseline information – might the Council use Halo to achieve a more rapid answer?

 

Councillor H Bramer, Cabinet Member for Resources responded by acknowledging that eight years was a long time, however this was due to the need for the base lines to be read at the same time.  The authority was now working hard to progress this work.

 

Questions from Councillor WLS Bowen to the Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing

 

1.2       PPS22 was issued in 2004, allowing Authorities to mandate on site renewable energy production (typically 10%) as a condition of building development.  Why doesn’t Herefordshire make this demand of all new development?

 

1.2.1    How soon can this be incorporated into Herefordshire’s planning policies?

 

Answer from Councillor JG Jarvis, Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing

 

1.2       The advice in PPS22 has been partly superseded by the advice in the Supplement to PPS1 on “Planning and Climate Change” which was published in December 2007.  This states, in paragraph 32:-

 

“…planning authorities should not require local approaches for a building’s environmental performance on matters relating to construction techniques, building fabrics, products, fittings or finishes, or for measuring a building’s performance unless for reasons of landscape or townscape.”

 

This amounts to saying that the “Merton Rule” of requiring a 10% mandate of renewable energy production for new buildings has fallen out of favour with the government.

 

Furthermore, the equivalent policy in the Regional Spatial Strategy is going to be challenged at the Examination in Public and may not, therefore, be included in the final version of the RSS when it is approved by the Secretary of State sometime in 2010.

 

In these circumstances it would be unwise to try to enforce a blanket policy of this nature at this time.

 

1.2.1            Notwithstanding the above the emerging Core Strategy must have “Climate change” policies and needs to be tailored to Herefordshire’s particular circumstances. A background paper on Climate Change Policy has been published on the Council’s website and initial consultations are under way (in April and May 2009). It is intended to develop these ideas into policies which are locally distinctive, practicable and do not simply replicate the Building Regulations. Thus, for example, techniques appropriate in rural areas might not be suitable in heavily built up areas, and vice versa. There will be further consultation on this as part of the forthcoming “Place shaping” consultation in August and September.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor WLS Bowen

The authority merely ‘encourages’ developers to provide on site renewable energy production, should the authority be more robust with developers as is outlined in PPS22?

 

Councillor JG Jarvis, Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing;

Whilst agreeing in principle, he stated that guidance from Government remained unsettled and further advice was awaited in supplement to PPS1.  Once clarification had been received the authority would progress to mandate developers appropriately and in line with Government guidance.

 

Question from Councillor WLS Bowen to the Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing

 

1.3       Do you agree that under recent “well being” regulations Local Authorities have the power to demand much higher standards of energy efficiency in local building regulations than are required nationally?

 

1.3.1    Why has no real progress been made to implement these much higher requirements which would lead to buildings that are very energy efficient and much less expensive to heat and cool?

 

1.3.2    Do you agree that Hereford could and should progress much faster than its current sloth like pace?

 

1.3.3        Why has progress been so slow?

 

Answer from Councillor JG Jarvis, Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing

 

1.3       In order to depart from national standards there has to be a secure evidenced based local reason.  As noted above, the “Merton” rule is no longer favoured by government as a blanket standard to be applied in all cases.  Whilst, under building regulations, all new houses will have to be “carbon-neutral” from 2016 the consultation on the Core Strategy this summer will provide the chance for interested parties to take this further as we develop our policies for the future.

 

1.3.1            Developers are given every encouragement to develop energy efficient designs on a case by case basis at present, with some carbon neutral schemes already having been approved.

 

1.3.2            Pending the outcome of the challenge outlined in my answer to Q1.2 the council will continue to encourage best practice wherever possible and practicable.

 

1.3.3            Herefordshire is not being “slow” in this matter.  We are in the process of developing policies in the light of what is practicable and in the light of national and regional policies.  In the meantime individual developers are reminded of their duties under the Building Regulations and are encouraged to “go one better” wherever it can be done.

 

Question from Councillor WLS Bowen to the Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing

 

1.4       Do you agree that Herefordshire Council should back firms promoting and developing “green” engineering – and using their products?  If so, what are you, as the Cabinet Member and the Director responsible doing about it?

 

Answer from Councillor JG Jarvis, Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing

 

1.4       Yes. Supported by the framework of the Economic Development Strategy for the County one of the five key themes of which is sustainable development; a range of activities are already taking place some examples of which include:

·         the Rethink project -  encouraging businesses to use renewable energies, and training local companies to install, fit and develop renewables 

·         The Rural Enterprise Programme (administrated by Herefordshire Council on behalf of AWM for the rural West Midlands) includes funding for companies to develop their environmental technologies in diversifying their land based businesses.  

·         One of the leading sustainable architects in the country (and a Herefordshire based business) is working with the local authority on producing a  master plan scheme of the Model Farm project in Ross on Wye to create sustainable employment land,

·         Working with partner organisations, a "meet the buyer" event is being arranged where sustainable businesses can promote their services and products.

 

Question from Councillor WLS Bowen to the Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services

 

1.5       How much financial support does Herefordshire Council give to the Three Choirs Festival? 

 

1.5.1    Does Herefordshire Council give any support “in kind” to the Three Choirs Festival?

 

1.5.2    Will High Town be made to look its best in time for the Three Choirs Festival?  Will the missing letters in the names in the paving be replaced in time?

 

Answer from Councillor AJM Blackshaw Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services

 

1.5       The Three Choirs Festival has a Service Level Agreement with Herefordshire Council for £12,000 over 2 years.  We are now in Year 2.

1.5.1    The Three Choirs Festival has been asked to participate in the Take pART Campaign.  They have attended one meeting but any further involvement has yet to be confirmed.  Take pART is an audience development campaign and Herefordshire Council are seeking funding to increase activity and create a concessionary scheme.  The Three Choirs Festival has been included in the list of partners (planned promotion during cultural roadshows) involved in the awareness part of the campaign.

1.5.2        The Three Choirs Festival is at the height of the summer and particular attention will be paid to the cleaning of High Town at that time. We are working with the original supplier to ensure all letters are in place for the Three Choirs Festival.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor WLS Bowen

It was important to ensure that all of Hereford was looking at its best in time for the Three Choirs Festival, which would also include the approaches to the City and the skate park.

 

Councillor AJM Blackshaw, Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services provided assurance that relevant officers in the Council were working closely with organisers from the Three Choirs Festival and Visit Herefordshire to deliver a first class event.  A joint stand with the perpetual trust was in place at the Hay on Wye festival promoting this prestigious event.

 

Question from Councillor WLS Bowen to the Leader of the Council

 

1.6       Do you agree that giving each Councillor a budget to be used for specific projects in their own Wards would be a very good way to target very local needs?  Are you aware that other Councils have done this with great success?

 

Answer from Councillor RJ Phillips Leader of the Council

 

1.6       I am aware that other Councils have adopted this approach. Locally we will be exploring how we can increase the influence of local members on local expenditure within their wards and will look at this proposal alongside other options for achieving this.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor WLS Bowen

Would not a ward budget the best way to benefit wards.  What other options or approaches are available?

 

Councillor RJ Phillips, Leader stated that it was important for all members to be aware of the realities of the challenges ahead both in relation to current budget pressures and with future financial situation of local government.  Ward delegations would also be a challenge to local members to prioritise and differentiate between ward issues which could lead to a potential concern of inappropriate allocation of funding.

 

Question from Councillor AT Oliver to the Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing.

 

As part of the Bloor Homes development of 34 houses at the Old Dairy site in Bullingham Lane, £309,000.00 was provided for Affordable Housing offsite under a Section 106 Agreement.

 

2.1       What was the reason for not insisting on having Affordable Housing on site, and why was this £309,000.00 s106 money used to fund the Rose Gardens development in Ledbury Road, and not for social housing south of the river, in the area where the Bloor Homes development took place?

 

Answer from Councillor Jarvis Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing

 

2.1       The decision in 2004 to accept a financial contribution in place of affordable housing was taken having regard to the brownfield status of the site and associated additional costs to be incurred in the clearance of the land.

 

The contribution towards the Rose Gardens supported the delivery of a strategic priority for the Council, providing much needed affordable homes and independent living for older/vulnerable people for the whole of Hereford.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor AT Oliver

When the Section 106 monies were considered there was an expectation that this would be earmarked for initiatives South of the Wye.  Why were these monies appropriated elsewhere?

 

Councillor JG Jarvis, Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing informed the Member that the situation concerning Section 106 agreements at the time (2004) stated that monies could be allocated to support areas of strategic priority for the Council, which would include the Rose Gardens development on Ledbury Road.  However a different system was now in place that required a ‘named allocation’ of Section 106 monies to the relevant area.  The same situation was unlikely to happen now.

 

Question from Councillor AT Oliver to the Cabinet Member Highways and Transportation

 

On the completion of the Rotherwas relief road it was stated by the Highways department that a scoping document would be produced to consult with local residents on improvements to Holme Lacy Road, including an extension of the 30 mile an hour limit, additional pedestrian crossings at St. Clare’s Court, and the junction of Winston Road and Hinton Road with Holme Lacy Road, and improved access for cyclists at the railway bridge.

 

2.2       Nearly 12 months later nothing has happened.  Why?  Have any thoughts of improvement to Holme Lacy Road been abandoned?

 

Answer from Councillor Wilcox Cabinet Member Highways and Transportation

 

2.2       The opening of the new Rotherwas Access Road has provided a high quality access to Rotherwas to the benefit of business on the estate.  It has also helped to improve the environment for residents living in the area adjacent to Holme Lacy Road.  I recognise the opportunity this now provides to further improve Holme Lacy Road for the benefit of residents.  An incremental approach to this improvement is being taken and a 7.5 tonne weight restriction has already been implemented on Holme Lacy Road which prevents vehicles above 7.5 tonnes accessing the Estate via this route and moves this traffic onto the access road.  Proposals to extend the 30 mph speed limit on Holme Lacy Road towards the Estate are currently being considered.  In addition, a further package of works along Holme Lacy Road is being developed to further improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.  These proposals are being designed to complement proposals for the Connect2 cycleway project to link Hereford with Rotherwas and Holme Lacy.  Consultation regarding these measures is planned to take place later this year.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor AT Oliver

Could the Cabinet Member consider a new promise to ensure appropriate and wide consultation relating to improvement of the Holme Lacy Road?

 

Councillor DB Wilcox, Cabinet Member Highways and Transportation stated that a planning application was proceeding in relation to the improvement of the cycle way and that consultation and discussion regarding the thirty mile an hour exclusion zone on Holme Lacy Road was underway.  Local Members’ views would be sought on the measures proposed and consultation would include local Members, businesses and residents.

 

 

Question from Councillor AT Oliver to Cabinet Member Resources

 

2.3       At 31 March 2008 and 31 March 2009 what was the value and number of invoices outstanding and unpaid for over 30 days?

 

Answer from Councillor Bramer Cabinet Member Resources

 

2.3       Our current performance is payment within 14.83 days from receipt of invoice from supplier. The Council has agreed a local target of paying invoices within 20 days which we are achieving, and has also signed a pledge to work towards a target of paying invoices within 10 days.

 

Question from Councillor WU Attfield to the Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services

 

3.1       Since the retail sector of the Edgar Street Development is not able to go ahead yet, isn’t this a good time to begin the building of the social housing planned for this site, together with some small studio workshops, and so provide work for local builders and their employees?

 

Answer from Councillor AJM Blackshaw, Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services

 

3.1       Whilst the recession has impacted on the phasing of elements within the ESG Masterplan, work is continuing to progress the social housing planned on the ESG site.  The ESG Company and the Council are actively working with Sanctuary Housing and the Homes and Communities Agency to bring forward proposals as soon as possible.  An essential element in bringing forward the housing development will be the infrastructure required to open up the site for housing, and it is indeed on these areas that the ESG Company is currently concentrating.  We are anticipating planning applications in the near future in respect of both the Flood Alleviation Scheme and new road infrastructure which are crucial parts of the infrastructure required to open up the ESG site for new affordable houses.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor WU Attfield

Whilst it was acknowledged that both the infrastructure and flood alleviation scheme were required to enable the commencement of the wider ESG development, were there any sites within the ESG area where housing could go ahead without the impact flood alleviation works?  If so, these should be progressed as a matter of urgency.

 

Councillor AJ Blackshaw, Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services stated that the flood alleviation scheme was crucial to the sequential development of the ESG and was subject to grant from Advantage West Midlands.  The ESG Board and Herefordshire Council were working closely with Sanctuary Housing and Hereford City.  Two planning applications were being progressed; one for the infrastructure requirements, the other for the flood alleviation scheme.  It was emphasised that affordable housing was crucial to ESG scheme.

 

Question from Councillor RI Matthews to the Cabinet Member Resources

 

4.1       I understand that the Council-owned Elmhurst Nursing Home has remained empty for approximately twelve months, and during that time considerable sums of money have been spent on parts of the building, with a view to using for office accommodation.  Can Members be told how much has been spent on the building during this time in respect of the alterations, heating, lighting and full-time security.  Can you also state whether any part of the building has been used during this period of time, because I understand that the heating bills alone have been considerable?

 

4.2       The Cabinet recently decided, against the wishes of a large number of Members and public alike, to permanently close the L.E.A. Pool, and to consider disposing of the site as part of the Council’s General Property Strategy. If the site were to be sold, would the money raised  be ring-fenced for a replacement pool, or at the very least for generally improved facilities at the Leisure Pool, bearing in mind that in the view of most Teachers and Parents the present arrangements are far from satisfactory?

 

Answer from Councillor H Bramer, Cabinet Member Resources

 

4.1       The Council owned Elmhurst property was vacated by SHAW homes on 31 July 2008.  Since that date, the Council has incurred costs of £93,678 related to the property, which includes security (as a condition of insurance) and protection of the building over the winter period, to ensure that we adequately protect our property, ready for potential marketing. The building has listed building status and there is therefore a duty to protect the integrity of the building.

 

4.2       No decision has been taken about the site.  If it is sold then the monies would form part of the general capital receipts supporting the council’s capital programme.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor RI Matthews.

Having been informed that £100,000 had been spent on an empty Council owned property in 10 months and following receipt of the breakdown of these costs which included construction work to transform the building into office accommodation, what were the issues which had delayed progress?  Why was £16,000 gas costs incurred during this time when the central heating should have been turned off and the system drained?

 

Councillor H Bramer, Cabinet Member Resources stated that he was awaiting a full report of an investigation into this matter and would inform members of the outcomes.

 

Question from Councillor GFM Dawe to the Cabinet Member Corporate and Customer Services and Human Resources

 

5.1       Would the Council agree that Herefordshire Council should follow the lead of Parliament and now publish in detail Councillors’ expenses, and make them available for the general public on a quarterly basis.

 

Answer from Councillor JP French, Cabinet Member Corporate and Customer Services and Human Resources

 

5.1       The register of Councillors’ expenses claims is available for inspection by the public, on request, at Brockington. In addition, on an annual basis the Council publishes the total amount of expenses claimed by Councillors; this is published in the local press and is also available on the council website.  

 

Supplementary question from Councillor GFM Dawe

As a breakdown of members expenses is not currently made available in the press, should consideration be given to providing information on what has been claimed under specific topic headings e.g overnight accommodation, travel expenses etc?

 

Councillor JP French, Cabinet Member for Corporate and Customer Services and Human Resources stated that local government should be proud of its approach to the publication of members expenses.  The Council regularly had members of the public viewing this information as the Council’s policy was open, transparent and prudent.  It was additionally stated that the Council’s level of members allowances was low compared to other local authorities.

 

Question from Councillor GFM Dawe to the Cabinet Member Resources

 

In the Cabinet report of 7 May 2009, Agenda Item 6, paragraph it states that the proposed new Council building will take £17m of capital reserves and Prudential Borrowing, with the remainder being met from further Prudential Borrowing and rationalisation.

 

5.2       What is meant by rationalisation?

 

5.2.1    What exactly will be rationalised?

 

5.2.2    How much money will come from rationalisation and how much from Prudential Borrowing?

 

Answer from Councillor H Bramer, Cabinet Member Resources

 

5.2            Rationalisation will take the form of ceasing to use buildings currently occupied and often owned by the Council.  These buildings are expensive to maintain and, in general, have significant carbon footprints.

 

5.2.1    As indicated in the previous answer, a number of existing buildings will no longer be used or rented.  At this stage, it is possible to estimate that this could total a minimum of 10 sites.  However, we will continue to monitor the situation as the project progresses.

 

5.2.2    The level of money to be released from rationalisation will depend on the number of buildings no longer occupied and this will help fund any required future prudential borrowing to support the overall project.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor GFM Dawe

Assurance was sought that the cost of the new Council building would not result in a future rise in the community charge.

 

Councillor H Bramer, Cabinet Member Resources stated that £17million had been allocated to the cost of a new Council building through prudential borrowing and available monies.  Further funds would come from the disposal of surplus buildings in the Council’s portfolio and possibly through other borrowing.  The Cabinet Member stated that he would provide any further details if required personally to Councillor Dawe.

 

Question from Councillor GFM Dawe to the Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services

 

The new Rotherwas Access Road has been open for over a year.  The main justification for building it was that it would increase jobs.  Herefordshire Council’s own estimate was that it would create precisely 1,030 (Rotherwas Access Road Major Scheme Business Case (RARMSBC), July 2005. Herefordshire Council and Owen Williams consultants, page 5).  Councillor. Blackshaw at the Community Services Scrutiny Committee of 17 July 2008 said it would provide even more jobs, he said the Rotherwas Access Road will lead to a 100% increase in jobs at Rotherwas. 

 

5.3       How many jobs have been created in the last year at Rotherwas?  Please break them down broadly into

 

·         the type of job, in other words are the jobs merely transfers of Council employees from one office to another, or are they new jobs, created as a result of the new road?

 

·         the amount earned per annum by the new employees.

 

5.3.1    How many, in Councillor Blackshaw’s opinion, can be accredited to the Rotherwas Access Road?

 

Answer from Councillor AJM Blackshaw, Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services

 

5.3       The construction of the Rotherwas Access Road is a vital element of the wider regeneration of the Rotherwas Industrial Estate and is reflected as such within the Rotherwas Futures project.  A study by GVA Grimley (April 2006) established that there was the potential for 25.5ha (63 acres) of land that could be developed, and calculated that, as a minimum, 1400 net new jobs would be created as a result of the employment land being developed. 

 

Clearly these jobs will be created over a number of years as the land phased for development is released onto the market and development occurs.  GVA did not give timetables for the job creation and external factors, such as the recession, clearly have an impact on the timing of land coming forward for development.  We have been fortunate in constructing the road when we did, which has meant the road was in place at the beginning of the current economic recession and has had a positive impact in sustaining and preventing job losses on the Rotherwas site, without which companies such as Arctic Circle would not have had the opportunity of winning its new £1m contract with Morrisons.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor GFM Dawe

As the question posed was not answered, an assumption could be made that 0% of jobs were created – was this situation what should be concluded?

 

Councillor AJM Blackshaw, Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services stated that the Rotherwas Industrial Estate was an important long term land bank.  The 2006 GVA Grimly report identified the creation of possible 1400 new jobs as a result of the employment land being developed, which would be created over a number of years and would be dependent on market forces and the economic climate.  Three of the largest employers on the Rotherwas Industrial Estate had informed the Cabinet Member they had credited the completion of the Rotherwas Access Road with securing jobs on the Estate as without the access road it was possible that those companies would have considered their location.

 

Question from Councillor GFM Dawe to the Cabinet Environment and Strategic Housing

 

5.4       What percentage rise in car parking charges in the Council-owned car parks would be required to pay for the proposed cut in bus subsidy of £80,000, plus the additional £80,000 needed to maintain current bus service levels?

 

Answer from Councillor B Wilcox Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing

 

5.4       Whilst it is true that earlier in the year there was the possibility of an £80K reduction in the bus subsidy, I am happy to confirm that no reduction in the Council subsidy will be required this year though there will of course need to be a review based on the results of the tender exercise currently underway on a number of the bus contracts.  It is also worth recording that the total budget for route subsidies is in excess of £900,000 in the current year.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor GFM Dawe

What increase in car park charges would be required to deliver £80,000 – 20%?

 

Councillor DB Wilcox, Cabinet Member Highways and Transportation referred to the recent members seminar held on the bus subsidy issues which highlighted the need to retain the £80,000 in the existing budget and confirmed that the council subsidy remained, however continuing challenges would lie ahead with the prioritisation of issues from the Area Based Grant.  The issues of the bus subsidy and increase in car parking charges were not considered to be related.  There was currently a shortfall of £196,000 in the car parking budget, therefore an increase in car parking charges did not automatically correspond with additional monies for reallocation to different budgets.  It is currently proposed that car parking charges were not increased as it was vital to encourage people into the City and towns.

 

Question from Councillor MD Lloyd-Hayes to the Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services

 

6.1            Widemarsh Common has been a public open space since its benefactor Miss Chave left it to the public after her death.  Can we be reassured that the grounds in front her house remain in public use?

 

6.2       How much has been spent on the ESG to date including salaries?

 

6.3       Are there plans for a food store to be on the ESG and are “ongoing negotiations” taking place at this time?

 

Answer from Council AJM Blackshaw, Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services

 

6.1            Herefordshire Council has no plans to either develop on or dispose of Widemarsh Common or restrict the public access which is currently enjoyed.

 

6.2       From 2005-06 to 2008-09 the Council has spent £1,003,584.

 

6.3       The Council is currently negotiating a development agreement with its preferred partner Stanhope in respect of the Livestock Market site.  It will be Stanhope’s job to negotiate potential tenants, and they are already in preliminary negotiations with Waitrose.  Any such retail development would be subject to the relevant planning processes.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor MD Lloyd-Hayes

Does the £17.5 million spend include an appraisal for a GP/Walk in surgery?

 

Councillor AJM Blackshaw, Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services stated that he did not have the information to hand and that a formal written answer would be provided.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor MD Lloyd-Hayes

It was noted that there was no information on the Stanhope website advising of the food store.  As the Council owned the land would ward members be involved in the process and consulted?

 

Councillor AJM Blackshaw, Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services confirmed that, in line with council policy, local ward members would be involved.

 

Question from Councillor MD Lloyd-Hayes to the Cabinet Member Resources

 

6.4       The Council sold the Youth Centre in Tupsley that also served as a community centre leaving the public with nowhere to congregate.  The local pub is for sale at a very attractive price and stands on Council owned land, will the Council secure the building in order to serve several thousand people in the local community?

 

6.5       We read in the local press that the government is “actively thinking” of financing the Outer Distributor Road to the tune of £60m, does that mean the funding is guaranteed?

 

Answer from Councillor AJM Blackshaw, Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services

 

6.4       The Council is happy to work with any community group anywhere in the county in assisting with the development of a business case and identifications of options for sustainable community owned facilities. It is not our intention at this moment in time to purchase the building

 

Answer from Councillor R Phillips, Leader of the Council

 

6.5            Funding is being considered by government as part of the regional allocation process.

 

Supplementary question from Councillor MD Lloyd-Hayes

Why were there no plans for investing in youth amenities within Hereford, as currently a £770,000 youth centre was planned for Leominster?  Current data relating to 14-19 year olds identified the following information; Leominster had 400; Hereford City had 4,400 with 800 within the Tupsley Ward which included Whitten Way which was an area of deprivation.

 

Councillor AJM Blackshaw, Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services stated that there was no geographical bias for the allocation of funds and resources.  The young people were the County’s most valuable future and should members have any creative ideas he would be happy to hear them.