To receive the report and to consider any recommendations to Council arising from the meetings held on:

(a)       3rd and 17th June, 1st and 15th July, 2004 and

(b)       22nd July; 2004.  (Report to follow)

The Leader of the Council, Councillor R.J. Phillips, presented the report of the meetings of Cabinet held on 3rd and 17th June, and 1st, 15th  July, 2004, and the supplementary report of the meeting held on 22nd July, 2004.

Main Report

In relation to item 1.1 Corporate Plan 2004/07 (including Best Value Indicator Reporting for 2003/04)  - in response to a query the Leader assured Council that he would be seeking to ensure that reports of this nature are written as clearly and concisely as possible.

In relation to item 1.2 Council Tax Designation and Capping Local Government Finance Act 1992 Council Tax Limitation (England)(Maximum Amounts) Order 2004 - The Leader reminded Council that the criteria for capping was unknown at the time that it set its budget for 2004/05.  He said it was important for people to be aware of that.  To this end he was happy to share with any interested parties a letter dated 6th April, 2004 from the Office of the Secretary of State confirming this.

In relation to item 4.1(iii) Revenue Support Grant (RSG)  - in response to a query the Leader explained that, for the purpose of calculating RSG the government was using census information from 1991 rather than 2001.  It had been estimated that if the 2001 figures had been used Herefordshire may have been entitled to extra funding of up to £1.8 million.  This was because a number of criteria related to elderly people, of which the County has a higher than average proportion.

In relation to item 7.1(i) Edgar Street Grid Delivery Vehicle - In response to a request for more information, Councillor G.V. Hyde advised that the project to redevelop the Edgar Street Grid was in the early stages of what would be a 15-20 year project.  He said that it was too early to hold another seminar for Members as there were still too many options open, not least of which was to identify a new site for the livestock market.  The Leader confirmed that inclusion of a Hereford City member on the Joint Venture Partnership would be considered as part of the process.

In relation to item 8.1(i) Review of Discretionary Policies Applicable to Home to School Transport - in response to a query Councillor Rule, Cabinet Member (Education) confirmed that the review would include the cost of transport to schools out of County for those who have been refused a school in their catchment area.

In relation to Item 12.2(i) Parish Plans Protocol - in response to a query, the Leader advised that the relaxation of current timescales for responses may be unavoidable in some instances solely because of the amount of time involved in dealing with over 40 parish plans.  He confirmed there would be no undermining of the Council's commitment to the parishes.

Supplementary Report

In relation to item 3.1(i) Commission for Social Care Inspection, Inspection of Older People's Social Care Service for Herefordshire - in response to a query Councillor Mrs. Barnett, Cabinet Member (Social Care and Strategic Housing) confirmed that she was confident that the social care management and staff could deliver the outcomes identified following the inspection of the service.  She said that the Council should be proud to have such a dedicated team who were committed to improving the service for the older people of Herefordshire.

RESOLVED:  That the reports from the meetings of Cabinet held on 3rd and 17th June, and 1st, 15th and 22nd July, 2004 be received and the recommendations set out below be adopted:

That    (a) the Corporate Plan 2004/07, incorporated the up-to-date Best Value Performance Indicators for 2003/04 as set out at Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

            (b) the Council sets it budget at the capping figure of £175,320,000;

            (c) in doing so, the Council makes budget savings of £300,000 to cover both the reduction required by the Capping Notice and the re-billing costs;

            (d) the Council agreed to make substitute calculations to achieve the consequential council tax at Band D for Herefordshire Council services of £955.73; and

            (e) revised council tax demand notices incorporating both the substitute council tax and the consequential amendment necessitated as a result of the anticipated revised precept from the Combined Fire Authority be issued.