To receive a report from the leader on the activities of the executive (cabinet) since the meeting of Council on 24 July 2026.

The Leader presented his report on the activities of Cabinet since the meeting of Council in July 2026. Council questioned the Leader and the following actions were raised:

• In response to a question concerning the delivery of social rented housing, there was a commitment to provide the specific figures for the number of social rent dwellings delivered and the current level of need for social rented properties in the county.
• In response to a question concerning the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme, there was a commitment for group leaders to write jointly to express concerns about the way the scheme had been handled and the impact on the farming sector.
• In response to a question concerning the new adult social care framework, there was a commitment to provide a response regarding how the framework will collect qualitative and quantitative data to predict future demand.
• In response to a question concerning the Independent Advocacy Service procurement, there was a commitment to obtain assurance that strengthened monitoring arrangements would be included and how the commissioning process would include young people and the wider community.
• In response to a question concerning traffic management arrangements at the Burcott Road railway bridge, there was a commitment to discuss the highway safety concerns raised following the meeting.
• In response to a question concerning the Ledbury Safer Routes to School scheme, there was a commitment to ensure ward members and Ledbury Town Council are updated on the scheme and its timescales as soon as possible.
• In response to a question concerning safety improvements at the Salway Arms junction, there was a commitment to ask the relevant Cabinet Member to press National Highways for a meeting regarding safety measures at the junction.
• In response to a question, a written response would be provided regarding the impacts of the construction of Phase 1 of the bypass on the Bridge Sollars road.

·       In response to a question regarding projects in Hereford to address congestion an update would be provided to all members with details of those initiatives contained in the Local Trasport Plan.

• In response to a question concerning the Western Bypass Phase 1 project, there was a commitment to circulate to all councillors a link to the Cabinet report and recommendations approved on 24 September.
• In response to a question concerning environmental priorities, there was a commitment to consider the development of a plan (similar to the Big Economic Plan) addressing environmental challenges alongside existing strategic plans.
• In response to a question from concerning the Big Economic Plan, there was a commitment to explore how members could receive updates on progress against the plan’s objectives.
• In response to a question concerning the council’s asset review, there was a commitment to provide members with an update once the review of assets has been completed.
• In response to a question concerning the cross-party housing working group, there was a commitment to convene a meeting as soon as practicable and provide an update on partnership opportunities to deliver social and affordable housing.
• In response to a question concerning Special Urgency decisions, there was a commitment to provide the specific reasons why the two urgent decisions had been required.
• In response to a question concerning climate change risks, there was a commitment to review the Corporate Risk Register to ensure that environmental risks, including flooding and drought, are appropriately reflected.

There was an adjournment at 11:50 a.m.; the meeting reconvened at 12:02 p.m.