To approve the business case, draw-down of approved capital funding and the implementation arrangements for a programme of energy efficiency measures on leisure facilities managed by Halo Leisure, on behalf of Herefordshire Council.

To seek approval to begin works to carry out modernisation and upgrade of the traveller sites owned/managed by the Council.

The six sites and 53 pitches require works to carry out further improvements.  

The proposed works include, improvements to fencing, doors, electric meter and supply upgrade, improved security on sites, play areas and general site repairs identified in the stock condition survey.

That:

(a)       the modernisation of traveller sites and pitches as detailed at Appendix 1 be approved at a cost of not more than £490,354.

THAT:

(a)    subject to confirmation of the Marches LEP Board support for the new governance arrangements required by government agreement is given to:

·        the establishment of the Marches LEP as a private company limited by guarantee; and

·        the Marches Joint Executive Committee ceasing to operate with effect from 31 March 2019

A number of active travel options have been considered and consulted on in 2014 and 2016. A robust appraisal process outlined in this report has been adopted to determine the schemes which should be included in the scheme business case. If these schemes are not progressed the objectives of the SWTP will not be met.

The South Wye Transport Package comprises the Southern Link Road and a complementary package of active travel measures. The South Wye Transport Package Options Refinement Report contained in Appendix 1 of this report describes the selection of this preferred package and outlines how a range of active travel measures has been considered, consulted upon publicly and refined according to feedback and technical appraisal of how well each of the schemes performed against package objectives. The report proposes which active travel elements should be included in business case for the scheme to ensure a robust case for funding can be made and confirms that other active travel measures will be considered for future delivery as other funding sources become available.

That:

(a)  the preferred package of active travel measures as outlined in the current Options Refinement Report (in Appendix 1) be considered and approved by the cabinet member for infrastructure for inclusion in the South Wye Transport Package full business case within a budget of £5.041m;

(b)  subject to confirmation of the statutory orders for the Southern Link Road,  authority is delegated to the director of economy and place following consultation with the Section 151 officer to submit the final full business case to the Department for Transport to draw down Growth Fund grant funding for the delivery of the South Wye Transport Package, comprising the Southern Link Road and the active travel measures approved under recommendation (a);

(c)  active travel measures not included in the appended Options Refinement Report preferred package be considered for future delivery as other funding sources become available through the annual plan process for the Public Realm.

To review and agree recommended changes to the broadband delivery contracts with Gigaclear taking note of change of deployment, premises details, time line and costs.

The decision is to alter the council’s existing contracts with Gigaclear to expand their scope both in terms of the level of public subsidy (£1.975m) and the number of eligible premises that would be reached with full fibre broadband.  Agreeing this change would leverage no less than £1.85m private sector investment, see an extra c.700 premises becoming capable of accessing superfast broadband for the first time and c. 3,500 premises upgraded to full fibre across Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

The decision will also mean altering the delivery plan to accommodate slippage on the current programme and the new delivery, extending the ultimate completion date from March 2020 to March 2022.  In order to mitigate the impact of any future changes to the timelines, a series of communications process improvements are also recommended.

In relation to recommendation (b) any approved schedule must ensure that the network/s that have been introduced or expanded to include the area around Newland must be complete by June 2020.  This is in order to utilise the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) funding made available for what had been designated as Cluster G8.

The change will also alter the Fastershire vision recognising the extended contract time scale and on-going deployment of superfast and full fibre broadband.

That:

(a)       Agree the Gigaclear contract change request subject to state aid approval, based on:

·         Making an additional public subsidy of up to 10% of the original contract value (£1.86m) available from the existing capital allocation to leverage a minimum £1.85m extra private sector investment in order to extend the full fibre broadband network to no less than 4,663 extra premises of which at least 679 premises do not currently receive superfast broadband

·         Extending the contract with Gigaclear from March 2020 to March 2022

·         Embedding a new communication protocol outlined in paragraph 18 into the contract change

·         Ensuring that ‘community 215’ covering premises in Newland (Gloucestershire) is delivered by the end of June 2020;

(b)       The contract changes are only agreed based on the 25% milestone for Lot 3d being claimed before April 2019;

(c)        Approve revised Fastershire Vision as set out in para 19; and

(d)       The Assistant Director Corporate Support be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the above recommendations including, following consultation with the chief finance officer, agreement of a revised project finance model.

This proposal is to replace the council’s operational fleet of 34 vehicles with 30 new vehicles on an invest-to-save basis.

The existing fleet as a whole is reaching a significant age and vehicles are failing and beyond repair. This has adversely affected service delivery where vehicles are unreliable and have broken down. This is increasing pressure on maintenance budgets and has resulted in the need to use short-term leases to cover vehicle downtime and to ensure service delivery.

This proposal will address these risks in addition to reducing future running costs.

This invest to save proposal seeks to utilise the annual revenue savings generated by this proposal to fund the capital repayments.

That:

Subject to approval in the 2019/20 capital programme that the procurement and use of up to 30 new vehicles at a cost of no more than £737,582 be approved.

To adopt the placement sufficiency strategy to meet the expected levels of demand for 2019-2024.

The proposed strategy builds on the previous strategic priorities for 2014-2019, which were to:

      i.        reduce reliance on Independent Fostering Agency placements

     ii.        prevent use of residential placements by improving intensive wrap-around support to children with challenging needs and their carers, including reducing the reliance on residential placements by 50%

    iii.        enable more children with complex needs to remain with their families or, if necessary, be accommodated closer to home

   iv.        improve the quality and availability of local supported living arrangements for Looked After Children aged 16+

There has been some positive progress since 2014, including:

      i.        the in-house fostering service has recruited new carers to manage carer turn-over

     ii.        the recommissioning of HIPSS (Herefordshire Intensive Placement Support Service) which has helped young people step away from the need for residential care

    iii.        improved multiagency arrangements, including education, health and care planning, along with a recommissioned short breaks offer is supporting children with complex needs and their families.

   iv.        commissioning of 15 supported accommodation beds for looked after children and care leavers

Since 2014, however, the number of looked after children increased by over 30%. While the in-house fostering service has been relatively successful in recruiting new carers, it has not been sufficient to keep pace with demand. This has meant an ongoing and increased reliance on the more expensive independent fostering sector, which itself appears to be reaching capacity. Councils elsewhere are also reporting difficulties in finding placements with the independent sector. For Herefordshire, this can lead to placing children into foster care at greater distances than is desirable, or in some cases escalating to distant residential care when no fostering placement can be identified.

While continuing the previous work, the proposed strategy strengthens the focus on growing the pool of in-house foster carers and supported lodgings hosts, and will also consider the opportunities for dedicated residential beds with local providers under contract and/or the development of new in-house residential children’s homes.

That:

(a)     The Looked After Children & Complex Needs Placement Sufficiency Strategy 2019 – 2024 (Appendix 1) is approved.

(b)     the director for children and families be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the placement commissioning plan (section 6, Appendix 1) within approved budgets including, following consultation with the s151 officer and relevant cabinet member, award of contracts in excess of £500k.

To approve the Self-Funder Policy for people who use social care services, providers of social care services and social care professionals, aligned to the Adult and Communities directorate. The policy is compliant with the Care Act 2014 and its associated regulations and statutory guidance and seeks to provide clear information and available options in regard to the self-funder journey, to inform decision making.

That:

(a)       The Adult Social Care Self-Funder Policy, at appendix 1, is approved.

Following extended informal consultation with residents, businesses and other stakeholders,this report seeks authorisation to propose Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO’s) and other measures subject to formal consultation/notification, for a scheme to improve cycle access to Hereford city centre from the east via St Owen Street. The following regulations and measures are proposed:

·      To introduce a One way street except cycles south-eastbound on St Peter’s Square (west arm) and St Owen Street from Union Street to Bath Street.

·      To introduce a One way street except cycles on Mill Street southbound from its junction with St Owen Street to its junction with Cantilupe Street

·      To introduce an updated Bus only restriction on the eastern arm of St Peter’s Square from its junction with Union Street to its junction with St Owen Street

·      A rearrangement of the waiting, parking and loading restrictions on the north-west section of St Owen Street and around its junction with Cantilupe Street and Mill Street.

·      To install vertical traffic calming in the form of two flat top tables as informal crossings on St Owen Street and a raised table at the junction of St Owen Street with Cantilupe Street/St Ethelbert Street.

·      To designate a section of footway as shared use on the north-western side of the junction of St Owen Street and Mill Street. Also as part of the extended footway design, to redesign the traffic signal controlled crossing approaching the junction with Bath Street south-eastwards from St Owen Street, to include a pedestrian call and display.

That:

(a)    the advertising of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) proposing movement restriction changes in St Owen Street, St Peter’s Square, Mill Street and Green Street (as shown on the TRO Plan at Appendix 2) be approved;

(b)    the proposing of a TRO to advertise new arrangements of waiting, loading and parking restrictions in Cantilupe Street, St Owen Street, St Peter’s Square and Mill Street (as shown on the TRO Plan at Appendix 3) be approved;

(c)    notification and consultation over the provision of vertical traffic calming measures, in St Owen Street and at its junction with Cantilupe Street / Ethelbert Street (as shown on the Traffic Calming Plan at Appendix 4) be approved;

(d)    notification and consultation over the shared footway designation with a proposed change to the pedestrian crossing facility at the junction of Bath Street, Mill Street and St Owen Street (see Appendix 2) be approved; and

(e)    in the absence of any unresolved objections, the making of the Traffic Orders be approved;  and

(f)     subject to recommendation e above being implemented installation and/or amendment of traffic signs (including road markings) and associated engineering measures up to a value of £235,000 be approved.

To provide assurance that progress is being made towards achievement of the agreed revenue and service delivery targets, and that the reasons for major variances or potential underperformance are understood and are being addressed to the cabinet’s satisfaction. Cabinet is asked to review projected revenue and capital outturn for 2018/19 and consider performance for the first nine months of the year.

At the end of the first nine months of the year there is a forecast revenue overspend of £289k, whilst the majority of projects are being delivered to schedule and 52% of performance measures are showing improved or stable performance. Action plans are being developed in relevant directorates to address the in-year pressures.

That:

a) the projected financial outturn and performance for the first nine months of 2018/19 are reviewed and cabinet determines any additional actions required to achieve improvement.

The application was approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

The application was refused contrary to the case officer’s recommendation.

The application was approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

The application was approved with revised conditions.

To approve a decision that Herefordshire join Adoption Central England (ACE) regional adoption agency (RAA) jointly with Warwickshire, Solihull, Coventry and Worcestershire local authorities in accordance with central government expectation that all local authorities are part of a RAA by 2020.

That:

(a) Herefordshire adoption service joins Adoption Central England (ACE) regional adoption agency with effect from 1 July 2019; and

(b) the Director of Children and Families be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to complete the partnership and hosting legal agreements with ACE.

To approve a change to the policy for Special Guardianship financial support so that foster carers who decide to apply for a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) for a looked after child continue to receive financial allowances at the rate equivalent to fostering allowances and fees for the duration of the SGO arrangement.

Under the current policy carers are required to complete a means test two years after the SGO is made and their allowances are adjusted based on this. Consequently many foster carers are reluctant to apply for an SGO where this has been assessed to be in the child’s best interests as they are concerned about the financial impact of this decision.

That:

(a) The revised financial policy for special guardianship orders at appendix 1 is approved; and

(b) the policy is implemented from 1st April 2019.

To agree the activities within the corporate delivery plan 2019/20.

The delivery plan has been reviewed and updated to include new initiatives and projects for 2019/20 which will support achievement of the council’s corporate plan priorities.

That:

a) the draft corporate delivery plan 2019/20 at Appendix 1 be approved.

To approve the Stage 1 submission, and authorise progression into Stage 2 of the development and regeneration programme the development of housing on the former depot and grazing land off Hereford Road, Bromyard (the Bromyard site).

In 2016 Cabinet approved the commissioning of a developer to progress the development of suitable sites in its ownership through a Development and Regeneration Programme (DRP).

The Bromyard site was identified during the procurement of the DRP as a priority project. The site was used as part of the procurement to assess the price elements of the bidders’ final tenders based on a residential development for open market sale.

On 14 December 2017 Cabinet resolved as part of a decision to approve the mobilisation of the DRP that, subject to satisfactory completion of contractual arrangements, the appointed development partner be requested to develop within 3 months of the formal request being made, a stage 1 submission, including a business case and estimated timescales for delivering housing on the Bromyard site

On 24 September 2018 the Programme Director Housing and Growth authorised the issue of a request to Keepmoat Homes, which specified the council’s requirements for a residential development of up to 50 residential units of which 40% will be affordable; these requirements are capable of being further refined as the project moves forward.

On 5 February 2019 planning permission P182239/CD4 was granted for the Bromyard site permitting the  demolition of existing buildings, structures and hardstanding on the site and the erection of 45 dwellings (including affordable housing) and drainage attenuation, open space and associated landscaping and infrastructure works on the Bromyard site.

That:

(a)  the council approves the Stage 1 Submission (appendix 1) for the Bromyard site, provided by Keepmoat Homes under the Development and Regeneration Programme (DRP), and the project be authorised to proceed into stage 2 of the DRP new project approval process with the Project Criteria, for submission by January 2020, being as follows:

1.    A construction specification (the Standard Offer) in line with normal market practice and demand to deliver the scheme approved by Planning Permission (P182239/CD4), subject to other criteria set out here;

2.    To work with the council and Queen Elizabeth High School to agree a design for the pedestrian/cycle link, noting that this link is required by condition 17 of the approved planning permission

3.    In cooperation with the council, as a basis for comparison with Criterion 1, the stage 2 submission will also provide an outline cost of options which makes an enhanced contribution (the Enhanced Offer) to the council’s social, environmental and economic objectives over and above that which would be required by relevant law and/or  conditions applied to the extant planning permission (P182239/CD4) (the Enhanced Offer”) in respect of:

                                          i.    Enhanced environmental sustainability including energy efficiency, transport, protection/enhancement of natural habitats; and/or

                                        ii.    Health and wellbeing of communities and residents;

4.    To work with the council to develop the evidential framework by which the Stage 2 Submission can be assessed against the council’s requirement to demonstrate best value and meet all other relevant legal obligations.

(b)  a Stage 2 development fee of up to £181,000 be approved for underwriting by the council, subject to the terms of the overarching agreement; and

(c)  a further capital sum of up to £75,000 is approved for drawing down from the development partnership capital budget for council client support to deliver the project, including staff costs, due diligence and financial and legal support.

To consider and decide upon objections to permit parking proposals for Geoffrey Avenue and Lingen Avenue (part), for which a council decision was deferred, as part of the 26 September 2018 decision for the Hereford City Centre Improvements - Residents Parking Order 2017.

As part of this Order, Zone 15 in College Ward was extended into roads neighbouring Geoffrey Avenue and the western section of Lingen Avenue on 5 November 2018 (see TRO Plan at Appendix 2).

Given objections from residents, it was considered appropriate to defer a decision on the inclusion of Geoffrey Avenue and the northern section of Lingen Avenue.  A survey of residents’ views in January 2019 has been conducted following implementation of the surrounding areas to assist the council in deciding this matter.

That:

the introduction of permit parking restrictions in Geoffrey Avenue and the northern section of Lingen Avenue, with a revised 2 hour waiting limit (see Appendix 2) to take effect from the 1 April 2019 is approved.

To approve the section 75 (s75) agreement between the council and Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), effective from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020. In summary the report identifies the following points:

·         the s75 agreement is a national requirement, set by NHS England under the NHS Act 2006, which enables partners to commission integrated health and social care services;

·         the existing agreement is due to end on 31 March 2019;

·         the new agreement covers a range of services and operational functions of both partners at a total value of £55.685m for 2019/20;

·         scheme level detail of the agreement will be finalised following the publication of the national BCF policy framework and planning guidance; and

·         a key change to existing schemes is the introduction of a discharge to assess pilot for 2019/20.

That:

(a) The section 75 (s75) agreement for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 at a total value of £55.685m between the council and Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CGG), as at appendix one, is approved; and

(b) the director for adults and communities be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to complete the section 75 agreement.

To agree the revised project costs and expenditure of capital money up to the value of £968k to extend Waverley House by an additional 11 complex nursing beds. To amend the implementation arrangements with the council now leading on the contract and project management. The additional expenditure remains an investment   saving the council money on an annual basis, and will create additional beds for a cohort of individuals the council struggles to find placements for.

That:

To authorise the revised cost of up to £968k for the extension of nursing bed provision at Waverley House; having regard to the revised business case at appendix 1 and to agree the council will procure and manage the works. 

The West Mercia Energy Joint Committee is administered by Shropshire Council. To view the decisions made at this meeting please visit the Shropshire Council website by following this link:

http://shropshire.gov.uk/committee-services/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=649&MId=3865&Ver=4

A summary of the decisions taken is also available: http://shropshire.gov.uk/committee-services/documents/g3865/Decisions%2026th-Feb-2019%2010.00%20West%20Mercia%20Energy%20Joint%20Committee.pdf?T=2

To increase the council tax charge on empty properties.

Currently Herefordshire Council imposes a 50% premium council tax charge on unfurnished property empty for more than two years.  This premium is proposed to increase to 100% from 1 April 2019. This is to encourage returning empty properties back into occupation.

Additionally it is proposed to increase the premium charge to 200% from 1 April 2020 if the property has been empty for more than five years and up to 300% from 1 April 2021 if the home has been empty for more than ten years.

That:

(a)       The empty property council tax premium charge is increased as follows:-

a.    100% premium council tax charge on unfurnished property empty for more than two years from 1 April 2019 (this is currently 50%);

b.    to increase the premium charge to 200% from 1 April 2020 if the property has been empty for more than five years;

c.    and up to 300% from 1 April 2021 if the home has been empty for more than ten years.

To approve the annual uplift for home care and supported living providers to take effect from the 1 April 2019. Due to the pressures with the home care market the council has reviewed the annual uplift and amended the model to reflect on going development of the adult social care pathway, managing demand and financial pressures on providers. The council would like to invest in the market in order to create a sustainable and responsive market across the county.

That:

(a)  an increase in the urban hourly rate from £16.20 to £17.36 (7.18%) and rural hourly rate from £16.20 to £20.05 (20.20%) for council approved providers of home care effective from 1 April 2019 is approved; and

(b)  an increase from £16.20 to £17.01 (5%) and a new rate of £13.78 on the 24 hourly rate for  council approved providers of supported living services effective from 1 April 2019 is approved.

To approve a new concession contract for the provision of Hereford and Leominster May fairs within their existing locations.  Hereford fair is held in Commercial Street, High Town, St. Peters Street, St. Owen Street, Broad Street (below junction of West Street and East Street), King Street and Bridge Street.  Leominster fair is held in Corn Square and Broad Street (below junction of Burgess Street and Church Street to the junction with New Street.

That:

(a)       a new seven year concession contract be awarded to ‘The Showmans Guild of Great Britain (South Wales and Northern Ireland Section)’ for the continued provision of the May Fair in the streets of Hereford from May 2020 to May 2026 at an annual value of £51,000; and

(b)       a new seven year concession contract be awarded to ‘Joanne Morris, David William Henry Morris and Allison Jane Appleton’for the continued provision of the May Fair in the streets of Leominster from May 2020 to May 2026 at an annual value of £11,000; and that

(c)       in the event Corn Square, High Street, Broad Street and Broad Street car park Leominster undergoes refurbishment within the duration of the Leominster May Fair concession contract, a clause be written into the contract to provide that, following appropriate consultation, the council may consider whether all/part of the May fair should be moved to an alternative location during and/or after completion of such works.

(d)       That the Acting Assistant Director for Technical Services  be authorised to take all operation decisions necessary to complete the contraction negotiations.