Decisions

Decisions

08/11/2024 - High Needs Budget 2025/26

To approve the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG)
high needs budget for 2025/26 as recommended
by Schools Forum

Decision Maker: Herefordshire Schools Forum

Decision due date: 14/03/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Clare Bellis-powley

Notice of decision: 08/11/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


08/11/2024 - CYPSC 26 November Work Programme 2024/25

To consider the draft work programme for Herefordshire Council’s Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee for the municipal year 2024/25.

Decision Maker: Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee

Decision due date: 26/11/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Simon Cann

Notice of decision: 08/11/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


08/11/2024 - SMB 19 November Work Programme 2024/25

To consider the draft work programme for Herefordshire Council’s scrutiny committees for the municipal year 2024/25.

Decision Maker: Scrutiny Management Board

Decision due date: 19/11/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Simon Cann

Notice of decision: 08/11/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


08/11/2024 - Q2 2024/25 Budget Report

To report the forecast position for 2024/25 at Quarter 2, including explanation and analysis of the drivers for the material budget variances, and to outline current and planned recovery activity to reduce the forecast overspend.

To provide assurance that progress has been made towards delivery of the agreed revenue budget and service delivery targets, and that the reasons for major variances are understood and are being addressed to the cabinet’s satisfaction.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 28/11/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Rachael Sanders

Notice of decision: 08/11/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


08/11/2024 - High Needs Provision Capital Grant spend ref: 10348    Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)

To approve the spend of the High Needs Provision Capital Grant to extend our inclusion offer in mainstream schools, increase places for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and to improve Alternative Provision (AP) education arrangements

Decision Maker: Cabinet member community services and assets

Decision published: 08/11/2024

Effective from: 15/11/2024

Decision:

That:

 

a)    To approve the spend of the High Needs Provision Capital Grant (£4.23million) to extend our inclusion offer in mainstream schools, increase capacity for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and to improve Alternative Provision (AP) education arrangements

 

b)    To delegate to the Service Director for Education, Learning and Skills all operational decisions necessary to deliver a programme of works including varying such programme; and

 

c)     Should the Council receive additional high needs grant funding from central

           Government or there is an underspend on current education grant funded      capital projects, authority is granted to add this to the budget by the Section 151 officer to provide additional funding for the programme should it be deemed necessary by the

Service Director for Education, Learning and Skills.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Hilary Jones, Caroline Marshall, Quentin Mee


08/11/2024 - Schools Budget 2025/26

To approve school forum’s recommended budget
proposals for school budgets, central school
services and
early years within the Dedicated Schools Grant
(DSG) for
2025/26

Decision Maker: Cabinet member children and young people

Decision due date: 14/02/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Clare Bellis-powley

Notice of decision: 08/11/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


07/11/2024 - Schools Budget 2025/26

To approve school forum’s recommended budget
proposals for school budgets, central school
services and
early years within the Dedicated Schools Grant
(DSG) for
2025/26

Decision Maker: Herefordshire Schools Forum

Decision due date: 20/01/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Clare Bellis-powley

Notice of decision: 07/11/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


07/11/2024 - Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 18 November 2024

To consider the draft work programme for Herefordshire Council’s scrutiny committees for the municipal year 2024/25.

Decision Maker: Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny Committee

Decision due date: 18/11/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Simon Cann

Notice of decision: 07/11/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


07/11/2024 - Tree and Hedgerow Management

To provide an update to the Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny Committee regarding tree and hedgerow management

Decision Maker: Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny Committee

Decision due date: 18/11/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Ben Boswell, Richard Vaughan

Notice of decision: 07/11/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


17/10/2024 - Re-procurement of Herefordshire Carer Support Service by way of an open tender process ref: 10364    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Corporate Director - Community Wellbeing

Decision published: 07/11/2024

Effective from: 17/10/2024

Decision:

To re-procure, by way of an open tender process, the Herefordshire Carer Support Service, for a period of 2 years with an option to extend the contract for up to an additional 12 months.

The annual cost of this provision will be £160,000.

Lead officer: John Burgess


28/10/2024 - Short-term License to Occupy in respect of Unit 32, 1 Gomond Street, Maylord Orchards Centre, Hereford. ref: 10363    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Commercial and Investment Manager

Decision published: 07/11/2024

Effective from: 28/10/2024

Decision:

1. The tenant has negotiated a deal to take the currently vacant Unit 32 on a short-term license agreement.
2. To provide the retailer with the experiences associated with the permanent retail operation of a shop without the long-term commitment normally associated with property rental agreements.
3. The Centre comprises multiple units, some of which have been vacant for some time and it is important that occupation levels are maximized so that the holding costs incurred by the Council are mitigated.
4. This unit has been unoccupied since the previous tenant vacated.
5. The terms agreed leave the tenant responsible for payment of the service charge, insurance, business rates and utilities in line with the Maylord Orchards Management Plan (January 2024).


Lead officer: Michelle Chadd


28/10/2024 - Peaceable re-entry of council owned properties ref: 10362    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Commercial and Investment Manager

Decision published: 07/11/2024

Effective from: 28/10/2024

Decision:

To enable repossession be taken where occupiers of council property are in breach of the terms of their occupancy agreements and any attempts to have the breach remedied have failed.
The leases of council properties have forfeiture clauses which allow for the council to make peaceable re-entry
Taking repossession mitigates further and or future financial loss to the council
All necessary actions will be taken as advised by the council’s legal representatives.
All necessary notices will be prepared by the councils legal representatives

Lead officer: Michelle Chadd


01/11/2024 - Short-term License to Occupy in respect of Unit 17, 7 Gomond Street, Maylord Orchards Centre, Hereford. ref: 10361    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Commercial and Investment Manager

Decision published: 07/11/2024

Effective from: 01/11/2024

Decision:

1. The tenant has negotiated a deal to take the currently vacant Unit 17 on a short-term license agreement.
2. To provide the retailer with the experiences associated with the permanent retail operation of a shop without the long-term commitment normally associated with property rental agreements.
3. The Centre comprises multiple units, some of which have been vacant for some time and it is important that occupation levels are maximized so that the holding costs incurred by the Council are mitigated.
4. This unit has been unoccupied since the previous tenant vacated at the start of the year.
5. The terms agreed leave the tenant responsible for payment of the service charge, insurance, business rates and utilities in line with the Maylord Orchards Management Plan (January 2024).

Lead officer: Michelle Chadd


01/11/2024 - Acquisition Fund for Housing Provision (previously Acquisition Fund For Housing Development) ref: 10345    Recommendations Approved

To seek delegated approval to acquire and develop sites to meet our critical housing need across Herefordshire, enabling a quick response as opportunities arise, subject to the completion of a due diligence business case. In July 2024 full council approved an outline business case (appendix 1) to add £5m to the capital programme to enable the council to develop the critical housing provision we need in the county. The council faces an increasing demand for social housing provision, there is a lack of local provision to meet this need, as such people are being placed in temporary accommodation which isn’t fit for purpose and has significant additional costs.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member economy and growth

Decision published: 07/11/2024

Effective from: 08/11/2024

Decision:

That:

 

a) The Corporate Director for Economy and Environment or the Corporate Director of

Community Wellbeing in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy and

Growth and the Director for Finance, to be given delegated authority to draw down and

up to £5 million (capital) of the Acquisition Fund for Housing Provision allocation, and

 

b) make all required operational decisions to acquire and develop sites to meet our critical social and affordable housing need

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Roger Allonby, Hayley Crane, Stephen Holland


07/11/2024 - Household Support Fund 6 ref: 10360    For Determination

To accept the Household Support Fund allocation from the Department of Work and Pensions. To also approve the local eligibility approach for allocation of the funding for the Household Support Fund.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member finance and corporate services

Decision published: 07/11/2024

Effective from: 14/11/2024

Decision:

That:

 

a. The Household Support Fund allocation of £1,329,601.78 grant funding from the

Department of Work and Pensions for October 2024 to March 2025 is accepted;

 

b. The local eligibility principles for allocation of the funding, as set out in paragraph

8, are approved;

 

c.Application of the principles of local eligibility as set out in this report is approved

for any further extensions of the Household Support Fund, subject to any

additional guidance issued by central government; and

 

d. All operational and budgetary decisions in accordance with the local eligibility

criteria regarding this scheme be delegated to Talk Community Lead.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Emily Lowe, William Merriman, Nikki Stroud


06/11/2024 - Warm Homes: Local Grant

We are seeking approval to apply for and spend funding under the new Warm Homes: Local Grant funding scheme

Decision Maker: Cabinet member environment

Decision due date: 12/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Bernadette Muldowney

Notice of decision: 06/11/2024

Reason for urgency:
N/A

Anticipated restriction: Open

Explanation of anticipated restriction:
N/A


05/11/2024 - Local Authority Housing Delivery Models

This report and its appendices provide information to support the Connected Communities Scrutiny Committee’s scrutiny of the council’s services to meet its demand for affordable housing.

Decision Maker: Connected Communities Scrutiny Committee

Decision due date: 13/11/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Danial Webb

Notice of decision: 05/11/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


05/11/2024 - Work programme

To consider the draft work programme for Herefordshire Council's scrutiny committees for the municipal year 2024/25.

Decision Maker: Connected Communities Scrutiny Committee

Decision due date: 13/11/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Danial Webb

Notice of decision: 05/11/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


07/07/2024 - Contract Award for Herefordshire Resurfacing Works - Works Orders WO1 and W02. ref: 10355    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment

Decision published: 04/11/2024

Effective from: 07/07/2024

Decision:

To award the Resurfacing Works, Works Orders 1 and 2 contract to Tarmac Trading using the councils NEC 4 Framework Agreement, up to the value of £3,031,553.50.
The works identified are the resurfacing programme on various A, B, C and U roads across the county.

Lead officer: Laurence Butterworth


04/11/2024 - Additional Public Rights of Way Town and Parish Grant Funding ref: 10354    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment

Decision published: 04/11/2024

Effective from: 04/11/2024

Decision:

To enter into Parish Lengthsman contract variation agreements with 18 Town and Parish Councils, to provide labour only purchase orders for 2 Town and Parish Councils, to supply materials only to 4 Town and Parish Councils as listed in Appendix 1, and to increase a previous agreement with Little Birch Parish Council by a further £2,250 due to an administrative error so as to deliver £83,063.53 of improvement works on the Public Rights of Way network, as set out in this report, and within a total value of £25k per Town and Parish Council in order to be permissible as a direct award under the Contract Procedure Rules.

(This Record of Officer Decision is further to a previous Record of Officer Decision of July 2024 to enter into Parish Lengthsman contract variation agreements with 34 Town and Parish Councils in order to deliver £83,602.45 of improvement works on the Public Rights of Way network).

Lead officer: Ed Bradford


28/10/2024 - Officer Decision to Procure Library Stock Supply Contracts ref: 10353    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Corporate Director - Community Wellbeing

Decision published: 01/11/2024

Effective from: 28/10/2024

Decision:

That the contract for the supply of library stock materials (adult) and the contract for the supply of library stock materials (children) for Herefordshire county library service be procured as part of the West Mercia Library Stock Consortium. Contract duration: 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2028 (with options to extend up to 31 March 2030). Total value of contract (including optional years) up to £480,000. Current contracts to run until the new contracts commence.

Lead officer: Jon Chedgzoy


03/10/2024 - To confirm Tree Preservation Order 689 Leintwardine Cemetery ref: 10351    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Officer Decisions - Economy and Enviroment

Decision published: 31/10/2024

Effective from: 03/10/2024

Decision:

To confirm a TPO

Lead officer: Ruth Jackson


16/10/2024 - Decision to make additional payments to Homes for Ukraine sponsors to support them with increased costs of hosting over the winter months November 2024 to March 2025 ref: 10350    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Service Director - All Ages Commissioning

Decision published: 31/10/2024

Effective from: 16/10/2024

Decision:

An additional payment of £250 per month to be made to each Homes for Ukraine sponsor for the months of November 2024 through to the end of March 2025. New hosting arrangements during that period will qualify for pro rata payments.

Lead officer: Nina Bridges


15/10/2024 - Decision to extend Support for Ukraine Community Integration Grant Scheme funded through the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme ref: 10349    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Service Director - All Ages Commissioning

Decision published: 31/10/2024

Effective from: 15/10/2024

Decision:

As a result of the success of the grant scheme, together with ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the end of the grant scheme is extended from 31st January 2025 to 31st January 2026. Whilst the extended scheme is open to new applications as well as the continuation projects, the emphasis will be on supporting continuation activity, where there is a proven need.

Lead officer: Nina Bridges


28/10/2024 - Better Care Fund (BCF) Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 reports 2024-2025

To review the better care fund (BCF) 2024/25 quarter one and quarter two reports, as per the requirements of the Better Care Fund (BCF) programme.

Decision Maker: Health and Wellbeing Board

Decision due date: 09/12/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Marie Gallagher

Notice of decision: 28/10/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


28/10/2024 - Q2 Performance Report 2024/25

To review performance of Quarter 2 (Q2) 2024/25 and to report the performance position across all Directorates for this period.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 28/11/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Jessica Karia

Notice of decision: 28/10/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


25/10/2024 - Ofsted Monitoring Visit Feedback

To share the feedback letter from Ofsted following their fifth Monitoring Visit conducted 8th to 23rd October, with site days 22nd/23rd October 2024

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 19/12/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Maxine David, Tina Russell

Notice of decision: 25/10/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


23/10/2024 - Addition of Capital Budget to deliver IT Capital Programme

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 28/11/2024

Lead officer: Amy Swift

Notice of decision: 23/10/2024


16/10/2024 - The New Public Realm Services

Defines the new public realm services for procurement

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 28/11/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Alex Deans

Notice of decision: 16/10/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


04/10/2024 - Accommodation based support for children in care and care leavers aged 16-21

To seek approval to commission, by means of a competitive tender process in line with the council’s contract procedure rules, an accommodation based service for 16-25 year old children in the Council’s care and care leavers.  The accommodation based support service is currently delivered by Caring for Communities and People (CCP) and is due to expire on 31 March 2025. 

Decision Maker: Cabinet member children and young people

Decision due date: 11/11/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Wendy Dyer

Notice of decision: 04/10/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


20/09/2024 - 2025/26 Capital Investment in Existing Highway Infrastructure

To authorise the spend/investment in the public realm
assets and infrastructure in 2025/26 following Council’s
resolution at the Council meeting 10 February 2023, to
approve the proposed Capital Programme for 2023/24
through to 2026/27.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member roads and regulatory services

Decision due date: 13/11/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Ed Bradford

Notice of decision: 20/09/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


01/08/2024 - Community Spaces Capital Grant Scheme

Following the approval of the outline business case for the community spaces capital grant scheme this is to approve the approach and drawdown of the £2million allocated within the capital budget. The aims of the grant scheme are to:

  1. transform and improve existing/unused buildings for community benefit
  2. create improved spaces for communities to connect and for events and activities to be delivered
  3. increase opportunities for people to access integrated services in their community
  4. target areas of health inequalities and deprivation

 

Decision Maker: Cabinet member adults, health and wellbeing

Decision due date: 15/11/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Emily Lowe

Notice of decision: 01/08/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


05/07/2024 - Student Accommodation Update and Recommendations

To update Cabinet Member on the progress and budget for the project

Decision Maker: Cabinet member community services and assets

Decision due date: 28/11/2024

Wards affected: College; Widemarsh;

Lead officer: Joni Hughes, Susan White

Notice of decision: 05/07/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


16/10/2023 - Corporate Parenting Strategy

To approve the corporate parenting strategy

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 19/12/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Caroline Marshall, Julie Mepham

Notice of decision: 16/10/2023

Anticipated restriction: Open


11/08/2023 - 24/25 Winter Service

To seek approval for the arrangements being made for the provision of winter service during the period of 2023 through to 2024 season, as set out in the Winter Service Plan.

The Winter Service Plan continues to build on existing best practice and the findings of reviews that have taken place both locally and nationally. Herefordshire Council will continue to meet its duties towards the maintenance of the highway network in full and by working in partnership with Herefordshire’s communities, wherever practicable, enhance the county’s resilience to the impact of prolonged or severe winter weather.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member roads and regulatory services

Decision due date: 05/12/2024

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Bruce Evans

Notice of decision: 11/08/2023

Anticipated restriction: Open


03/08/2023 - Herefordshire and Worcestershire Group Training Association Ltd (HWGTA) Investment Partnership Model

To develop a business case outlining options for a preferred investment model and;

to approve the preferred investment model option for the HWGTA Ltd and Herefordshire Council partnership to enable the development of a vocational centre of excellence on Skylon Park.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 23/01/2025

Wards affected: Dinedor Hill;

Lead officer: Joni Hughes, Gabriela Singh

Notice of decision: 03/08/2023

Anticipated restriction: Open


08/06/2023 - New care facility

To consider and agree the business case to invest in and develop the council’s own care facility in Herefordshire to meet future demand

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 23/01/2025

Lead officer: Hilary Hall, Hayley Doyle

Notice of decision: 08/06/2023