To endorse the issues to be addressed regarding the current consultation on the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).  The IMD is a list of all the 8,000+ wards in England, ranked in descending order of deprivation, based on a wide variety of factors.

THAT the request be not approved in line with the advice of the Constitutional Review Working Group of the 19th June 2003.

To ensure that Herefordshire's best interests are reflected in the construction of the Index to maximise the future likelihood of accessing regional, national and European funding streams.

To ignore the invitation from ODPM to respond to the second round of consultation.    However it is important that Herefordshire’s interests are pursued.