To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bramer, Chowns, Heathfield, Mason, Peberdy, Toynbee and Rob Williams.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve and sign the minutes of the annual meeting held on 24 May 2024.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 May be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive the Chairman and Chief Executive’s announcements.

Council noted the Chairman’s and Chief Executive’s announcements as printed in the agenda papers.

To receive questions from members of the public.

A copy of the public questions and written answers, together with supplementary questions asked at the meeting and their answers, is attached to the Minutes at Appendix 1.

To receive any written questions from members of the Council.

There were no questions from members of the Council.

To approve the addition of a £5 million capital budget to enable delivery of housing provision.

Council considered a report by the Cabinet Member Finance and Corporate Services to approve the addition of a £5 million capital budget to enable delivery of housing provision.

The Cabinet Member Finance and Corporate Services proposed the recommendation and introduced the report.

The Leader of the Council seconded the recommendation in the report.

Council debated the report.

The approval of the addition of the capital programme for housing provision was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That Council:

a)    Approves the addition of £5 million to the capital programme for housing provision.

To review and approve the statement of principles (Gambling Policy) to be applied by the council when exercising its licensing functions under the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act).

Council considered a report by the Cabinet Member Roads and Regulatory Services to review and approve the statement of principles (Gambling Policy) to be applied by the council when exercising its licensing functions under the Gambling Act 2005.

The Cabinet Member Roads and Regulatory Services proposed the recommendation and introduced the report.

Councillor Richard Thomas seconded the recommendation in the report.

Council debated the report.

The approval of the Statement of Gambling Policy (2224 – 2027) was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That:

a)    The Statement of Gambling Policy (2224 – 2027) at appendix 1 be approved.

To approve employment panel’s recommendations for the salary for the new post of Director of Finance and the designation of the post as the statutory s151 officer.

Council considered a report by the Chairperson of the Employment Panel to approve the Employment Panel’s recommendation for the salary for the new post of Director of Finance and the designation of the post as the statutory s151 officer.

The Chairperson of the Employment Panel moved the recommendations and introduced the report.

The Vice Chairperson of the Council seconded the recommendations in the report.

Council debated the report.

The approval of the Employment Panel’s recommendations was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That:

a)    The salary for the new role of Director of Finance is set at £104,583; and

b)    The Director of Finance role is designated as the statutory s151 officer.

There was an adjournment at 11:05 a.m.: the meeting reconvened at 11:19 a.m.

To receive a report from the leader on the activities of the executive (cabinet) since the meeting of Council on 8 March 2024.

Council received and noted a report from the Leader of the activities of the executive (cabinet) since the meeting of Council on 8 March 2024.

Council questioned the Leader and the following actions were raised:

-          To provide a response to a question regarding the increasing trend, since Covid, of school absences and what plans the council has to help schools overcome the problem;

-          In response to a question regarding the new road strategy for Herefordshire to provide clarity concerning the national policy concerns of the Department of Transport regarding the road projects;

-          In response to a question regarding the digital strategy to make the strategy available to all members;

-          In response to a question regarding the impact of the MERS strategy on the Delegated Grants and Programme Management Team, to provide detail on plans to strengthen the team; and

-          In response to a question regarding the availability of housing/affordable accommodation to attract staff, to provide clarification of how recruitment policies take account of this issue.