To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Graham Andrews.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the extraordinary meeting of Council held on 2 February and the budget meeting held on 12 February 2021.

The Chairman referred the meeting to the minutes of the extraordinary meeting on 2 February and the budget meeting on 12 February as contained in the correction supplement published on 2 March.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on 2 February and the budget meeting held on 12 February, as contained in the correction supplement, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive the Chairman and Chief Executive’s announcements and the schedule of emergency decisions taken since the full meeting of Council on 11 December 2020.

Council noted the Chairman’s announcements and the schedule of emergency decisions as printed in the agenda papers.

A request was raised that recording of all votes cast at meetings of the Council was undertaken to ensure transparency of decision making. The Chairman committed to consider the request following the meeting.

To receive questions from members of the public.

Deadline for receipt of questions is 5:00pm on 1 March 2021.

Accepted questions and answers will be published as a supplement prior to the meeting. Please send questions to councillorservices@herefordshire.gov.uk.

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.

Deadline for receipt of questions is 5:00pm on 1 March 2021.

Accepted questions and answers will be published as a supplement prior to the meeting. Please send questions to councillorservices@herefordshire.gov.uk.

A copy of the Member questions and written answers, together with supplementary questions asked at the meeting and their answers, is attached to the Minutes at Appendix 2.

To set the council tax and precepts for 2021/22.

Council considered a report by the Leader of the Council to set the Council tax and precepts for 2020/21.

The Chairman referred the meeting to the correction supplement published on the 4 March containing a corrected version of the 2021/22 council tax setting report. The Chairman outlined two corrections to the detail contained in the correction supplement: the cover to the correction supplement should state that the title of column 6 of appendix 1 was % change from 2020/21 to 2021/22; and the pound sign in advance of the net tax base of band D equivalent properties in recommendation (b) should be discounted.

The cabinet member finance and corporate services introduced the report and proposed the recommendations. In introducing the report she explained that the council was the billing authority and collected council tax. The report sought approval to set the precepts for each category of dwelling taking account of the council’s precept, parish council’s precepts, the police and crime commissioner’s precept and the Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority precept. The support provided by parish councils in the provision of services was highlighted and it was noted that the tax base had reduced from the 2020/21 year which affected the percentage change of parish council precepts.     

The Leader seconded the recommendations in the report and explained the variable precepts across parish councils. The decision before Council was a formal process to agree the council tax liability for households in the county.

The monitoring officer clarified that a liability on the part of members to pay council tax did not create a disclosable pecuniary interest. As council tax payers there was no need for a dispensation for members to participate in council tax setting.

The following principal points were raised during the debate:

·         Equivalent rural sparsity arrangements for the police and crime commissioner and the fire authority. The provision of a £100k rural grant to the fire and rescue service but no equivalent arrangement for the police force.

·         Initiatives to build stronger relationships with parish councils to help the sharing of best practice in areas such as drainage and flooding response.

·         Tribute was paid to the work of parish councils and the increasing role they played locally.

·         The value for money assessment of parish councils and the criteria for audits of parish councils applied by the external auditor.

·         The need for a correction to the police and crime commissioner’s precept contained in appendix 4.

The report and recommendations in the correction supplement were put to the recorded vote and were carried by a simple majority of the Council.

For (37): Councillors Paul Andrews, Bartlett, Bolderson, Boulter, Bowen, Bowes, Chowns, Crockett, Davies, Fagan, Foxton, Gandy, Guthrie, Hardwick, Harrington, Harvey, Hewitt, Hey, Hitchiner, I’Anson, Jinman, Graham Jones, Lester, Marsh, Milln, Norman, Phillips, Rone, Seldon, Shaw, Stone, Summers, Swinglehurst, Toynbee, Tyler, Watson and Wilding.

Against (14): Councillors Polly Andrews, Bartrum, Durkin, Howells, James, Johnson, Mike Jones, Kenyon, Matthews, Millmore, Price, Stark, Symonds and Tillett.

Abstain (0)

RESOLVED – That:

a)    The precepting authority details  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

To receive a report from the leader on the activities of the executive (cabinet) since the meeting of Council on 11 December 2020.

Council received and noted the Leader’s report which provided an update of the work of the cabinet since the previous ordinary meeting of Council in December 2020. The Leader introduced his report and explained that as lockdown restrictions were easing there was concern for the impact of the restrictions on the mental health of children and young people. The cabinet were taking forward the delivery of the priorities in the corporate plan which was evidenced by the proposed transfer of the freehold of the town hall and the work that scrutiny was requested to undertake concerning the incidence of flooding on the highway.

The following issues were raised:

·         The active travel measures and the level of modal shift required to achieve a reduction in the level of congestion. A written response would be provided.

·         The ongoing and future costs of Maylords Orchard and the value of the facility to the community.

·         The need for an alternative council chamber in the event of a resumption of physical meetings.

·         A request for an update on the wetlands project. A written response would be provided.

·         A request for an independent assessment of the service provided by HOPE in Bromyard. The extension of the current contract enabled a more detailed review.

·         The work undertaken to propose a second river crossing and support from local parties.

·         Progress with the West Midlands Rail Executive.

·         Flooding on Herefordshire highways.

·         Available statistics to detail the level of unemployment among young people. A written response would be provided.

·         The re-procurement of the advocacy service and the possible inclusion of mediation services in the tender.

·         Guidance from Natural England regarding phosphate pollution and the status of emerging Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs). A briefing note for all members would be compiled and circulated.

·         The transfer of the freehold of the Town Hall and if essential maintenance work would be completed prior to handover. A written response would be provided.

·         The closure of the C1055 and the urgent need for its reopening. A written response would be sought from Balfour Beatty Living Places as to the priority afforded to the road in the works programme.

·         Consultancy costs involved in the destination bid for the county. A full update on the project would be provided in the next edition of the newsletter from the cabinet member for environment, economy and skills.

·         Methods to keep members up to date regarding the latest council tax collection rate and the level of arrears in council tax and business tax. Details were available in the quarterly update and the latest details could be sent in a written response.

To consider Notices of Motion.

Motion – Flooding and Phosphate Management Resourcing

In moving the motion Cllr Fagan outlined the principal points below:

·        The motion was a plea to ensure that agencies were properly resourced and able to convene with urgency to address flooding and phosphate pollution.

·        There had been a recent history of severe flooding in Herefordshire.

·        The moratorium on house building caused by phosphate levels came at a significant cost to the local community.

·        There had been a significant increase in the number of chickens in the Upper Wye with an attendant increase in the level of pollution in rivers.

·        The impact on the tourism sector and income from tourism resulting from pollution.

The following principal points were raised during the debate:

·        Environmental land management schemes were urgently needed.

·        Local experts needed to work alongside national agencies to address issues.

·        A co-ordinated approach with other affected local authorities was encouraged.

·        Support for farmers was necessary to address phosphate levels and spread good practice in the county. Enforcement by national agencies was also important where irresponsible practices were taking place.

·        An update would be provided to all members regarding the introduction of the phosphate calculator.

·        A review of the legal situation relating to house building was crucial to determine the risk to the council.

·        Lobbying of government to strengthen farming rules for water was encouraged.

·        Cross-party and cross-border support was essential to realise progress.

·        A partnership approach to work with the agricultural sector was required.

·        Levels of pollution in water courses was also affected by village sewage works.

·        Natural England and the Environment Agency needed to be sufficiently resourced to be effective and proactive.

Councillor Swinglehurst seconded the motion and explained that it was essential that all agencies, political sides and interested parties in Herefordshire work together. Meetings were taking place with MPs and cross border representatives. The resources available to the county in local agencies were not sufficient. There was a political will and support from the council to resolve the issues.

Councillor Fagan as the mover of the motion closed the debate and explained that an approach was necessary which drew the government into partnership working and which placed an importance upon cross border working.

A recorded vote was requested which was supported by eight members of the Council.

The motion was put to the recorded vote and carried unanimously.

For (46): Councillors Polly Andrews, Bartlett, Bartrum, Boulter, Bowen, Bowes, Chowns, Crockett, Davies, Durkin, Fagan, Foxton, Gandy, Guthrie, Hardwick, Harrington, Harvey, Hewitt, Hey, Hitchiner, Howells, I’Anson, James, Jinman, Johnson, Graham Jones, Mike Jones, Lester, Marsh, Matthews, Millmore, Milln, Norman, Phillips, Price, Seldon, Shaw, Stark, Stone, Summers, Swinglehurst, Symonds, Toynbee, Tyler, Watson and Wilding.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

RESOLVED – that:

We request that the executive of Herefordshire Council to write to our MP’s and government ministers requesting urgent intervention and immediate resourcing for our statutory agencies to address the issues of flooding and phosphate overload which is ravaging Herefordshire’s economy, ecology and communities.