To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Dykes, Foxton, Ivan Powell, Spencer and Stoddart.

Councillor Fagan declared an interest in agenda item no. 4, Chairman’s and Chief Executive’s Announcements as a trustee of Llanwarne Village Hall.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2026.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 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 the answers, is attached to the Minutes at Appendix 1.

To receive any written questions from members of the Council.

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

To set the council tax and precepts for 2026/27

Please note: this report is marked as to follow and will be published following receipt of all parish council precepts.

Council considered a report from the Leader of the Council to set the council tax precepts for 2026/27. It was noted that the report and recommendations were contained in the supplement published on 27 February and the Chairman explained a correction to the year quoted in recommendation (a) which should be amended to 2026/27.

The Leader proposed the recommendations and introduced the report.

Councillor Swinglehurst seconded the recommendations.

The council tax precepts for 2026/27 were put to the recorded vote and carried by a simple majority.

FOR (46): Councillors Andrews, Baker, Bartlett, Bartrum, Biggs, Boulter, Bramer, Carwardine, Cole, Cornthwaite, Crockett, Clare Davies, Dave Davies, Durkin, Engel, Fagan, Gandy, Hamblin, Harvey, Heathfield, Highfield, Hitchiner, Hurcomb, James, Kenyon, Lester, Mason, O’Driscoll, Owens, Peberdy, Phillips, Dan Powell, Price, Proctor, Simmons, Stark, Stone, Swinglehurst, Taylor, Thomas, Tillett, Toynbee, Tully, Allan Williams, Robert Williams and Woodall.

Against (0)

Abstentions (2): Councillors Gennard and Oliver

RESOLVED:

That:

a)    The precepting authority details included at appendices 1 to 5, relating to town and parishes, West Mercia Police and Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority be approved in accordance with sections 30(2), 34(3), 36(1) and section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended) and that the following amounts be approved for the year 2026/27 in accordance with sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended by the Localism Act 2011); and

a.     £506,912,461 being the estimated aggregate expenditure of the council in accordance with section 31A (2) of the act, including all precepts issued to it by parish councils;

b.    £346,343,000 being the estimated aggregate income of the council for the items set out in section 31A (3) of the act (including revenue support grant);

c.     £160,569,461 being the amount by which the aggregate at (a) above exceeds the aggregate at (b) calculated by the council in accordance with section 31A(4) of the act, as its council tax requirement for the year (including parish precepts); [Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act];

d.    £2,160.65 being the amount at (c) above divided by the amount of the council tax base calculated by the council, in accordance with section 31B of the act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year (including parish precepts);

e.     £6,912,461 being the aggregate amount of all special items (parish precepts) referred to in section 34(1) of the act;

f.      £2,067.63 being the amount at (d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at (e) above by the amount of the council tax base calculated by the council, in accordance with section 34(2) of the act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no parish precept relates (Herefordshire Council band D council tax, excluding parishes); and

b)    It is agreed that the net tax base of 74,315.25 band D equivalent properties (being the gross tax base adjusted for an assumed collection rate) used for setting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

Council is asked to make an appointment to the vacant position of Vice Chairperson of the Employment Panel.

Background papers: none identified.

Council considered the appointment of the vice chairperson of the Employment Panel.

The Chairman proposed a motion that Councillor Liz Harvey be appointed as vice chairperson of the Employment Panel for the remainder of the municipal year. The motion was seconded and put the vote; the motion was carried.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Liz Harvey is appointed as the vice chairperson of the Employment Panel for the remainder of the current municipal year.

To receive a report from the leader on the activities of the executive (cabinet) since the meeting of Council on 5  December 2025.

The Leader presented his report on the activities of Cabinet since the meeting of Council in December 2025.

Council questioned the Leader and the following action was raised:

-        A meeting would be arranged a meeting with the Cabinet Member  Corporate Director Community Wellbeing, the Cabinet Member Adults, Health and Wellbeing and any interested member to discuss the extension of the Council’s care homes (unified) contract.

There was an adjournment at 10:55 a.m.; the meeting reconvened at 11:15 a.m.

Councillors Biggs and Highfield left the meeting at 10:55 a.m.

To consider Notices of Motion.

Motion – Reinstatement of Hereford, Ross and Gloucester rail link

Councillor Stark proposed and introduced the motion.

Councillor O’Driscoll seconded the motion.

Council debated the motion.

The motion was put to the recorded vote and the motion was carried by a simple majority.

FOR (21): Councillors Andrews, Baker, Bartlett, Bartrum, Carwardine, Cole, Clare Davies, Fagan, Gennard, Heathfield, James, O’Driscoll, Oliver, Owens, Peberdy, Dan Powell, Proctor, Simmons, Stark, Tillett and Woodall.

Against (18): Councillors Boulter; Cornthwaite, Crockett, Dave Davies, Durkin, Engel, Gandy, Harvey, Hitchiner, Hurcomb, Kenyon, Price, Stone, Swinglehurst, Taylor, Thomas, Allan Williams and Robert Williams

Abstentions (7): Councillor Bramer, Hamblin, Lester, Mason, Phillips, Toynbee and Tully.

RESOLVED: That:

Proposal

We should position Herefordshire early to take advantage of this move towards more local control of rail in shaping our rail strategy. That should include making a central pillar of the upcoming rail strategy, a bold, ambitious and visionary commitment towards the reestablishment of the Hereford, Ross and Gloucester rail link. This can then become one of our fundamental goals of rail devolution in the Midlands, as well as forming a more rounded transport infrastructure offering to Govt. for funding. As a first step, this motion proposes carrying out an initial feasibility study.

Local Context

Council agreed the 5th Local Transport Plan in December which aspires under Policy TN10 on rail to work with partners to enhance rail services across Herefordshire as well as long distance rail services with London and B’ham. The Cabinet lead said that this would be underpinned by a supplementary Rail Strategy.

Wider context

The Govt, laid landmark legislation, the Railways Bill, before Parliament last November which will fundamentally alter the rail landscape in Great Britain. The Bill aims to nationalise trains and reform the railway, so it better serves passengers unveiling the new look Great British Railways, bringing track and train back together. It represents a new railway, focused entirely on delivering a proper public service for passengers. Mayoral strategic authorities (MSAs) will be able to apply for full statutory and financial responsibility for local rail services, infrastructure and/or control of stations (full devolution), where this accelerates improvements for passengers and supports a more integrated network.

Benefits

Establishment of a strategic rail corridor from the edge of England to the heart of London, Bristol and the South.

Reestablishment of the rail link between two of the oldest English cities and the birthplace of British tourism.

Provides an additional rail link from London and Bristol to South and West Wales, including ferry ports, avoiding the Severn Rail Tunnel.

Enabling inward investment and a step-change in economic growth through strategic infrastructure investment in rail.

Supports the pro-choice travel goal of LTP5 as well as its aim for equity of transport access for the less advantaged.

Represents a modal shift in travel across the County and beyond.

Allows the Council to present a much more balanced package of transport infrastructure measures to the Govt for funding.

Enables the start of an enhance partnership with Gloucestershire, an important  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.