To elect the Chairman of the Council.

The Vice Chairman, Cllr JB Williams called for nominations to the office of Chairman.  Councillor JE Pemberton proposed Councillor J Stone and Councillor WLS Bowen seconded the nomination.

RESOLVED:  

That Councillor J Stone, be elected Chairman of the Council until the annual meeting of Council in May 2009.

Councillor Stone signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and officiated in the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

The Chaplain, the Very Reverend Michael Tavinor, Dean of Hereford, led the Council in prayer.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors R Hunt and RH Smith for the meeting. 

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on the Agenda.

GUIDANCE ON DECLARING PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AT MEETINGS

The Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct requires Councillors to declare against an Agenda item(s) the nature of an interest and whether the interest is personal or prejudicial.  Councillors have to decide first whether or not they have a personal interest in the matter under discussion.  They will then have to decide whether that personal interest is also prejudicial.

A personal interest is an interest that affects the Councillor more than most other people in the area.  People in the area include those who live, work or have property in the area of the Council.  Councillors will also have a personal interest if their partner, relative or a close friend, or an organisation that they or the member works for, is affected more than other people in the area.  If they do have a personal interest, they must declare it but can stay and take part and vote in the meeting. 

Whether an interest is prejudicial is a matter of judgement for each Councillor.  What Councillors have to do is ask themselves whether a member of the public – if he or she knew all the facts – would think that the Councillor’s interest was so important that their decision would be affected by it.  If a Councillor has a prejudicial interest then they must declare what that interest is and leave the meeting room.

The Chairman reminded Members of their obligation to notify the Assistant Chief Executive, Legal and Democratic of any changes affecting their Declaration of Financial or Other Interests within 28 days of any change taking place.  He asked them to complete and return the necessary forms to the Members Support office as soon as possible

Councillors ACR Chappell and WU Attfield both declared a personal interest as Governors of Wyebridge College which was referred to in the Cabinet Report (Item 14, page 95)

Councillors PJ Edwards and RJ Phillips declared a personal interest in the Strategic Monitoring Committee Report (Item 20, page 337 [paras 16/17 - ‘Smallholdings Estate Policy and Working Practices’]).

To appoint the Vice-Chairman of the Council.

The Chairman called for nominations to the office of Vice-Chairman. 

Councillor RI Matthews proposed Councillor JB Williams and Councillor JW Hope MBE seconded the nomination

RESOLVED:  

That Councillor JB Williams be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council until the annual meeting in May 2009.

Councillor JB Williams signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meetings held on 8 February 2008 and 7 March 2008.

RESOLVED:  

That the Minutes of the meetings held on 8 February 2008 and 7 March 2008 be approved as a correct record subject to the changes noted below and signed by the Chairman.

(a)               Item 6, Minutes of 8 February 2008
A list of named votes of 8 February 2008 to be appended to the formal record of the meeting.

(b)       Item 6, Minutes of 8 February 2008, page 30
 ‘expenditure of £1.1 million’ be amended to read ‘£1.4 million’

(c)               Item 6, Minutes of 8 February 2008, page 30
For the formal record, Councillor MD Lloyd Hayes requested it be noted that she left the Council meeting prior to Councillors TM James and WJ Walling.

The Chairman advised Council that the principle of appending a list of named votes would be adhered for future meetings as appropriate.

To receive a report of the Deputy Returning Officer following the Old Gore by election on 10 April 2008.

The Chief Executive in his role as Returning Officer, formally advised the Council of the result of the by election held on 10 April in the Old Gore ward.  The Chairman congratulated Councillor Durkin on his election and welcomed him to his first formal meeting of the Council.  Councillor Durkin was additionally congratulated by Councillor Matthews.

RESOLVED:  

That the content of the report be noted.

To appoint the Leader of the Council

RESOLVED:  

That Councillor RJ Phillips be appointed Leader of the Council until the annual meeting in May 2009.

Councillors Lloyd-Hayes and Dawes requested that the record formally noted their objection to this resolution.

Councillor Phillips advised Council that he had appointed Councillor JP French as Deputy Leader of the Council, a position which would have an extended role in supporting the development of joint working and partnerships agenda.  He confirmed the names of his other cabinet members, which would remain as in 2007/08 with the addition of Councillor PD Price who had been appointed as Cabinet Portfolio for Educational Improvement and ICT.  He confirmed that any changes to the titles and remit of scrutiny committees would follow the formal procedure as laid down in the constitution.

The Leader thanked Councillors for their continued support and stated that he was passionate about the County’s future whilst acknowledging its rich heritage and past.  He thanked staff for their delivery of the strategies, policies and services on behalf of the Council.  Those Members who were standing down from various positions were thanked for undertaking their roles with due diligence.

Council was advised that a review would be undertaken of both the constitutional and civic processes and there would be a priority for improving service delivery by working with PCT and others to improve services within the County, by improving from the inside out.  It was recognised that there were challenging infrastructure issues for both the County’s market towns and City.  It would be important for the Council to lobby to retain the centre of population of business, a key element of which would be the Edgar Street Grid.  It was stated that had the ESG been in establishment, it was possible that Chadds would not have closed.

The opening of the Rotherwas Access Road would be the first new road in the City since 1968 (Greyfriars Bridge) and there had not been any building in the county’s infrastructure in the subsequent 40 years.  As Leader, Councillor Phillips vowed to deliver new infrastructure in the next four years to provide foundations for the future of Herefordshire.  The county must have a living economy whilst also cherishing the natural environment, and continue to provide residents with a good standard of living and quality of life. 

8The Leader advised Council that he would champion the rural services and the way of life – he stated that the Government did not fully understand the rural agenda and that he would lobby on behalf of the rural agenda and inform Government of the realities of servicing our communities.  An example of such a reality was given as the impact to the Council budget as a consequence of the increase in fuel prices, which to date had been an additional cost of £200, 000.  The Leader stated that it would be important to forge links with similar Councils of a rural nature to collectively challenge and lobby appropriately.  Additionally, the Leader stated that it would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

To exercise those powers reserved to Council at its Annual Meeting:

(a)   To make appointments to the positions of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmanships to committees and other offices.

(b)   To establish the allocation of seats to political groups based on proportionality as defined by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 giving effect also to Section 15(5)b of the Act which provides that where the majority of seats on an authority are held by one political group, that group shall have a majority on all bodies to which appointments are made.

(c)   To make arrangements for such appointments to committees and other bodies as may be necessary.

Please note that the Council may be asked under this item to approve alternative arrangements to strict political proportionality for appointments to Committees and other bodies in accordance with Regulation 20 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990.

In advance of discussion on this item, the Chairman thanked Members who had served as Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the Committees during the last municipal year.

A list of those offices to which the Council had powers to appoint, together with nominations was circulated at the beginning of the item (attached at Appendix 1 of the minutes for ease of reference).  The Leader proposed the names as indicated on the Appendix for consideration by Council.

Members were advised that the allocation of seats to political groups would be proportionate, and that, where one political group held the majority of seats on the Council, it was entitled to the majority of seats on each of its committees.  In order to continue the existing arrangement of allowing the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the other Scrutiny Committees to sit on the Strategic Monitoring Committee it would be necessary to suspend proportionality.  This would allow the membership of the Strategic Monitoring Committee to be made by Council on a basis which departed from political proportionality.  Members were advised that any vote on suspension of proportionality would need to be "nem con", that is, with no councillor voting against the proposal.

Councillors were reminded that the membership of the Committees was for group leaders to determine, taking account of political proportionality and was not for consideration or formal agreement at the Council meeting.

It was further noted that for clarity, those posts which were currently ‘gifted’ by the majority group to other political groups would be highlighted and be clearly identifiable within appropriate documentation.

RESOLVED: (nem con) THAT:

(a)   the recommendation to partially suspend the rules of proportionality be approved;

(b)   Councillors be appointed to the offices contained in Appendix 1 for a term of office which will expire at the next Annual Meeting of Council;

(c)   the Chief Executive be requested to exercise his delegated powers to make, following consultation with the political group leaders, any adjustment to the number and allocation of seats to give effect to the rules on proportionality and to make appointments, as necessary, in accordance with the nominations of the political group leaders;

To receive the Chairman's announcements and petitions from members of the public.

The Chairman welcomed all Councillors and guests to the Annual Meeting of Council and looked forward to seeing them in the Town Hall for the Chairman’s lunch.

Councillors JE Pemberton and Lloyd-Hayes were welcomed back following their recent period of ill health.

It was announced that Councillor RBA Burke had served 50 years as a Councillor representing the Leominster area.  The Council was advised of Councillor Burke’s notable achievements and he was warmly congratulated on this significant milestone.  In response, Councillor Burke advised the Members that he was greatly privileged to hear the tributes and thanked everyone very much.

The Chairman stated that prior to the annual lunch, a presentation would be held for the Lord Lieutenant and his wife, Sir Thomas and Lady Dunne, for the 32 years service they had given to the County, as Sir Thomas would be retiring from the position in the Autumn.

The success of Hereford United (achieving automatic promotion to League 1) and their manager Graham Turner (named Manager of the year) was recognised, as was the achievement of Wooferton Football Club, crowned champions of the Herefordshire Times Herefordshire League premier division.

The Chairman also took to opportunity to promote a coffee morning to be held on 21 May at the Town Hall in support of Noah’s Ark Trust, a Herefordshire and Worcestershire charity for bereaved children.

Petitions

1A petition had been received from Mrs Carol Honer relating to traffic calming by St Francis Xavier’s School.  The petition was passed to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, Councillor DB Wilcox.

To receive questions from members of the public.

The Chairman reminded Council that under the Constitution a member of the public could ask a Cabinet Member or Chairman of a Committee any question relevant to a matter in relation to which the Council had powers or duties, or which affected the County, as long as a copy of that question was deposited with the Assistant Chief Executive, Legal and Democratic Services more than six clear working days before the meeting.

The Chairman advised the Council that 14 submissions had been lodged by members of the public, with the majority relating to the planning application by Bloor Homes at Bullinghope and the Rotherwas access road.  In order to deal with all the questions the Chairman advised the Council that the Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing would provide a composite answer to those questions asked by the majority relating to Bloor Homes and the Rotherwas access road and that following the meeting, individual written responses would be sent to each individual who had submitted a question.  It was additionally stated that the questions and their responses would be individually minuted for the record (and are attached as appendix 2 to the minutes).

Composite answer provided by Councillor J Jarvis, Cabinet Member for Environment and Strategic Housing

(a)   Position on Planning Application

(i)      The application to develop 300 dwellings on land at Bullinghope, Hereford (DCCE2008/0970/F) was submitted on 3 April 2008.  A detailed Environmental Statement and other supporting information have been submitted and are available for public scrutiny and comment.  No detailed timetable has been established for the determination of the application.  A separate but related challenge to the allocation of the site in the UDP would be considered in the Royal Court of Justice on 26 and 27 June 2008.  The Council is currently carrying out detailed consultations with statutory consultees and local groups.  At this stage elements of the detailed information raised in some of the questions is not available at this stage of the processing of the application.

(b)    Financial Position of the Rotherwas Access Relief Road

(i)      Bloor Homes first broached the possibility of residential development at Bullinghope making provision for related road infrastructure in their submission to a public consultation entitled 'Planning for the New Millennium' in 1999.  This was linked to the then safeguarded route of the former Hereford bypass scheme in this locality. This route was also taken as a basis for the Rotherwas Access Road.  As a public consultation, the results of this were appraised by officers and reported to members following usual processes.

(ii)     The Rotherwas Access Road is being funded as part of the Rotherwas Futures Project.  The road element of the project is already fully funded by the Council and Advantage West Midlands and does not rely on a contribution from Bloor Homes.  The Actual spend to date on the project is £10,524,810.   The funding of spend to date is Advantage West Midlands £6,500,000.  Council Local Transport Plan funding £1,817,076.  Council Prudential borrowing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

To receive any written questions.

The Chairman advised that 11 Councillors had lodged questions with several relating to Bloor Homes at Bullinghope.  One composite answer was been provided at the Council meeting by Councillor J Jarvis Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing which covered all key points raised by questions received from Councillors Dawe, Chappell, Hubbard, James and Davies. 

Composite answer provided by Councillor J Jarvis, Cabinet Member for Environment and Strategic Housing

(a) Position on the Planning Application

(i)         The application to develop 300 dwellings on land at Bullinghope, Hereford (DCCE2008/0970/F) was submitted on 3 April 2008.  A detailed Environmental Statement and other supporting information have been submitted and are available for public scrutiny and comment.  No detailed timetable has been established for the determination of the application.  A separate but related challenge to the allocation of the site in the UDP would be considered in the Royal Court of Justice on 26 and 27 June 2008.

(ii)        The Council is currently carrying out detailed consultations with statutory consultees and local groups.  At this stage elements of the detailed information raised in some of the questions is not available at this stage of the processing of the application.

(iii)       The quality and detail set out in any planning application is ultimately a matter for the applicant's discretion within the context set by national and local standards. Contractors working for Bloor Homes are completing a full evaluation process as set out in PPG 16. This will allow the County Archaeologist to have an appropriate opportunity to assess the results before the Committee determines the application. Additional consultation will be carried out on the completion of the evaluation.

(iv)       The issues raised on the accuracy or otherwise of the traffic assessment and the flood risk assessment submitted with the application is a matter which is awaiting detailed responses from key consultees. Due to the comprehensive nature of the Environmental Statement the Council is procuring its own consultants to verify the accuracy or otherwise of its contents.

(b) Position on Funding for the Rotherwas Access Road

(i)         The Rotherwas Access Road is fully funded as part of the Rotherwas Futures Project.  The Council has fully explored a range of different funding methods for the Rotherwas Access Road and as a result secured a funding package for the Road through the Rotherwas Futures Scheme.  In addition, the Council will continue to seek Section 106 agreements from any developments that could further contribute to the package.  The Rotherwas Access Road has secured its own funding package and is not financially reliant on the development of the Bullinghope site.

(ii)        Detailed discussions will take place with Bloor Homes shortly on the range and nature of the Section 106 agreement package that would accompany the application in the event that planning permission is granted.  The submitted application includes no proposals for affordable homes on the site. This reflects the contents of paragraph 5.4.13 of the adopted Unitary Development Plan.

(C) ARCHAEOLOGY

(i  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

To consider any Notices of Motion.

Councillors TM James and PA Andrews submitted the following Notice of Motion as a matter of urgency.

“Mindful of the current economic climate for small businesses in Herefordshire and the bureaucratic burden placed upon them by both European and National legislation this Council make an undertaking not to place further unnecessary and costly regulations on our hard pressed business community.

Therefore request that the Council amend its policy on VOSA Test on Taxi Operators who transport our disabled community throughout the County.

We also note that if this policy were to be extended to Education Transport and Adult Social Care it would have a massive effect upon cost and the service provided and in some areas would mean the collapse of the service.

Herefordshire Council will be the only Council in England who feel the necessity to add further and costly regulations on top of those imposed on Businesses by EU and Westminster Parliaments.”

The Chairman will rule whether the motion is urgent.

MEETING RECONVENED AT 2.45 pm

The Chairman advised the Council that one notice of motion had been received from Councillor TM James and PA Andrews.

Councillor TM James advised that the notice of motion had been withdrawn.

To receive the report and to consider any recommendations to Council arising from the meetings held on 27 March, 10 April and 1 May 2008.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor RJ Phillips presented the report of the meetings of Cabinet held on 27 March, 10 April and 1 May 2008.

In discussion the following comments were raised:

In response to a question raised by Councillor Matthews on the annual funding given by the Council to the Courtyard Theatre, the Leader advised that he would provide the information direct to the Member.

Responding to a comment raised by Councillor Lloyd Hayes, the Leader clarified that whilst the Auditor presented a report to the Strategic Monitoring Committee, no formal presentation had been given to Cabinet directly.  In future years, the Cabinet had requested that the District Auditor presented the Annual Audit and Inspection Letter to a joint meeting of the Cabinet and SMC.  It was emphasised that this would be undertaken in an open session with Members of the Council and the public welcome to attend.

Councillor Toon raised a question on the governance structure of Wyebridge College, and advised the Council of apparent gaps in the outline business case and scrutiny provision.  Additionally, concerns were raised around ICT specifications and costings together with the sixth form park.  Councillor Toon asked if the issues had been resolved with the Sports Council and whether a transport assessment had been undertaken.  The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services stated that a written response would be sent to the Councillor on the matters raised.

In response to a question on ICT software costs, Councillor French advised Members that in the work undertaken to review software licenses the Council’s attention was drawn to the fact that the Council could not access the PCT software contracts which were more competitively priced.  The Chief Executive would raise this issue in the appropriate forums; no formal response had been received from Government.

Councillor Lloyd Hayes requested a general update on the review of smallholdings.   In response, the Leader stated that he was not involved in any individual discussions on this matter and took part solely in strategic matters (as he had declared an interest on the matter), however he assured Councillor Lloyd Hayes that the Cabinet Member for Resources would provide details of the review.

            RESOLVED:   That the report of the meetings of Cabinet held on 27 March, 10 April and 1 May be received.

To seek Council’s approval of the Council’s Corporate Plan for 2008/2011, subject to the negotiated Local Area Agreement targets being added.

The Leader presented the report which informed Council that the Corporate Plan set out the Council’s priorities and how they would be achieved.  Additionally the plan outlined the targets what would be used to measure achievements in addition to the key actions that would be undertaken to achieve the targets.  It was stated that as with other local authorities, the Council was in a period of change and had to grapple with many issues e.g. funding.

In response to a question raised about the accuracy of data and methodology used, the Leader stated that the questions were derived from a national survey.

In a response to a concern raised that the authority currently neglected to ensure that the welfare of rural areas are protected and improved, the Leader stated that our concerns were being logged with Government.  Additionally, work was being undertaken to inform Government of our challenges – new housing, sustainability of villages, there is a debate to be had on sustainable rural communities which will benefit from linking in with other authorities of a similar nature e.g. Cumbria, Devon.  The County was currently under pressure with the decline in provision of Post Offices with 114 businesses earmarked for phased closure.  A similar issue on the immediate horizon would be over the provision of BT payphones, a comprehensive review of which was undertaken a few years ago in the county.  These issues merely highlighted the wider debate which was focussing on how rural communities can be maintained and thrive.

RESOLVED:   That Council approve the Corporate Plan 2008-2011 subject to the negotiated Local Area Agreement targets being added

To consider and approve the Children and Young People’s Plan 2008 – 2011.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor J Hyde presented the report and commended the Children and Young People’s Plan 2008 to the Council.  She stated that whilst the plan was a statutory document a thorough consultation had been undertaken.

The Plan was commended by several Councillors especially in the manner in which the consultation process was undertaken.

Councillor Toon raised issues in relation to governance and scrutiny, especially the fact that the sole elected member representative on the Children’s Trust Board was the Cabinet Member.  The question of how could the authority effectively scrutinise and audit this body was raised, and an example was given of how the Board held discussions around school closure prior to discussion at Council.

The report and consultation process (which included the input of the scrutiny process) was welcomed by Councillor Edwards.  However, concern was expressed that the whole of the South Wye shared a youth officer with the Golden Valley area and that there was a need to appropriately fund a number of officers to provide dedicated help to volunteers.

In welcoming the Plan, Councillor Lloyd Hayes requested that consideration be given to extend the scope to include youths who had Mental Health problems.  She highlighted a situation from personal experience which she wished to discuss with the Cabinet Member outside of the formal meeting.  Councillor Lloyd Hayes added that she was concerned that should mental health issues not be considered and acted upon, vulnerable individuals could find themselves within to the penal system.

Councillor Attfield expressed a wish for a written reply to the following statement.  Whilst she considered the plan to be excellent, it was stated that an implicit problem within the Children Services were children with aspergers syndrome.  Written plans were only as good as the outcomes and therefore there was a need to provide all children with the opportunity and skills to contribute to their communities and to encourage opportunities for their lives to be on a par with their cohort.

In recognising the comments raised on mental health and youth service provision, Councillor S Robertson encouraged Members with experience on these issues to contribute to relevant scrutiny groups.

In response, to the issues raised above, the Cabinet Member of Children’s’ Services emphasised that looked after children were one of the most vulnerable sections of society and stated that she would welcome speaking with the Councillor following the meeting to be provided with information on the particular situation.

In response to Councillor Toon, the Cabinet Member stated that the Children’s Trust was still currently evolving and that she would take on board the concern expressed and consider how they could be addressed. 

Responding to the concerns regarding youth service provision, the Cabinet Member stated that she would address points raised together with councillor Price as the new Cabinet portfolio holder for ICT and Educational Achievement.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services commended the value of input provided by Children’s Services Scrutiny and emphasised that as children had no  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

To inform Council that the Strategy Group of the Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership (HCSDP) has approved the Partnership Plan (2008-2011).

Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Community Services presented the report which sought the agreement of the Council to adopt the Plan.  It was stated that the statutory document outlined key partnership priorities which had been determined through analysis of a broad range of information.  These broad priorities were:

(a)   Reducing Crime through Offender Management and other interventions:

(b)   Reducing Drug and Alcohol Harm

(c)   Promoting and Delivering increased Road Safety

(d)   Providing Community Reassurance in Anti-Social Behaviour, Disorder and Crime

(e)   Multi-Agency and Community Dynamic Tasking and Co-ordination

Councillor Toon raised concern regarding data systems and analysis and requested information on the outputs achieved from Herefordshire Connects.

In referring to the bulleted priorities (paragraph 6, page 220), Councillor S Robertson highlighted priority (c) ‘Promoting and Delivering increased Road Safety’.  Following a tragic death in her ward Councillor Robertson emphasised the need to use every opportunity to educate drivers on the perils of drink driving and expressed a need for an ongoing campaign of education which should include the active engagement of the local press.  In response, Councillor Blackshaw, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Community Services stated that he would take on board this issue and bring it to the attention of partners and the local press.

Councillor Bowen, in referring to section 2.2, page 248 (Reduce alcohol-related violent crime in Herefordshire by 6.9% between 20:000 and 06:00 hrs) stated that the Council should be more robust with premises that had been caught selling alcohol to underage individuals; current sanctions given were too light and give a wrong message.  Police and Trading Standards should be encouraged to continue their concerted effort to bring to light such behaviour and that Members use their powers of sanction in order to deter others.

As the Chairman of the Regulatory Committee, Councillor Brigadier Jones stated that action measures were being taken and that at a recent meeting, the Committee had discussed four cases of illegal selling and licences had been suspended for the following periods of time: one for 48 hours, one for 24 hours and two for 7 days.  It was emphasised that regular checks of premises were carried out.  The Committee took stringent action if alcohol was sold to children.  In addition to the suspensions, compliance with the Challenge 25 scheme was a condition to premises licences for each premises.

RESOLVED that:  Council adopt the Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership Plan.

To receive the report and to consider any recommendations to Council arising from the meetings held on 29 February and 11 April 2008.

Councillor T Hunt presented the report of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 29 February and 11 April.

RESOLVED:   That the report of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 29 February and 11 April be received subject to a minor correction on para 2(b) page 328 deletion of ‘approve’ in fifth bullet point.

To receive the report and to consider any recommendations to Council arising from the meeting held on 18 April 2008.

Mr R Rogers presented the report of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 18 April 2008.  He drew members attention to three particular items of note:

i)                    The development of the ‘Local Filter’ in determining any complaint against a Herefordshire Councillor, or Parish/Town Councillor in Hereford.  This came into force on 8 May. It was emphasised that this should not be regarded as a relaxing of the code but provided for a greater local ownership of the standards and ethics process. 

ii)                   The Standards Committee Annual Report would be published soon and distributed to all Members and interested parties.

iii)                 The Standards Board for England had selected Herefordshire as one of six ‘centres of excellence’, highlighting it as an exemplar of working relationships between Herefordshire Association of Local Councils, the Standards Committee and the Monitoring Officer.  Councillors were encouraged to continue to support the work of HALC in furtherance of its role of actively supporting the County’s town and parish councils.

The Chairman thanked the Standards Committee for their active work.

RESOLVED:   That the report of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 18 April be received.

To receive the report and to consider any recommendations to Council arising from the meetings held on 6 March, 10 March, 20 March and 28 April 2008.

Councillor PJ Edwards, Chairman of the Strategic Monitoring Committee presented the report of the meetings held on 6 March, 10 March, 20 March and 28 April 2008 and gave particular thanks for Members’ professional and industrial work over the previous year.  He also stated that a number of recommendations had been put forward to Cabinet for consideration, and he acknowledged the manner that these had been discussed.

In referring to the Smallholdings Estate Policy and Working Practices item, listed as paragraphs 16 and 16 on page 337, Councillor Robertson asked whether the review could consider those tenancies that had been given notice to quit, and could not the tenants be supported in growing and providing locally grown food for the County's schools. She additionally mentioned that Gloucestershire had a policy of forging closer relationships between their tenancies and schools (e.g. by way of educational visits).

Councillor Edwards stated that the comments would be noted and considered by SMC.

In response to a question regarding the progress on the accommodation strategy, the Cabinet Member for Corporate, Customer Services and Human Resources stated that the Strategic Monitoring Committee had established a working group and that a report would be forwarded for consideration in due course.

The membership of the working group was confirmed as Councillors, Andrews, Smith, and Bowen with the chairman of SMC attending in an observer capacity.  It was additionally stated that Alan Curless represented the PCT Board on this working group.

In reference to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review of Tourism as listed on page 343, Councillor Toon requested that consideration be given for the publication of a multiple language brochure for the County.  The Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Community Services stated that he would bring the issue to the attention of the Board of Visit Herefordshire.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Edwards for his work during the previous year as Chairman of Strategic Monitoring Committee.

RESOLVED:   That the report of the meetings of the Strategic Monitoring Committee held on 6 March, 10 March, 20 March and 28 April 2008 be received.

To receive the report and to consider any recommendations to Council arising from the meetings held on 26 February, 6 March, 25 March, 9 April, 22 April and 30 April 2008.

Councillor Brigadier P Jones presented the report of the meetings of the Regulatory Committee held on 6 March, 25 March, 9 April, 22 April and 30 April 2008.

Members were reminded of the wide remit of the Committee and Councillor Brigadier Jones stated that he was confident that the current issue regarding taxis would be resolved soon.

RESOLVED:            That the report of the meetings of the Regulatory Committee held on 6 March, 25 March, 9 April, 22 April and 30 April 2008 be received.

To receive the report and to consider any recommendations to Council arising from the meetings held on 29 February and 4 April 2008.

Councillor ACR Chappell presented the report of the meetings of the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee held on 29 February and 4 April 2008.  He thanked the Cabinet Member for Resources for keeping him informed as Chairman of Audit and Corporate Governance of issues relating to the smallholding policy.

In response to a question raised Councillor Chappell assured Members that as Chairman of Audit and Corporate Governance, he had been kept informed of issues relating to ICT expenses.

The Leader left the meeting.

To receive the report of the meeting of the West Mercia Police Authority held on 19 February 2008.  Councillor B. Hunt has been nominated for the purpose of answering questions on the discharge of the functions of the Police Authority.

Councillor B Hunt presented the report of the meeting held on 19 February of the West Mercia Police Authority.

Members were advised that the Chief Constable had been unable to attend this Annual Meeting, however confirmation would be given of the date for this attendance at Council prior to the July meeting.  Councillor Hunt expressed his thanks to Councillor Grumbley who would be standing down as a Member of the WMPA, and welcomed Councillor RS Smith who would be joining the WMPA as a Herefordshire representative.  Reference was additionally made to the pack of information provided to Members from the WMPA.  He stated that the P&C Groups would be replaced with Policing Matters Groups (PMG), which he would be chairing.  There would be three PMGs established; North, Central and South Herefordshire.  He urged both public and Members to attend.

Councillor P Morgan stated that there had been three recent fatalities in her ward and whilst three speed surveys had been undertaken, many vehicles had been found to be over the speed limit.  The Councillor raised concerns over the lack of mobile enforcement vehicles in her ward and expressed disappointment in this as speeding was considered a priority for the police. 

In supporting the point raised, Councillor Wilcox stated that speeding was considered the top priority for residents.  It was essential that the Council worked with partners to address this important issue, however it was stated that the enforcement of speeding restrictions proved a challenge.  Increased enforcement was imperative to ensure that fatalities within the County decreased and it was important for the police to clearly outline their input when they address the Council. 

Councillors Hope and Lloyd Hayes left the meeting

In responding to the comments above, Councillor Hunt advised Council that Councillor Grumbley had written to the Chief Executive expressing concerns about speeding and the perceived lack of enforcement.

Councillors Cllr JB Williams and Matthews left the meeting.

Councillor Hunt assured Members that the Policing Matters Groups did not clash with known Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meeting dates, and that the PMG meetings had been scheduled to the end of 2009.

RESOLVED:   That the report of the West Mercia Police Authority be received.

To receive the report of the meetings of the Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority held on 20 February 2008.

Councillor Brigadier P Jones presented the report of the meeting of the Hereford and Worcester Combined Fire Authority held on 20 February 2008.  He stated that the Authority was still working on the problems created by the lack of funding, however he stressed that it was not the intention to reduce front line workers.

RESOLVED:   That the report of the Hereford and Worcester Combined Fire Authority be received.

Dates for Council meetings in the year 2008/09 are as follows:

Friday 25 July 2008

Friday 31 October 2008

6 February 2009

6 March 2009 (to set the budget and council tax)

29 May 2009 (Annual Council)

All meetings will commence at 10.30a.m and will be held in the Shire Hall, Hereford unless advised otherwise.

The dates for Council meetings in the 2008/09 year were agreed as:

Friday, 25 July 2008
Friday, 31 October 2008
Friday, 6 February 2009
Friday, 6 March 2009
Friday, 22 May 2009

The meeting ended at 3.45p.m.                                                                      CHAIRMAN