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

The Council stood in silent tribute to mark the death of the former Chairman and Councillor, Peter Harling.

The Chairman thanked all the services for their work during the snow which included the maintenance of roads by Amey, the collection of waste by Focsa.  Local farmers were also thanked for clearing the more rural roads of snow. 

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies had been received from Councillors H Davies, RC Hunt, GA Powell, AP Taylor, WJ Walling and NL Vaughan

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

7. DRAFT FINANCIAL STRATEGY 2011/14.

Councillor ACR Chappell, Personal, Employment as a professional carer.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2010.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 19 November 2010 were approved as a correct record.

To receive any questions from members of the public deposited more than eight clear working days before the meeting of Council.

Copies of all public questions accepted and received by the deadline, with written answers, were distributed prior to the commencement of the meeting.  A copy of the public questions accepted and written answers, together with the supplementary questions asked at the meeting and answers are attached the minutes as Appendix 1.

To receive any written questions from Councillors.

Copies of questions from Councillors to Cabinet Members and Chairman of Committees accepted and received by the deadline, with written answers, were distributed prior to the commencement of the meeting.  A copy of these questions and written answers together with supplementary questions asked at the meeting and answers provided at the meeting, or a subsequent formal letter to a Member, are attached to the minutes as Appendix 2.

To propose the three year draft financial strategy for 2011/14 that includes the 2011/12 budget.

The Leader presented the report and proposed the three year draft financial strategy for 2011/14 which included the 2011/12 budget.  The following points were highlighted to the Council:

• The budget was the toughest in the life of the authority.  Recent years had seen high levels of public investment which had given rise to both a national and international situation which could not now continue.  The coalition government had been established and was now tackling the deficit; Government was spending £1 in every £4 on borrowing and £43billion was being spent annually on debt interest alone.
• It was stated that these were difficult times for the public sector as a whole and that Herefordshire Council had been preparing for reduced budgets for some time.
• Herefordshire Council had absorbed a cut in grant receipt of £1million during 2010/11.  Council was advised that when grants go, funding ends.
• In preparing for the necessity of reducing the number of employees, the authority had implemented a policy of temporary employment and agency contracts.  250 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) posts would go in the next two years out of a total of 1700; a quarter of all the Council’s management posts would also go.
• In preparing for the local government settlement, the authority had identified £8million savings.  On receipt of the final settlement on 13 December 2010 such savings would not be enough.  The late publication of the settlement details together with changes in funding formulas put consequential pressures on drawing up the authority’s budget.  The formal consultation was undertaken within very tight timescales.
• The settlement outlined the following reductions needed in the budget over three years, 11/12 - 13.3%, 2012/13 - 8.6% and 2013/14 - 1.9%; the frontloading of the budget reductions had been challenging.
• The core principles by which savings would be identified within the Star Camber process had been agreed as: Valued Services, Cutting Red Tape, Supporting the Vulnerable, Cutting Costs, Local Delivery and Personal Responsibility.  It was stated that it had been pleasing to note that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had endorsed these principles as sound and appropriate.
• To deliver the 2011/12 budget, £10.3million worth of cuts were required from a £150million budget.  It was emphasised that Members should be under no illusion as to the scale and depth of the cuts which were being replicated in local authorities across the country.
• The principal aim for Herefordshire Council would be to reduce the cost of delivering services whilst protecting front line services.  Those Members who opposed such an approach would need to clearly outline where alternative cuts would be made.
• An additional difficulty to the budget setting process was the rural nature of Herefordshire as it cost more to deliver services due to its geography and the current high cost of energy.  Members were advised that the Leader would be writing to the local MPs to make them aware of the impact of high energy and fuel costs to the public and private sector as well as to individuals.
• The shared  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

To invite Council to approve the Council and NHS Herefordshire Joint Corporate Plan vision, priorities and long-term outcomes.

The Leader presented the report on the joint Corporate Plan 2011-2014 and advised Council that reference should also be made in the Plan to broadband.

RESOLVED THAT:

Council approve, with amendments, the Herefordshire Council and NHS Herefordshire Joint Corporate Plan vision, priorities and long-term outcomes at Appendix 1 to the report

To report the outcome of the recent review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations following the direction by the Election Commission to review any polling station with an electorate of between 2000 and 2500, and seek approval to proposed changes to polling districts within Ledbury ward.

Council considered a report on the outcome of the recent review of polling districts, polling places and poling stations following the direction by the Electoral Commission to review any polling station with an electorate of between 2000 and 2500.  Council’s approval was sought to the proposed changes to polling districts within the Ledbury ward.

Members were advised that any matters relating to poling places and stations be directed to the Returning Officer as they were not matters for determination by Council.

RESOLVED That Council:

(a)               Notes the outcome of the review (summarised at Appendix A to the report); and

(b)               Approves the creation of a new polling district within Ledbury ward (based on the New Mills estate) to facilitate a reduction of the electorate in polling districts N-UC and N-UE.