The Very Reverend Michael Tavinor led the Council in prayers.

Apologies for absence were received from:

7. NOTICES OF MOTION UNDER STANDING ORDERS.

Councillor PGH Cutter, Non-Pecuniary, Agenda Item 7, Notice of Motion 2, Director of a renewable energy company.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2014.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 7 February 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Note:  

The Herefordshire Independents Group Leader enquired of the Solicitor to the Council on the accuracy of the minutes regarding the school transport amendment.  The Solicitor to the Council stated that the Minutes accurately reflected the debate at the meeting.  However, he accepted that there had been some confusion following the meeting and that Group Leaders had come to an agreement on 17 February.  He advised that the matter would be on the Cabinet agenda for 13 March, where the matter would be resolved.

Council also agreed that any named vote taken at a meeting of Council is to form part of the Minutes rather than be published as a supplement.

The Chairman drew Council’s attention to the announcements in the agenda, in particular the Bloodhound project instigated by Wigmore Teaching School Alliance and Herefordshire Group Training Association.

The Chairman welcomed to Council Glyn Morgan of the Herefordshire Cathedral Perpetual Trust and invited Mr Morgan to address Council on his recent successful visit to Houston, Texas when the Magna Carta was taken there on exhibition.  Mr Morgan informed Council of the joint working between the Hereford Cathedral and the Houston Museum of Natural Science and how the British Consul-General for the region had attended the opening, along with the Mayor of Houston, for a US wide media launch.  In addition Sir Robert Rogers, former Chairman of the Perpetual Trust and Herefordshire Council’s Standards Committee, gave a number of lectures for the consulate, the museum and Rice University.  The Consul General stated how important the partnership was for Herefordshire and for the reputation of the United Kingdom, as Texas was the most economically important of all US states to the UK.

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

Two Notices of Motion have been received.

NOTICE OF MOTION ONE

Proposed by Councillor AM Atkinson and seconded by Councillor NP Nenadich.

“A Herefordshire University would bring a wide range of benefits to the county including supporting economic growth through the development locally of relevant higher level skills; encouraging younger people to study and work in the county; and contributing to the vibrancy of the county.

This Council welcomes the developing proposals to establish a university in Hereford, and the wide support being generated for the proposals.This Council requests the Executive to identify the most appropriate way in which the council can assist in securing the future of higher education in the county.”

NOTICE OF MOTION TWO

Proposed by Councillor FM Norman and seconded by Councillor NP Nenadich.

“This Council calls on the Executive to consider how it can, through planning and other housing policies, influence the design of new housing, (especially affordable housing), and encourage builders to adopt the highest possible energy efficiency standards, Passivhaus, AECB Silver Standard or similar.

Orientation and suitability for renewable energy systems, especially passive solar and large-scale active solar should also be included at the design stage of any development.”

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

With the increasingly urgent need to reduce our carbon footprint, the spiralling cost of fuel, growing fuel poverty, and locally low incomes, we need to be positively influencing the quality of housing being built in Herefordshire.

The potential cost of retrofitting inadequate older homes is massive. We need to start now in ensuring that all new homes are built to the highest possible standards, including Passivhaus with potential savings of 90% of current heating costs (and 50% of electricity bills for lighting and appliances). This avoids at least the cost of retrofitting post-2014 home construction.

In setting high energy efficiency standards, Herefordshire Council can also stimulate demand for energy efficient homes and low-carbon technologies, leading to associated local apprenticeships, training and jobs.

NPPF States:

95. To support the move to a low carbon future, local planning authorities should:

* plan for new developments and ways which reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

* when setting any local requirements for a building’s sustainability, do so in a way consistent with the government’s zero carbon buildings policy and adopt nationally described standards.

96. In determining planning applications, local planning authorities should expect new development to:

* Take account of landform, layout, building orientation, massing and landscaping to minimise energy consumption.”

Core Strategy Objectives, Figure 3.1:

(Social Progress)

“To meet the needs of all sections of the community (especially those in need of affordable housing), by providing a range of quality, energy efficient homes in the right place at the right time.”

Further information from: http://www.aecb.net/carbonlite/carbonlite-programme/building-certification/ and www.solarmarstal.dk

Notice of Motion One – A Herefordshire University

Councillor Atkinson proposed the Notice of Motion and made the following comments:

·         A new university fitted in with the new development in Herefordshire.  The City and the County would become the campus for the university.

·         It would help fill the demographic gap and bring young people into the County.

·         There was a need to designate land in the city for the project and Councillors needed to show their support for this multi million pound project.

Councillor Nenadich seconded the Notice of Motion and made the following comments:

·         He informed Council of the historic academic connections between Hereford and Oxford University.

·         It was proposed that the university would build on local assets – life sciences, defence and engineering – and fitted with the proposals for the enterprise zone.

·         The intention for the future was to establish an international reputation and to both retain young people and encourage them to move to the County.

The following points were made in discussion:

·         Several Councillors spoke to endorse the proposal for a university believing it to be an impressive and inspiring vision for the County.

·         A university would raise the standards in the County’s schools and create aspirations.

·         In response to a question on any transfer of assets to the university project, Council was advised that the enterprise board would be looking to lease any assets to avoid any potential losses should the project not come to fruition.

·         Council was reminded of the forthcoming seminar for all Councillors on the university project.

·         It was suggested that there should be regular briefing notes to Councillors so that, as community leaders, they could be ambassadors for the project.

·         That consideration should be given to making a bid to the Local Enterprise Partnership as an infrastructure priority.

·         The Council’s budget had included proposals to sell £60m of assets to minimise capital borrowing.  Assurance was sought that in transferring such assets to the university project, there would be no double counting.  The Chief Financial Officer stated everything would be done to ensure assets were properly protected.  He added that any assets given to the university project were not the same as those referred to in the budget for disposal. 

·         Councillor Bramer, Cabinet Member Contracts and Assets gave an assurance that the assets to be disposed of in the budget would not include the assets to be transferred to the university project.

Councillor Atkinson, as proposer of the Notice of Motion, stated his agreement with the points raised regarding the Council’s assets and expressed his thanks to Karen Usher, as volunteer project director, for the work she had done.

Council supported the Notice of Motion.  There was one abstention.

RESOLVED:  That this Council welcomes the developing proposals to establish a university in Hereford and the wide support being generated for the proposals.  This Council requests the Executive to identify the most appropriate way in which the Council can assist in securing the future of higher education in the County.

Notice of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

To approve the council’s council tax requirement and set the council tax amounts for each category of dwelling in Herefordshire for 2014/15, including precepts from West Mercia Police, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority and parishes.

Prior to the commencement of the debate on Council Tax the Chairman reminded Council this was not the time to discuss the budget again and that Members should restrict the debate to the subject matter.

The Leader moved the recommendation for the Council Tax Resolution.  The following points were made during the debate:

·         Council at its February meeting had set the budget.  Council now had a duty to ensure the budget could be paid for through the Council Tax.  It was understandable that some Members would prefer no increase, but it was felt there was little option than to accept the 1.9% increase.

·         Reference was made to the referendum by Brighton and Hove Council regarding Council tax and it was proposed that in future similar action for a referendum should be taken in Herefordshire.

·         Concern was expressed on the way the Council engaged with the public over the choices that needed to be made on the budget and that there had not been a specific question asking whether residents whether they would pay more.  A consultation had been carried out in Ledbury and 56% had indicated that they would be prepared to pay more Council tax.

·         Councillor Morgan, Deputy Leader, seconded the recommendation and stated the 1.9% increase was comparable to other neighbouring counties.  It was acknowledged that there was a below average wage in Herefordshire and therefore consideration should be given to a reduction in Council tax in future years.

·         Following a point of order the Solicitor to the Council reminded Council of the legal requirement under regulations set earlier this year to have a named vote for the Council tax resolution.

Following the named vote for Council tax, Council voted:

For                   37

Against            01

Abstain            10

Councillors for the recommendation:

Barnett, Andrews, Atkinson, Bartrum, Blackshaw, Bowen, Bramer, Cutter, Durkin, Edwards, Guthrie, Hardwick, Harvey, Hope, Hyde, Johnson, Jones, Kenyon, Knipe, Lester, Mayo, Millar, Morgan, Nenadich, Nicholls, North, Phillips, Powell, Powers, Price, Robertson, Rone, Seldon, Sinclair-Knipe, Stone, Taylor and Wilcox.

Against:

Preece.

Abstentions:

Bridges, Chappell, Chave, James, Lloyd-Hayes, Matthews, McCaull, Michael, Norman and Norris.

RESOLVED

THAT:

a)    Council noted the tax base for 2014/15;

1)    for the whole council area is 64,942.09 band D equivalent properties;

2)    for dwellings in those parts of the area to which a parish precept relates as in the attached at Appendix 1 to the report;

b)    in respect of council tax for 2014/15 that the following amounts be approved by the Council for the year 2014/15 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended by the Localism Act 2011);

(i)     £331,897,091                         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;

(ii)     £247,796,013                        being the estimated aggregate income of the council for the items set out in section 31A (3) of the act (including Revenue Support Grant);

(iii)    £84,101,078                          being the amount by which the aggregate at (b  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

Councillor Johnson, the Leader of the Council, presented his report to Council. 

In response to a series of questions regarding the condition of the road structure and potholes, Councillor Price, Cabinet Member Infrastructure responded stating a successful application had been made under the Bellwin scheme for emergency financial assistance for road repairs following the winter flooding.  This was in addition to the £20m already set aside for the County roads.  In the first instance work would be carried out on A roads, followed by the B and C roads, as well as carrying out remedial work.  The Highways Agency had been made aware of the issues on the A49. 

In response to questions on the presentation given by the Chief Executive at the Herefordshire Business Summit the Leader stated that the 15 year future plan presentation was work in progress and would form part of the future work of the Council.  He added that the presentation endeavoured to set the scene for the future but also to make everyone aware that the authority could not do everything that the County needed done and strived to encourage private participation.  The Chief Executive added that the intention was to make a number of connections with local partners to provide clarity for the future, and develop plans for creating growth in Herefordshire and the Marches.  This matter would come back to Cabinet for final agreement and approval.

In response to questions on the restructure within Balfour Beatty, the Leader replied that it was natural that the management team would wish to set out their own staff structure as part of a restructure for the whole organisation.  He had received assurance that Balfour Beatty would put the necessary resources in place to deliver the contract.  It was noted that staff had worked extremely hard during the wet weather to provide for residents in the County.

In response to a comment relating to Army personnel staying in Hereford when assisting with the floods, Councillor Price, Cabinet Member Infrastructure advised that all personnel involved had been happy with the welcome they had received and no complaints had been made.  The Chairman added that on behalf of the Council she would write to all the services involved in the flooding to thank them for their assistance and to the supermarkets for the food donated for servicemen.

RESOLVED:  That the Leader’s report on the activities of Cabinet since the meeting of Council in October 2013 be noted.

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