To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Elizabeth Foxton.

To receive any declarations of interest by members in respect of items on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest at this stage of the meeting, please see paragraph 56 below.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the budget meeting held on 9 February 2024.

A matter of accuracy was raised concerning the minutes of the last meeting.  In order to ensure an accurate record of the budget meeting on 9 February 2024, it was proposed that resolution (j) under paragraph 46 be amended to the wording below:

j) To allocate to Children’s Services £2.303m (£0.959m to Children’s High Cost Placements, £0.338m to Social Worker Establishment, £1.006m to Agency Social Workers) from Care Market Costs Earmarked Reserve (£- 0.959m) and Financial Resilience Earmarked Reserve (£-1.344m) as a one off charge. which might be repaid in-year. These reserves are then to be repaid in-year with any of the originally proposed savings in the Children and Young People directorate which do get delivered during 2024-25.

RESOLVED: That, subject to the change set out above, the minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2024 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 their answers, is attached to the Minutes at Appendix 1.

To receive any written questions from members of the Council.

There were no questions from members of the Council.

To set the council tax and precepts for 2024/25.

Council considered a report from the Leader of the Council to set the council tax precepts for 2024/25.

The Cabinet Member Finance and Corporate Services proposed the recommendations and introduced the report.

The Leader of the Council seconded the recommendations.

The council tax precepts for 2024/25 were put to the recorded vote and carried unanimously.

FOR (52): Councillors Andrews, Baker, Bartlett, Bartrum, Biggs, Boulter, Bramer, Carwardine, Chowns, Cole, Cornthwaite, Crockett, Clare Davies, Dave Davies, Durkin, Dykes, Engel, Fagan, Gandy, Gennard, Hamblin, Harvey, Heathfield, Highfield, Hitchiner, Hurcomb, James, Kenyon, Lester, Mason, Matthews, O’Driscoll, Oliver, Owens, Peberdy, Phillips, Dan Powell, Ivan Powell, Price, Proctor, Simmons, Spencer, Stark, Stoddart, Stone, Swinglehurst, Thomas, Tillett, Toynbee, Allan Williams, Robert Williams and Woodall.

Against (0)

Abstentions (0)

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 2024/25 in accordance with sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended by the Localism Act 2011); and

a.    £405,690,305 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.    £264,946,000 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.    £140,744,305 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.    £1,954.79 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.    £5,690,305 being the aggregate amount of all special items (parish precepts) referred to in section 34(1) of the act;

f.     £1,875.76 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 71,999.97 band D equivalent properties (being the gross tax base adjusted for an assumed collection rate) used for setting the budget requirement for 2024/25;

a.    is allocated to band D equivalent dwellings per precept area as shown in appendix 1; and

b.    the individual council tax  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

To approve the adoption of the Herefordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan (MWLP).

Council considered a report by the Cabinet Member Environment to approve the adoption of the Herefordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan (MWLP).

The Cabinet Member Environment proposed the recommendations and introduced the report.

The Leader of the Council seconded the recommendations in the report.

Council debated the report and welcomed the adoption of the Herefordshire MWLP, a development plan document.

The adoption of the Herefordshire MWLP was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    The Herefordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan Inspectors’ Report (at appendix 1) be noted;

b)    The Herefordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan, incorporating the main modifications (at appendix 2), is adopted; and

c)    The Head of Planning and Building Control be delegated the authority to make any minor technical changes (e.g. typographical) to ensure that this development plan document is up to date at the time of adoption.

To propose amendments to the constitution.

Council considered a report by the Chairperson of the Audit and Governance Committee to propose amendments to the constitution.

The Chairperson of the Audit and Governance Committee proposed the recommendations and introduced the report. He outlined a change to the wording in appendix 3 of the report to clarify the provision concerning co-optees to the children and young people scrutiny committee. The proposed constitutional changes to the arrangements for co-optees of the children and young people scrutiny committee, as set out below, were proposed for approval:

The committee with responsibility for education shall include the following co-opted statutory education representatives, as appointed by Council:

• one representative as nominated by the diocese of Hereford

•  one representative as nominated by the archdiocese of Cardiff

•  one three parent governors as elected from the primary school sector

•  one parent governor as elected by the secondary school sector

•  one parent governor as elected by the special school sector and

Additionally, the committee may make up to:

•        One two further appointments with such skills and experience as are determined beneficial by the committee representatives from the teaching sector

•     One representative from a family who are or have been supported by social workers

The Vice Chairperson of the Audit and Governance Committee seconded the recommendations in the report as amended by the change to appendix 3 as outlined above.

Council discussed the proposed changes and expressed support for the proposals.

The proposed changes to the constitution, including the change outlined to the wording in appendix 3, was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED – That Council approves changes in the Constitution:

a)    in Appendix 1 to enable:

(i)      a change to the Standards Panel and process used to better enable concurrent oversight of the Code of Conduct standards arrangements; and

(ii)     a change to the Code of Conduct, in relation to Disclosure of Non-Registerable Interests, to reflect case law on this issue;

b) in Appendix 2 to enable oversight by Audit and Governance Committee of the council’s arrangements for Complaints, Companies and RIPA.

c)   in Appendix 3 (incorporating the change to the wording as outlined above) to enable amendment to the co-opted membership of Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee.

To receive a report from the leader on the activities of the executive (cabinet) since the meeting of Council in December 2023.

Council received and noted the Leader’s Report which provided an update on the activities of Cabinet since the previous ordinary meeting of Council on 8 December 2023.

Council questioned the Leader and the following actions were raised:

-        To consider how the distinction between savings and reduction in costs pressures is presented in reports. In response to a question regarding the treatment of reduction in costs and whether they could be considered savings achieved by the Children’s Directorate.  

-        In response to a question regarding the length of the all member OFSTED briefing on 27 March, to confirm the timings for the session; there was concern that the 1 hour programmed session was too brief.

-        To arrange a meeting between the Cabinet Member Environment and Natural England to understand what the impact of Natural England’s downgrading of the river to failing would have upon planning applications.

-        To arrange for a progress report to Cabinet on the work of the phosphate commission after March 2024.

-        To arrange for an update on the progress of projects in the capital programme including the Museum, Shirehall/Library, Transport Hub, Sales of land on the Enterprise Zone and St Owen’s Street repairs. To include updates in the Leader’s Report in future.

-        To provide detail of the strategy to address ‘not spots’ of broadband coverage in the county.

-        To provide to all councillors, guidance from the Department of Transport relating to the £100m Local Transport Fund when available.

-        To consult with councillors from Ross-on-Wye to consider the composition of the Model Farm management board.

-        To consider and confirm that adequate resource is in place to deliver the report to Cabinet in June 2024 as agreed in the Affordable Housing motion to full Council on 8 December 2023.

-        To respond to a request for a list of how many residents in Bromyard are coming under the heading of platform or sanctuary (if data protection allows).

-        To arrange for a briefing regarding the use of household waste collection vehicles to scan Herefordshire highways to detect road defects and necessary repairs.

-        To check with officers that there are no blockages to the distribution of the Household Support Fund to ensure the funding is disbursed to the necessary outlets and distributors a soon as possible, particularly where there are ongoing programmes.

To consider Notices of Motion.

Council debated the motions contained in the report by the Director of Law and Governance.

Motion – Gaza

Councillor O’Driscoll proposed and introduced the motion.

Councillor James seconded the motion.

Council debated the motion. There was support across the chamber for the recommendations contained in the motion.

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

RESOLVED: -

This Council expresses deep sympathy for all those affected by the conflict in Israel and Palestine. For those in Herefordshire who have been affected by this conflict we offer our support at this difficult time.

This Council calls for an immediate release of all hostages and a sustainable bilateral ceasefire with unfettered access to humanitarian aid across Gaza in order to strengthen the possibility of a permanent peaceful resolution.

This Council believes that people of all faiths and none should feel safe both in Herefordshire and throughout the world, and utterly condemn the increase in anti-Semitic and Islamaphobic abuse and violence. Herefordshire Council thanks community leaders for the role they are playing in reducing tensions at this sensitive and difficult time.

This Council resolves to write to the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, and Herefordshire’s two Members of Parliament stating that the Council supports a sustainable and lasting bilateral ceasefire requesting they do all in their power to work towards a viable two state-solution.

We also ask they recognise with additional funding the key role local authorities play in promoting cohesion and understanding throughout their communities by supporting the many voluntary organisations and faith groups who work together to help those affected by this and other conflicts.

Motion – Household Support Fund

Councillor Chowns proposed and introduced the motion. An alteration to the motion was raised to change the date specified to 30^th September and change the tense from has beento is to be preceding the word axed in recommendation (a). The seconder and Council indicated agreement to the alteration.

Councillor Crockett seconded the motion.

Council debated the motion. There was support across the chamber for the recommendations contained in the motion.

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

RESOLVED – that:

The government proposes to end the Household Support Fund on 30^th September this year. 

This fund has been providing vital support to help vulnerable households cope with the rising cost of living.

Many local community groups and charities across Herefordshire do amazing work to help ensure this funding gets to those who need it most.

Since the cost of living is still rising, and very many families are still struggling, this council believes it is not right for the government to axe the Household Support Fund.

This council therefore asks the Leader and Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to:

a)    express this council’s deep concern that the Household Support Fund is to be axed, and ask that the decision be reversed;

b)    urge the government to establish improved funding settlements (multi-year, with greater levels of funding) for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

The next meeting is the annual meeting of Council on 24 May 2024 at 10.30 a.m.

Council is asked to approve the schedule of full Council meeting dates in 2024/25 as below:

26 July 2024

11 October 2024

6 December 2024

7 February 2025 – Budget meeting

7 March 2025

23 May 2025 – Annual meeting

Council considered and agreed the following meeting dates of Council in the 2024/25 municipal year:

-          26 July 2024

-          11 October 2024

-          6 December 2024

-          7 February 2025

-          7 March 2025

-          23 May 2025