To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Cornthwaite, Harvey, Ivan Powell, Spencer, Stone and Woodall.

The monitoring officer had granted a dispensation to all Councillors allowing them to take part in the debate and vote on the motion relating to Agricultural Property Relief under s33(2)(c) of the Localism Act 2011 (Constitution – Part 3 Section 1 paragraph 3.1.1A).

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2025.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2025 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.

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

To set the council tax and precepts for 2025/26.

Council considered a report from the Leader of the Council to set the council tax precepts for 2025/26.

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 2025/26 were put to the recorded vote and carried unanimously.

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

Against (0)

Abstentions (1): Gennard

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 2025/26 in accordance with sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended by the Localism Act 2011); and

a.     £506,268,582 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.    £356,597,000 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.     £149,671,582 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.    £2,055.45 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.     £6,268,582 being the aggregate amount of all special items (parish precepts) referred to in section 34(1) of the act;

f.      £1,969.36 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 72,816.74 band D equivalent properties (being the gross tax base adjusted for an assumed collection rate) used for setting the budget requirement for 2025/26;

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

b.    the individual council tax allocations per  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

To endorse the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025-2027.

Council considered a report by the Cabinet member children and young people to endorse the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025 – 2027.

The Leader proposed the recommendation and introduced the report.

Councillor Barry Durkin seconded the recommendation in the report.

Council debated the report. Support was expressed for the Corporate Parenting Strategy and members reaffirmed their committment to acting as corporate parents to children in the care of the council.

The endorsement of the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025 – 2027 was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

That Council a) Endorses the corporate parenting strategy 2025-2027 as           approved by the Corporate Parenting Board (appendix 1)

To receive a report from the leader on the activities of the executive (cabinet) since the meeting of Council on 6 December 2024 .

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 6 December 2024.

Council questioned the Leader and the following actions were raised:

-      In response to questions regarding Public Rights of Way officers would be asked to work with the Cabinet Member Transport and Infrastructure to undertake a review of the provision of public rights of way services and how work is undertaken with colleagues (such as the Local Access Forum) and communities. A report to be provided to Council (within the Leader’s Report) with detail as to how the council: is undertaking enforcement where required; opening new paths; and taking action to protect the amenity of path users.    

-      To provide a response to a question regarding the pause of the Leominster Town Centre improvements scheme with detail of when the public consultation will commence.

-      To provide a response to a question regarding how the council: assesses the quality of the user experience when it tenders for digital services; scores user experience in procurement; and what weight should user experience have compared to cost in procurement?   

-      In response to a question regarding the use of smoke free generation funding to address the prevalence of vaping and the potential to lead young people onto tobacco use, the Cabinet Member adults, Health and Wellbeing to raise the issue with the Health and Wellbeing Board.

-      In response to a question regarding the recommendation arising from the Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny Committee to immediately lift the moratorium on house building in the north of the county. To arrange for a response to the recommendation to be provided to the Scrutiny Committee.

-      In response to a question regarding the mapping exercise currently underway to inform the local nature recovery strategy and the importance of raising the awareness of all ward members, to include an update on the strategy in the next version of the Leader’s Report.

To consider Notices of Motion.

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

Motion – Minor Injury Units

Councillor O’Driscoll proposed and introduced the motion.

Councillor Proctor 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: -

Hereford County Hospital continues to experience unacceptable A&E waiting times, with NHS England data showing that between 25th November 2024 and 16th February 2025, 25% of ambulances waited over an hour before being able to hand over their patients to the Emergency Department.

All services at the County Hospital are under immense pressure, as are many primary care services across Herefordshire.

Historically, community hospitals in Herefordshire’s market towns successfully operated Minor Injuries Units (MIUs), providing accessible and efficient urgent care to local residents. These units reduced strain on the County Hospital, ensured faster treatment for minor injuries, and allowed patients to receive care closer to home.

Minor Injury Units (MIUs) are still successfully operating in Gloucestershire, Powys, Shropshire, and Worcestershire, demonstrating their effectiveness in delivering timely and appropriate care outside of major hospitals.

When the MIUs in Herefordshire were closed, a petition in Ross-on-Wye alone gathered over 1,500 signatures, reflecting strong public demand for the service. There is significant community support for reinstating these services across the county.

Motion:

This Council:

·       Supports the reinstatement of Minor Injury Units in Herefordshire as soon as possible to alleviate pressure on A&E services and improve access to urgent care for residents across the county

·       Calls upon the Executive to work with NHS partners and other stakeholders to facilitate the reopening of Minor Injury Units in Herefordshire

Motion – Agricultural Property Relief

Councillor Mason, as the proposer, withdrew the motion from debate.