To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bramer, Dykes, Harvey and Spencer.

Councillor David Hitchiner declared an interest and outlined the dispensation granted in relation to agenda item no. 8, Local Transport Plan 5, as a local resident to the proposed Hereford bypass.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2025.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 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 exercise those powers reserved to Council to review political proportionality and determine the allocation of seats on Council committees.

Council considered a report by the solicitor to the Council relating to appointments to committees of the Council in line with the rules of political proportionality. The Chairman outlined the supplement, published on 5 December which provided appendix a to the report and the recommended allocation of seats to political groups and committees of the Council.

The Chairman moved and Councillor Durkin seconded a motion that the allocation of seats on committees of the Council as set out in appendix a (supplement published – 5 December) be agreed.

The motion was put to the vote and was carried by a simple majority.

RESOLVED – the allocation of those seats to political groups as set out at appendix 1 (supplement – 5 December) be approved.

To seek Council approval for the Local Transport Plan (LTP) 2025-2041.

Council considered a report by the Cabinet Member Transport and Infrastructure to seek approval for the Local Transport Plan 2025-2041.

The Cabinet Member Transport and Infrastructure introduced the report and moved the recommendation that the Local Transport Plan 5 (LTP 5) 2025-2041 for Herefordshire is adopted.

The Leader seconded the recommendation.

Council debated the adoption of the Local Transport Plan 5 2025-2014.

The recommendation that the Local Transport Plan 5 2025-2014 be adopted was put to the recorded vote and was carried by a simple majority.

FOR (36): Councillors Andrews, Baker, Bartrum, Biggs, Boulter, Carwardine, Cole, Cornthwaite, Clare Davies, Dave Davies, Durkin, Foxton, Gandy, Hamblin, Highfield, Hurcomb, James, Kenyon, Lester, Mason, O’Driscoll, Oliver, Owens, Phillips, Dan Powell, Ivan Powell, Price, Proctor, Stark, Stoddart, Stone, Swinglehurst, Thomas, Tillett, Allan Williams and Rob Williams.

AGAINST (13): Councillors Bartlett, Crockett, Engel, Fagan, Gennard, Heathfield, Hitchiner, Peberdy, Simmons, Taylor, Toynbee, Tully and Woodall.

ABSTENTIONS (0)

RESOLVED – That the Local Transport Plan 5 (LTP5) 2025 – 2041 for Herefordshire is adopted.

There was an adjournment at 11:19 a.m.; the meeting reconvened at 11:34 a.m.

Councillors Biggs and Rob Williams left the meeting at 11:19 a.m.

To receive a report from the leader on the activities of the executive (cabinet) since the meeting of Council on 10 October.

The Leader presented his report on the activities of Cabinet since the meeting of Council on 11 October 2025.

Council questioned the Leader and the following actions were raised:

·       In response to a question regarding concessionary bus travel to undertake an assessment of the impact of the recent changes to concessionary bus travel times on young people and students accessing schools and colleges;

·       In response to a question regarding a safer school streets initiative to investigate the information provided to local residents regarding the new permit requirements in the local area;

·       In response to a question regarding the government data service (GDS) to investigate the commitment of council staff and Hoople time to interaction with  the local GDS ahead of the procurement of new data systems.

Councillor Jim Kenyon left the meeting at 12:29 p.m.

To consider Notices of Motion.

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

Motion – Charter for the River Wye

Councillor Swinglehurst proposed and introduced the motion.

Councillor Stark seconded the motion.

Council debated the motion.

The motion was put to the vote and was carried by a simple majority.

RESOLVED – that:

This Notice of Motion calls on the executive to support the following charter for the River Wye and tributaries:

The Right to Flow and Perform Natural Functions

To maintain its natural course and seasonal rhythms without obstructions or extractions that detrimentally affect ecological function of any part of the river system.

The Right to Biodiversity

To good biological heath through the existence of balanced, diverse, and viable, populations of native species and habitats specific to the Wye and its tributaries.

The Right to Be Free from Pollution

To exist in a state of ecological health and not be subject to detrimental levels of known and emerging pollutants that adversely affect the life of the river.

The Right to be Supported by a Healthy Catchment

To flow through environments which support the river as a balanced, sustainable, and resilient aquatic ecosystem.

The Right to Regenerate

To recover to full ecological function through natural processes and for this to be supported by intervention, where necessary, to halt the decline in biodiversity and abundance and to increase both over time.

The Right to Representation

To be represented and have these intrinsic rights recognised in the determination of matters that directly affect the river’s health now and in the future.