To receive questions from members of the public.

Under the Constitution a member of the public can ask a Cabinet Member or Chairman of a Committee any question relevant to a matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties, or which affects the County, as long as a copy of the question is deposited with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services more than six clear working days before the meeting.  A number of questions had been received and were included in the agenda.  The questions, together with a summary of the responses, are set out below:

Questions from M and K Bucknell, Hereford

"The Council recently announced the giving away of a valuable public asset - namely the rights to the River Wye in the centre of Hereford.  When appraising this decision

(a)       What monetary valuation was reached for this stretch of the River?

(b)       How did the Council reach this valuation?

(c)        What additional factors did the Council factor in on the expenditure and loss of income?"

Councillor D.B. Wilcox, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) said that the Council had not given away any public assets in connection with the River Wye.  There had been competing claims made by parties to High Court litigation in connection with rights over a stretch of the River Wye roughly situated between the Old Wye Bridge and the Victoria Footbridge.  Upon taking senior Counsel's opinion, it was felt that the outcome of litigation was uncertain and could have been hugely costly.  A compromise was reached and the Council accepted the Church Commissioners' claims in return for the grant of both mooring rights at Corporation Wharf and fishing rights for citizens under the age of 18 free of charge.  The Council has agreed to pay one peppercorn per annum in respect of securing these rights.

Questions from M and K Bucknell, Hereford

"When walking through Castle Green on a summer's evening, we are aware that there are two distinct groups of young people.  Firstly, the groups of young people who are sitting on the green, smoking, drinking alcohol; some of whom who get noisier throughout the evening. Secondly the group of similar aged teenagers who are learning river safety and kayaking skills at the Castle Green Canoe Training Centre.

What facilities, north of the river do the Council offer to the young people of the city of Hereford?

What plans, if any, do the Council have for the maintenance and development of facilities for the youth and future generations of young people of Hereford, particularly north of the River?

We understand that all Council buildings, including the Canoe Training Centre, are going to be sold by the Council. Why is the Council selling an excellent and unique facility with access to well trained and qualified staff who can work with our young people?

The Council has a duty of care to young people, so why is the Council reluctant to invest in facilities for them? Lack of investment is resulting in bored youngsters, using drugs and alcohol, often resulting in anti-social behaviour. What are the costs to the Council in Hereford City for the removal of graffiti, dealing with anti-social behaviour, police, primary care trust and social worker involvement caused by the actions of these bored youngsters?"

Councillor R.V. Stockton thanked the Bucknells for their kind comments on the value of our canoe centre activities in keeping young people actively engaged, but explained that resources were limited.

He spoke of some of the Council's facilities and voluntary sector facilities supported by the Council, including all the High Schools and their broad programme of after school activities as well as an array of sports fields and facilities from Aylestone Park, to football pitches to Hereford Leisure Centre (Halo).

He went on to say that he thought the question referred to Youth Club / Service facilities in North Hereford.  He advised that the Youth Service’s main location is at Close House in the Centre of town from which a range of activities are run both in the building and in other venues and locations in North Hereford City area. The Canoe Centre was one such facility very well used by young people from across the County.

Through The Herefordshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services (HCVYS) the Council indirectly supports a number of scouts and guides in the area as well as faith-based youth groups.

He advised that the Council was already involved in the Community Consultations currently underway in the North Hereford (Tupsley) area and would wish to support the process bearing in mind that the building or facility must be multi-use, flexible and open to a range of providers and activities.  He stated that revenue funding is the key to sustainability, particularly in resourcing the activities.

He said that there was no plan to sell all council buildings, however, the Asset Management Plan does include a schedule of assets for disposal that includes the training centre at Castle Green. It is anticipated that the training facilities will ultimately be re-provided when the Council has the opportunity to rationalise office accommodation.  The training centre at Castle Green is an expensive building to run and maintain due to its character. Parking provision is limited to just two disabled parking spaces and it is not possible to provide access to the upper floors of the building in compliance with disabled discrimination legislation.

He advised that there had been significant investment in Youth Service buildings over the last three years:  nearly £300,000 at both Hinton Youth Centre and Ross on Wye Youth Centre and significant refurbishment and equipment renewal at the Canoe and Sailing Centres.  He admitted that Hereford City is not well served by suitable facilities for young people and or youth work delivery, however, buildings are not the panacea for youth issues.  Skilled trained staff are needed to run suitable programmes for young people as are resources to fund buildings and staff.

He stated that removal of graffiti costs the Council £4,400 every month.  He could only answer the final part of the question by taking a very global calculation for the cost of each young person in the youth justice system.  The Prince's Trust estimated in their ‘Cost of Exclusion report 2007’ that in 2004 the total cost of youth crime in the UK was £1 billion.

Questions from Ms D Maber on behalf of the North Tupsley Action Group, Hereford

"As a newly formed Community Association for the Whittern Way and surrounding areas, we have been requested by our members to find out why there has been no investment in North Tupsley.

The dog bin situation is an ongoing problem which no-one at Herefordshire Council seems able to resolve, despite the best efforts of our local councillor.  The dog mess situation near to Broadlands Primary School is a health issue.  There is a neglected and abandoned play area, which is sited in the wrong place, but no facilities for the young people in the area nor for anybody else for that matter.

In order to provide a community focus, we are in the process of compiling a Business Plan in order to purchase the lease on the White Horse public house in Whittern Way.  This pub has been on the market for upwards of two years but is in need of refurbishment. We have been in contact with the owners and they are very interested in letting us have it.  This building would be eminently suitable as it has huge potential and has sufficient capacity to be converted into a community building, right in the very centre of the estate.

We really need Herefordshire Council to partner us in this huge endeavour.  Would you be able to help us?"

Councillor P.J. Edwards, Cabinet Member (Environment) advised that a Dog Warden had regularly visited the area referred to in the question and a number of "Dog Fouling" signs have been replaced.  On the day of the last visit there was very little evidence of dog fouling, and in particular the area around the school was clean.  There are two dog and litter bins in the area, which are being used.

In view of the ongoing complaints one of the Dog Wardens will be available to undertake some regular visits to the area with members of the Community Association (perhaps twice a week for a month or two) to review the problems in the area.  The Council would then be in a better position to determine whether or not the problem is best resolved by enforcement or the provision or resiting of bins.

He stated that the Environmental Health and Trading Standards Service currently spends nearly £15,000 a year to empty approximately 140 dog bins, countywide. 

The Council will be advertising the fact that it is acceptable to use litter bins for the disposal of dog faeces. 

Councillor Stockton, Cabinet Member (Community Services) advised thatthe Council owns a very small piece of land at Piggot Close which contains a play area.  The play area is small and not ideally placed, but is far from neglected.  It was resurfaced last year and some minor works took place to comply with ROSPA recommendation.  Ideally the play area would be re-sited to land belonging to Herefordshire Housing who appear willing to partner a community group. In the meantime the play area will remain open.

Aylestone Park will provide significant open space in the area as does the land at Tupsley Quarry and Gorsty Lane.  There are plans to significantly upgrade these facilities in the next two years. In terms of indoor facilities there is the potential of dual use existing sites such as Aylestone School / Broadlands School and the College facilities.  Hereford Sixth Form has well established joint use with both sports hall and a fitness suite.  Other opportunities may exist with the Arts Studio and the former Tupsley Youth Centre. 

Councillor Stockton was aware that the North Tupsley Action Group had already been in contact with Council officers about the proposal for the White Horse Public House to become a community building.  The Council can offer, or signpost to partners who can offer, business planning advice, project development support, advice on social enterprise and advice on planning issues.  He said it would be advisable to undertake further work to demonstrate viability and sustainability.  The Council has grants available to support this feasibility stage, although this would be subject to successful appraisal and approval, and would be for up to 50% of the costs or £2,000 whichever is the lesser.