1.  Question from Councillor M Hubbard, Central Ward

1.1.   Can the Cabinet Member for the Environment please explain what work has been done to ensure Herefordshire Council has complied with the Code of Practise on Litter and Refuse published by DEFRA in April 2006 under the Environmental Protection Act of 1990 with regard to the clearance of litter?  In particular can the Cabinet member explain how Herefordshire Council has complied with points 8.7 and 8.8 of this code?

1.2    How is Herefordshire Council monitoring its performance on litter clearance?

1.3    Can the Cabinet Member for the Environment please provide figures for the number of spot fines issued by Herefordshire Council for litter offences in:

                        a) Hereford City

                        b) Leominster

                        c) Ledbury

                        d) Ross-on-Wye

                        e) Bromyard

1.4    Other than the Amey contract, are there any other initiatives being undertaken by Herefordshire Council to ensure our city streets are kept clean and free of litter?

1.5    Is Herefordshire Council doing anything with regard to the graffiti and fly-posting advisory standards contained within this document?

1.6    Can the Leader explain how the current turmoil in the global financial markets is affecting plans for the ESG development?

1.7    The public consultation process for the Supplementary Planning Document for the Edgar Street Grid managed to illicit 38 written responses from members of the public out of a potential population of 55,000 Hereford City residents, of which only a third were in favour of the development.  Does the Leader believe that this demonstrates widespread public support for the ESG development?

Answer from Councillor DB Wilcox Cabinet Member Highways and Transportation

1.1    The council has no legal duty to comply with the code of practice to which Councillor Hubbard refers.  Despite the publication of the code in April 2006 the Council has only recently received Local Environmental Quality data from DEFRA. When we have completed analysis of this data we will determine whether or not full acceptance of the code by this Council will actually make a difference in delivering services to keep our County clean.

1.2    The Council is required to survey its area and send measurements to central government as part of the new system of National Indicators.  These are a major revision of the previous system which was called Best Value Performance Indicators.  This provides a basic routine monitoring system which enables service improvement through analysis of the data.  There are forty wards in Herefordshire of which fifteen are surveyed every year.  Litter is one element of the survey which includes graffiti, fly-posting and detritus, and produces scores for different land use categories.  The system is run by the charity ENCAMS (of which the Council is a member) and which carry out audit checks on the measurements.

1.3    The council does not at present give on the spot fines for litter, this is something we will focus on once the enforcement team is in place.

1.4    The Council maintains close contact with local voluntary groups through the Herefordshire Partnership and supports clean up campaigns by providing materials and expertise.  Supervision of work undertaken by convicted offenders on community service orders is being discussed with the probation service.

         An Anti Social Behaviour unit is being set up to deal with aspects of anti-social behaviour, with powers to deal with litter, fly-posting, fly-tipping, graffiti etc.  When the unit is fully operational we will be taking a pro-active approach to dealing with all of these issues.  We have powers to deal with offenders by way of either a caution, fixed penalty or prosecution.

1.5    In recent times we have worked very hard on both removal of graffiti and on sharing information and intelligence with the Police on tracking down offenders. Five young people were convicted recently following a spate of graffiti attacks on our county. The responsibility for the removal of graffiti and fly posting from private property remains with the property owner although we will assist where resources allow.

Answer from Councillor RJ Phillips, Leader of the Council

1.6    The ESG development represents a 20 year transformation of a major part of the centre of Hereford.  Its impact will be felt throughout the city and, indeed, the county in the way in which it helps lead the transformation of the economy for the 21 century.

         Inevitably, projects of this scale encounter changes in economic conditions, and it would be foolish to expect otherwise.  The very extensive work undertaken to date on the project has shown that considerable investment in infrastructure is required before any development can take place.  Specifically, a major flood alleviation scheme which will benefit not just the ESG area but the A49, existing homes and the hospital car park, needs to be built.  Likewise, a new link road will be constructed along with areas of new public realm prior to the improvement planned to Blueschool Street/Newmarket Street and Widemarsh Street south.

         At present, the ESG project has reached the stage where planning applications for the major infrastructure are about to be submitted.  Subject to approval, it is anticipated that work will begin in 2010/11, funded by Advantage West Midlands from resources which have already been committed to the project.

         Advantage West Midlands (AWM) is also committed to funding further major land acquisitions necessary for the infrastructure investment to commence.

         In terms of development partners, Herefordshire Council, on the recommendation of the ESG board, has appointed Stanhope and Sanctuary, both major national companies with extensive experience of working through both good times and bad.  Whilst it must be accepted that the current global financial turmoil is unprecedented, both companies are fully committed to Hereford and continue to work on shaping their proposals in advance of their own planning applications.

         Quite what the future holds in terms of the financial markets is too early to tell.  What we do know is that we have the unwavering support of AWM along with the very considerable financial strength of our developer partners.  This, combined with the enormous potential for future growth in the Herefordshire economy identified in the Regional Spatial Strategy, Herefordshire Council’s own emerging Core Strategy and by the development partners themselves, places Hereford and the county in an enviable position when compared with other cities throughout the UK.

1.7    Statutory planning consultations have been supplemented by extensive consultations undertaken by ESG Herefordshire Limited on the masterplan.  These included: launch events at the Courtyard; meetings with individual businesses and stakeholders; circulation of masterplan to public sector organisations and other formal consultees; public display of model in Broad Street; open evenings for residents and businesses, to which every household or business within the ESG area was invited; and extensive media coverage.  ESG Herefordshire Limited continues to promote discussions about the future of the area, including with local schools, an ‘enewsletter’ and community consultations on specific aspects of the project, such as flooding.  Overall, the ESG project continues to benefit from considerable community involvement.  As in all consultations, it is the opportunities that are given, together with the substance of the views expressed and how these are addressed, that are more significant than the simple numbers of those responding.

2.      Question from Councillor PJ Edwards

2.1.1 It is often stated that Herefordshire is poorly funded in the league charts of Government funding to Local authorities.

2.1.2 What specific additional funding bids have been placed by Herefordshire during this financial year and what are the confirmed successes to date?

2.2    Given that public grassed areas remain half cut, street kerbs upswept, urban street drains semi blocked, street signs semi-derelict, paving unsound, loose street kerbs etc, when will our Local Environment receive basic attention to bring it up to a reasonable standard?

2.3    What are the total costs of accident / personal injury claims met by the Council during the last 12 months as a result of proven unsound highways (including streets, cycleway and paving) affecting pedestrian and vehicle movements?

2.4    Why are the Street Waste Bins not emptied more frequently, in particular those placed between Hereford City and South Wye?

2.5    When is the Council going to take enforcement action against the Fly Posters who regularly deface Hereford City street furniture and Waste Bins? Can we please reintroduce some pride into our City and throughout Herefordshire?

Answer from Councillor H Bramer Cabinet Member Resources

2.1.1 and 2.1.2

         The Council is successful at levering in additional funding to support communities in Herefordshire to supplement the core funding for public services provided by the government.

         In the time available since being made aware of the question, 26 separate funding applications have been identified and made so far this financial year totalling approximately £16.5m.  Fourteen of the 26 bids were successful, we are waiting to hear the result on 12 and just one has been unsuccessful.

         The 14 successful bids for additional funding amount to almost £6.5m.  This includes £4.9m of additional funding secured for Children’s Services.  Other services that have had funding applications approved include: regeneration, lifelong learning, waste management, energy conservation, cultural, social care and conservation services.

         The 12 bids we are waiting to hear about total £10m.  The regeneration service is waiting for confirmation of bids for £6.5m of additional funding for a redundant buildings programme and a business support scheme.  Children’s services are awaiting confirmation of bids totalling almost £2.6m for the play pathfinder scheme.  Other services awaiting confirmation of funding applications include highways, energy conservation, planning, social care and countryside services.

Answer from Councillor DB Wilcox Cabinet Member Highways and Transportation

2.2    There is a backlog of road maintenance issues caused by the summer storms which have resulted in a revision of the works programme.

         I acknowledge that the standard of some of the street scene issues is not as good as I would wish.  As members will know, there is a Service Delivery Review currently underway which should address many of these concerns. In the light of the way the question is worded, I feel sure that the Chairman of the Strategic Monitoring Committee will embrace the proposals arising out of the review to achieve an improved street scene service more efficiently, effectively and economically.

2.3    The total amount paid out to third parties for injury or damage to property due to unsound highway during the period 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2008 was £131,880.27 in respect of 220 claims.

2.4    All litter bins in the city are scheduled to be emptied daily with the city centre bins being emptied twice a day.  Records are being kept to monitor the usage of litter bins and to identify hot-spots such as bins that are frequently full and to correlate usage with activities such as public events and school terms.  Few complaints are being received about full bins, and those that are reported are dealt with immediately.

2.5    The Council maintains close contact with local voluntary groups through the Herefordshire Partnership and supports clean up campaigns by providing materials and expertise.  Supervision of work undertaken by convicted offenders on community service orders is being discussed with the probation service.

         An Anti Social Behaviour unit is being set up to deal with aspects of anti-social behaviour, with powers to deal with litter, fly-posting, fly-tipping, graffiti etc. When the unit is fully operational we will be taking a pro-active approach to dealing with all of these issues.  We have powers to deal with offenders by way of either a caution, fixed penalty or prosecution.

3.      Question from Councillor GFM Dawe

3.1    To the Cabinet Member for Community & Economic Development: Would he summarise the undertakings that he gave to the Environment Scrutiny Committee on September 24 2007 concerning the investigation and promotion of the Rotherwas Ribbon for heritage, educational and cultural tourism and would he now explain what progress has been made in the 13 months since?

3.2    Will the Council initiate an urgent and objective review of their strategy for the Edgar Street Grid, that would take into account the lack of public confidence in the project, the rapidly changing environmental context that is likely to render any car-dependent development unsustainable, and the impending recession with consequent revisions to forecasts for retail led projects?

Answer from Councillor AJM Blackshaw Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services

3.1    My comments on the Rotherwas Ribbon are a matter of record set out in Minute 21 of the Environment Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 24th September 2007. These minutes are extensive.

         They show that Cabinet may consider options relating to tourism, education or heritage, such as a display at the City museum, subject to funding being achieved for further investigations and if these discover significant finds. Consideration of a visitor facility would depend upon what further finds were made.

         This view was reflected in the resolution of the Scrutiny Committee that urged Cabinet to seek funding for further research into the Rotherwas Ribbon including a tourism scoping report when appropriate.

         We are continuing investigations of the Rotherwas Ribbon. In fact we have just received the results of radiocarbon dating on charcoal. Six dates were obtained from samples and dates fell within the period c2100 - 1900 BC.

         This confirms the timeframe suggested by Worcestershire Archaeological Service who excavated the site last year. The professional view is that the Ribbon was probably first built and then partially resurfaced in the Late Neolithic period and last used in the Early Bronze Age.

         In relation to seeking funds we have had extensive discussions with English Heritage on this matter and submitted proposals to its representatives that have been evaluated by a range of regional and national staff. English Heritage has now agreed to provide funds to commission a geophysical survey to try to trace the Ribbon's course and this work will be carried out over the coming months. The findings of all the work undertaken so far will be considered by a panel of specialists agreed with English Heritage.

         As you can see we are still carrying out investigations. It remains too early to judge whether there is any potential for promoting the Ribbon as a heritage, educational and cultural resource.

3.2    Community Services Scrutiny Committee recently conducted a review of the ESG project covering a wide remit of areas. This report was presented to committee on Friday 17 October, after a full day of interviews with stakeholders and interested parties and will be considered by Cabinet before Christmas.

         Edgar Street Grid as a project has very strong strategic and policy foundations.  The current Unitary Development Plan and subsequent Supplementary Planning Document and Masterplan for the site have all been subject to a variety of public consultation and public scrutiny.  ESG Herefordshire Ltd has been established by the Council and Advantage West Midlands as the body responsible for leading the physical delivery of the project and clearly great steps have been taken in moving the scheme forwards.

         The project is clearly driven by a mix of uses with significant elements of housing, retail and leisure, public administration and statutory bodies, and public transport infrastructure being incorporated within the overall scheme.  Behind the constituent parts listed above a significant amount of on and off site infrastructure is required to deliver any of these components.

4.  Question from Councillor RI Matthews

4.1    I understand that in the near future a Planning Application for the new Cattle Market site is to be submitted, and if approved will be closely followed by Members having to make a decision which would involve the expenditure of many millions of pounds of public money for the construction work.  Do you agree with me, that it would be highly irresponsible to ask elected Members to consider these two issues before being given access to the professional legal advice which the Council sought, to establish whether or not we were legally obliged to provide a replacement market?

Answer from Councillor JP French Cabinet Member Corporate and Customer Services and Human Resources

4.1    The Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) has an obligation to ensure that Members receive appropriate legal advice prior to taking decisions.  The position on this matter is no different.  For the record the legal advice that the Council has received is clear in saying that the Council has an obligation to provide a market.

5.      Questions from Councillor ACR Chappell

5.1    Why has the Cabinet not considered the unanimous recommendations concerning the LEA swimming pool of the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee arising from their “Call In” Meeting on September 29?

5.2    What is the number of affordable housing properties completed in 2006/07?  What percentage of total completions does this represent?

5.3    What is the number of affordable housing properties completed in 2007/08?  What percentage of total completions does this represent?

5.4    What estimate does he have for affordable housing property completions for the current year?  What estimate does he have for total housing property completions in the current year?

5.5    What plans does he have to bring forward Council projects that would offer support for employment in the next two years and would attract Government funding allocated for such projects?

Answer from Councillor PD Price Cabinet Member ICT, Education and Achievement

5.1    Consideration of the recommendations made by the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee, following the call-in of the Cabinet decision on the Local Education Authority (LEA) swimming pool, is on the Cabinet agenda for 20 November.  This is the earliest opportunity that Cabinet has had to consider the recommendations.  The only other Cabinet meeting since 29 September was held on 16 October.  However, the dead-line for submission of reports to that meeting was 2 October.  Given that the call-in meeting was on 29 September, this allowed insufficient time to produce the necessary report for the Cabinet meeting on 16 October.

Answer from Councillor JG Jarvis Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing

5.2    Total number of housing completions               842                 
Total number of affordable units                        182                  21.6%
(total number of new build                                 143                  17%)
(total number of acquired*                                 39                   4.6%)

5.3    Total number of housing completions               829                 
Total number of affordable units                        141                  17%
(total number of new build                                 86                   10.4%)
(total number of acquired*                                 55                   6.6%)

5.4    Total number of housing completions               244
Total number of affordable units to date            142      (target for 08/09 200 in total)
(total number of new build to date                     127)
(total number of acquired to date*                     13)

*        acquired properties are effectively those properties that already exist and have been utilised for affordable housing through the low cost home ownership schemes, schemes such as Purchase and Repair and Temporary Social Housing and supported housing projects.

Answer from Councillor AJM Blackshaw Cabinet Member Economic Development and Community Services

5.5    Clearly employment generation is not just about creating jobs, it is concerned with the creation of good quality, well paid jobs, in stable, growing companies, supported by the public infrastructure required to generate further opportunities for company growth and employment.

         The Council are working in partnership with AWM as the Regional Development Agency on a number of projects across the County that will deliver the infrastructure and opportunities to encourage this future growth. 

         With the current investment into Rotherwas by the Council and AWM it is expected that a minimum of 850 new jobs will be created in the next 7 years.  Evans Easy Space has recently opened their new Enterprise Centre in the heart of Rotherwas as well as completing a smaller scheme on the Enterprise Park in Leominster.  Similarly the Council are in early stages of discussions with AWM and private sector developers to bring forward the Model Farm employment site in Ross-on-Wye, it is expected that an element of this scheme will involve Live/Work units and units will be aimed at high technology, digital and IT based companies.

         The ESG project has a longer delivery programme but AWM have already allocated £20m to assist in the bringing forward of this regionally important regeneration project.  In addition to the jobs created and sustained within the build, it is expected that over 1200 net new jobs will be created from the leisure and retail elements.  The Council hope to run awareness raising events with local companies to highlight the tendering and contract opportunities that ESG will supply over its build period.

         On a smaller scale the Council delivers the Redundant Buildings Grant scheme for AWM across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire.  Due to the success of this scheme and of the team delivering it, AWM have recently contracted with the Council for the RBG team to deliver a new Rural Enterprise Grant across the whole of the West Midlands region.  The RBG scheme has awarded grants to 32 projects across the County, generating over £800,000 of private sector investment and delivering 232 jobs.  RBG will continue in a similar vein for another 2 ½ years whilst the new REG scheme will operate for 3 ½ years.

         The Economic Development Team are always attempting to secure funding for infrastructure and employment projects and through their relationship with AWM within the last two years the team has managed to secure an allocation of approximately £35m to the projects mentioned above.

6.      Question from Councillor WLS Bowen

6.1    Having promised to get rid of plastic bin bags in favour of wheelie bins – when will you make a start on eliminating the distribution of plastic bags in Herefordshire’s shops?

6.2    Can you assure us that the proposed wheelie bins will be made from re-cycled plastics?

Answer from Councillor JG Jarvis Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing.

6.1    The use of plastic carrier bags in Herefordshire shops is clearly a matter for the retailer. We support the efforts of all shops and supermarkets who have introduced a "bag for life" and reduce the number of plastic bags handed out. Indeed, the major supermarkets have their own take back and recycling schemes for the sacks that are still used. As part of a major waste prevention promotion over the next few months, the Waste Management Team along with colleagues in Worcestershire have successfully bid for £80,000, through the "Love Food Hate Waste" scheme. Part of this will be handing out re-useable jute shopping bags. Over 2,000 will be allocated to Herefordshire for free distribution.

6.2    The use of recycled plastics in the manufacture of bins and bags for our waste collection service will be part of the formal specification.  So the answer is, yes.

7.      Questions from Councillor AT Oliver

7.1    Would the Cabinet Member for Resources confirm that the current projection of the savings on the postal contract with TNT are for savings of £26,000 per annum, not the £70,000 he reported previously?

7.2    What is the estimated total cost of providing swimming lessons at the HALO run leisure pool, for the 36 schools which were previously using the LEA pool at St Martins, in the financial year 2008/09?

7.3    Would the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation please explain why, when the Rotherwas Access Road has been open since the end of August, and we are now at the end of October, the Holme Lacy Road has still not been closed off to vehicles of 7.5 tonnes and over, as promised?

7.4    Would the Cabinet Member for Resources confirm that the plans for a new livestock market, currently gathering dust under the desks of the Council’s Planning Department, are being actively pursued and not quietly dropped, or is there a ‘Baldric’ in the Cabinet with a cunning plan to move the market to another site?

7.5.1 What plans does the Council have to cut the carbon emissions of its transport fleet and those of its partners such as Amey Wye Valley? 

7.5.2 Is there any systematic training for Council employees in driving techniques to reduce fuel consumption, or any overall route planning to reduce total mileage? 

7.5.3 Is there a strategy for replacing the current transport fleet with more environmentally friendly vehicles?

Answer from Councillor H Bramer Cabinet Member Resources

7.1    Councillor Oliver asked a series of detailed questions on the Council’s proposals for reducing expenditure on second class postal services at Council on 16 May 2008 and a detailed answer was supplied at the time.

         By way of a brief reminder, Council agreed a procurement efficiency programme as part of its financial strategy for 2008 – 2011 in March 2008.  A target for ongoing procurement savings of £750k was set for the current financial year.  One of the procurement savings included in this target was an estimated reduction in the annual cost of second class post of up to £70k.  Postal services have been deregulated in recent years and the Royal Mail and Post Office Counters Limited are entirely separate businesses.  The Council has a duty to improve the value for money derived from every £1 of public money it spends and that is what the procurement efficiency programme was designed to do. 

         The procurement efficiency programme is being closely monitored by the Director of Resources and her team as part of their routine performance management arrangements.  It became apparent that the estimated savings for second class post, which were based on external consultancy advice, were overstated.  Other councils in the West Midlands that used this consultant have experienced the same difficultly.  The West Midlands Regional Improvement & Efficiency Partnership provided 50% of the funding for this consultancy advice and is seeking compensation from the consultant on behalf of the councils involved.

         The revised estimate for annual savings on second class post is £35k, reduced to £25k due to the physical constraints of some of the post rooms in our various office buildings where we will continue to use Royal Mail. 

         Whilst it is disappointing that this particular project will not deliver the level of savings anticipated when the budget was set for this financial year, any reduction in administrative costs protects budgets for frontline services to the community.  In addition, the overall procurement programme is still on track to achieve its £750k target with better than expected savings resulting from projects to rationalise PCs and printer/photocopiers and better compliance with West Mercia Supplies (WMS) purchasing policies.

Answer from Councillor PD Price Cabinet Member ICT, Education and Achievement

7.2    The estimated cost of providing swimming at the Halo Leisure Pool to the schools previously using the LEA Pool is given below.

         Revenue costs are estimated at £75,900.

         This is made up of Hire of pools and provision of Teaching and Lifeguard costs.

         School income of £44,280.

Revenue costs after income are £31,620.

The direct comparable costs if the LEA pool was still operating would be:

Revenue Costs £183,000 (not including recent utility increases).

School income of £44,280.

Revenue costs after income would be £138,720.

No capital costs are included in the above or any additional Income from other sources.

Answer from Councillor DB Wilcox Cabinet Member Highways and Transportation

7.3    The necessary consultation and statutory procedures to introduce the new weight restriction on the Holme Lacy Road was commenced some months ago.  A period of familiarisation for HGV drivers has been given to minimise the potential problem occurring of an HGV inadvertently travelling down the Holme Lacy Road and finding a weight restriction imposed prohibiting his continuing to the Rotherwas Business Park.  The business community in Rotherwas is also assisting in advising visiting HGV drivers of the impending restrictions and the need to use the new access road.

         The new order is to come into operation on 24 November 2008 and further media publicity will be given.

Answer from Councillor JG Jarvis Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing

7.4    The Council has purchased a site for the cattle market and is actively pursuing a planning application.  There is no plan to look at alternative sites.

7.5.1 The Council has an overall commitment to reduce carbon emissions from its operations as part of its target under the new National Indicator 185 – Percentage CO₂ Reduction from Authority Operations. This commitment is to reduce overall emissions by 1.25% per annum at least until 2013. As part of this commitment, all sources of carbon emissions from the authority’s operations, including the vehicle fleet, are being examined to provide a baseline for NI185 and thence to assist in planning specific measures to secure a contribution to the required reductions.

         A Carbon Board has recently been established, led by the Director of Environment and Culture. This important new body will be considering and addressing a range of initiatives that will contribute to the reduction in the authority’s carbon emissions. These initiatives will undoubtedly include the issue of fuel used in transport.

         The authority’s partnership arrangements with Amey Wye Valley already include an environmental performance indicator that relates to the quantities of transport fuel used in Amey’s operations. As part of the current service delivery review it is expected that an even stronger focus will be placed on the environmental performance of these operations, and given Amey’s commitment to environmental management through its ISO14001 accreditation it is expected that this focus will lead to concrete reductions in carbon emissions.

7.5.2 It is not clear that there is systematic training for Council employees in driving techniques, but the Council publishes a Smart Driving leaflet that is held in the GEM library intranet folder and is therefore available to all employees with intranet access.  This contains a range of helpful advice to drivers on how to maximise fuel economy and so minimise carbon emissions.

7.5.3 The authority’s transport fleet is not currently managed corporately and vehicle requirements, including replacements, are managed by individual directorates. Clearly a corporate approach to fleet management could provide an effective mechanism for the introduction of more environmentally friendly vehicles. It is expected that this issue will be addressed through the newly established Carbon Board.