To receive the Chairman's announcements and petitions from members of the public.

The Chairman reflected on the severe winter weather that had been recently experienced.  Council was informed that the authority’s own staff and those of Amey had worked around the clock to ensure Herefordshire’s principal routes were kept well gritted and were safe to use, with each gritting run costing around £9,000.  Members were advised that as many as four grittings in a 24 hour period had been required.  The supplies of salt had been most carefully managed during very challenging circumstances on behalf of the Council the Chairman thanked staff and to those of Amey, for a job well done.  He additionally thanked the emergency services for their efforts during the recent weeks, including the work of the hospital and ambulance services.

The Chairman stated that Herefordshire Council was privileged to be among those who welcomed His Royal Highness Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to the city of Hereford and Hereford Cathedral on 13 February 2009.  The Prince, in his capacity as Patron of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust, met many of those who had worked hard to bring many worthwhile projects to fruition. 

Members were advised that the Council worked closely with the Trust and the Cathedral in helping to secure funding and support needed for the protection and restoration of our great cathedral and its environment.  The Chairman took the opportunity to recognise the work of Clare Wichbold, Regeneration Coordinator at Herefordshire Council who had been seconded part-time to Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust during 2005/6.  She had supported the fundraising for the cathedral and contributed to the Close Project, which culminated in the awarding of a grant of over £4m to the Perpetual Trust in June 2007.

The Chairman was pleased to announce that the Council’s Customer Services team had been successful in maintaining the Charter Mark quality award.  They had also achieved a very positive pre-assessment for the Customer Service Excellence.  The Assessor had been impressed with all the work, progress and achievements made in the past year and was confident that an application for Customer Service Excellence in the coming year would be successful. 

Members were reminded that for a number of years the Council had been working with Herefordshire Group Training Association, finding placements for young people who wished to work whilst continuing with their educational training.  He congratulated Matt Hallett who had originally joined the Land Charges team as a Modern Apprentice and who had won Herefordshire Group Training Association’s “Student Personal Development Award 2008”.  Matt had now been successfully appointed to a substantive post in the Land Charges section. 

Members are reminded that the Civic Service would be held at 3.30pm on Sunday 15 March 2009 at the Cathedral followed by tea being served at the Town Hall.  All Councillors and Members of the Public were invited to attend the service.

The Chairman brought to Members’ attention the change of date for Annual Council from 29 May to 22 May, in order to avoid school holidays. 

The Chairman congratulated Mr David Powell on his appointment as Director of Resources.