To receive any written questions from Councillors.

Question from Councillor AT Oliver to the Cabinet Member Economic Development & Community Services

 

If the new retail market goes ahead the Council has undertaken to review it after 12 months.

 

1.1       What criteria is the Council going to use to judge success.  Is success for the new market traders to have traded profitably in the 12 months, or is success to have increased total footfall in Hereford’s city centre?

 

1.1.2   What appraisal has been done by the economic regeneration department about projected turnover from 25 market stalls, trading twice a week, and how much of this turnover will be replacement spending from existing shops?

 

 

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

 

1.1       Judging success of market:

 

a)         Occupancy and retention rates of stalls will assess trader success.

b)         Monthly monitoring of the number of empty retail outlets in Commercial Street (though it is pertinent to note that a range of other factors could also influence this figure).

c)         Permanent installation of ‘footfall’ counters in the Buttermarket to ascertain Wednesday and Saturday figures in comparison to other trading days.  This will assist in illustrating the contribution that the presence of the Retail Market will have on footfall there.

d)         Assessment of feedback to monthly ‘Monitoring Panel’ from shops/organisations/residents in vicinity of the Market.

e)         Questionnaire to shops at ‘d’ above in January 2010 requesting specific feedback on their individual footfall and turnover etc.

f)          Monitoring of Car Park occupancy in the vicinity of Commercial Street.

g)         Public consultation exercise planned for December 2009.

h)         Submission to Cabinet Member in Spring 2010 of the Retail Impact Study containing information in a. to f. above.

 

1.1.2   An appraisal of the projected financial turnover from the market stalls themselves cannot be accurately obtained.  However in the creation of the Retail Market, avoidance of duplication with shops has been considered where possible. If there is duplication then there is at least a 10 metre distance between the shop and the stall. The Market should increase shopper footfall so theoretically more money to go around.  Hopefully the shop retail offer can reciprocate support to the Market.  It is impossible to quantify the amount of spend diverted from shops, but it is envisaged footfall increasing in the area, thus benefiting retail outlets.  This has been seen at other locations around the Country e.g. at Nuneaton and Middleton.

 

 

Question from Councillor AT Oliver to the Cabinet Member Corporate & Customer Services & Human Resources

 

1.2       What was the total cost of salaries paid by the Council in the year to 31 March 2009, and what was the total number of employees at that date (non-school and schools)?  Please break down the information between each of the Council’s directorates.

 

1.2.1   What was the combined total cost of all basic salaries paid to the former Chief Executive and Directors of the Council in the twelve months prior to the appointment of the current Chief Executive, Chris Bull?

 

1.2.2   What is the total cost of the Herefordshire Connects Programme from its inception to 31 March 2009, broken down between items charged to capital and revenue costs?

 

1.2.3   What emergency planning is in place if we were to have a major outbreak of Swine Flu in the winter months and how might our schools and Council departments be affected?

 

 

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

 

1.2       The total cost of salaries by directorate:

 

           

Number of Employees	Directorate	Total Pay £
383	Adult Social Care	6,411,200.78
9	Chief Executive	676,086.78
3,897	Children and Young People	69,226,169.49
251	Deputy Chief Executive	5,162,019.23
59	Assistant Chief Executive Human Resources	980,462.82
65	Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic	1,451,984.03
417	Environment and Culture	7,547,626.03
246	Regeneration	5,329,657.90
244	Resources	4,572,077.74
Total		101,357,284.80

 

 

1.2.1   The combined total cost of salaries for Chief Executive and Directors for 2006/07: £679,651.50

 

 

Answer from Councillor PD Price Cabinet Member ICT Education and Achievement

 

 

1.2.2   The information is being collated and will be provided to Councillor Oliver shortly.

 

 

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

 

 

1.2.3       The Joint Emergency Planning Unit have a detailed plan in support of individual service plans to deal with any Swine Flu outbreak.  It is impossible to predict the implications on schools or other Council services with any certainty.  The plans will ensure that the critical services are prioritised and that the well being and safety of Herefordshire residents is paramount.  We will of course follow current and future guidance issued by Central Government and Associated Agents.

 

 Question from Councillor JD Woodward to the Cabinet Member Highways and Transportation

 

 

2.1       The Flood Recorder on the River Wye is not working and has not done so for approximately 6 months. It was the responsibility of the Environment Agency but now is the responsibility of Herefordshire Council.  It is a vital piece of equipment for the residents especially in Greyfriars Ave and Wye Terrace in the protection of their properties, when can we expect it to be in full working order.

 

 

Answer from Councillor DB Wilcox Cabinet Member Highways and Transportations

 

2.1       Although historically this service was the only source of information available, the gauge to which Councillor Woodward refers is now of limited use as it only tells those who call it the current river level at the Old Wye Bridge, Hereford. In addition it has frequently been unobtainable to many callers during times of flood given its low call capacity.

 

The Council recommends that local residents use the Environment Agency’s Flood line which provides information on both current and predicted levels and the timing of the peak flood; this information is of far greater value to all in their response to flood.

 

A flood warning service is also available, through the Flood line (Tel: 0845 9881188 or via the link on the Council’s website). Through this service residents will receive flood warnings, which are accurate and should be regarded as a trigger for action.

 

 

Question from Councillor MD Lloyd-Hayes to the Cabinet Member Resources

 

3.1       The Auctioneers on the Cattle Market entered into a 25 year agreement to operate on the new proposed cattle market site.  In which year was this agreement made and signed?

 

 

Answer from Councillor H Bramer Cabinet Member Resources

 

3.1       The decision to authorise the then Head of Property Services to conclude terms with the Hereford Market Auctioneers was taken on the 23April 2003 and, following negotiations, the agreement was completed on 28 April 2004.