To receive any written questions.

Councillor R.I. Mathews asked:

A sale of Library books held at the Shirehall on Saturday, 4th October, 2003, raised the sum of £2,231 and the staff costs for preparing and managing the sale was £900.  Do you agree with me that this is not a very efficient way of disposing of these books and in particular could you look at ways of reducing staff costs which I think were excessive?

Councillor Stockton replied thatthe income on the day was £2,321.20.  The total staff time required to prepare, manage and clear away the sale was 85 hours, with an equivalent cost of approximately £900.  40 hours were normal weekday working; 33 hours as time in lieu and 12 hours additional payment.  The library service did not incur any additional costs for the use of the Shirehall.

He advised that the Library Operations Manager had been looking at the viability of book sales of this kind.  There had not been any previous analysis to compare income generated with costs but it was estimated that 35% of staff time would have been required to sell this volume of stock by other means.  This suggested a net profit of at least £1,700.

Councillor P.J. Dauncey asked the Cabinet Member (Community and Social Development):

Can you tell us how Council is monitoring the performance of outside contractors, particularly HALO?

Councillor Stockton replied that the question had implications across the authority and he could only reply specifically in relation to HALO.  He agreed to liaise with the other Cabinet Members and arrange for written responses to be given where appropriate.  He advised that there were a number of arrangements with HALO.  The Council was represented by two Members on the Board.  There was an annual funding agreement which was monitored regularly by senior officers within Policy and Community Directorate and the County Treasurer's Department.  This process was currently considering the position for 2004/2005.  Discussions were also taking place on the five year Business Strategy which would be presented to Cabinet later this year.  Day to day monitoring takes place between client officers within Parks and Countryside and HALO.  In addition, and to aid communication, there are monthly meetings between the Director of Policy and Community and Chief Executive of HALO.  HALO is also required to report annually to the Social and Economic Development Scrutiny Committee.  This was due at the next meeting on 27th November, 2003.

In response to a further question from Councillor Dauncey, Councillor Stockton gave his assurance that he would look into HALO's operations in Bromyard and in particular whether they were acting outside their terms of reference.

Councillor R.M. Manning asked, with reference to the Newtown Crossroads (Junction A4103 and A417), Yarkhill, Frome Ward:

In view of the increasing number of accidents at the Newtown Crossroads, will the Council now give due consideration to the priorities of road safety and install traffic lights at this notorious black spot?

Councillor R.M. Wilson, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) responded by saying that Herefordshire Council worked hard to ensure its roads were safe.  Newtown Crossroads had been identified as an area of concern and a number of low cost measures had been introduced which had led to a drop in the number of accidents and up to the end of 2002 had a record good enough to not warrant further action.  Unfortunately, this figure had risen over the last two years and the junction has been investigated again with a view to taking further measures.  As part of this process a public meeting was held at which various options, including traffic signals, were discussed.  At the meeting it was apparent that whilst signals had significant local support, there was also a section of the local community opposed to them.  Technical investigations have continued, looking both at how to improve the acceptability of a traffic signal scheme and at alternative options.  This work is expected to be completed by early December, when the results will be discussed with Councillor Manning as the local Member and the police before being presented to the local community.  Subject to the outcome of these discussions and the availability of funding, works could be carried out early in the new financial year.  Councillor Wilson advised motorists to approach the crossroads with care and observe the restrictions in force. 

Councillor Manning asked if, as the ducting was already in place, traffic lights would be the cheapest option.  Councillor Wilson agreed that the ducting was in place but that he could only advise on the cheapest option once all other options had been investigated.

Councillor Mrs. M.D. Lloyd Hayes asked the following questions on the River Wye Litigation.

What is the figure to date of fees paid to Learned Counsel for representing Herefordshire Council with regard to the River Wye Litigation?

The exempt report at the Cabinet Meeting on 23rd October, 2003 was not circulated to Herefordshire Councillors representing the City.  Will the precise terms of the advice given by Learned Counsel be made available to those Councillors on an exempt information basis?

As the custodian of the Ancient Royal Charters, does Herefordshire Council accept that it has a legal and moral duty to protect the fishing and other rights in favour of the inhabitants of the City?

Will the Council act by whatever means necessary to protect such rights for the benefit of the community?

The Chairman reminded Council that it had inherited a number of High Court actions relating to the navigation, mooring and fishing rights associated with the River Wye.  Consideration of these matters involved the disclosure of advice on the strengths (or otherwise) of the position of the respective parties and had quite properly been taken in confidential session.  Subject to observation of confidentiality, Members had had the opportunity to attend those meetings.

He advised that the matters raised in the four questions asked by Councillor Mrs. Lloyd-Hayes required the disclosure of exempt confidential information to be answered properly.  This meant that the Council would have to agree to move into confidential session.  Having given consideration to the merits of such a step and the information which is already available to members of the Council he ruled, under Standing Order 4.25.4, that the subsequent circulation of the answer to Councillor Mrs. Lloyd-Hayes would constitute a sufficient reply to her questions.  He reminded Councillor Mrs. Lloyd-Hayes that that answer would itself be subject to the normal rules on confidential items and reports.

Councillor Mrs. Lloyd-Hayes asked for, and received, an assurance that the inhabitants of the City would be well represented.

Councillor A.C.R. Chappell asked the following question about  the siting of the new market.

It is some months now since the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Markets and Property announced that the Hospital Farm site near Burghill was no longer an option for the siting of any new market development.  At the time he announced that he would examine all possible alternatives.  Can the Cabinet Member now tell me:

1.         With whom did he consult before he made the decision to abandon the Hospital Farm site as a possible option for the market?

2.         How many other sites have been examined as possible alternatives since he made that decision?

3.         What are the conclusions that he has made regarding the sites that have already been examined as possible alternatives?

4.         When does he intend to announce the alternative to the Hospital Farm site?

5.         Before he makes an announcement about the proposed new site for the market, with whom will he consult and will the result of those consultations be made public?

Councillor Hyde replied           

1.         Local inhabitants within a ½ mile radius, and Local Councillor Mrs. Robertson.

2.         No other sites have been examined.

3.         As no other sites have been examined this question is not applicable.

4.         I will announce an alternative when a site has been identified and appropriate consultation taken place.

5.         Yes, the result of any consultations will be made public.