Three Notices of Motion have been submitted for consideration by Council.

Notice of Motion One

Submitted by Councillor P Sinclair-Knipe.

In order to honour The Rifles Regiment for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan, I ask that Council formally adopts The Rifles as the County Regiment.  This in no way cuts across the Freedom that The Rifles have been granted by Hereford City Council and the Town Councils of Leominster and Ross-on-Wye.

This adoption does not give the Regiment any specific privileges, but it does recognise the sacrifices made by Herefordians serving with The Rifles and its predecessors going back to the Herefordshire Rifle Volunteers formed in 1861.

Notice of Motion Two

Submitted by Councillor AJM Blackshaw.

Mindful that we are a Christian society and respectful of all religions, we strongly deprecate the High Court Judgment on 10 February 2012 by Mr Justice Ouseley concerning prayers at Council meetings.

It is the intention of Herefordshire Council to continue with the practice of preceding the full Council agenda with prayers.  This Council earnestly requests the Prime Minister and all church leaders to support us in this action.

Notice of Motion Three

Submitted by Councillor RI Matthews.

This Council notes the concerns of many Council Members regarding the present trend of allocating ever-increasing powers and expenditure to Hereford Futures, which is a body run by an un-elected and unaccountable group of people.

This is also the view of a number of well-known and respected local businessmen, who are frequently querying the value of this organisation. 

This Council therefore moves that for greater accountability and transparency elected Members be more frequently appraised of Hereford Futures activities and access be provided to Company Minutes plus any other appropriate records as and when this is requested.

Notice of Motion One - Adoption of the Rifles as the County Regiment, proposed by Councillor Sinclair-Knipe and seconded by Councillor Seldon.  In presenting the Notice of Motion Councillor Sinclair-Knipe asked for the consent of Council as he wished to amend the Motion as follows, copies of which had already be circulated.

Amended Notice of Motion One:

In order to honour The Rifles for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan, I ask that Council formally adopts The Rifles as the County Regiment.  This in no way cuts across the Freedom that The Rifles have been granted by Hereford City Council and Leominster Town Council and offered by Ross-on-Wye Town Council.

This adoption does not give the Regiment any specific privileges, but it does recognise the sacrifices made by Herefordians serving with The Rifles and its predecessors going back to the Herefordshire Rifle Volunteers formed in 1861.

Councillor Sinclair-Knipe informed Council that the Rifles had been formed in 2007 as part of the reorganisation of the Army, which had included the Light Infantry, which was relevant to Herefordshire and associated with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.  He added the adoption was important as it recognised the sacrifices soldiers had made.  Councillor Seldon seconded the motion and stated that the adoption made a difference to the soldiers currently serving as their efforts were being recognised at home.  Council was reassured that the adoption would not cut across the other town councils.

The motion was put and a vote taken.  It was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED: That in recognition of the service of The Rifles in Iraq and AfghanistanThe Rifles be adopted as the County Regiment.

Notice of Motion Two:  Prayers at Council meetings proposed by Councillor Blackshaw - withdrawn as the matter had been dealt with under Minute Number 58 above.

Notice of Motion Three: Hereford Futures, proposed by Councillor Matthews, seconded by Councillor James, also signed by Councillors: Robertson, Seldon, Kenyon, Harvey and Chave.

In presenting the Notice of Motion Councillor Matthews referred to

·         the concerns of other Councillors regarding the powers and expenditure of Hereford Futures as an un-elected and unaccountable body. 

·         He stated he believed it was difficult to discover the exact work of Hereford Futures and welcomed clarity on the cost of the organisation and why funding for certain activities was made to Hereford Futures. 

·         Councillor Matthews believed the organisation needed to be seen to be working for local interests, as the old livestock market site was a valuable site. 

·         It was felt that outside consultants had too much influence and that non executive Members of the Council were being kept isolated and uninformed.

·         Councillor Matthews strongly urged all Members to support the Notice of Motion.

Other points raised included:

·         It was recognised that those appointed to Hereford Futures or Hereford Business Board gave their expertise freely, however Members were concerned about the setting up of arms length companies that did not appear to have any employees to deal with queries raised by residents, and who were referred to a London consultancy firm.

·         Reference was made to the Hereford localities meeting and that only ten ward Members had attended the meeting.

·         Reference was made by Councillor Bridges to his involvement on the county rail structure with Hereford Business Board, network rail and the Cabinet Member.  It was noted that the project had now been placed with Hereford Futures which excluded the voluntary sector and it was felt this decision did not show best value for money or best use of the local expertise available. 

·         Councillor Blackshaw assured Council that Councillor Bridges, as the lead Member on transport and rail, would be part of the sub group and would be able to work with the Head of Hereford Futures.

·         In referring to Hereford locality meetings it was stated that the membership was large and it was difficult to get all Members together to meet on a periodic basis.

·         It was felt that the Board of Hereford Futures had not had genuine communications with all 58 Councillors and there needed to be more openness, transparency and accountability.

·         Some Members stated they were unaware that property receipts were ring fenced to Hereford Futures and that although Members had met with the Hereford Futures board, Members still unaware of what was done by the organisation.  It was asked how many Herefordians were part of the organisation and involved with the decision making.  It was stated that no Hereford city ward Members had been involved.

·         The Cabinet Member Enterprise and Culture stated that all members of the Board of Hereford Futures lived in Hereford.  The money for the properties bought belonged to Hereford Council.  There had been opportunities for meetings with Hereford Futures where Members were afforded the occasion to question the Board. 

·         The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group stated that there was a need to bring back openness on what Council money and assets were being used for.

·         The Leader stated that there had been 67 occasions when Members could have been briefed by the Hereford Futures team.  Additionally the Cabinet Member and the Town Clerk had regular quarterly meetings with Hereford Futures.  He added that he was grateful for the work of the non-executive Members on the board.  With regard to the site he stated that the hoarding would be put up shortly to secure the site.  He stated that significant progress had been made with tenants and after the 29 March he would be in a position to provide Members with further information.  The Leader asked that Members respect the confidentiality of the information that would be made available on 29 March and stated that he did not support the motion.

·         It was stated that the locality meeting with city Councillors would be opened up to all locality members.

·         It was believed that the main issue was public perception as well as Members feeling they were not receiving the information they required.  It was felt this was an issue that affected the whole county, although Members not in city ward would not be invited to a Hereford localities meetings.  Should the motion be defeated it was hoped that the administration would take on board the concerns raised by the public and backbench Members.

The motion was put that: This Council notes the concerns of many Council Members regarding the present trend of allocating ever-increasing powers and expenditure to Hereford Futures, which is a body run by an un-elected and unaccountable group of people, the motion was defeated with 27 against, 23 for and 1 abstention.