To receive any written questions.

Question from Councillor Mrs. C.J. Davis

"Can the Leader please let us know what progress has been made towards holding a public meeting in Ross with the appropriate officers plus representatives from Welsh Water to discuss openly the Tanyard Lane proposals and the effect these will have on the existing sewage/water courses within the town?"

Councillor Phillips, the Leader of the Council, advised thata public meeting had been arranged for Monday, 22nd November commencing at 7.30 p.m. at John Kyrle High School, Ross-on-Wye.  Planning officers would be in attendance and  representatives of the developers and of Welsh Water had been invited.  At the meeting the Welsh Water representatives would be able to advise on the sewerage implications of the Tanyard Lane proposals.  He said that he had also extended an invitation to the meeting to former Councillor Mrs. Joyce Thomas.

In response to a further query Councillor Phillips agreed that local members should be informed of matters affecting their wards before the press or local town or parish councils.

Question from Councillor W.J. Walling relating to the road works at the junction of Folly Lane/Ledbury Road.

"The Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) will be only too aware of the considerable public concern – not to say anger – that has been generated by the delays that appear to have occurred in the progress of these works.  Is he in a position to say why the works have taken so long and is it possible for him to give Council some indications as to when the works might finally be completed?"

Councillor Wilson, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) thanked Councillor Walling for his question and took the opportunity to thank residents not just of Folly Lane and Ledbury Road but also those living near other extensive road works at Newtown Crossroads and Aylestone Hill for their patience while road works were being carried out. 

He advised that the signals became operational on Tuesday, 9th November and seemed to be working very well.  Some minor remedial works were being completed on the footways.

It had been hoped that the works could be undertaken during the summer months for completion before the start of the school term.  Unfortunately, during the detailed design it became apparent that the site was packed with underground services that would hamper construction and required careful layout of the new signal equipment.  Before any work could start on the project it had to undergo a thorough Health and Safety evaluation, and this highlighted the need for some additional preparatory design work before the start on site.

Delays in completion could be attributed to several factors, including intervention by Transco who required the scheme to make allowance for insertion of a new gas main.  By adding a duct to take a proposed new main, possible future disruption has been avoided. Delays were compounded by some relatively poor co-ordination of resurfacing, anti-skid treatment, white lining and the weather.  Completion was further delayed by non-delivery of some vital electronic units.  This necessitated a further delay to allow co-ordination of site works between the signal company and Central Networks for connection of the signals to the power supply.

He said that the implementation of this scheme illustrated the vital importance of effective partnership working between the Council, designers, contractors and suppliers to ensure that work was efficiently programmed and delivered. That process is still developing in Herefordshire but has already produced successful results on schemes such as the Bridge Sollers replacement and the new culvert in Greytree Road, Ross-on-Wye.  Similarly, the Roman Road Improvement scheme is progressing very well. Lessons learnt from the Ledbury Road scheme will be applied in the management of future projects of this type.

Councillor Walling thanked Councillor Wilson for his detailed answer and agreed that the lights appeared to be working reasonably well.  He expressed concern for a number of residents in the area who were now experiencing problems accessing their driveways.

Question from Councillor W.L.S. Bowen

"Is it true that Herefordshire Council could put a person on the moon more quickly than the time it takes to install a necessary speed limit in one of our villages?  Has the process of creating a sensible speed limit been speeded up?"

Councillor Wilson said that he understood thatthe time required to implement new village speed limits was often a source of concern to local communities who understandably wished to see rapid progress once the implementation process had started.

He stated that any new Order could take at least 12 months from the start of specific site investigation to implementation, allowing for the necessary periods for consultation and public notice.  He recognised that many Orders take far longer than this and has been working on addressing this matter since taking up his portfolio.  One of the significant factors was that some Parish Councils and even Local Members do not reply to consultation correspondence delaying the process and creating the additional workload of sending out reminders.

He reminded Members that he had written to them earlier in the year when he had agreed to a minor revision of the Council's policy on Speed Limits which would have the effect of allowing more comprehensive treatment of minor side roads without significant additional investigation and assessment.  The Director of the Environment is working closely with the County Secretary and Solicitor to review the procedures for processing the details of individual Traffic Orders.  Councillor Wilson said that he was monitoring this review and was confident that delivery of new Speed Limits, once agreed, would improve.

Councillor Bowen said he would look forward to seeing an improvement in the process.

Question from Councillor W.L.S. Bowen

"Can I, and all those affected, be assured that all necessary pieces of equipment, and suitable spaces and accesses will be put in place for all disabled and disadvantaged users of the new swimming pool in Leominster and the existing Hereford pool?

May I point out that the statutory minimum does not supply a satisfactory solution to this problem.

Has full and proper discussion taken place with disability groups?

Has a proper response and notice been given to their needs?"

Councillor Hyde, Cabinet Member Economic Development, Markets and Property replied as follows:

North Herefordshire Swimming Pool - the new building complies fully with Part M of the Building Regulations that deals with access to and use of buildings by disabled people.  This is achieved by ramps, disabled toilets and a lift to the main pool.  There are, however, some disabled groups with specific needs that are not covered by the Regulations.  Discussions are on-going with a number of organisations to see how these requirements can be met.  He reminded Council that when a decision had been made on the financing of a new pool it was clear that the Council would provide funding for the basic pool and that it would be up to the local people to raise money for any additional features.  He congratulated those who had raised a considerable amount of money towards the project.

Hereford Swimming Pool - He advised that when the pool had been built it adequately met the requirements at the time.  However, the first phase of upgrading the premises to meet the new Regulations would be undertaken early in 2005.  This would involve re-designing the changing rooms and making improvements to the access ramp.  Additional works would then be undertaken in 2006.  He said the intention would be to fully comply with the regulations.  Liaison with all access groups was ongoing and their views would be taken into consideration when decisions were made.  He reminded Council of the clear commitment across Herefordshire to ensure those in need or disadvantaged were looked after and this was reflected in the Council.

Councillor Bowen said he took some comfort from Councillor Hyde's answer but had some concerns about the changing facilities not just complying with the statutory requirements, but also addressing the true issues of accessibility.

Question from Councillor T.M. James

"Could the Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) inform Members of this Council of the cost of the recent introduction of a new traffic light system in Ledbury Road and what level of accidents and serious injury necessitated such expenditure?"

Councillor Wilson, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) replied that the new traffic signal installation at the Ledbury Road/Folly Lane junction had an estimated cost of approximately £160,000. 

He reminded Councillor James that the scheme was inherited from the previous administration and was requested by Councillor Mrs. Lloyd-Hayes and by the late Councillor Mrs. Ann Carter, the local Members in that administration.  The scheme has been implemented to improve facilities for pedestrians under the Safer Route to Schools project and did not form part of the Council's Casualty Reduction programme of works.  He stated that the average cost of a personal injury accident is currently estimated to be £80,090 and in the last five years, there has been one recorded serious injury accident at the Ledbury Road/Folly Lane junction.

Councillor James stated that the request from Local Members was for a mini roundabout or road straightening scheme and asked whether a controlled pedestrian crossing would have been a better solution.  He said that the lights had caused traffic queues both into and out of the City causing damage to the environment and hoped they would work efficiently.

Councillor Wilson said that the lights had been in operation for only three days and appeared to be working satisfactorily.  He acknowledged that there had been queues when the temporary traffic lights were operating but that these would never have been expected to work as efficiently as permanent ones.

Question from Councillor Mrs. M.D. Lloyd-Hayes

"Is it true that the Drugs Intervention Program has been awarded £110,000 and has chosen to recruit one manager and two co-ordinators whose task is to ensure that offenders remain engaged in programmes as a result of their offending?"

Councillor Phillips, the Leader of the Council agreed that£110,000 grant had been awarded for 2004-05 for through care and after care - Drugs Intervention programme - there had been no official announcement from the National Treatment Agency, Government Office for the West Midlands, but it was likely that the funding would continue for the next two financial years.

He advised that the Co-ordinator has already been appointed and two further staff were to be recruited this week.

Councillor Phillips agreed to write to Councillor Mrs. Lloyd-Hayes in response to a further query about withdrawal of match-funding.