To receive a report from the leader on the activities of the executive (cabinet) since the meeting of Council on 8 March 2019.

Council received a report from Leader setting out the work of the cabinet since the previous meeting of Council on 8 March. The Leader introduced his report and updated the meeting on a forthcoming decision which would be taken by the cabinet member for infrastructure and transport on the future of large infrastructure schemes in Herefordshire. It was recognised that transport infrastructure in Herefordshire elicited strongly held views and since the elections the cabinet had been reflecting on the schemes currently in progress. An update on a meeting with Jesse Norman MP was provided which included discussions on care, children and roads. The Leader outlined a change to the cabinet portfolios and explained that governance arrangements were being reviewed to look at methods of ensuring that new councillors would have a greater awareness of developments at the council.

The Leader was asked the following questions:

·         It was asked what the true cost of cancelling the bypass would be to Herefordshire. The Leader replied to explain that he was mindful of the expense incurred to date. It was important that costs also take account of impacts on the environment and employment.

·         The importance of the Leader’s report containing all the detail to be discussed at a meeting was emphasised. The Leader explained that the new administration had been elected on a commitment to be more open and would be more outward looking.

·         The number of local partners whom the Leader had met was queried and whether he had met the leaders of Powys, Shropshire or Telford Council and the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership. The Leader explained that he had not met those individuals but would do so in due course.

·         It was queried whether the chief executive’s objectives could include a priority to achieve high levels of staff and customer satisfaction. The Leader confirmed that the inclusion would be investigated.

·         The Leader was asked whether the location of his place of residence and its proximity to the red route of the Western bypass meant he should report himself to the standards board. The redaction of the Leader’s address from his register of interests was queried. The solicitor to the council explained that the redaction of personal interests on the register of interests form was permitted if there were sensitive circumstances but that did not mean that a member did not hold the interest.

·         The importance of Herefordshire Council retaining its independence and being able to provide services in the future was raised. The Leader was asked to ensure that any alternative to the bypass would have the same beneficial economic impact as the proposal in the current core strategy. The Leader confirmed that this was a factor that needed to be considered in the debate over the future of infrastructure in the county.

·         The Leader was asked how members would be involved in shaping the future governance arrangements at the Council. The Leader confirmed that options on how to proceed with reviews of potential future governance arrangements were being considered including moving from a cabinet to a committee system. The solicitor to the council confirmed that all members, through full Council, would determine the constitution of the Council.

·         The Leader was asked if he had a plan to address the health impacts of lorry movements in Hereford. The Leader explained that a balancing act of issues concerning traffic and congestion was required.

·         The Leader was asked whether a decision concerning the future of infrastructure in the county was of such significance to require a decision by full Council rather than cabinet. The Leader confirmed that there would be a decision by the cabinet member infrastructure and transport in the next two weeks and if a decision was required of Council this would take place.

·         The Leader was asked if the Cabinet would consider the problem of congestion and pollution on the A44 through Leominster and the continuing safety issues on the A49 between Hereford and the Shropshire border. Further he was asked if Cabinet would maintain meetings between local councillors and Highways England. The Leader confirmed that a response would be provided following the meeting.     

·         Investment on the Western bypass was part of a scheme to reduce lorry movements from Hereford. If this scheme did not go ahead it was likely that the current level of lorry movements would persist for a further 20 years. The Leader explained that the passion evinced by the member was evidence of the division of opinion on the subject of the Western bypass.

·         It was important that members consider future infrastructure projects without bias and emotion. The Leader agreed that it was important to assess the future of infrastructure on the basis of factual detail.

·         It was questioned whether an evening meeting of cabinet, the date and venue of which were not known, was evidence of a lack of transparency. The solicitor to the council confirmed that the next meeting of cabinet on 25 July would be held in the evening at Shire Hall.

RESOLVED: That the Leader’s report is noted.

There was a brief adjournment at 11.49 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 12.01 p.m.