To consider Notices of Motion.

Council debated the motions contained in the report by the Director of Governance and Law.

Motion - Protecting Community Safety in Herefordshire - Opposing Cuts to PCSO Hours

Councillor Owens proposed and introduced the motion.

Councillor Tillett seconded the motion.

Council debated the motion. The motion with alterations (to include mention of the Chief Constable in the motion) was agreed by the proposer of the motion.

The motion was put to the recorded vote and was carried by a simple majority.

FOR (44): Councillors Andrews, Baker, Bartlett, Biggs, Boulter, Carwardine, Cole, Cornthwaite, Clare Davies, Dave Davies, Durkin, Engel, Fagan, Foxton, Gandy, Gennard, Hamblin, Harvey, Heathfield, Hitchiner, Hurcomb, James, Lester, Mason, O’Driscoll, Oliver, Owens, Peberdy, Phillips, Dan Powell, Ivan Powell, Price, Proctor, Simmons, Spencer, Stark, Stoddart, Taylor, Thomas, Tillett, Toynbee, Tully, Rob Williams, and Woodall.

AGAINST (0)

ABSTENTIONS (0)

RESOLVED:

Council resolves:

1. Formally oppose the decision of the Chief Constable and supported by the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner to limit PCSO evening working hours across Herefordshire.

2. Request the Chief Executive to write to the Chief Constable and supported by the Police and Crime Commissioner, urging a reversal of this decision in recognition of the significant impact it will have on community safety and the visibility of policing in Herefordshire.

3. Request the Leader of the Council to communicate the Council’s opposition to these proposed changes with both of Herefordshire’s MPs and encourage them to raise the issue in Parliament, and to call for increased support and funding for neighbourhood policing in rural counties such as ours.

Councillor Terry James left the meeting at 12:18 p.m.

Motion - Child Friendly Herefordshire

Councillor Fagan proposed and introduced the motion.

Councillor Proctor seconded the motion.

Council debated the motion. The motion with alterations (to include the word ‘all’ in the fourth bullet point) was agreed by the proposer of the motion.

The motion was put to the vote and was carried by a simple majority.

RESOLVED:

1.    To adopt a formal policy of Child Friendly Herefordshire, embedding the principle of putting children and young people’s safety and wellbeing at the heart of all decisions.

2.    To ensure children and young people have meaningful opportunities to shape decisions that affect them, both now and in the future.

3.    To ask the executive to work with partners across public services, schools, health, business, transport, community groups, and voluntary organisations to create a county-wide partnership for Child Friendly Herefordshire.

4.    To ask the Leader to report annually to Council on progress towards making Herefordshire a county where all children and young people thrive.

Motion - Improving access to employment, education and leisure for young people aged 16–19 through bus provision

Councillor Tully proposed and introduced the motion.

Councillor Engel seconded the motion.

Council debated the motion.

The motion was put to the recorded vote and was carried by a simple majority.

FOR (41): Baker, Bartlett, Biggs, Boulter, Carwardine, Cole, Cornthwaite, Clare Davies, Dave Davies, Durkin, Engel, Fagan, Foxton, Gandy, Gennard, Hamblin, Harvey, Heathfield, Hitchiner, Hurcomb, Lester, Mason, O’Driscoll, Oliver, Owens, Peberdy, Phillips, Dan Powell,  Ivan Powell, Price, Proctor, Simmons, Spencer, Stoddart, Taylor, Thomas, Tillett, Toynbee, Tully, Rob Williams, Woodall.

AGAINST (0)

ABSTENTIONS (2): Councillors Andrews, and Stark.

RESOLVED:

1. Support in principle the expansion of affordable, accessible bus travel for 16–19 year olds in Herefordshire to:

2. Request the executive prepare proposals for inclusion in the 2026/27 budget for: a. The provision of a pilot extension of the transport assistance scheme for 16-19yr olds in education to enable travel on evenings, weekends and holidays. This pilot would include evaluation of impact. b. Identification of potential funding sources, including BSIP revenue grant and the Local Transport Grant revenue allocation; anticipated savings in other service areas (e.g., Economy, Public Health); and bus operator partnership or sponsorship opportunities.

3. Request the Leader of the Council write to the Secretary of State for Transport, urging support for pilot schemes and action on the Transport Committee’s recommendation to explore national free or discounted travel for young people, alongside long-term, devolved funding for bus services.