To seek the views of the forum on local and national school funding issues,
including the recommendations of the budget working group (BWG) on the
following matters:
*Spotlight Consultations
*De-delegation proposals
*Draft school budget consultation paper
*SEN Protection scheme funding

To carry out a review of all small land parcels with a recommendation to retain or dispose of the asset.

To update the committee on the SEND Action Plan

To Spend the accepted Changing Places Grant Funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

To report progress on 2022/23 audit of the statutory accounts.

To agree to proceed to procurement through the council’s procurement portal to appoint up to two business start-up providers. Providers will provide advice, guidance, training and mentoring to entrepreneurs as part of Herefordshire’s UKSPF Investment Plan – Measure E24: Training hubs, business support offers, incubators & accelerators. This contract is for F/Ys 23/24 & 24/25.

This commission relates to a package of business support to be delivered under E24: Training hubs, business support offers, incubators & accelerators in financial years 23/24 & 24/25 of the UKSPF Investment Plan, in particular supporting entrepreneurs to become enterprise ready and for 25% of those receiving support, to then go on to start up a business.

• Herefordshire College of Arts (HCA) currently occupy these premises under a lease that has expired.
• Terms have been agreed for a further lease of one year whilst the renewal lease of the main campus is negotiated.

• Herefordshire College of Arts (HCA) currently occupy these premises under a lease that has expired.
• Terms have been agreed for a further lease of one year whilst the renewal lease of the main campus is negotiated.

These works are part of the Capital Building Improvement Programme 2022/25

The required improvement works have been assessed and prioritised based upon select criteria which covers health and safety, operational need, impact and lifecycle and value.

1. The unit is currently vacant. It was planned to be used as part of the library project and as such is available on a short term basis.
2. The tenant’s wishes to take a lease of the property.
3. The Shopping centre comprises multiple retail units, some of which have been vacant for some time and it is important that occupation levels are maximized so that the holding costs incurred by the Council are mitigated.
4. The Council’s external agent for the centre Wright Silverwood has recommended the action.
5. The Terms agreed leave the Tenant responsible for payment of the rent, landlord Service Charge, business rates, insurance, utilities and internal repairs.

• LTC propose to carry out refurbishment of their public toilets which are situated in the Central Area car park which is owned by Herefordshire Council.
• During the period of the work they require a storage and parking area in which to set up their works compound and ensure the safety of users of the car park
• The parking manager has been consulted and has no objection to use of part of the car park in the immediate vicinity for this purpose
• Terms for a 3 month licence to occupy have been agreed with LTC providing for the council to be compensated for loss of parking income and payment of the council’s fees in the matter
• LTC to be responsible for carrying out appropriate prior consultation with the local community, managing the altered traffic flows around the car park during the works and to provide appropriate signage, markings and personnel to ensure minimal disruption to users is caused
• Safe access to users of the car park to the parking machine adjacent to the toilets to be maintained at all times
• LTC to be responsible for full reinstatement of any damage caused as a result of use of the car park

• The land comprises a small plot of land (less than 2m²) forming part of the Staddlestones Circle public open space at Poppy Walk Hereford which is owned by the council.
• The Environment Agency (EA) have requested that the council grant them a lease permitting them to install a monitoring station on the land to enable them to monitor air quality in the vicinity.
• The monitoring station will form part of the national network aimed at gathering data to assess compliance with The Environmental Targets (Fine Particulate Matter) (England) Regulations 2023.
• The grant of a lease constitutes a disposal of public open space and will be advertised in the local press in line with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1972
• Terms for a lease have been provisionally agreed providing for the payment of an annual rent for the land and on the basis that the EA will pay the council’s legal and advertising costs to a maximum of £1,000.

It is anticipated that reopening the Framework will attract new Providers which will continue to support the development of a portfolio of good quality and safe accommodation for Care Leavers and 16 and 17 year old Children in Care within Herefordshire.

The Framework will continue to complement commissioned accommodation and support services for care experienced young people and support the vision and principles of the looked after children and complex needs Placement Sufficiency strategy 2024 - 2029. The placements will be led by the needs of the young people to achieve positive outcomes.

An enhanced local offer of appropriate accommodation will allow vulnerable young people to remain close to their local connections and ensure they receive the support and opportunities to successfully transition into adulthood, whilst providing a cost effective service in county. The Framework focuses on Providers able to offer services in Herefordshire to support young people’s continued contact with social and family networks and community participation.

This report presents a brief review of the launch of the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy event which took place on 12 July 2023

For the Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) to consider the revised terms of reference at appendix 1 and provide comments before recommending the changes to Council.

To update the Scrutiny Committee on the Families Commission report

This report presents information for the committee to consider regarding the factors contributing to the pollution of rivers and watercourses and a summary of the council’s duties and powers to address river pollution.

There is currently a significant shortage of directly employed Occupational Therapists at Herefordshire Council, which has contributed to a substantial backlog of statutory OT assessments.

Currently there are 508 outstanding OT assessments within the council and in order to reduce some of the backlog, NRS has confirmed it can complete approximately 200 OT assessments in six months from 29 August 2023 to 28 February 2024.

Failure to undertake assessments within a reasonable time would mean Herefordshire Council is not meeting its statutory obligations under the Care Act 2014, therefore this solution ensures the council’s responsibilities are fully met.

NRS currently delivers the council’s Integrated Community Equipment Service and has a proven track record of prevention and helping to keep individuals healthy within our communities, which supports the Herefordshire Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023 – 2033.

The additional OT assessments will not affect NRS’ current contract delivery / obligations and is permitted within the ICES contract.

1. The current lease is contracted inside the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 meaning that since their lease expired on 7th October 2022 they have been holding over on the previous lease terms.
2. The tenant’s wishes to take a new lease of the property on re-negotiated terms.
3. The Shopping centre comprises multiple retail units, some of which have been vacant for some time and it is important that occupation levels are maximized so that the holding costs incurred by the Council are mitigated.
4. The Council’s external agent for the centre Wright Silverwood has recommended the action.
5. The Terms agreed leave the Tenant responsible for payment of the rent, landlord Service Charge, business rates, insurance, utilities and internal repairs.

This industrial unit is to be held within the council property investment portfolio to provide revenue to support delivery of council services.
The unit is to be let at open market terms to provide rental income and reduce the council’s property holding costs in terms of Business rates and maintenance

To prosecute one defendant for failing to secure the attendance of a compulsory school age registered child from the dates of 1st November 2022 to 28th March 2023, contrary to Section 444(1) of the Education Act 1996 using the Single Justice Procedure.

To grant an explosives licence to Tesco, Ledbury, in accordance with The Explosives Regulations 2014 along with any relevant guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for 2 years – Expiry 31st August 2025.

To grant an explosives licence to Tesco, Abbotsmead Road, Hereford, in accordance with The Explosives Regulations 2014 along with any relevant guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for 2 years – Expiry 31st August 2025

To grant an explosives licence to Gwalia Stores, Broad Street, Ross On Wye, Herefordshire, in accordance with The Explosives Regulations 2014 along with any relevant guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for 5 years – Expiry 31st August 2028.