To approve that Herefordshire Council become a Public Sector Member of The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership Limited.

Following a national review, the government has issued a directive that all Local Enterprise Partnerships should have a legal personality. The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) must incorporate as a company before any further local growth funding is released.

Herefordshire Council as a public sector body within the geographical area of the LEP has the right to become a Public Sector Member of the company. Doing so will confer the right to appoint a director to the board of the company to represent the council and participate in decision-making.

That:

a)    Herefordshire Council apply to become a Public Sector Member of The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership Limited;

b)    subject to approval of recommendation (a) above the leader of the council shall nominate the appointment of the public sector member; and

c)    the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership Limited be added to the council’s register of strategic partnerships and list of outside bodies to which the council makes appointments.

To make the How Caple, Sollers Hope and Yatton Group neighbourhood development plan as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire and approve the consequential updates to the countywide policies maps.

To fulfil the legal duty to make /adopt the How Caple, Sollers Hope and Yatton Group neighbourhood development plan and update the countywide policies map as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire. Council delegated authority for the making of the neighbourhood development plans, and consequential amendments to the countywide policies map, to the cabinet member infrastructure.

That:

(a)       The How Caple, Sollers Hope and Yatton Group neighbourhood development plan is made as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire; and

(b)  The required consequential changes are made to the countywide policies map.

To make the Pembridge neighbourhood development plan as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire and approve the consequential updates to the countywide policies maps.

To fulfil the legal duty to make /adopt the Pembridge neighbourhood development plan and update the countywide policies map as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire. Council delegated authority for the making of the neighbourhood development plans, and consequential amendments to the countywide policies map, to the cabinet member infrastructure.

That:

(a)   The Pembridge neighbourhood development plan is made as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire; and

(b)  The required consequential changes are made to the countywide policies map.

To make the Shobdon neighbourhood development plan as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire and approve the consequential updates to the countywide policies maps.

To fulfil the legal duty to make /adopt the Shobdon neighbourhood development plan and update the countywide policies map as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire. Council delegated authority for the making of the neighbourhood development plans, and consequential amendments to the countywide policies map, to the cabinet member infrastructure.

That:

(a)        The Shobdon neighbourhood development plan is made as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire; and

(b)        The required consequential changes are made to the countywide policies map.

To approve a direct award of a contract for accommodation based support for care leavers and other vulnerable young people for the period to 1 November 2020.

The accommodation based support service provides 30 units of accommodation for young people with moderate support needs. The service is currently provided by the supported housing for young people project (SHYPP), part of WM Housing Group. It supports care leavers and young people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

Plans to re-commission the service and regularise the contract position in 2018 were deferred, owing to multiple changes of national policy on supported housing, announced by the government. It is now clear that welfare spending on accommodation based services will not be transferred to the council but other changes to the way such services are funded are still being considered by the Government.

It is now proposed to award a contract to SHYPP (WM Housing) for the period ending 1 November 2020. This will help secure continuity of the service for vulnerable young people and provide for the preparation of an open procurement process in 2020. It will give an opportunity  for the council to work with the provider to strengthen and update the service. This will address the delivery model, referral arrangements, cost modelling and the demand and delivery model for Ross on Wye, to ensure the service is sustainable. It is proposed that the supported housing after care service (SHAC), operated by SHYPP for care leavers, which is currently funded separately by the council on a spot purchase basis should be incorporated into the new contract.

That:

(a)       a contract be awarded to WM Housing( SHYPP )for the accommodation based service for young people for a period of 31 months to 1 November 2020 with a maximum cost of £410k.

To make the Lea neighbourhood development plan as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire and approve the consequential updates to the countywide policies maps.

To fulfil the legal duty to make /adopt the Lea neighbourhood development plan and update the countywide policies map as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire. Council delegated authority for the making of the neighbourhood development plans, and consequential amendments to the countywide policies map, to the cabinet member infrastructure.

That:

(a)        The Lea neighbourhood development plan is made as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire; and

(b)        The required consequential changes are made to the countywide policies map.

To make the Ballingham, Bolstone and Hentland Group neighbourhood development plan as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire and approve the consequential updates to the countywide policies maps.

To fulfil the legal duty to make /adopt the Ballingham, Bolstone and Hentland Group neighbourhood development plan and update the countywide policies map as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire. Council delegated authority for the making of the neighbourhood development plans, and consequential amendments to the countywide policies map, to the cabinet member infrastructure

That:

(a)        The Ballingham, Bolstone and Hentland Group neighbourhood development plan is made as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire; and

(b)        The required consequential changes are made to the countywide policies map

To make the Leominster area neighbourhood development plan as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire and approve the consequential updates to the countywide policies maps.

To fulfil the legal duty to make /adopt the Leominster area neighbourhood development plan and update the countywide policies map as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire. Council delegated authority for the making of the neighbourhood development plans, and consequential amendments to the countywide policies map, to the cabinet member infrastructure.

That:

(a)        The Leominster area neighbourhood development plan is made as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire; and

(b)        The required consequential changes are made to the countywide policies map.

THAT:

(a)    subject to confirmation of the Marches LEP Board support for the new governance arrangements required by government agreement is given to:

·        the establishment of the Marches LEP as a private company limited by guarantee; and

·        the Marches Joint Executive Committee ceasing to operate with effect from 31 March 2019

To approve the Marches LEP Strategic Economic Plan 2019 for publication.

THAT:

(a)   the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership Strategic Economic Plan at Appendix 1 be approved; and

(b)   The LEP Director be authorised to make typographical and formatting changes to the document before publication.

To approve a Suicide Prevention Strategy for Herefordshire 2019 - 2023.

The strategy sets out the profile of suicide in Herefordshire and steps that can be taken to contribute to its prevention.  It is intended that partner organisations will each take action and also work collaboratively to reduce the number of suicides in Herefordshire.

The strategy builds upon national strategy, policy and guidance. It includes a shared vision and key priority areas.  The vision of the strategy is aligned to the national strategy in seeking to achieve a greater than 10% reduction in the number of suicides by 2021. This includes a zero suicide ambition for mental health inpatient services.  There are complexities in interpreting fact and figures in respect of suicide, but overall numbers and rates in Herefordshire are seen to be consistent with national trends.

Partners will be jointly responsible for the delivery of the strategy.  The Mental Health Partnership Board will oversee the development of an action plan, which partners will then be responsible for delivering. 

To approve the multi-agency Domestic Abuse Strategy for Herefordshire 2019-2022 and governance arrangements for implementation of the strategy.

Domestic abuse is a complex and pervasive issue which cannot be addressed fully by any single organisation. The overall purpose of the strategy is to provide direction to partner organisations on how they can work collaboratively to prevent, identify and respond to domestic abuse.

The strategy builds upon learning from the former 2014-2017 strategy adopted in 2014. It includes a shared vision, priorities and outcomes developed collaboratively with partner organisations and service users, updated national and local context and clarified governance arrangements to ensure delivery of the strategy.

The vision of the strategy is that domestic abuse is unacceptable to people and communities in Herefordshire.

There are four priorities under the shared vision:

·         Priority 1 – Prevention: The aim is that individuals and communities understand domestic abuse and the harm it causes and have the skills to build, and a culture that supports, healthy relationships.

·         Priority 2 – Provision of service: The aim is that when domestic abuse is disclosed, identified or reported, those affected by domestic abuse can access timely and effective information, advice and support.

·         Priority 3 – Partnership working: The aim is to work together across organisations in an efficient and effective way to prevent, and protect those experiencing, domestic abuse, ensuring that organisational barriers do not have impact on those affected by domestic abuse.

·         Priority 4 – Pursuing perpetrators: The aim is that the tools available are used effectively and consistently and those experiencing domestic abuse see the police and criminal and civil legal systems as working to protect them and their children.

The Community Safety Partnership (CSP) will be responsible for strategic delivery and leadership of the strategy. The CSP will task the multi-agency Domestic Abuse Delivery Group (DADG) to develop and deliver annual action plans to implement the strategy. The action plans will need to take account of plans, opportunities and resources available within each partner organisation. Successful delivery of the action plans, and subsequently the strategy, will depend on the continued commitment and engagement from partner organisations.

That:

(a)  the Multi-agency Domestic Abuse Strategy for Herefordshire 2019-2022 at appendix 1 be approved;

(b)  the response at paragraph 36 of the report to a recommendation made by the Adults and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee is agreed.

To confirm the annual plan 2019/20 for the public realm services contract with Balfour Beatty Living Places.

The annual plan has been formed by Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP) based on instruction by the council to ensure that it meets the council’s objectives for the public realm (highways and related services) within the assigned budgets. The service manager’s acceptance of the annual plan has ensured that the annual plan complies with the terms of the public realm services contract. Cabinet member approval of the plan provides final confirmation of this acceptance and in doing so ensures that the plan provides a sound basis for performance and contract management during the forthcoming financial year. The council has confirmed that the necessary contractual requirements have been complied with in regard to the annual plan.

That:

(a)  the annual plan for public realm services, as outlined at Appendix 1 of this report be approved as the basis for service delivery during 2019/20 with an overall budget of up to £21,321,300; and

(b)  the acting assistant director highways and transport be authorised to agree, through the contract governance arrangements, final adjustments to the programme and budget allocation to each of the annex and any in year adjustments to the plan.

The application was approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation with amended conditions.

The application was approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

To make the Burghill neighbourhood development plan as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire and approve the consequential updates to the countywide policies maps.

To fulfil the legal duty to make /adopt the Burghill neighbourhood development plan and update the countywide policies map as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire. Council delegated authority for the making of the neighbourhood development plans, and consequential amendments to the countywide policies map, to the cabinet member

That:

(a)       The Burghill neighbourhood development plan is made as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire; and

(b)       The required consequential changes are made to the countywide policies map.

That:

a)    LED lighting and advanced control systems be installed at Hereford Crematorium,  8 St. Owen Street, Museum Learning Resource Centre, Leominster MAO and enhanced lighting controls to be retro-fitted onto LED lighting at Blueschool House at a cost not more than £87,820;

b)    Boiler optimisation controls are installed at Blueschool House at a cost of no more than £1,850;

c)    A new condensing  gas boiler is installed at 8 St. Owen St at a cost of not more than £36,250;

d)    Replace the non-functioning heat exchanger at the Hereford Crematorium at a cost not more than £3,000 

e)    Solar PV systems are installed at Bromyard MAO and Leominster MAO, at a cost of not more than £80,000; and

f)     The Assistant Director for Regulation, Environment & Waste Services be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the above recommendations.

g)    The Assistant Director for Regulation, Environment & Waste Services to be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to allocate remaining SEPuBu programme funds  having regard to the recommendations of the SEPuBu Board, and in accordance with the criteria set out in the approved project application for the approved SEPuBu programme at appendix 1. The maximum project value is limited to £500,000.

To approve the conversion of the Council's remaining street lighting and public lighting to LED on an invest to save basis.

In 2018/19 approximately 180 lights were added to the council’s street lighting inventory from new highway adoptions and through the consolidation of all public lighting into the public realm service.

As these lights are additional to the initial LED street lighting project, this report seeks approval to utilise the underspend in the pre-approved capital budget for LED street lighting to convert the remaining public street lighting to LEDs on an invest to save basis at a cost of £81k.

That:

(a)       All remaining street lights and public lighting are upgraded to LEDs at a cost of no more than £81k; and

(b)       the energy & active travel manager be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the above recommendations within the approved budget, utilising the council’s public realm contractor.

To confirm the 2019/2020 programme of work within the approved funding allocation and spending the additional grant of £150k received in 2018/19.

On 15 February 2019 Council approved the revised capital programme. This included provision of £3.5m in 2019/2020 for the Hereford Transport Package. This report recommends approval to spend this budget in accordance with the feasibility case which supported the Hereford Transport Package capital bid and is contained in Appendix 1 of this report.

That:

(a)          the Director for Economy and Place is authorised to take all necessary steps to progress detailed design and consultation including commissioning external professional advisors to inform future decisions on the Hereford Transport Package to a maximum further cost of £3.65m to deliver:

Completion of detailed design of the bypass to a standard for a planning application in accordance with an agreed costed programme.

To make the Ocle Pychard neighbourhood development plan as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire and approve the consequential updates to the countywide policies maps.

To fulfil the legal duty to make /adopt the Ocle Pychard neighbourhood development plan and update the countywide policies map as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire. Council delegated authority for the making of the neighbourhood development plans, and consequential amendments to the countywide policies map, to the cabinet member infrastructure.

That:

(a)       The Ocle Pychard neighbourhood development plan is made as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire; and

(b)       The required consequential changes are made to the countywide policies map.

To make the Putley neighbourhood development plan as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire and approve the consequential updates to the countywide policies maps.

To fulfil the legal duty to make / adopt the Putley neighbourhood development plan and update the countywide policies map as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire. Council delegated authority for the making of the neighbourhood development plans, and consequential amendments to the countywide policies map, to the cabinet member infrastructure

That:

(a)       The Putley neighbourhood development plan is made as part of the statutory development plan for Herefordshire; and

(b)       The required consequential changes are made to the countywide policies map.

This report considers and approves capital expenditure on a number of enhancements to the council’s off street car parks in the county.

A maximum agreed budget for each piece of enhancement work, as outlined, will be considered and approved with operational decisions relating to the spending on each area delegated to the Assistant Director Technical Services.  

A number of active travel options have been considered and consulted on in 2014 and 2016. A robust appraisal process outlined in this report has been adopted to determine the schemes which should be included in the scheme business case. If these schemes are not progressed the objectives of the SWTP will not be met.

The South Wye Transport Package comprises the Southern Link Road and a complementary package of active travel measures. The South Wye Transport Package Options Refinement Report contained in Appendix 1 of this report describes the selection of this preferred package and outlines how a range of active travel measures has been considered, consulted upon publicly and refined according to feedback and technical appraisal of how well each of the schemes performed against package objectives. The report proposes which active travel elements should be included in business case for the scheme to ensure a robust case for funding can be made and confirms that other active travel measures will be considered for future delivery as other funding sources become available.

That:

(a)  the preferred package of active travel measures as outlined in the current Options Refinement Report (in Appendix 1) be considered and approved by the cabinet member for infrastructure for inclusion in the South Wye Transport Package full business case within a budget of £5.041m;

(b)  subject to confirmation of the statutory orders for the Southern Link Road,  authority is delegated to the director of economy and place following consultation with the Section 151 officer to submit the final full business case to the Department for Transport to draw down Growth Fund grant funding for the delivery of the South Wye Transport Package, comprising the Southern Link Road and the active travel measures approved under recommendation (a);

(c)  active travel measures not included in the appended Options Refinement Report preferred package be considered for future delivery as other funding sources become available through the annual plan process for the Public Realm.