To approve expenditure of £250k on the parish lengthsman grant scheme.

The Household Support Grant, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, was announced to support vulnerable households with the cost of living pressures between 06.10.21 and 31.03.22.

This announcement follows the Covid Winter Grant and Local Support Grant schemes ending on 30.09.21 that were used to purchase local supermarket vouchers for households in England where residents include:-
a. Pupils in receipt of free of school meals
b. Pre-school children in receipt of pupil premium
c. Disadvantage students in college settings

The Household Support Grant funding will continue this support for the October half term, Christmas break, February half term and Easter break at the equivalent of £40 per week for each eligible household, so £240 in total for around 3,900 households.

Currently there are approximately 6,000 residents in the County in receipt of universal credit whose income is below the Free School Meal and/or Free Prescription thresholds. It is proposed that the remaining funding allocation is used to provide a £60 grant to these individuals to help with their essential bills over the winter period. Eligible applicants will be invited to complete an online form that will be verified and a one off payment will be made.

At the Full Council meeting on 14 Feb 2020 a new dedicated climate reserve was established to resource and accelerate action to address the climate emergency.

Over one-third of Herefordshire’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are estimated to be from heating homes and other buildings, the development of a new building retrofit strategy and options appraisal to scope potential action plans is needed to decarbonise buildings across Herefordshire if we are to reach the county’s zero carbon target by 2030.

As the estimated value of the works necessary to do this is likely to exceed £300 million it is essential that Herefordshire seeks innovative new solutions and leverages external funding opportunities to deliver this enormous challenge and economic opportunity.

A fully compliant tender exercise in conjunction with the council’s commercial services team has taken place, from which WSP UK Ltd were the preferred supplier to undertake the work.

To consider an application under the Highways Act 1980, Section 119, to make a public path diversion order to divert part of Public Footpath LY2 (part) in the Parish of Llancillo.

The school has requested landlord’s consent to extend the outdoor dining area to enable more students to sit outside in a socially distanced manner.

This will involve extending the tarmac area and the installation of four large canopies and outdoor seating, bins and benches.

The area will also be used by the PE department for outdoor delivery and the school proposes to install a line of metal benching on the perimeter of the new yard which will overlook the sports field.

No useful sports field areas will be lost, the site is close to the buildings and too small to fit any pitches.

To consider a proposal under the Highways Act 1980, Section 119, to make two public path diversion orders to divert parts of Public Footpaths ZC85and ZC86 in the parish of Leominster.

The Council’s decision of 2 February 2021 approved cancelling the SWTP and HTP schemes and outlined costs associated with the de-capitalisation of the projects. This decision report can be viewed using the following link:

http://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/documents/s50086609/Hereford%20Transport%20Strategy.pdf

Included in the de-capitalisation costs were estimates of remaining project costs for both schemes based on knowledge at that time and an approved the revenue budget for these costs. The estimates comprised:

SWTP - £50k
• Gain share contractual payment associated with works completed financial year 2018/19 £40k
• Outstanding compensation payments to landowners £10k

HTP - £350k
• Gain share contractual payment associated with works completed during 2018/19 and 2019/20 prior to decision to pause scheme £200k
• Removal of boreholes £140k
• Final payment on Peer Assessment commission £10k

SWTP
The BBLP contractual payment and land compensation costs have come in under the estimated budget, which leaves £43,206.17 available for reallocation within the project. This will fund final contractual legal fees associated with land acquisition that were not included within the February report. These costs have totaled £44,060.13 which exceeds the remaining budget.

Updated final SWTP project costs comprise:
• BBLP contractual payment for final costs associated with concluding contractual matters and final account £6,151.83
• Compensation payments which relate to landowner legal fees associated with the CPO £406.00
• Internal recharge for Property Services fees for managing compensation payments associated with land acquisition (CPO & SRO) £236.00
• Sharpe Pritchard legal fees for works associated with land acquisition (CPO & SRO) £37,512.40
• Associated interest and court fees following legal action instigated by Sharpe Pritchard in June 2021 £3,731.77
• Internal recharge of legal fees for support to concluding the Sharpe Pritchard contract £2,815.96

The total value of these costs is £50,853.96 which exceeds the estimated revenue budget set out in the February council decision by £853.96.

HTP
The BBLP gainshare and the final peer assessment costs have come in under the estimated budgets. This leaves £49k available for reallocation which will fund a legal cost of £1k which was not included within the February report and the £1k SWTP overspend detailed above. The remaining underspend will be allocated to the borehole removal and any associated compensation budget element in the event that these costs exceed the estimate.

Updated project costs comprise:
• BBLP gainshare contractual payment for works completed in previous financial years and final account £155,512.59
• Removal of boreholes and compensation payments £15,020.70
• Final payment of costs for works associated with the Peer Assessment £2,079.88
• Legal invoice £1,000.00

These costs total £173,613.17 and have been paid from the project revenue budget approved within the February Council decision report.

The Hereford City Centre Transport Package (HCCTP) was developed as an integrated programme of schemes, which included a new transport hub at Hereford railway station.

Cabinet’s decision 22 July 2021 recognised that the remaining capital budget allocated to the HCCTP is now insufficient to complete the remaining undelivered projects (transport hub and public realm) in the programme without the allocation of additional funding. The decision authorised that the remaining HCCTP programme funding be allocated to the development of the transport hub project design and consultation.

Procurement of professional services is required to develop a design for the transport hub. Stakeholder engagement and technical consultation will be undertaken as part of the commission which will inform the design. Early engagement with Network Rail has taken place which will continue as part of the development of the design.

The procurement will be undertaken directly by the council through an open market tendering process in accordance with the council’s procurement rules. An Invitation to Tender (ITT) has been developed in conjunction with Corporate Services. Corporate Services will support the project team in executing the procurement process.

The Covid Winter Grant scheme was announced to help support vulnerable children and families during the winter months.

The scheme supported those most in need across England with the cost of food, energy and water bills and other associated costs.

The council administers the scheme and provides direct assistance to vulnerable households and families with children particularly affected by the pandemic.

This scheme was initially extended to 16th April 2021, then renamed Covid 19 Local Support Grant and extended to 20th June 2021 with a further final extension to 30 September 2021 increasing the grant award by £506,335 to a total since inception of £1,357,926.

The increase in funding will be used to purchase local supermarket vouchers for households in England where residents include:-
a. Pupils in receipt of free of school meals
b. Pre-school children in receipt of pupil premium
c. Disadvantage students in college settings
To cover the cost of the school summer holidays at £130 supermarket voucher per household. This decision will also enable household funds to be redirected to pay utility bills.

The tenant of the Edgar Street Football Club has previously sub-let the club gym to a third party

The previous sub-lease to the third party has expired and a new sub-lease has been agreed

Herefordshire Council’s approval to the new sub-lease as head landlord is required (but cannot be unreasonably withheld) and to ensure that sub-lease is in correct format.

To consider an application under the Highways Act 1980, Section 119, to make a public path diversion order to divert parts of Public Footpaths WA19 in the parish of Walford and RR11 in the Parish of Ross Rural.

To grant an explosives licence to The Balloon Display Co. & Party Shop in accordance with the Explosives Regulations 2014 for 1 year. Expiry 31st August 2022

To consider the comments from consultees and an objection received from one resident, in relation to the advertisement of the council’s proposal to introduce the following Traffic Regulation Order: (VARIOUS ROADS, WYSON) (30MPH SPEED LIMIT) ORDER 2021.

The extents of the proposed restrictions as advertised are shown on drawing 3409-101 in Appendix A.

To prosecute one defendant for failing to secure the attendance of a compulsory school age registered child from 21st May and 25th June 2021 contrary to S.444(1) of the Education Act 1996, using the Single Justice Procedure.

To prosecute a defendant for failing to secure the attendance of a compulsory school age registered child from 7th to 14th June 2021 contrary to Section 444(1) of the Education Act 1996, using the Single Justice Procedure.

To prosecute two defendants for fly tipping of waste under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

To prosecute 2 defendants for fly tipping of waste under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990

To prosecute 3 defendants for offences under Environmental Protection Act 1990, S.33 & S.34, and Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 Regulations 5,8,9

Due to the success of the extended Infection Control and Testing Fund in supporting care providers to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, this fund has been extended until 31 March 2022, with an extra £388 million of funding to support the care sector to put in place crucial measures over the winter period. This brings the total ring-fenced funding for infection prevention and control to almost £1.75 billion and support for testing to almost £523 million in care settings. The council’s allocation is (£1,671,681.00.)
The purpose of this fund is to support adult social care providers (including those with whom the local authority does not have a contract) to:
1.Reduce the rate of COVID-19 transmission within and between care settings through effective infection prevention and control practices and increase COVID-19 and flu vaccine uptake among staff
2.Conduct testing of staff and visitors in care settings to identify and isolate positive cases, and in order to enable close contact visiting where possible.

1 U71200, Ross Road Service Road, Whitchurch (TTRO21-795)
2 C1165 From B4220 To Strangwood Farm, Coddington (TTRO21-1010)
3 C1031 Spond Lane to Lyonshall, Lyonshall (TTRO21-925)
4 U75225, Dorstone Village Lane, Dorstone (TTRO21-762)
5 U91425, Bearwood Lane, Pembridge (TTRO21-766)
6 C1095 From Brinsop Court To Tillington Via Tillington Common, Tillington (TTRO21-1016)
7 U71603, Mesne Lane, Little Birch (TTRO21-775)
8 U65606 Gosty Lane, Bishops Frome (TTRO21-1005)
9 U94213 Hamnish Road Kimbolton Closure - OD (TTRO21-885)
10 U93009 Burton Mill, Lower Burton (TTRO21-915)
11 U93400 Lower Derndale
12 B4203, Sherford Street, Bromyard
13 B4234 from New House Farm Access, Walford (TTRO21-194)
14 C1192 Village Hall Preston-On-Wye To Brook At Owlswood House, Preston-On-Wye
15 C1098 From Lulham Cottage To Madley, Lulham Madley (TTRO21-1007)
16 Leominster remembrance day – 14 November 2021
17 Ledbury Remembrance Day – Sunday, 14 November 2021
18 C2097 From C1061 Junction To School Lane, Hampton Charles
19 Hereford Remembrance Day – Sunday, 14 November 2021
20 BB Resurfacing Works November 2021 (21-904)
21 TCO LM4
22 TCO CS8
23 95611369 - MANDOLIN, WELLINGTON, , HEREFORD, HR4 8AZ
24 U65005 Lockhill, Upper Sapey (TTRO21-916)
25 U72015, Lower Bullingham Lane, Lower Bullingham
26 C1027 Titley Station Road from B4355, Titley (TTRO21-908)
27 U72016, Watery Lane, Lower Bullingham TTRO21-1002
28 C1219 Nuthatch Cottage To Gwent Boundary, Walterstone TTRO21-1015
29 C1226 From A465 Belmont To Railway At Haywood Lodge, Belmont TTRO21-1011
30 A4110, Bewdley Bank, Bewdley Bank (TTRO21-1013)
31 B4203 from Burying Lane, Norton (TTRO21-910)
32 U92617, Overton Road, Orleton
33 U70604, Spine Road, Greytree
34 U70216, Barrel Lane, Longhope
35 U65009 Roxpole Lane, Thornbury TTRO21-1009
36 C1239 Coed Lank Farm Track To Castlefield Farm, Garway (TTRO21-1026)
37 C1235 From A466 Lyston House To Birch View Orcop Hill, Wormelow TTRO21-1029
38 s.38 - B713 Moreton on Lugg - Deed of Variation
39 B4348 From Cross Lodge To Poston Mill Park, Peterchurch TTRO21-1025
40 C1083 The Vernalls To Lower Bearwood, Bearwood (TTRO21-1004)
41 C1103 From Burghill to Crowmoor Lane, Burghill
42 C1049 Pateshall Lane, Kimbolton (TTRO21-1003)
43 C1238 Cluttin Road To The Old Rectory, Garway Hill (TTRO21-789)
44 C1162, Mathon Road, Colwall
45 U92020 Castle Street - Road Closure
46 U66617 Oak Drive - Road Closure
47 C1072 From New House To Knowle Farm, Brilley Whitney-On-Wye (TTRO21-1008)
48 U80002 Aubrey Street, Hereford (TTRO21-926)
49 U94009 Popland Lane - Road Closure
50 C1039 From The Lowe To C1043, Bicton Kingsland TTRO21-1037
51 C1245 & U71411 Garway (TTRO21-914)
52 C1130 from Withington to Whitestone Business Park, Whitestone (TTRO21-928)
53 U94201 Whyle to Pudlestone Road - Road Closure
54 U70211 Bailey Lane End, Dancing Green (TTRO21-917)
55 C1125 From The Vauld To The River Lugg, Sutton St Nicholas
56 U82300, Bullingham Lane, Hereford
57 C1181, Evendine Lane, Colwall
58 C1072 Bridge Street, Kington TTRO21-1034
59 C1177 from B4220 to C1165, Mathon - Road Closure
60 C1228 Portway To Haywood, Callow TTRO21-1040
61 U71400, Tretire Marsh Lane, St Owens Cross
62 U71224, Road From C1248 To Little Trewen Lane, Llangrove TTRO21-1030
63 U71605, Holly Bush Lane, Much Birch
64 Hereford Armistice Day – Thursday, 11 November 2021
65 C1206 From B4348 Vowchurch To Slough Breast Wood Track, Vowchurch TTRO21-1036
66 U67415 The Hyde Road Woolhope Closure - OD (TTRO21-859)
67 B4203 & B4204, Upper Sapey (TTRO21-911)
68 U71410 The Moors Road from Llantywaun Brook, Llancloudy (TTRO21-921)
69 Event road closure documents for signing – Pembridge Remembrance Day parade
70 Event road closure documents for signing - Ross on Wye Christmas Fayre
71 Event road closure documents for signing – Bromyard Christmas lights switch on
N/A PU1907 Section 50 for Approval
72 C1055 From Hamnish Bank To C1110, Stoke Prior
73 C1129 From C1125 To The Whymm, Sutton St Nicholas
74 C1059 From Humber Brook To Bradleys Corner, Hatfield
75 C1272 From Ladybridge To Carey Wood Access Track, Brockhampton
76 C1298 From B4224 To Sapness House, Sollers Hope
78 URGENT Road Closure - U93404, Birley Road, Birley
79 C1122 from C1120 to Wellington Crossing, Marden (TTRO21-944)
80 U93620, Pinsley Road, Leominster
81 Event road closure documents for signing – Kington Remembrance Day – Sunday, 14 November 2021
82 C1171 The Burtons, Wellington Heath
83 C1222 From A465 To Hungerstone, Allensmore
84 C1099 from A480 to Upper Barn Lane, Tillington (TTRO21-918)
85 Bartwood Lane, Pontshill
86 U93404, Birley Road, Birley
87 U70720, Merrivale Lane, Ross-On-Wye
89 URGENT - B4203 & B4204 Upper Sapey
90 C1234 From Bagwyllydiart To Pontrilas Court, Pontrilas TTRO21-1046
91 U73023, Warham Lane, Breinton TTRO21-1019
92 U91227, Waterloo Road, Kington
93 C1203 from Monnow Farm to Powys Boundary, Craswall (TTRO21-952)
94 C1106 Ivington To Cross Cottage Upper Hill, Ivington
95 U73239, Gosmore Road, Clehonger
96 U70230, Linton Road, Gorsley
97 U72400, Pomona Lane From C1130, Bartestree
98 U91015, C1069 From Newhouse Farm To C1072, Lower Hergest
99 MADLEY TO BRIDGE SOLLARS
100 C1279, Alton Street, Ross-On-Wye
101 TCO OC9
102 TCO EB18

C F Roberts Electrical and Mechanical Services have been identified as the
bidder representing best value for money following a competitive tender
via the SouthWest Portal and assessment process in accordance with
Council procurement procedures. Tenders were invited from four
contractors and only one valid tender was received for consideration. The
work is to be awarded to C F Roberts Electrical and Mechanical Services
with a tender value of £59,980.00.

C F Roberts Electrical and Mechanical Services were successful in the
previous competitive tender for similar works so we know they are
competitive and provide quality.

The works will offer a cost saving in energy usage, reduce carbon
omissions and reduce maintenance requirements. There is also a boost to
the local economy as C F Roberts are a local contractor.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic the council has followed
Department for Transport (DfT) guidance by maintaining concessionary fares reimbursements to bus operators at pre-pandemic levels despite the fall in pass holder patronage. This has, in turn, allowed operators to maintain high service levels throughout the pandemic.

There have recently been a number of bus services withdrawn in the County, some of which will in the future be operated by a different bus operator. There have also been a limited number of new additional services introduced. It is not appropriate to pay bus operators for services they are no longer and, conversely, it is appropriate to ensure operators are properly reimbursed where new additional services are introduced. The revised payment arrangements from 1 November will account for this and will allow payments to be adjusted where appropriate.

Within the Concessionary Travel Supplementary Guidance (20 November 2020), the DfT suggested Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) may consider several principles when developing their methodology to calculating pre-Covid reimbursement payments:

1. Seasonality of services – (some authorities have adopted approaches to cover this, for example, averaging two lower winter and two higher summer payment methods)
2. Decline in concessionary patronage - (total concessionary bus journeys fell by 2.5% in England in 2018/19, however, this may vary across local areas)
3. Decline in patronage as a whole
4. Operators may have ceased trading/some services
5. Operators may have started trading/new services
6. Operators may have varied their services to increase/decrease the frequency/length of journey

In October 2021 the Government published its Covid-19 Recovery Guidance, Concessionary Fares Funding, a copy of which can be seen at appendix 1. This sets out the Governments suggested approach of transitioning from pre-Covid level payments, to reimbursement based on actual usage. The guidance advises a reducing payment profile as set out in the table above

The objective of the concessionary travel recovery strategy is to provide LTAs with a cost-effective way of reducing their pre-Covid concessionary payments whilst avoiding any sudden widespread reduction in these payments. This is because any sudden reduction could lead to a significant impact on operator service levels, and consequently to an effect on demand levels.

The Concessionary Travel Recovery Period will commence on 06 April 2022 and will officially end on 05 April 2023. LTAs will be unable to provide pre-Covid levels of concessionary reimbursement payments after this date.

The tenant has requested landlord’s consent to replace 3 no windows and 1 no door, with purpose made timber frames and double glazed window units.

It is recommended that the tenant obtains all necessary planning and other approvals

It is recommended that suitably qualified and competent contractors are used to carry out the works

Full repairing lease so all works at tenant’s expense.

To approve the RIBA Stage 3 Design and Cost Estimate for the rebuilding of Peterchurch Primary School and to seek approval of recommendation to proceed with RIBA Stage 4 design and construction of a new school.

Streetmanager is a digital service that is used to plan, manage and communicate street and road works.

The Department for Transport introduced Streetmanager to bring consistency cross county borders and across the country.

Streetmanager went live across England on the 1st July 2020.

Streetmanager must be used to plan and manage roadworks, it is a digital service for the creation, co-ordination and monitoring of roads and street works. It is used by every authority, utility company and contractors in England to raise and approve the permits needed to carry out works, record progress with works, register reinstatements and inspections and issue any fines.

On the 1st March 2021, the council adopted the Herefordshire Council Streetworks Permit Scheme which uses Streetmanager to manage the street works in Herefordshire.

https://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/documents/s50087378/Herefordshire%20Permit%20Scheme%20Consultation%20Report%20final%20Reg%2011.pdf

The Permit Scheme and Streetmanager support the councils County Plan ambitions by managing the works on the network ensuring co-ordination and minimal impact to the public and businesses of Herefordshire. In doing so, the implementation of the management tools will better protect the environment, positively impact on communities (safety) and support the economy by minimising disruption whilst enabling development.
The decision reinforces and clarifies the previous decisions in the councils Public Realm Contract to use Streetmanger.

The technology (hardware and software support) that underpins the council’s document management system is approaching end of life and thus needs to be moved on to supported platforms and technologies.

This includes :-
• Moving data from the EMC Centera storage (at end of mainline hardware support) to the new hardware,
• Migration from server 2008 (extended support ends 2022) to 2019 (supportable to 2029)
• Conversion of data from CAS to S3 format. The conversion to S3 format also enables the council to move to cloud storage at a later date, if required, in line with the council digital strategy 2018-23

The document management system is a solution development and supported by Daisy. ComputaCentre have existing expertise in the migration of data from CAS to S3 format.

A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and Side Roads Order (SRO) were made on the 23 August 2013, to enable the delivery of the Link Road and following a public inquiry on 23 September 2014 both the CPO and SRO were confirmed by the Secretary of State for Communities and the Local Government and the Secretary of State for Transport respectively.

This is statutory compensation due under s52 Land Compensation Act 1973.

The claimant had already appointed legal representation in preparation to take this matter to the Upper Tribunal if a settlement cannot be reached. The deadline for referrals is the 15 June 2021 (6 years after vesting) in order to protect their claim.

On 24th May 2021 the Director for Economy & Place took a decision to extend the amount of time regarding the payment of compensation and referral to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) in respect of the Hereford City centre transport package from 15 June 2021 to 13 December 2021 to give the council’s appointed agents time to try and settle this matter before the claim can be referred to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber). The Council is represented by Lambert Smith Hampton together with Barber Wadlow as a specialist agent in the claimant’s property. The claimant’s agent and Barber Wadlow have differing views on the Land Value.

Following this further specialist legal, planning and forensic accountant support has been commissioned to consider details of the claim and to support assessment and valuation. These commissions ae detailed in the following Record of Officer Decisions:

Record of officer decision (herefordshire.gov.uk)

Record of officer decision (herefordshire.gov.uk)

Given the complex nature of the claim and the input required from agents and advisors it is necessary that a further extension of the standstill period is agreed which will give sufficient time to confirm points of agreement and to ensure that any reference to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber), should it become necessary, is well informed, correctly framed and focused on any remaining points of dispute.

This in turn will help to minimise costs and the use of the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber)’s time, in accordance with the protocol.

It is proposed to extend the standstill period to the 28 February 2022.

The Shell Store is owned by the Council, and has been developed to operate as a business incubation, development and networking Centre to stimulate business activity, with 40 units for rent.

The Shell Store units are envisaged as being occupied through easy in, easy out terms, through licence arrangements.

We want to welcome and settle the first set of tenants into the building as soon as possible to create an income and generate a positive atmosphere to stimulate further interest.

The terms agreed reflect on market rents and the facilities on offer to tenants.

The prospective tenant has cleared appropriate checks.

Cabinet Member Infrastructure and Transport took a decision 3 December 2020 to approve the progression of the HCCI project. This included a provision of streetscape and green infrastructure elements to form part of the outlined public realm improvements.

A design process to identify the planters to be purchased was undertaken which included consultation with the Cabinet Member Infrastructure and Transport, Ward Member, Hereford City Council, Hereford Business Improvement District and the Hereford Tree Forum. Feedback from this consultation identified a preferred style of planter and tree species which was agreed with the Cabinet Member Infrastructure and Transport.

A Record of Officer Decision taken 26 February 2021 outlined the value for money assessment that BBLP had undertaken to confirm a provider and approved the budget envelope. This decision can be viewed using the following link:
https://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=8287

The Cabinet Member Infrastructure and Transport took a further decision 7 October 2021 which approved an update to the HCCI programme elements and associated spend profile. This decision approved the purchase of planters for the Cathedral and River Wye Quarter and identified the need to deliver this programme element within the 2021/22 financial year in order to meet the required Marches LEP spend.

The same provider has been selected to procure these further planters based on the value for money assessment undertaken by BBLP previously, to provide consistency with the new planters installed within the central High Town area and due to the provider’s ability to deliver these planters before the end of March 2022.

Cabinet Member Infrastructure and Transport took a decision 3 December 2020 to approve the progression of the HCCI project. This included a provision of streetscape and green infrastructure elements to form part of the outlined public realm improvements.

A design process to identify the planters to be purchased was undertaken which included consultation with the Cabinet Member Infrastructure and Transport, Ward Member, Hereford City Council, Hereford Business Improvement District and the Hereford Tree Forum. Feedback from this consultation identified a preferred style of planter and tree species which was agreed with the Cabinet Member Infrastructure and Transport.

A Record of Officer Decision taken 26 February 2021 outlined the value for money assessment that BBLP had undertaken to confirm a provider and approved the budget envelope. This decision can be viewed using the following link:
https://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=8287

The Cabinet Member Infrastructure and Transport took a further decision 7 October 2021 which approved an update to the HCCI programme elements and associated spend profile. This decision approved the progression of planters and in-ground trees for the City Link Road and identified the need to deliver this programme element within the 2021/22 financial year in order to meet the required Marches LEP spend.

The same provider has been selected to procure these further planters based on the value for money assessment undertaken by BBLP previously, to provide consistency with the new planters installed within the central High Town area and due to the provider’s ability to deliver these planters before the end of March 2022.

Cabinet Member Infrastructure and Transport took a decision 3 December 2020 to approve the progression of the HCCI project. This included a provision of £320k for the purchase of “City Trees”.

This provision included £20k which will be commissioned to BBLP to identify potential locations for installation of the “City Trees” to maximise the air-quality benefits offered. This leaves a remaining budget of £300k for the purchase and installation of the “City Trees”. The budget will also cover ground work prelims by a third party. Any remaining underspend from this element will be reallocated to the City Greening project.

“City Trees” are a unique and bespoke product that provides a moss filtration system to improve air quality.

Research has been undertaken to identify alternative providers but was unsuccessful, and several frameworks have been considered for potential procurement but assessment on a desktop basis given the time constraints on a like for like basis delivery would be difficult to achieve.

On this basis an exemption to the Contract Procedure Rules has been completed and signed off by the council’s procurement, legal and finance departments as well as the Interim Director for Economy and Place.

To set the council tax and precepts for 2022/23.

The Assistant Director for Regulation, Environment and Waste Services was authorised to accept the ERDF funding and to implement the Sustainable Energy in Public Buildings project in accordance with the decision approved by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Economy & Skills as approved on 5 August 2020.

Approval of Grants by the Assistant Director for Regulation, Environment and Waste Services forms part of our agreed Governance process with the managing authority, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG)

The post has now been superseded by the Interim Service Director Environment, Highways and Waste and delegated power now defers to the relevant post-holder.

The Sustainable Energy in Public Buildings Steering Group and Project Board have recommended and endorsed the project at The Courtyard Theatre, Hereford for Grant funding.

Approval of the grant will contribute capital expenditure and outputs against the project budget and targets respectively, as agreed in the project funding agreement and subsequent approved project change requests.

ERDF Sustainable Energy in Public Buildings funding supports the installation of low carbon measures across the Marches public estate, which will reduce revenue costs, contribute to carbon emissions targets and enhance the local low carbon
economy.

To enable the commissioning and delivery of a set of highways and transportation schemes funded by the associated S106 agreements.

To consider applications under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, section 257 and section 119 of the Highways Act 1980, to make public path diversion orders to divert parts of footpaths PR18 and PR18A in the parish of Peterchurch.

To approve Herefordshire’s better care fund (BCF) and integration plan 2021-22.

Old Gore crossroads is one of the counties accident cluster sites making it a priority for the works to be completed within the annual plan (21/22). The original budget estimate for this scheme was £500,000 before the scheme was fully scoped. The detailed cost build up identified that the original budget estimate was insufficient and the scheme would cost £760,000 to deliver.

An additional £260,000 is required to allow the programme of works to be delivered. As the Annex 3 Minor Safety Budget within the 21/22 Annual Plan was fully allocated this additional budget will be taken from Annex 7 (Drainage) as the agreed programme of works under Annex 7 is forecast to be delivered under budget. The 21/22 Programme of works under Annex 7 will not be affected and will be delivered within the remaining budget.

The Programme of works under Annex 7 will not be affected and will be delivered within the remaining budget for annex 7.
The costs associated with Land access and easements are covered in a separate rood:-
Decision - To acquire land for the delivery of the Old Gore Crossroads Safety Scheme and associated payment (herefordshire.gov.uk)

The history of collisions at this site are significant, the 2021 Accident Cluster Site List 2021 ranked list has the ‘A449 junction with the B4224 Old Gore Cross Roads’ as the highest ranked site, this is based on the number of accidents and severity. There have been 8 accidents in previous 5 years.

The location has previously been treated with signing and lining, the continuous investigation into the site location, type and number of accidents has identified the need for a significant investment and change in how the junction is managed, Due to the topography the designed scheme is the preferred option.

The delivery of this scheme delivers significant benefits in regards to road safety and impact on people’s lives, communities and economy

The Annual plan 21/22 set out the programme of works to be delivered on behalf of Herefordshire Council through the Public Realm Contract. Any adjustments to that programme are required to be agreed as above.

Annex 7 (drainage) has available budget as the drainage programme is to be completed with less budget than originally forecast. (This is made up of funding from the Local Transport Plan capital budget.) BBLP has stated that the most pressing need within the Public Realm currently is for re-surfacing, this is due to the resurfacing budget being reduced this year to create extra funding for drainage. It is therefore, proposed that the underspend from Annex 7 be re-profiled into Annex 3 to fund the following:

Phase 1
£250,000 from Annex 7 ‘Drainage A Roads’ to be realigned into Annex 3, ‘A Roads’ to resurface A465 Nunnington and A44 West Hill, Bromyard

Phase 2
Annex 7 ‘Drainage A Roads’ £220,000 and Annex 7 ‘Investment in Plant’ £85,000 to be re-profiled into Annex 3 ‘B and Other Roads’ to resurface C1130 Whitestone, C1203 Craswell and B4352 Crossway Farm Accident Site, Clehonger.


In summary a total of £555,000 to be moved from Annex 7 drainage budget into Annex 3 to carry out resurfacing works. The Drainage programme will be completed as expected.

• The land forms part of Bosbury School’s freehold title that belongs to Herefordshire Council but is separate from the school itself.
• A similar licence has been granted before to the previous owner of the nearby residential property, but as the property has changed hands a new licence is required.

To inform the committee of performance in the areas of complaints, data incidents and requests for information made to the council over the municipal year 2020/21

To approve expenditure for the preferred option to refurbish and renovate Hereford Shire Hall, addressing long term maintenance needs, building defects and structural failures.

Authorisation was given to implement the recommendation in respect of the key decision dated 31st January 2020 http://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=6593
and spend within the approved budget to carry out clearance and remedial works to Courts 1 and 2 through BBLP, Property Services Estates
Capital Works Programme CAP921, of not more than £200k (inclusive of professional fees, contingencies, etc)

The hire period for the scaffolding has finished and a further period through until January 2023 is required until the capital works are ready to commence requiring addition funds from the 2021 approved budget

• On 3 March 2021 the Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed an indicative allocation of £144,636 for active travel activity 2021/22.

• The Sustainability and Climate Change Team successfully submitted details of the proposed activity to be delivered during 2021/22 on 19 April 2021.

• The Travel Plan Consultancy work is included in the bid to the DfT and original decision report.

• An open, single stage procurement process has been followed. Five compliant tenders were received. Mosodi Limited submitted the best tender for the contract.