To share the feedback from Ofsted inspectors following their first formal Monitoring Visit conducted March 29-30 2023 and activity to prepare for future Monitoring Visits.

The Registration Service is a statutory service with responsibility for registering births, deaths and marriages within the county.
Non-statutory fees apply to the conducting of a marriage or civil ceremony at either a Register Office or approved venue, and the licensing of approved venues. These increases do not include the statutory register office ceremonies which the General Register Office set at £46.
Fees for the conducting of a ceremony were last reviewed and increased in 2021, covering the period up to the end of 2023. Licence fees for approved venues have not been increased for a number of years. The proposals for new fees are attached at Appendix 1. A benchmarking exercise was undertaken comparing neighbouring authorities costs with Herefordshire’s costs (see Appendix 2).

To approve the revised Herefordshire Capital Investment Strategy 2021-2030 For Specialist Settings Educating Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and to present options for addressing demand within 0-16 education sector

To administer a capital equipment grant to Herefordshire SME’s up to 31 March 2025, as part of the UKSPF Investment Plan (Business Enterprise Fund).

1. The properties are owned by the council as part of its property investment portfolio held to deliver optimum commercial returns through rental income which is used to support the council’s strategic objectives in line with the County Plan 2020 – 2024.
2. In 2022 the council appointed Messrs Bruton Knowles LLP, Chartered Surveyors (BK) under a contract for the marketing of vacant units across the industrial portfolio and the associated negotiation of new leases with potential new Tenants.
3. Accordingly BK were instructed to market units 4 & 5 Three Elms Trading Estate and to negotiate the terms of a new lease.
4. BK have inspected the properties, and reviewed the level of market rents achievable in this location and made justified recommendations on the terms of the lease and the level of rent to be negotiated
5. Provisional agreement, subject to formal approval, has been reached with the proposed Tenant for a new lease.

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 & safety, operational need/impact and lifecycle/value

To temporary postpone a public consultation upon the Draft Part 1 Herefordshire Local Plan due to take place between 19 June and 8 September 2023 whilst a review is undertaken by Cabinet Member.

To make any necessary updates to the draft Plan prior to its publication to reflect the latest evidence or national planning policy position and corporate priorities.

It was proposed to undertake the public consultation from 19 June to 08 September. However, a review is now required to ensure that the plan meeting the corporate priorities following the elections on 4 May 2023.

The Herefordshire Local Plan - Core Strategy was adopted in 2015. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires that local authorities should review their local plan every five years to determine if an update is required. Herefordshire Council resolved in November 2020 that an update of the Local Plan would be required.

Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended) requires that public consultation takes place at key stages during the preparation of a Local Plan.

The new Local Plan will help shape growth and development across the county over the period from 2021 to 2041. The Plan will seek to ensure that we deliver the required homes, jobs, infrastructure and services to support growth in a way that is appropriate for the rural and historic character of the County.

During 2022 a series of public consultation exercises were undertaken upon:
• a range of potential options for the overall spatial strategy;
• key land use policy areas; and
• specific place based options for Hereford, each of the market towns and for rural areas.

The consultation responses, together with a range of evidence based studies have been used to develop a Draft Part 1 Local Plan. The Draft Plan as assembled effectively provides a preferred option at this stage of the plan making process but does not yet form Council policy.

The Draft Local Plan sets out:
1. A vision and set of objectives
2. The Spatial Strategy
3. A set of Strategic Policies
4. Place based policies for Hereford, each of the market towns and the rural areas.

However the spatial strategy and elements of policy may not be consistent with the priorities of the Council following the elections and a period of review is required with the Cabinet Member prior to publication.

To approve the Taxi and Private Hire Policy

The tree has high public amenity value and is under perceived
threat on account of request to fell within a conservation area

Application by J MART (Rai Fashions), Widemarsh Street, Hereford for a licence to supply and expose for supply, adult fireworks from a premises in Herefordshire in accordance with The Fireworks Regulations 2004 & The Fireworks Act 2003, along with any relevant guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for 1 year – Expiry 30th November 2023.

To apply for termination of pitch agreements.

•Hinton Community Association occupy the property under the terms of a lease dated 18th March 2016 and are seeking landlord’s approval for alterations to the property
•The works comprise the construction of a single storey extension to the side of the property to increase and enhance meeting room facilities which will extend the options for local community use including youth work and space for multi-agency use in areas such as mental health and anti-social behavior.
•The lease provides that consent must not be unreasonably withheld and there is no good reason in this case to do so as the proposals are intended to enhance the facilities available to the local community
•The consent will be subject to obtaining any necessary planning, building regulation and any other necessary statutory consents plus provision of as built plans and evidence of health and safety compliance and the tenant will be required to carry out the works to ensure the highest standards of safety and care are met.

HMO Licence granted M/124250.

•Aspire Living Ltd occupy the property under the terms of an expired lease which is in the process of renewal and are seeking landlord’s approval for internal alterations to the property
•The works comprise adaptions to the internal space to provide a Changing Places toilet for which Aspire Living Ltd have been awarded funding from the government’s Changing Places Fund to work in partnership with the council to increase the number of accessible changing place facilities for people with severe disabilities in the county.
•The lease provides that consent must not be unreasonably withheld and there is no good reason in this case to do so as the proposals are intended to enhance the facilities available to disabled people in the community
•The consent will be subject to obtaining any necessary planning, building regulation and any other necessary statutory consents plus provision of as built plans and evidence of health and safety compliance and the tenant will be required to carry out the works to ensure the highest standards of safety and care are met.

The current contract was awarded following a competitive procurement process and includes the option to extend for up to 12-months from 1 April 2023. The current provider has performed well and is meeting the contract’s key objectives.

All trees within the TPO were removed in 1988 following an application.

The tree is a Veteran specimen, providing historical, landscape and ecological value. Proposed retrospective planning has highlighted a perceived threat to the tree

The trees have a high public amenity value are within the boundary of two development sites

The tree has high public amenity value and is under perceived
threat on account of request to fell within a conservation area

Herefordshire Council is seeking to train up to 15 Social Worker (degree) apprentices starting in 2023. Recruiting Social Workers to work in Herefordshire, as across the country, continues to be challenging Herefordshire Council is committed to developing the workforce by providing quality education and development opportunities, including a Social Work Apprenticeship Programme.

A tender was issued, which did not attract any bids, follow up contact was made with a number of potential Training Providers and it was identified that Coventry University would be able to provide the service required. Herefordshire Council has an existing relationship with Coventry University as part of the West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership education and training for social work students and practitioners.

As a large employer, Herefordshire council is required to make a mandatory contribution to the Government Apprenticeship Levy. This contract for £360,000 will be funded in full by levy funding and Coventry University will be required to draw down the funding directly from the Government Apprenticeship Levy. The maximum that can be claimed for each Apprentice is £24,000 for the three year Social Work (degree) Apprenticeship programme.

A programme of condition surveys on key council establishments was carried out during 2019. The purpose of which was to address identified risks at an early stage to ensure that the Council’s Estate is maintained safe and fit for purpose and generally protect and enhance the value of our Corporate assets.
The works cover improvements to numerous elements highlighted in the condition report including fencing improvement works.
Completing the work identified through the condition surveys will enable the strategic objective of reducing reactive maintenance, and therefore revenue expenditure, through planned and targeted investment.
S C Joseph Ltd have been identified as the bidder representing
best value for money following a competitive tender and assessment
process in accordance with Council procurement procedures. Quotations were sought from one contractor and one compliant tender was received for consideration.
The work to be awarded to S C Joseph Ltd at a cost of £41,516.00.
The PMO (Programme Management Office) will manage the delivery of the works.

The free school meal system is an important component of the support that is provided to low-income families. Providing vouchers in the school holidays for children entitled to free school meals is an extension to this support and will benefit over 4350 children. Through this proposal, primary and secondary aged school pupils who are eligible for benefits related free school meals will receive a food voucher of £15 for the week of the May half-term period.
Consumer prices, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), were 10.10% higher in March 2023 than a year before. Low-income households spend a larger proportion than average on energy and food so will be more affected by price increases.
Herefordshire Council has received an allocation of £2,659,203.57 from the Department of Works and Pensions under the Household Support Fund. The expectation is that the funding should be used primarily to support households in the most need, particularly those including children and pensioners who would otherwise struggle with energy, food and water bills as well as other essential costs.
By utilising the funding from government, this will have a positive impact on low income families and child poverty by minimising the debt burden on those that struggle to pay essential bills.

The existing contract allows Herefordshire Council to omit and add in any
works to the programme as agreed with the consultant.
Due to the number of emergency unplanned schemes added to the 2021-
2023 an extension of time is needed for the consultant to complete the delivery of the schemes. The extension needed will be up to 31st March
2025, which include the defects liability period.
The contract variation would be based on the existing percentage fee rate and terms

The Childcare Act (2006) requires local authorities in England to ensure there is sufficient childcare for children (aged 0 to 17 years old) of working parents, parents studying or training, and for disabled children within their local area.

In the Spring 2023 Budget, the Government announced a package of increased childcare support. One of the areas of addition support allows working parents to access 30 hours of free childcare per week, for 38 weeks of the year, from when their child is 2 years old to when they start school. This will be rolled out in April 2024.
Demand for funded 2 year old places has increased, across the county, over the last 3 years (pre-pandemic) by 23%. With the additional funding on offer, this will increase further.

There has been significant growth in the Ross area over recent years, with over 500 new dwellings being built. As a result, demand for childcare is also increasing.

The change in age range will help to support parents and carers wishing to go back to work/education, and therefore supports economic growth.

Herefordshire Local Authority has two existing mainstream autism bases (MABs). One is for primary age children, at Hampton Dene Primary School as part of their Language and Communication Centre (LCC) and The Bridge is for secondary-age pupils at The Bishop of Hereford High School.
The purpose of the MABs is to allow children who need additional support to access mainstream education to gain that support from specialist staff who work from the base classroom. The criteria for being offered a place at a MAB is that the children must have a diagnosis of autism and a level of educational need that can only met through a MAB as identified in their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Both existing MABs are now full for new admissions in September 2023. Additionally, as a result of information received from the education and health staff at the Child Development Centre where children are assessed, diagnosed and supported in the Early Years, it is evident that there will be a need for a significant expansion in the number of specialist primary mainstream autism base places and we will need this additional capacity from September 2023. We have also had a high level of demand from parents who are seeking secondary specialist autism base provision as their children move from primary school to secondary school