Decisions
26/09/2024 - Children and Young persons’ Improvement Plan – progress update ref: 10313 Recommendations Approved
The purpose of this report is to present cabinet with the Phase 2 Children’s Services Improvement Plan for endorsement on 13th July 24
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision published: 26/09/2024
Effective from: 03/10/2024
Decision:
That:
a) Cabinet endorse the Phase 2 Improvement Plan outlined in Appendix A
b) Cabinet authorise the Corporate Director for Children and Young People in consultation with the council’s Corporate Leadership Team to lead this improvement plan on behalf of the Council and to send it to Ofsted as part of the ongoing children’s services monitoring.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Victoria Gibbs, Rachel Gillott, Bart Popelier
18/07/2024 - Herefordshire All Age Carers Strategy 2024-2029 (previously known as 'All Age Carers Strategy') ref: 10222 Recommendations Approved
The purpose of this report is to seek approval of the Herefordshire All Age Carers Strategy 2024-2029
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision published: 18/07/2024
Effective from: 25/07/2024
Decision:
That Cabinet:
a) Approves the Herefordshire All Age Carers Strategy 2024-2029
b) Delegated authority be given to the Corporate Director for Community Wellbeing and the Corporate Director for Children and Young People to take all operational decisions, as set out within this report and appendices, that fall within the responsibility of Herefordshire Council
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: John Burgess
20/05/2024 - Grant acceptance and purchase of accommodation to address gaps in homelessness pathway provision: additional funding ref: 10113 Recommendations Approved
To accept additional grant from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) via the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP 5) and the associated grant terms and conditions. This funding was not anticipated and as such was not included as part of the original decision.
To approve the acquisition of a minimum of five properties from the open market within a defined budget and to allow officers, following appropriate consultation and due diligence, to proceed with the acquisitions.
Decision Maker: Cabinet member adults, health and wellbeing
Decision published: 20/05/2024
Effective from: 25/05/2024
Decision:
That:
a) The Cabinet Member accepts the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities additional capital grant of £460,000 for the purpose of purchasing an additional minimum of five properties and a revenue grant of £124,899 for dedicated support workers and associated services;
b) Authority for acquisition of the properties and all associated operational decisions needed in respect to the grants in recommendation a) including authority to award contracts for improvement works and the negotiation of the lease to a housing provider be delegated to the Corporate Director Community Wellbeing;
c) Delegates acceptance to the S151 officer (in consultation with the Corporate Director Community Wellbeing) in respect to any future grant funding received from central government that becomes available under substantially the similar conditions as SHAP; and
d) Delegates to the Corporate Director Community Wellbeing authority to utilise such grant for the purposes that the grant was provided including that in recommendation b).
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Tina Wood
16/05/2024 - Quarter 4 Budget Report ref: 10117 Recommendations Approved
To report the provisional financial outturn position for 2023/24 for revenue and capital budgets, subject to external audit. The 2023/24 outturn shows a net overspend of £8.7 million after the use of reserves and recovery plan actions..
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision published: 16/05/2024
Effective from: 23/05/2024
Decision:
That Cabinet:
a) reviews the financial outturn for 2023/24, as set out in the appendices A-E, and identifies any additional actions to be considered
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Rachael Sanders
29/04/2024 - Traffic Signal Obsolescence Grant and Green Light Fund ref: 10084 Recommendations Approved
To accept and approve spend of £41,427.53 of Department for Transport grant funding relating to the Traffic Signal Obsolescence Grant (TSOG), a fund to upgrade traffic signal systems, replacing unreliable and obsolete equipment to improve reliability.
To accept and approve spend of £500,000.00 of Department for Transport grant funding relating to the Green Light Fund (GLF), a fund to improve the operation of traffic signals to better reflect current traffic conditions and get traffic flowing.
Decision Maker: Cabinet member roads and regulatory services
Decision published: 29/04/2024
Effective from: 04/05/2024
Decision:
That:
a) Grant funding of £41,427.53 and £500,000.00 associated with the Traffic Signal Obsolescence Grant and the Green Light Fund be accepted from the Department for Transport and that authorisation is given for its spend as detailed in this report; and
b) Delegated authority is given to the Corporate Director of Economy and Environment to take all operational decisions over the lifetime of the project, to deliver the investment set out in recommendation (a)
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Ed Bradford
15/03/2024 - Accept variation proposals (Compensation Events, CE) as part of agreement (NEC4 Contract) for the design of A465 Aylestone Hill and Holme Lacy Road (HLR) Active Travel Walking and Cycling Improvements ref: 10069 Recommendations Approved
• The Holme Lacy Road and A465 Aylestone
Hill Active Travel Measure schemes are designed to improve the
existing cycle infrastructure in the south and north of the City
respectively to the latest national guidance published in July
2020. This will improve the facilities for pedestrians, in
particular crossing arrangements, address the challenges that
currently discourage people from walking and cycling in the
vicinity and encourage active travel in Hereford as the natural
choice for journeys less than 2 km.
• These projects are part of a wider programme of Active
Travel Measure (ATM) schemes accessing Active Travel Funding (ATF)
and Levelling Up Funding (LUF) across Hereford City.
• The schemes will also support a reduction in carbon and
other transport related emissions in the county and provide a good
quality, convenient and safe transport network linking to the City
Centre and Enterprise Zones that prioritises walking and
cycling.
• Price & Myers were awarded the contract for undertaking
the design of the Holme Lacy Road scheme following an open tender
exercise in compliance with the Council’s Contract Procedure
Rules (CPR’s). Initial design scoping for the A465 Aylestone
Hill scheme was added to the contract via a variation.
Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment
Decision published: 03/04/2024
Effective from: 15/03/2024
Lead officer: Ross Cook
03/04/2024 - 2023/24 Draft Statement of Accounts
To note the draft, unaudited Statement of
Accounts for 2023/24
Decision Maker: Audit and Governance Committee
Decision due date: 11/06/2024
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Rachael Sanders
Notice of decision: 03/04/2024
Anticipated restriction: Open
03/04/2024 - Draft Annual Governance Statement 2023/24
To seek the view of the committee as to
whether the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for
2023/24 properly reflects the internal control environment the
council is operating in and the
appropriateness of actions identified to improve governance
arrangements.
Decision Maker: Audit and Governance Committee
Decision due date: 11/06/2024
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Rachael Sanders
Notice of decision: 03/04/2024
Anticipated restriction: Open
02/04/2024 - Approval to spend the National Lottery Heritage Fund Delivery Grant for the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery redevelopment project ref: 10052 Recommendations Approved
To approve spending of the National Lottery Heritage Fund Delivery (NLHF) Grant on approved purposes, excluding the gallery fit-out works, for the redevelopment of Hereford Museum and Art Gallery.
Decision Maker: Cabinet member community services and assets
Decision published: 02/04/2024
Effective from: 09/04/2024
Decision:
That:
a)Authority is delegated to the Corporate Director for Community and Wellbeing to draw down and spend from the capital programme, and
b)take all operational decisions required to deliver the approved purposes, excluding the gallery fit-out works, of the NLHF’s deliver grant for the museum and art gallery redevelopment to the value of £1,502,044.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Damian Etheraads
28/03/2024 - Public Realm Services Annual Plan 2024 - 2025 ref: 10038 Recommendations Approved
To confirm the Annual Plan 2024/25 for the Public Realm Services contract with Balfour Beatty
Living Places (BBLP) and the close out of the Major Contracts Improvement Board plan
Decision Maker: Cabinet member roads and regulatory services
Decision published: 28/03/2024
Effective from: 06/04/2024
Decision:
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 2024/25 with an overall budget
of up to £18,669,041; made up of £5,802,041 revenue and £12,867,000 capital
budgets as detailed in paragraph 36 and;
(b) approval to spend the retained capital budget of £2,599,000 as detailed in
paragraph 36;
(c) the Service Director Environment and Highways be authorised to agree, through the Public Realm Contract governance arrangements, final adjustments to the
programme (including any recommendations from the Strategic Partnering Board)
and budget allocation to each of the Annexes and any in-year adjustments to the
plan, within the overall budget; including the retained capital budget, and
(d) the close out of the Major Contracts Improvement Board major contracts
improvement plan be approved.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Dave Martin
28/03/2024 - Fourth Ofsted Monitoring Visit feedback ref: 10066 Recommendations Approved
To share the feedback letter from Ofsted following their fourth Monitoring Visit conducted on 21 - 22 February 2024.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision published: 28/03/2024
Effective from: 06/04/2024
Decision:
That:
a) Cabinet receive and note the feedback from Ofsted Inspectors’ Monitoring Visit letter, at appendix a
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Darryl Freeman, Rachel Gillott
28/03/2024 - Herefordshire and Worcestershire All Age Autism Strategy 2024-2029 ref: 10040 Recommendations Approved
The purpose of this report is to approve the Herefordshire & Worcestershire All-Age Autism
Strategy (2024-29).
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision published: 28/03/2024
Effective from: 06/04/2024
Decision:
That Cabinet:
1. Approves the Herefordshire and Worcestershire All Age Autism strategy, and
2. Delegated authority be given to the Corporate Director for Community
Wellbeing and the Corporate Director for Children and Young People to take all
operational decisions that fall within the responsibility of Herefordshire Council
to complete, as set out within this strategy.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Glen Crosier
28/03/2024 - Wye Valley Trust (WVT) Investment Partnership Model ref: 10041 Recommendations Approved
To agree an increase in value offered as an investment to Wye Valley Trust to enable the development of an Education Centre at Hereford County Hospital. To further explore options around a strategic investment partnership and bring a business case back to cabinet for approval in Autumn 2024. Wye Valley Trust produced a cost plan in July 2023 which has been uplifted to reflect an estimate of price increases applicable to the scheme in order to arrive at a realistic assessment of total costs. Based on these costs at this point in the process WVT have anticipated they would require a loan of £15million from Herefordshire Council.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision published: 28/03/2024
Effective from: 06/04/2024
Decision:
That:
a) Cabinet to note progress on the development of the business case to enable the development of an Education Centre at Hereford County Hospital and the potential increase of the capital investment up to £15million subject to final approval of business case and funding.
a)
Wards affected: Central;
Lead officer: Joni Hughes, Sarah Morris
19/03/2024 - Freehold Community Asset Transfer of Moors Meadow at Goodrich to Goodrich & Welsh Bicknor Parish Council ref: 10064 Recommendations Approved
• Moors Meadow, Goodrich adjoins Goodrich
Primary School site which is owned by Herefordshire Council and is
leased to G&WBPC under a 25 year lease from 15.09.2009.
• The land is situated in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty and in Goodrich Conservation Area and is designated
as public open space
• Under the lease the land is maintained and managed by
G&WBPC and is used by the local community for leisure and
recreational activities.
• G&WBPC wish to invest in improving the amenity of the
land and protect it for indefinite use by the local community and
have thus requested that the freehold in the land is transferred to
them.
• The original request goes back many years and discussions
have been on-going since at least 2016 during which agreement was
previously reached that the land would transfer to G&WBPC. The
transfer stalled and they have reapplied under the provisions of
the council’s CAT policy
• Most of the land is unsuitable for future development as it
is steeply sloping and G&WBPC have agreed that any part of the
site which is required for future expansion of the school will be
transferred back at nominal value.
• The application is supported by Goodrich Primary school and
by expressions of support from local residents who wish the land to
be retained and protected for use by the local community and
believe this is best achieved by the outright ownership of the
commons being vested in the Parish Council
• Public open space is valued at nominal values for the
purposes of asset valuations
• The application was considered by the council’s CAT
evaluation panel which recommended in principle that the transfer
proceed at nominal consideration
• A transfer of the land to G&WBPC would contain a
covenant restricting its future use to public open space and
provide for clawback in the event it ceases to be used for such
purposes and would be on the basis that the Council’s legal
and other costs in the matter are paid for by
Decision Maker: Strategic Assets Delivery Director
Decision published: 28/03/2024
Effective from: 19/03/2024
Lead officer: Sarah Jowett
19/03/2024 - Approval of new leases, licences, tenancies and associated legal agreements in respect of vacant property held within the council’s commercial property investment portfolio ref: 10063 Recommendations Approved
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
Decision Maker: Strategic Assets Delivery Director
Decision published: 28/03/2024
Effective from: 19/03/2024
Lead officer: Sarah Jowett
26/03/2024 - To commission critical intrusive surveys to take forward the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery Redevelopment project (within the existing £18.4m budget). ref: 10062 Recommendations Approved
Hereford Museum and Art Gallery (HMAG)
redevelopment project has a combined budget of £18.4m
comprising of £8.4m Herefordshire Council capital funding,
£5m Stronger Town funding and £5m National Lottery
Heritage Fund Grant funding.
Previous governance decisions for the Hereford Museum and Art
Gallery project provided for spend up to £2.4m up to and
including RIBA stage 4.
The following intrusive surveys are to be carried out by
Herefordshire Council to reduce risk factors on the construction
and inform design:
Ground Investigations
Opening Up Works
Intrusive survey
Drainage Survey
Fabric Condition Survey
Paint Survey
Plaster survey
Masonry Strength Testing
Timber survey
U-value testing
Moisture survey
Archaeologist support
The following consultants are required to provide specialist
advice:
Fire Engineer
Principle Designer (BSA)
Landscape Architect
The Principle Designer (Building Safety Act) is a new role required
(since October 2023) as a result of the Grenfell Tower
Inquiry.
Further surveys and consultants may be required following
investigations.
A sum of £200,000 is required from the existing £18.4m
budget to complete the required intrusive surveys and consultant
commissions. This work will be procured by Herefordshire Council in
accordance with the Contract Procedure Rules
Previous governance decisions have provided approval to spend up to
£2.4m on developing the design to Riba stage 4.
RIBA4a has been commissioned to a Design Team to develop the
detailed design including the additional information needed for
planning following a planning consultation.
£200,000 is required to complete the intrusive surveys and
commissions needed to complete the RIBA stage 4 detailed
design.
A Cabinet decision is anticipated in July 2024 to take the project
through construction and delivery through RIBA stages 5 and 6. At
this stage there will be a costed plan to deliver the
project.
Capital cost of project
Agreed Governance to spend £2,400,000
Surveys/Commissions £200,000
Remaining Budget £15,800,000
TOTAL £18,400,000
Decision Maker: Corporate Director - Community Wellbeing
Decision published: 28/03/2024
Effective from: 26/03/2024
Lead officer: Hilary Hall
08/03/2024 - The creation of a new Environmental Advice Service (EAS) ref: 10061 Recommendations Approved
Since the European Court of Justice
‘Dutch Case’ ruling, planning consents in the River Wye
are limited based on their phosphate loading to the river.
The Local Plan identifies a housing need of circa 4,000 new homes
in the Lugg sub-catchment. To sign off on a Habitat Regulations
Assessment for development within the Clun and the Lugg catchment
developers must demonstrate nutrient neutrality; that is phosphates
in the Lugg and nitrates and phosphates for the Clun. A development
can show that it is nutrient neutral through long term mitigation
schemes that remove nutrients from the watercourse.
At present, the only mitigation scheme in Herefordshire is the
council’s wetland scheme, which has released some credits.
However, to enable continued growth throughout the county, the
council are keen for developers to pursue their own
mitigation.
Herefordshire Council is now able to offer an Environmental Advice
Service (EAS) as part of a paid service offered by the Built and
Natural Environment Service.
The Environmental Advice Service can assist developers with
bringing forward private mitigation schemes to offset the nutrient
budget of development proposals.
The service is separate to the planning process and it is available
for a variety of services, focusing around the environmental
impacts of the project. It will co-ordinate services with other
statutory bodies as required (Natural England, Environment Agency,
Natural Resource Wales, etc) consolidating advice for the applicant
in a report.
This will be a fee based service as follows (Herefordshire Council
Environmental Advice Service (EAS)):
• Simple projects £500
• Complex projects: £1500
With any additional hours charged at £110 per hour.
Decision Maker: Service Director – Environment , Highways, & Waste
Decision published: 28/03/2024
Effective from: 08/03/2024
Lead officer: Mark Averill
20/03/2024 - Contract variation to enable continued staffing of emergency accommodation for people experiencing rough sleeping for the period 8th April 2024 up to 31st May 2024 ref: 10060 Recommendations Approved
Council owned premises have been sourced for
use as part of the winter accommodation provision for people
experiencing rough sleeping. The premises sourced ensures there is
an immediate and safe off the streets offer for people experiencing
rough sleeping.
There are known risks associated with housing this cohort may have
a long and/or repeated history of rough sleeping. Continuing the
provision for the period 7th April 2024 up to 31st May 2024 will
ensure accommodation with appropriate staffing and management is in
place, this means 18 people are prevented from rough sleeping and
the potential need to provide more expensive SWEP provision is
mitigated against.
Additional funding has been secured from DLUHC to provide for
staffing costs of winter accommodation and must be utilised for its
intended purpose.
Decision Maker: Corporate Director - Community Wellbeing
Decision published: 28/03/2024
Effective from: 20/03/2024
Lead officer: Hilary Hall
29/02/2024 - Phosphate Mitigation Strategy ref: 10059 Recommendations Approved
As set out in the cabinet member decision, the
creation of a Phosphate Mitigation Scheme, in addition to improving
the water quality of the River Lugg, positively contribute toward
the delivery of the environmental and economic priorities within
the County Plan 2020-2024; enhancing local biodiversity, enabling
sustainable housing growth in the north of the county and reducing
carbon emissions through carbon sequestration.
At present, the Local Plan identifies a housing need of circa 4,000
new homes in the Lugg sub-catchment and now proposes a three Phase
Nutrient
Mitigation Scheme to deliver nearly all of that need. Phasing of
the scheme will ensure supply is released to match demand and the
council’s capacity to bring the new assets on stream is
focused and not over stretched.
A Financial Model has been developed which sets out the funding and
expenditure flow through the Council’s Nutrient Trading
Phosphate Mitigation Scheme. The Council is unwilling and unable to
make a profit or loss on the cost of phosphate mitigation credits,
and the cost will be assessed periodically. The Council’s
Nutrient Trading Phosphate Mitigation Scheme will deliver a minimum
of 3,471 homes.
Decision Maker: Service Director – Environment , Highways, & Waste
Decision published: 28/03/2024
Effective from: 29/02/2024
Lead officer: Mark Averill
19/03/2024 - Decision to award grants through the Safer Communities Fund grant scheme. ref: 10056 Recommendations Approved
Decision to award grants through the Safer
Communities Fund Grant Scheme to the following organisations:
•LEAF, Locally Encouraging All to Flourish -
£78,717.84
•The Cart Shed, Young Cart Shed - £143,260.12
This is a discretionary grant scheme, developed in collaboration
with West Mercia Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner for
West Mercia.
Decision Maker: Corporate Director - Children & Young People
Decision published: 28/03/2024
Effective from: 19/03/2024
Lead officer: Darryl Freeman
23/02/2024 - Award a contract to carry out External Improvement Works up to a value of £79,059.98 at 33-35 Union Street, Hereford ref: 10058 Recommendations Approved
These works are part of the programme of
residual improvement works from 2019 condition reports.
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.
Decision Maker: Strategic Assets Delivery Director
Decision published: 28/03/2024
Effective from: 23/02/2024
Lead officer: Sarah Jowett
26/03/2024 - Decision to accept a capital grant of £82,600 from the government Swimming Pool Support Fund to improve pool facilities at Hereford Leisure Pool and Ross Swimming Pool. ref: 10057 Recommendations Approved
The Government’s Swimming Pool Support
Fund (administered by Sport England) has agreed to make a grant of
£82,600 to Herefordshire Council for capital investment to
improve the energy efficiency of public facilities with pools in
the medium to long term.
The objectives of the fund are:
?to reduce the energy consumption level of facilities in receipt of
funding;
?to support the leisure sector to transition to a position of
environmental and financial sustainability;
?to minimise the closure of swimming pool provision;
?to reduce the carbon output of facilities in receipt of funding in
line with the government's Net Zero by 2050 objectives; and
?to prioritise support in those areas of greatest socio-economic
need (as evidenced by IMD level).
The allocated funding will directly contribute to pool covers at
Hereford Leisure Pool, and triple glazing to pool hall windows and
variable speed pumps at Ross Swimming Pool. No match funding is
required.
The Swimming Pool Support Fund fits with the following ambitions
set out in Herefordshire’s County Plan:
?Minimise waste and increase reuse, repair and recycling
?Invest in low carbon projects
?Identify climate change action in all aspects of council
operation
The project also meets the Carbon Management Plan pathway to carbon
neutral 2030, identifying retro-fit opportunities in council assets
to improve overall operational sustainability and
support.
Decision Maker: Director of Resources and Assurance (Historic)
Decision published: 28/03/2024
Effective from: 26/03/2024
Lead officer: Andrew Lovegrove
28/03/2024 - Objectives for New Herefordshire Local Transport Plan ref: 10053 Recommendations Approved
The report seeks the approval of the objectives that will inform the development of the new Local Transport Plan (LTP) and assist in the identification of the measures and initiatives in the implementation plan. In addition, attention is brought to a revised timeline for the production and adoption of the LTP following revised guidance from the Department for Transport (DfT)
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision published: 28/03/2024
Effective from: 06/04/2024
Decision:
That:
a) Cabinet approves the objectives (as set out at para 19) for the new Local Transport Plan as recommended in the report and
b) Cabinet notes changes to the DfT’s anticipated timetable (as set out at paras. 9 and 10)for producing the new Local Transport Plan.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Geoff Pickford
28/03/2024 - New Road Strategy for Hereford ref: 10042 Recommendations Approved
The report seeks Cabinet’s agreement to the revised priorities within the Hereford Transport
Strategy and to agree to draw down investment in new road infrastructure to improve
network resilience and support the growth and development of Herefordshire in accordance
with the current Local Transport Plan and Core Strategy policy frameworks.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision published: 28/03/2024
Effective from: 06/04/2024
Decision:
That Cabinet:
a) Agrees to recommence progress within the existing policy frameworks of the
Hereford Western Bypass linking the A49 north and south of the city.Consisting of the Southern Link Road as Phase 1 and the Western Bypass as Phase 2 to realise the county’s strategic housing and employment land growth critical to the Herefordshire economy, as set out in the report;
b) Acknowledges the Strategic Outline Case report for the Eastern River Crossing
and Link Road;
c) Agrees to draw down and spend £10.3m of approved capital funding for Phase
1 of the Hereford Western Bypass (HWB) and £760,000 of revenue funding for
Phase 2 of the HWB as included in this report at para 102 to 107; and
d) Delegates authority to take all operational decisions during the development of
the schemes to the Corporate Director for Economy and Environment in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure and the
Section 151 Officer.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Geoff Pickford
22/03/2024 - Deed of Dedication Agreement for Development Opposite Rose Cottage, Upton Bishop For Pricewise Homes. ref: 10055 Recommendations Approved
To secure adopted publicly maintained highway
works constructed to the proper standards for the benefit of the
community.
For the Deed of Dedication Agreement for land to be dedicated as
highway for outside the development opposite Rose Cottage, Upton
Bishop for Pricewise Homes to be signed and sealed by an authorised
officer on behalf of Herefordshire Council.
Decision Maker: Officer Decisions - Economy and Enviroment
Decision published: 25/03/2024
Effective from: 22/03/2024
Lead officer: Bruce Evans
23/11/2023 - To award a contract for the provision of assessed daytime individual short breaks for disabled children. ref: 10054 For Determination
To award The Endorphins Group a contract for
two years plus up to a further 2 years, to deliver individual
support hours, over the lifetime of the contract, at a maximum cost
of £1,040,000.
Decision Maker: Corporate Director - Children & Young People
Decision published: 25/03/2024
Effective from: 23/11/2023
Lead officer: Darryl Freeman
26/09/2023 - West Mercia Energy Joint Committee - access to papers ref: 10051 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: West Mercia Energy Joint Committee
Made at meeting: 26/09/2023 - West Mercia Energy Joint Committee
Decision published: 21/03/2024
Effective from: 26/09/2023
Decision:
The West Mercia Energy Joint Committee is administered by Shropshire Council. To view the decisions made at this meeting please visit the Shropshire Council website by following this link: Agenda for West Mercia Energy Joint Committee on Tuesday, 26th September, 2023, 10.30 am — Shropshire Council
A summary of the decisions taken is also available: Decisions 26th-Sep-2023 10.30 West Mercia Energy Joint Committee
21/03/2023 - West Mercia Energy Joint Committee - access to papers ref: 10050 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: West Mercia Energy Joint Committee
Made at meeting: 21/03/2023 - West Mercia Energy Joint Committee
Decision published: 21/03/2024
Effective from: 21/03/2023
Decision:
The West Mercia Energy Joint Committee is administered by Shropshire Council. To view the decisions made at this meeting please visit the Shropshire Council website by following this link: Agenda for West Mercia Energy Joint Committee on Tuesday, 21st March, 2023, 10.00 am — Shropshire Council
A summary of the decisions taken is also available: Decisions 21st-Mar-2023 10.00 West Mercia Energy Joint Committee
21/03/2024 - Care Providers Annual Fee Review 2024-25 ref: 10049 Recommendations Approved
Local Authorities have a duty under the Care
Act 2014 to meet assessed eligible care and support needs. The Care
Act 2014 also places a duty on Local Authorities to shape markets
and enable a sustainable and diverse range of care providers to
deliver innovative and cost effective services that promotes the
wellbeing of people who need care and support.
In line with contractual obligations, the council must review fees
paid to Social Care providers on an annual basis.
Legal precedent indicates that whilst there is a need for Councils
to have due regard to the cost of care this is not a singular
factor in the setting of fee rates for services. In addition, there
are expectations that Councils also consider factors such as:
Experience of local care agency closures, lack of closures
Over / under supply of provision
Rates paid by other comparable LA’s
Consideration of management accounts from providers
The position of those providers with whom it has been able to reach
agreement
Change or lack of change as CQC ratings
Localised cost movements e.g. locally advertised job rates, staff
turnover etc.
The Council must balance its duty under the Care Act 2014 with its
legal duty to set a balanced budget when considering fees for care
providers.
The proposed recommendations balance the need for the Council to
meet its duties under the Care Act within financial resources
available.
In determining uplifts and new fee rates for 2024/25 the council
has considered the impact of increases in the cost of wages and
other cost increases.
The Council has also considered benchmarking information regarding
current fee rates for councils in the West Midlands (14 Councils).
It has also considered latest intelligence regarding
councils’ proposals for fee rate increases for 2024/25 within
the region.
It is also important to note that this review has considered other
challenges faced by provider, informed by their feedback to
commissioners. Areas identified include:
• Recruitment and retention
• Increases in NLW
• Agency staffing costs
• Utilities
• Fuel / Travel costs
• Cost of living impact on running costs
• Cost of Voids (supported living)
• Insurance
• Training
Care Homes
The market for care home provision in Herefordshire is buoyant,
there have been no care home closures in the last 12 months and
planning requests are being received for the development of new
homes in the county.
Regional benchmarking of 14 councils information indicates that
Herefordshire Council’s standard fee rates are mid-range
compared with other Councils’ rates within the West
Midlands.
It has been decided that an increase of7% is applied to all care
home provision with effect from 1 April.
Home Care
New arrangements for commissioned home care have been in place
since November 2021. In November 2022 a decision was taken to
introduce a secondary framework to address sufficiency challenges
in the market. As a result of this the waiting list for home care
has reduced from over 100 in April 2023 to under 10 in February
2024.
Regional benchmarking information indicates that
Herefordshire’s urban rate is the 4th highest in the region
and its rural rate is 2nd highest across the region.
It has been decided that an uplift of 7% is applied to both urban
and rural rates for Home Care with effect from 1 April 2024.
Supported Living
A new framework for Supported Living is currently out to tender
with the market. The new framework maintains the current fee
structure in relation to a lower hourly rate that applies to core
hours and waking nights in 24/7 properties; a higher hourly rate
that applies to additional 1:1 hours and the new sleep-in rate of
£135 (based on a 9 hour sleep-in) which will be introduced
from 1 April 2024.
The new sleep in rate that will be introduced from April 2024
brings Herefordshire Council approach in line with the majority of
other Local Authorities across the region and country in relation
to payment of a lower level of fee for sleep-in support.
Effectively this reduces the hourly fee rate for sleep-ins from
£17.04 in 2023 to £15.00. At £15.00 per hour
however, this rate remains significantly above the average level of
sleep in payments across the region.
In relation to the lower and higher rates in Herefordshire it is
difficult to make direct comparisons with other Councils in the
region as only Warwickshire council operates a similar 2 rate
system, with most Councils operating a single rate.
In order to mitigate risks to the sustainability of the market in
relation to Supported Living as a result of the impact on providers
of the implementation of a reduced rate for sleep-ins an uplift of
8.33% is to be provided for the lower and higher rates from 1 April
2024.
Community Activities
The Council does not operate standard fee rates for community
activities. Rates vary for individuals services based on the type
of provision and level of needs of the individuals supported.
A new framework for Community Activities is currently out to tender
with the market. Existing services that transfer onto the new
framework will continue to be paid on the basis of current fee
rates subject to any agreed annual uplift determined by the Council
to be applied from 1st April 2024.
It has been decided that an uplift of 7% is applied to all fee
rates for community activities with effect from 1 April 2024.
Shared Lives
Shared lives services remain an important part of the service offer
in Herefordshire, with plans to further develop and expand services
in the future.
Whilst benchmarking information relation to 2022/23 indicates that
Herefordshire rates are lower than a number of other councils in
the region, it is noted that the morale of shared lives carers has
improved over the last year as a result of them having received an
uplift in line with other services (which had not been the case
previously). They also received an increase in board and lodging
payments in 2023/24 with a commitment to review these annually in
line with benefits increases.
It has been decided that an uplift of 7% is applied to fee rates
for shared lives with effect from 1 April 2024.
Direct Payments
Direct payments can be used to fund a range of different services,
with varying fee rates.
It has been decided that Direct Payments are increased by 7% from
April 2024 in line with other proposed uplift levels (with the
exception of supported living which is not a service routinely
secured through the use of direct payments).
Standard processes will be followed where individuals in receipt of
a direct payment have surplus or insufficient funds to meet their
care needs.
Decision Maker: Corporate Director - Community Wellbeing
Decision published: 21/03/2024
Effective from: 21/03/2024
Lead officer: Hilary Hall
14/03/2024 - Surrender of existing lease and grant of new in respect part St Owens Centre Symonds Street Hereford to Accordia Academies Trust ref: 10048 Recommendations Approved
The St Owen’s Centre is owned by the
council and part is leased to Barrs Court School now Accordia
Academies Trust (the Trust) under a 25 year academy lease which
expires in 2038.
Alterations and improvements have been carried out by the council
using monies from the High Needs Capital Grant which is government
funding to enhance Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision in the
county
As a result of these works the Trust occupy a larger and improved
area of the building enabling them to provide education to
additional children with SEN needs and a new lease is required to
reflect the larger area occupied
Terms for the surrender of the existing and grant of a new lease
have been agreed with the Trust on the basis of the standard terms
for an academy lease at a peppercorn rent with the following
variations
The length of term which is to match the unexpired term of the
existing lease
The council will retain responsibility for external repairs and
provision to be made for the cost to be recharged to the Trust and
the other occupier of the building
Decision Maker: Strategic Assets Delivery Director
Decision published: 21/03/2024
Effective from: 14/03/2024
Lead officer: Sarah Jowett
15/03/2024 - Grant of an easement to Cadent Gas enabling them to access and maintain underground gas pipes at the Oval Hereford ref: 10047 Recommendations Approved
The land is currently a small section of
public highway, the site of a former bus shelter which is being
transferred to Connexus Housing to slightly enlarge their adjoining
site and improve the layout of their proposed housing scheme.
The Council will be awarded full nomination rights in respect of
the proposed housing providing a contribution to the County Plan
2020/24 objective of providing more affordable housing
Connexus have applied for a highways stopping up order which has
been objected to by Cadent Gas who have gas pipes beneath the land
and wish to protect their ability to access the pipes for repair
and maintenance.
Cadent Gas have indicated that the grant of an easement protecting
their rights to access their infrastructure will satisfy their
objection and allow the housing development to progress
Decision Maker: Strategic Assets Delivery Director
Decision published: 21/03/2024
Effective from: 15/03/2024
Lead officer: Sarah Jowett
23/02/2024 - To make provisional Tree Preservation Order 685 in Bringsty ref: 10046 Recommendations Approved
The trees have high public amenity value and
are under perceived threat due to proposed development.
Decision Maker: Officer Decisions - Economy and Enviroment
Decision published: 21/03/2024
Effective from: 23/02/2024
Lead officer: Elizabeth Duberley
23/02/2024 - To make provisional Tree Preservation Order 684 Bishops of Hereford Bluecoat School - Hereford ref: 10045 Recommendations Approved
Collectively the trees have high public
amenity value and are under threat of removal to accommodate
building works.
Decision Maker: Officer Decisions - Economy and Enviroment
Decision published: 21/03/2024
Effective from: 23/02/2024
Lead officer: Elizabeth Duberley
18/03/2024 - Out Of Hours (OOH) call handling service for Adult Social Care (ASC) ref: 10044 Recommendations Approved
That: The council extends its current Out of
Hours call handling contract with The Answering Service to include
an Out Of Hours call handling service for Adult Social Care AMHPs
customers
Decision Maker: Corporate Director - Community Wellbeing
Decision published: 21/03/2024
Effective from: 18/03/2024
Lead officer: Hilary Hall
14/03/2024 - Direct award of contract- Developing and improving Early help arrangements in Herefordshire ref: 10043 Recommendations Approved
Herefordshire Councils Ofsted report
highlighted that some children do not receive the right help at the
right time and that the Early Help offer in Herefordshire is
limited.
To address this Herefordshire Council has commissioned PeopleToo an
external facilitator to assist with a strategic piece of work to
develop, in conjunction with voluntary sector partners, effective
multi-agency early help arrangements in Herefordshire.
PeopleToo have the required relevant experience and are able to
mobilise swiftly, this enables grant funding awarded to be fully
utilised in the timescales required.
Peopletoo’s pricing against other providers listed on the
ESPO framework for this particular lot is considered to demonstrate
good value when considered in conjunction with their capacity to
mobilise in a short timeframe and successfully delivering a local
project on behalf of the council in short timescales.
The ESPO framework has been utilized which is available to the
council to make call offs and award contract, this is considered a
compliant procurement route in line with the councils contract
procedure rules.
Decision Maker: Corporate Director - Children & Young People
Decision published: 21/03/2024
Effective from: 14/03/2024
Lead officer: Darryl Freeman