Decisions

Decisions

06/02/2025 - Property Services Estate Capital Building Improvement Programme 2025/28

To agree the proposed programme of works as set out in appendices incorporating a series of planned project works to enable Council to deliver on its obligations to
maintain buildings fit for purpose.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member community services and assets

Decision due date: 19/03/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Michael Griffin, Anthony Oliver

Notice of decision: 06/02/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


31/01/2025 - Decision to fund up to £663,296.50 of Section 106 monies for “Education” (Primary) for the provision of extension and internal alterations at Ashfield Park Primary School, Redhill Road, Hereford, HR2 5AU. ref: 10515    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Service Director - Education, Skills and Learning

Decision published: 06/02/2025

Effective from: 31/01/2025

Decision:

Decision to fund up to £663,296.50 of Section 106 monies for “Education” (Primary) for the provision of extension and internal alterations at Ashfield Park Primary School, Redhill Road, Hereford, HR2 5AU.

Lead officer: Melissa Walker


23/01/2025 - Award of contract for pre surface dressing patching works of various sites associated with the Additional Department for Transport Highways Maintenance Funding – Works Order 9 ref: 10514    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment

Decision published: 05/02/2025

Effective from: 23/01/2025

Decision:

To award a contract (Works Order 9) to Tarmac Trading Ltd using the Council’s Highways and Public Realm Schemes Framework, to the initial value of £325,036.03.
for surface dressing preparation works on C roads across the county, as set out in Appendix 1. To authorise a contingency of £32,503.60

Lead officer: Ed Bradford


06/01/2025 - Award of contract for pre surface dressing patching works of various sites associated with the Additional Department for Transport Highways Maintenance Funding ref: 10513    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment

Decision published: 05/02/2025

Effective from: 06/01/2025

Decision:

To award a contract (Works Order 8) to Tarmac Trading Ltd using the Council’s Highways and Public Realm Schemes Framework, to the initial value of £65,260.41 for surface dressing preparation works on C roads across the county, as set out in Appendix 1. To authorise a contingency of £6,526.04.

Lead officer: Ed Bradford


07/01/2025 - Award of highway works associated with Public Rights of Way structures – PRoW Works Order 1 ref: 10512    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment

Decision published: 05/02/2025

Effective from: 07/01/2025

Decision:

To award a contract to MF Freeman Ltd using Lot 2 of the Council’s NEC 4 Framework Agreement, to the initial value of £194,666.25 to remove 10 existing timber footbridge structures on the Public Rights of Way network and replace them with new steel beamed, timber footbridges and to carry out works at a further site on the Public Rights of Way network to install a new section of steps and handrails, as set out in Appendix 1. In addition, to authorise a contingency of £5,333.75.

Lead officer: Ed Bradford


04/02/2025 - Executive Response to recommendations made by Environment and Scrutiny Committee for recommendations regarding Tree and Hedgerow Management

Executive Response to recommendations made by Environment and Scrutiny Committee for recommendations regarding Tree and Hedgerow Management

Decision Maker: Cabinet member environment

Decision due date: 31/03/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Elizabeth Duberley

Notice of decision: 04/02/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


12/11/2024 - Decision to award contract and approve the expenditure of up to £48,042.17 for Roofing and Guttering Improvements at Kington Lady Hawkins Leisure Centre ref: 10511    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Head of Chief Executive's Office

Decision published: 04/02/2025

Effective from: 12/11/2024

Decision:

Award a contract to SC Joseph Limited for Roofing and Guttering
Improvement Works at Lady Hawkins Leisure Centre, Kington, following a successful tender on the Council’s procurement portal.

Approve the expenditure of up to £45,953.38 for the works, which includes a contingency of up to £4,177.58.

Approve the expenditure of up to £2,088.79 for internal and external
professional fees.

Responsibility for monitoring the programme to be carried out by the Capital Project Manager within the spend budget.

Lead officer: Bijoy Ali


31/01/2025 - Education Strategy

To endorse the Education Strategy

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 27/02/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Liz Farr

Notice of decision: 31/01/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


31/01/2025 - Wye Valley National Landscapes - acceptance of grant funding

This report seeks approval to accept a number of confirmed and indicative funding awards, allocations and bids from National Grid, DEFRA, Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales for the future management and duties of the Wye Valley National Landscape, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This report also seeks approval to delegate the review of the AONB Management Plan and the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding between the 4 constituent local authorities, on account of the complex nature of the cross-border designation.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member environment

Decision due date: 07/03/2025

Wards affected: Backbury; Birch; Dinedor Hill; Kerne Bridge; Llangarron; Old Gore; Ross East; Ross North; Ross West;

Lead officer: Ben Boswell

Notice of decision: 31/01/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


31/01/2025 - Herefordshire's co-ordinated school admissions arrangements 2026/2027

To approve Herefordshire Council’s proposed admissions arrangements for the academic year 2026/2027
The proposed arrangements comply with the current School Admissions Code which came into force on 1 September 2021. The recommendation applies to admission arrangements determined in 2024 for admission in school year 2026/2027 for those schools in Herefordshire for whom the council is the admissions authority.
In 2022 some minor clarification changes were made to the arrangements previously published on the council’s website to bring the admissions arrangements in line with the updated code. These updates did not require consultation as they were required by the code itself.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member children and young people

Decision due date: 14/02/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Louise Tanner

Notice of decision: 13/12/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


30/01/2025 - Housing Development Company

To explore the development of a council owned housing development company. There is a critical need for additional housing in the county. Following the outcome of a recent best practice study of how other Local Authorities across England have addressed this issue, the Connected Communities Scrutiny Committee have recommended that the council explore the development of a council owned housing development company, which is supported by the Cross Party Housing Working Group.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 27/02/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Roger Allonby

Notice of decision: 30/01/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


30/01/2025 - Holiday Activities & Food Programme 2025/26

To approve and spend Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) grant funding from the Department for Education.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member children and young people

Decision due date: 07/03/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Emily Lowe, Nikki Stroud

Notice of decision: 30/01/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


30/01/2025 - Marches Forward Partnership Proposition

To consider and approve the Marches Forward Partnership Prospectus

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 27/02/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Roger Allonby

Notice of decision: 30/01/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


12/12/2024 - To approve the appointment of design consultants via a compliant tender process to produce a masterplan for land to the east of Ross on Wye following the instructions from the Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth ref: 10510    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Service Director Economy and Growth

Decision published: 30/01/2025

Effective from: 12/12/2024

Decision:

To meet the revised mandatory Government housing targets Ross has been identified as a location that could provide additional housing numbers. This masterplan work will identify the long term growth potential of Ross on Wye and ensure that any infrastructure and other services requirements to deliver this growth and growth beyond the current plan period are captured.

The is work will be funded from the revenue monies the council has allocated to support increased Housing Delivery.

Lead officer: Bijoy Ali


30/01/2025 - Play Area Investment

The purpose of this report is to set out how the £1 million for Play Area Investment is proposed to be spent and to seek the necessary approvals to do so.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member community services and assets

Decision due date: 03/03/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Ed Bradford

Notice of decision: 30/01/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


24/01/2025 - Grant of consent for the renewal of the sub-letting in respect of units 2 & 3 (GF) and Units 2, 3, 4 & 5 (FF) at Old Market, Hereford ref: 10509    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Commercial and Investment Manager

Decision published: 30/01/2025

Effective from: 24/01/2025

Decision:

The Tenant has provided evidence that the sub-letting has been negotiated between the parties and has provided full Heads of Terms. The head lease between the Landlord and its Tenant requires that consent for the Tenant’s sub-lettings is not to be unreasonably withheld.

Lead officer: Michelle Chadd


22/01/2025 - Enter into wayleave agreement with Airband for the installation and maintenance of electronic communication apparatus on land adjacent to 17 Croft Close, Bartestree, Hereford. ref: 10508    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Senior Estate Manager

Decision published: 30/01/2025

Effective from: 22/01/2025

Decision:

- An infrastructure upgrade is required to provide superfast fibre broadband to some private residences in the area.
- Airband approached Herefordshire Council for permission to install a telegraph pole on Council owned land to facilitate Airband’s fibre broadband roll out.
- Herefordshire Council’s Legal Services reviewed Airband’s standard wayleave agreement and amendments were agreed to Herefordshire Council Legal Service’s satisfaction.

Lead officer: Michelle Chadd


16/01/2025 - Enter into wayleave agreement with NGED for installation of low voltage cable near Leominster Leisure Centre. ref: 10507    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Senior Estate Manager

Decision published: 30/01/2025

Effective from: 16/01/2025

Decision:

- An infrastructure upgrade is required to allow the installation of EV charging points at this location.
- NGED have requested that a wayleave agreement be entered into to ensure that they have rights to access the cables in the future.

Lead officer: Michelle Chadd


29/01/2025 - Decision to fund up to £210,924.79 of Section 106 monies for “Education” (Primary & Secondary) for building improvement and ancillary works Kingstone Academy Trust, Kingstone, Hereford HR2 9HJ. ref: 10506    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Service Director - Education, Skills and Learning

Decision published: 30/01/2025

Effective from: 29/01/2025

Decision:

Decision to fund up to £210,924.79 of Section 106 monies for “Education” (Primary & Secondary) for building improvement and ancillary works Kingstone Academy Trust, Kingstone, Hereford HR2 9HJ.

Lead officer: Melissa Walker


28/01/2025 - 242591 - LAND AT LOWER WOODEND, STOKE LACY, HEREFORDSHIRE, HR7 4HQ ref: 10504    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning and Regulatory Committee

Made at meeting: 28/01/2025 - Planning and Regulatory Committee

Decision published: 28/01/2025

Effective from: 28/01/2025

Decision:

Application approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

Wards affected: Three Crosses;


28/01/2025 - 242506 / 242507 - SHIREHALL, ST PETERS SQUARE, HEREFORD, HEREFORDSHIRE, HR1 2HX ref: 10503    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning and Regulatory Committee

Made at meeting: 28/01/2025 - Planning and Regulatory Committee

Decision published: 28/01/2025

Effective from: 28/01/2025

Decision:

Applications approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

 

Wards affected: Central;


27/01/2025 - Herefordshire Flood Risk Mitigation

The purpose of this report is to set out how the £2.055 million for Herefordshire Flood Risk Mitigation is proposed to be spent and to seek the necessary approvals to do so.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member transport and infrastructure

Decision due date: 03/03/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Ed Bradford

Notice of decision: 27/01/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


27/01/2025 - Road Safety Schemes

The purpose of this report is to set out how the £3.0 million for Road Safety Schemes is proposed to be spent and to seek the necessary approvals to do so.


Decision Maker: Cabinet member roads and regulatory services

Decision due date: 03/03/2025

Wards affected: Bromyard Bringsty; Wormside;

Lead officer: Ed Bradford

Notice of decision: 27/01/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


27/01/2025 - Highways Infrastructure Investment - Additional Funding

The purpose of this report is to set out how the £5.0 million additional Highways Infrastructure Investment is proposed to be spent and to seek the necessary approvals to do so.


Decision Maker: Cabinet member roads and regulatory services

Decision due date: 03/03/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Ed Bradford

Notice of decision: 27/01/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


27/01/2025 - Resurfacing Herefordshire Highways - Additional Funding

The purpose of this report is to set out how the £5.0 million additional investment in Resurfacing Herefordshire Highways is proposed to be spent and to seek the necessary approvals to do so.


Decision Maker: Cabinet member roads and regulatory services

Decision due date: 03/03/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Ed Bradford

Notice of decision: 27/01/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


23/01/2025 - 2025/26 Council Tax Reduction Scheme ref: 10498    Recommend Forward to Council

To recommend to Council the 2025/26 local Council Tax
Reduction (CTR) scheme

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision published: 24/01/2025

Effective from: 23/01/2025

Decision:

That:

a) The Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2025/26, with the same parameters as the existing scheme, be recommended to Council for approval

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Rachael Sanders


23/01/2025 - 2025/26 Budget, Medium Term Financial and Treasury Management Strategy ref: 10500    Recommend Forward to Council

To recommend to Council the proposed 2025/26 revenue budget, Medium Term Financial Strategy and the Treasury Management Strategy.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision published: 24/01/2025

Effective from: 23/01/2025

Decision:

Recommendation(s) That Cabinet recommends to Council for approval:

 

a)    the council tax base of 72,816.74 Band D equivalents in 2025/26;

 

b)     an increase in core council tax for 2025/26 of 2.99%;

 

c)     an additional precept in respect of adult social care costs of 2% applied to council tax in 2025/26 resulting in a total council tax increase of 4.99%, increasing the band D charge from £1,875.76 to £1,969.36 for Herefordshire Council in 2025/26;

 

d)    the balanced 2025/26 revenue budget proposal totalling £231.5 million, subject to any amendments approved at the meeting, specifically the net spending limits for each directorate as at appendix C;

 

e)    delegates to the section 151 officer the power to make necessary changes to the budget arising from any variations in central government funding allocations via general reserves;

 

f)      the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2025/26 to 2028/29 at appendix A be approved;

 

g)    the Treasury Management Strategy at appendix D be approved;  

 

h)    the responses to scrutiny committee recommendations to follow in a supplementary paper to be approved; and

 

Additional recommendation (i) was also agreed at the meeting:

 

i)      the allocation of additional funding, above that assumed in this revenue budget and as confirmed in the Final Local Government Finance Settlement, firstly to make provision to support the development of the Local Plan and secondly, to be transferred to the Financial Resilience Reserve to mitigate the potential unfavourable outcome of the Fair Funding Review planned in 2025.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Rachael Sanders


23/01/2025 - 2025/26 Capital Investment Budget and Capital Strategy Update ref: 10499    Recommend Forward to Council

To recommend to Council for approval the revised capital investment budget and capital strategy for 2025/26 onwards

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision published: 24/01/2025

Effective from: 23/01/2025

Decision:

That:

Cabinet recommends the following to Council

 

a) To approve the revised capital programme for 2024/25 attached at appendix C;

 

b) Approve the capital strategy at appendix D; and

 

c) Approve the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts of up to £0.6million in 2024/25 and £0.6million in 2025/26, to support transformation to generate ongoing revenue savings and reduce service delivery costs in future years.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Rachael Sanders


23/01/2025 - Annual review of Earmarked Reserves – 2024/25 ref: 10494    Recommendations Approved

To note and review the earmarked reserves held by the council.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision published: 24/01/2025

Effective from: 30/01/2025

Decision:

That:

a)    The earmarked reserves and balances held by the council at 31 March 2024 are reviewed and confirmed as prudent to meet future financial commitments and risks; and

 

b)    The Earmarked Reserves and General Balances Policy Statement 2025/26 is approved and forecast balances to 31 March 2026 are noted

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Rachael Sanders


18/12/2024 - Decision to award contract and approve the expenditure of up to £165,414.12 for the Roof works at Much Birch Primary School, Herefordshire. ref: 10497    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Service Director - Education, Skills and Learning

Decision published: 23/01/2025

Effective from: 18/12/2024

Decision:

Award a contract to SWG Construction (Build & Renovate) Ltd for the Roofworks at Much Birch Primary School, Herefordshire, following a successful tender on the Council’s procurement portal.
Approve the expenditure of up to £147,034.77 for the works, which includes a contingency of up to £13,366.80.
Approve the expenditure of up to £18,379.35 for internal and external
professional fees.
Responsibility for monitoring the programme to be carried out by the
Capital Senior Project Manager within the spend budget.

Lead officer: Annie Ahearne


21/01/2025 - Shire Hall Phase 2 Refurbishment Work

Approval to spend allocated capital budget to deliver phase 2 of the planned Shire Hall refurbishment

Decision Maker: Cabinet member community services and assets

Decision due date: 19/03/2025

Wards affected: Central;

Lead officer: Johnathan Pritchard

Notice of decision: 21/01/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


21/01/2025 - Q3 2024/25 Budget Report

To report the forecast position for 2024/25 at Quarter 3 (December 2024).

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 27/02/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Rachael Sanders

Notice of decision: 21/01/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


17/01/2025 - SEND inspection update (formerly known as Education Update and Overview)

To update Cabinet on the outcome of the SEND Inspection carried out by Ofsted and CQC.


Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 27/02/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Liz Farr, Hilary Jones, Louise Tanner

Notice of decision: 17/01/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


10/01/2025 - Malvern Hills National Landscape Management Plan

To consider and adopt the new management plan for the Malvern Hills National Landscape.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member environment

Decision due date: 14/02/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: James Bisset, Ben Boswell

Notice of decision: 10/01/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


18/12/2024 - UKSPF Allocation 2025/2026

To accept and spend Herefordshire’s UKSPF allocation for 2025/26, totalling £2,172,966, made up of £401,198 capital and £1,771,768 revenue.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member economy and growth

Decision due date: Before 08/03/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Nadine Kinsey

Notice of decision: 18/12/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


12/12/2024 - Q3 Performance Report

To report to Cabinet the quarterly performance updates for across the council.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 27/02/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Jessica Karia

Notice of decision: 12/12/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


12/12/2024 - River Restoration

To draw down funding from the Cabinet Commission for the delivery of river restoration projects.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member environment

Decision due date: 19/02/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Elizabeth Duberley

Notice of decision: 12/12/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


06/12/2024 - Executive response to recommendations made by the Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny Committee regarding the Nutrient Management Board and to the Motion regarding Cabinet Commission on Phosphates

Executive response to recommendations made by the Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny Committee regarding the Nutrient Management Board and to the Motion regarding Cabinet Commission on Phosphates

Decision Maker: Cabinet member environment

Decision due date: 24/02/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Elizabeth Duberley

Notice of decision: 06/12/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


05/12/2024 - Delivery Plan 2025-26

To approve the council’s Delivery Plan 2025-26. Cabinet is required to produce a delivery plan which sets out how the strategic priorities within the Herefordshire Council Plan will be delivered and monitored.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 27/03/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Michelle Price, Helun Sandifort, Rosie Thomas-Easton

Notice of decision: 05/12/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


20/11/2024 - High Needs Budget 2025/26

To approve the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG)
high needs budget for 2024/25 as recommended
by Schools Forum.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member children and young people

Decision due date: 28/03/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Clare Bellis-powley

Notice of decision: 20/11/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


08/11/2024 - Schools Budget 2025/26

To approve school forum’s recommended budget
proposals for school budgets, central school
services and
early years within the Dedicated Schools Grant
(DSG) for
2025/26

Decision Maker: Cabinet member children and young people

Decision due date: 14/02/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Clare Bellis-powley

Notice of decision: 08/11/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


06/11/2024 - Warm Homes: Local Grant

We are seeking approval to apply for and spend funding under the new Warm Homes: Local Grant funding scheme

Decision Maker: Cabinet member environment

Decision due date: 28/02/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Bernadette Muldowney

Notice of decision: 06/11/2024

Reason for urgency:
N/A

Anticipated restriction: Open

Explanation of anticipated restriction:
N/A


05/07/2024 - Student Accommodation Update and Recommendations (amendment to non key due to there being no further financial implications that exceed £500k)

To update Cabinet Member on the progress and budget for the project

Decision Maker: Cabinet member community services and assets

Decision due date: 18/02/2025

Wards affected: College; Widemarsh;

Lead officer: Joni Hughes, Susan White

Notice of decision: 05/07/2024

Anticipated restriction: Open


03/08/2023 - Herefordshire and Worcestershire Group Training Association Ltd (HWGTA) Investment Partnership Model

To develop a business case outlining options for a preferred investment model and;

to approve the preferred investment model option for the HWGTA Ltd and Herefordshire Council partnership to enable the development of a vocational centre of excellence on Skylon Park.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 15/05/2025

Wards affected: Dinedor Hill;

Lead officer: Joni Hughes, Gabriela Singh

Notice of decision: 03/08/2023

Anticipated restriction: Open


08/06/2023 - New care facility

To consider and agree the business case to invest in and develop the council’s own care facility in Herefordshire to meet future demand

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 24/04/2025

Lead officer: Hilary Hall, Hayley Doyle

Notice of decision: 08/06/2023