Decisions

Decisions

16/05/2025 - To grant a license to Herefordshire Wildlife Trust granting permission to access various stretches of the waterway via Council owned land for the purposes of carrying out maintenance. ref: 10720    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Commercial and Investment Manager

Decision published: 12/06/2025

Effective from: 16/05/2025

Decision:

1. Herefordshire Wildlife Trust (HWT) require the license as part of their bid to the EA to demonstrate they have the ability to deliver the River City Project.
2. HWT will carry out maintenance and upgrading works on Herefordshire Council owned land where appropriate.
3. The license will allow HWT to improve the area which will benefit the rivers and wetlands across the city.
4. The works will open up areas of riverside walks, which are currently overgrown and neglected, for the benefit of the public and the flora and fauna that lives in and around them. The project will also increase the public awareness of the natural environment through the use of information boards and waymarkers.

Lead officer: Michelle Chadd


02/06/2025 - Disposal of land and buildings at the former Colwall Church of England Primary School, Colwall Green, Colwall ref: 10719    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Commercial and Investment Manager

Decision published: 12/06/2025

Effective from: 02/06/2025

Decision:

Owing to severe water ingress problems in the school buildings a replacement school was built during 2017, and the school relocated in January 2018.

No use has been made of the old school buildings since this
date and they are no longer required by Herefordshire Council as an educational establishment.

Part of the site and buildings is already owned of the Diocese of Hereford and the consideration is to compensate for the public value in the land that is being transferred.

Lead officer: Michelle Chadd


02/06/2025 - To transfer to the Hereford Diocesan Board of Finance the freehold building footprint and land at Colwall Church of England Primary School, Mill Lane, Colwall ref: 10718    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Commercial and Investment Manager

Decision published: 12/06/2025

Effective from: 02/06/2025

Decision:

Paragraph 2(3) of Schedule 3 to the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 requires the council to transfer the freehold building footplate and developed hard play areas to the Hereford Diocesan Board of Finance.

Lead officer: Michelle Chadd


21/05/2025 - Decision to award contract and approve the expenditure of up to £114,453 for the roof and surfacing upgrade works at Blackmarston Primary School, Herefordshire. ref: 10717    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Service Director - Education, Skills and Learning

Decision published: 12/06/2025

Effective from: 21/05/2025

Decision:

Award a contract to S C Joseph Ltd for the roof and surfacing upgrade works at Blackmarston Primary School, Herefordshire, following a successful tender on the Council’s procurement portal.

Approve the expenditure of up to £101,735.70 for the works, which includes a contingency of up to £9,248.70.

Approve the expenditure of up to £12,717 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


27/05/2025 - Award of highway works associated with Highway Infrastructure Investment – Works Order 23 ref: 10716    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment

Decision published: 11/06/2025

Effective from: 27/05/2025

Decision:

To award a contract (Works Order 23) to Tarmac Trading Ltd using the Council’s NEC 4 Framework Agreement, up to the value of £226,498.48, for carriageway and remedial works with an additional contingency of up to a value of £22,649.84 (10%)

Lead officer: Jenny Arnold


11/06/2025 - Award of contract for pre surface dressing patching works of various sites – Works Order 22 ref: 10715    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment

Decision published: 11/06/2025

Effective from: 11/06/2025

Decision:

To award a contract (Works Order 22) to Tarmac Trading Ltd using the Council’s Highways and Public Realm Schemes Framework, to the initial value of £287,301.65 for surface dressing preparation works on C and U roads across the county, as set out in Appendix 1.

Lead officer: Jenny Arnold


11/06/2025 - Reprocurement of Herefordshire Independent Adult Advocacy Services

To approve the reprocurement of Herefordshire Independant Adult Advocacy Services, bhy way of an open tender process.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member adults, health and wellbeing

Decision due date: 28/11/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: John Burgess

Notice of decision: 11/06/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


06/06/2025 - Section 228 Highway Act 1980 – Adoption of highway at Malvern Oak Close, Cradley ref: 10713    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Officer Decisions - Economy and Enviroment

Decision published: 10/06/2025

Effective from: 06/06/2025

Decision:

To adopt the highway at Malvern Oak Close, Cradley, as identified on drawing no S38/2025-1 under Section 228 of the Highways Act 1980. Notices to be posted on site to facilitate the adoption of the above sections of footway as highways maintainable at public expense. In the event of objections being received, further Governance will be sought.

To secure adopted publicly maintained highway works constructed to the proper standards for the benefit of the community.

Lead officer: Fiona Miles


02/06/2025 - Award of contract for a Highways Asset Management Software System ref: 10712    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment

Decision published: 06/06/2025

Effective from: 02/06/2025

Decision:

To direct award a contract for the provision of a Highways Asset Management Software System to Brightly Software Limited under the Crown Commercial Service G-Cloud 14 Framework Agreement (RM1557.14) so as to supply a cloud hosted Enterprise Asset Management Software System (Confirm) from 1st July 2025 for a three (3) year period to 30th June 2028 in the sum of £379,158.00.

Lead officer: Ed Bradford


06/06/2025 - Award of highway works associated with Public Rights of Way structures – PRoW Works Order 1 - Additional Funding ref: 10711    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment

Decision published: 06/06/2025

Effective from: 06/06/2025

Decision:

An additional requirement to increase the overall service order budget by £13,554.89 has been identified and is to be added to the service order. This increase is due to additional construction requirements that have arisen during delivery of the works and has been captured through the appropriate contract protocols.

Lead officer: Callum Bush


05/06/2025 - Ross Enterprise Park Phase 1; Construction Phase

To approve the expenditure of up to £7.229m of allocated capital funding to progress delivery of Ross Enterprise Park (phase 1) into the next phase of construction, and to undertake procurement for a main contractor and other essential suppliers to deliver those works.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member community services and assets

Decision due date: 18/07/2025

Wards affected: Old Gore; Penyard; Ross East; Ross West;

Lead officer: David Jones

Notice of decision: 05/06/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


05/06/2025 - Risk Management Strategy (amended to non key) ref: 10710    Recommendations Approved

To approve the Risk Management Strategy and Corporate Risk Register

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision published: 05/06/2025

Effective from: 12/06/2025

Decision:

That:

 

a)    The Risk Management Strategy 2025/26 and Risk Appetite Statement are approved by Cabinet; and

 

b)    The risks identified in the revised Corporate Risk Register are agreed as those of significant, strategic and cross-cutting importance to be managed and monitored in 2025/26.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Rachael Sanders


05/06/2025 - Q4 2024/25 Budget Report ref: 10709    Recommendations Approved

To report the provisional financial outturn position for 2024/25 for revenue and capital budgets, subject to external audit. The 2024/25 outturn shows a net underspend of £0.5 million after the use of reserves and implementation of recovery plan actions.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision published: 05/06/2025

Effective from: 12/06/2025

Decision:

That: Cabinet

 

a)    review the financial outturn for 2024/25, as set out in the appendices A-E, and identifies any additional actions to be considered to achieve future improvements; and

 

b)    agree the transfer of the reported underspend of £0.5 million to increase the General Fund Balance.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Rachael Sanders


05/06/2025 - Q4 Performance Report ref: 10708    Recommendations Approved

To review performance for Quarter 4 (Q4) 2024/25 and to report the performance position across all Directorates for this period.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision published: 05/06/2025

Effective from: 12/06/2025

Decision:

That Cabinet:

 

a)    review performance for Q4 2024/25; and

 

b)    agree any outstanding key milestones from the Delivery Plan 2024/25 (see Appendix A) are carried forward to the Delivery Plan 2025/26

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Jessica Karia


21/05/2025 - Award of contract for debt enforcement activity ref: 10692    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Director of Finance

Decision published: 05/06/2025

Effective from: 21/05/2025

Decision:

To award the contract for enforcement agency services (Revenues & Benefits) to Bristow & Sutor for a period of up to 5 years from 11 June 2025

Lead officer: Gemma Vernon


21/05/2025 - Decision to award contract and approve the expenditure of up to £96,137 for the damp works at Eardisley Primary School, Herefordshire. ref: 10707    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Corporate Director - Children & Young People

Decision published: 05/06/2025

Effective from: 21/05/2025

Decision:

Award a contract to S C Joseph Ltd for the damp works at Eardisley Primary School, Herefordshire, following a successful tender on the Council’s procurement portal.

Approve the expenditure of up to £85,454.72 for the works, which
includes a contingency of up to £7,768.61.

Approve the expenditure of up to £10,681.84 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


14/05/2025 - Decision to Charge for Proof of Life Checks ref: 10703    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Director of Finance

Decision published: 05/06/2025

Effective from: 14/05/2025

Decision:

To implement a charge for Proof of Life Checks. The Proof of Life check will be administrated by Customer Services at Blueschool House, Hereford. The charge per check will be £15.

Lead officer: Kelly Watts


02/06/2025 - Award of contract for pre surface dressing patching works of various sites – Works Order 24 ref: 10706    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment

Decision published: 04/06/2025

Effective from: 02/06/2025

Decision:

To award a contract (Works Order 24) to Tarmac Trading Ltd using the Council’s Highways and Public Realm Schemes Framework, to the initial value of £141,235.74 for surface dressing preparation works on C and U roads across the county, as set out in Appendix 1.

Lead officer: Jenny Arnold


04/06/2025 - 240349 - LAND AT RAMBLERS WAY, WINFORTON, HEREFORD, HR3 6EP ref: 10705    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning and Regulatory Committee

Made at meeting: 04/06/2025 - Planning and Regulatory Committee

Decision published: 04/06/2025

Effective from: 04/06/2025

Decision:

Application approved with a change to the conditions.

Wards affected: Castle;


04/06/2025 - 231806 - HILLCREST, FOY, ROSS-ON-WYE, HEREFORDSHIRE, HR9 6RD ref: 10704    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning and Regulatory Committee

Made at meeting: 04/06/2025 - Planning and Regulatory Committee

Decision published: 04/06/2025

Effective from: 04/06/2025

Decision:

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

Wards affected: Old Gore;


03/06/2025 - Executive response to recommendations made by the Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny Committee regarding the River Lugg Water Quality

To approve the executive response to recommendations made by the Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny Committee regarding the River Lugg Water Quality

Decision Maker: Cabinet member environment

Decision due date: 30/06/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Elizabeth Duberley

Notice of decision: 03/06/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


03/06/2025 - Parish Lengthsman Scheme – Additional Investment 2025/26 ref: 10702    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment

Decision published: 03/06/2025

Effective from: 03/06/2025

Decision:

To deliver £250k of additional funding through the existing Parish Lengthsman contract process for maintenance or nominated activities.

Lead officer: Ed Bradford


03/06/2025 - Internal audit annual report and opinion 2024/25

The purpose of this report is to enable the committee to provide independent assurance on the
adequacy of the risk management framework together with the internal control of the financial
reporting and annual governance processes by considering the head of internal audit’s annual report
and opinion, and the level of assurance it gives over the council’s corporate governance
arrangements.

Decision Maker: Audit and Governance Committee

Decision due date: 10/06/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Rachael Sanders

Notice of decision: 03/06/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


02/06/2025 - Draft Annual Report of the Audit and Governance Committee

To provide the committee with the draft annual report covering the work undertaken by the Committee, during the 2024/25 municipal year.

Decision Maker: Audit and Governance Committee

Decision due date: 10/06/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Jenny Preece

Notice of decision: 02/06/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


02/06/2025 - Draft Annual Governance Statement 2024/25

To seek the view of the committee as to whether the Annual Governance Statement reflects the internal control environment.

Decision Maker: Audit and Governance Committee

Decision due date: 10/06/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Rachael Sanders, Judith Tranmer

Notice of decision: 02/06/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


02/06/2025 - 2024/25 Draft Statement of Accounts

To note the draft, unaudited Statement of Accounts for 2024/25.

Decision Maker: Audit and Governance Committee

Decision due date: 10/06/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Rachael Sanders, Judith Tranmer

Notice of decision: 02/06/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


30/05/2025 - Property Services Estate Capital Building Improvement Programme 2025/28 ref: 10693    Recommendations Approved

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 published: 30/05/2025

Effective from: 06/06/2025

Decision:

That the Cabinet Member:

a)    Approves the drawdown and spend of the capital programme for the 3 years from 2025/26 to 2027/28 as set out in appendix A and B within a total budget of £6,019,602; and

b)    Approve the drawdown and spend of the capital programme and implementation of the care facility emergency programme of works as set out in Appendix C within a total budget of £604,000; and

c)    Authorises the Corporate Director – Economy & Environment to take all operational decisions to deliver the projects within the approved separate budgets of £6,623,602.

 

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Michael Griffin, Anthony Oliver


30/05/2025 - Procurement Strategy for the Hereford Western Bypass -Phase 1

To agree the procurement route to enable the Hereford Western Bypass to move to it's construction stage.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 17/07/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Steve Smith, Scott Tompkins

Notice of decision: 30/05/2025

Anticipated restriction: Part exempt  - view reasons


29/05/2025 - Herefordshire Suicide Prevention Strategy

For information

Decision Maker: Health and Wellbeing Board

Decision due date: 09/06/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Kristan Pritchard

Notice of decision: 29/05/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


29/05/2025 - City and Market Town Public Realm Investment

To approve the 2025/26 £1.2m City and Market Town Public Realm Investment.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member roads and regulatory services

Decision due date: 11/07/2025

Wards affected: Bromyard Bringsty; Bromyard West; Kington; Ledbury North; Ledbury South; Ledbury West; Leominster East; Leominster North and Rural; Leominster South; Leominster West; Ross East; Ross North; Ross West;

Lead officer: Ed Bradford

Notice of decision: 29/05/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


02/04/2025 - Grant of Lease to Halo at Kington Leisure Centre ref: 10701    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Acting Assistant Director for Highways and Transport

Decision published: 29/05/2025

Effective from: 02/04/2025

Decision:

• Halo occupies council premises in support of a contract for provision of leisure services at this venue.
• Contract and lease are for a period of two years commencing 1st April 2025.

Lead officer: Michelle Chadd


19/05/2025 - Granting a licence to occupy to Mercian Educational Trust for part of Gardner Hall, Venns Lane ref: 10700    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Commercial and Investment Manager

Decision published: 29/05/2025

Effective from: 19/05/2025

Decision:

Construction work to extend The Brookfield School will render the school buildings unhabitable for the duration.


Lead officer: Michelle Chadd


22/05/2025 - Solar Car Ports at Plough Lane

To approve the scoping and construction of solar car ports at Plough Lane

Decision Maker: Cabinet member environment

Decision due date: 10/07/2025

Wards affected: Central;

Lead officer: Katie Ainsworth, Richard Vaughan, Rosanna Willmott

Notice of decision: 22/05/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


22/05/2025 - Children and Young Persons' Improvement Plan - Phase 3

To present cabinet with the Phase 3 Children’s Services Improvement Plan for endorsement.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 17/07/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Maxine David, Tina Russell

Notice of decision: 22/05/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


12/05/2025 - Merton Meadows Flood Alleviation - delivery of construction works

To seek approval to spend the remaining £1.2 million of the £2 million Brownfield Land Release Fund grant awarded by the government for a flood alleviation scheme on the Merton Meadow sites in Hereford to enable them to be released for development. The grant funding will be utilised to deliver the physical flood alleviation works.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member economy and growth

Decision due date: 27/06/2025

Wards affected: Widemarsh;

Lead officer: Stephen Holland

Notice of decision: 12/05/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


01/05/2025 - Domestic Abuse Strategy for Herefordshire 2025 to 2028

To approve the new strategy for reducing the prevalence of and preventing domestic abuse throughout the county.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision due date: 17/07/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Kayte Thompson-Dixon

Notice of decision: 01/05/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


16/04/2025 - Local Transport Grant allocation

To delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Economy and Environment to spend the Local Transport Grant, Local Transport Resource Fund and Integrated Transport Block funding from the Department for Transport

Decision Maker: Cabinet member transport and infrastructure

Decision due date: 18/06/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Scott Tompkins

Notice of decision: 16/04/2025

This decision will be taken under urgency procedures.

Reason for urgency:
Authorities were informed about this funding in April 2025. The funding must be spent in-year, i.e. by the end of March 2026, otherwise the DfT will instigate their 'clawback' process.

Anticipated restriction: Open


15/04/2025 - Bromyard Employment Land and Leominster Business Hub Development

To seek approval to allocate and spend the Employment Land capital budget to bring forward detailed designs and accompanying business case for the development of business space on the former Bromyard Depot site, and to establish a business hub facility on the ground floor of the Buttercross Building in Leominster.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member community services and assets

Decision due date: 20/06/2025

Wards affected: Bromyard West; Leominster East;

Lead officer: David Wright

Notice of decision: 15/04/2025

Reason for urgency:
N/A

Anticipated restriction: Open

Explanation of anticipated restriction:
N/A


09/04/2025 - Capability and Ambition Fund 2025/26 allocation

The purpose of the report is to confirm what Herefordshire Council will deliver with the Capability and Ambition Fund grant

Decision Maker: Cabinet member transport and infrastructure

Decision due date: 18/06/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Ffion Horton, Scott Tompkins, Richard Vaughan

Notice of decision: 09/04/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


09/04/2025 - Housing related support for children in care and care leavers aged 16-25

To seek approval to commission, by means of a competitive tender process in line with the council’s contract procedure rules, a housing related support service for 16–25-year-old children in care and care leavers

Decision Maker: Cabinet member children and young people

Decision due date: 04/07/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Wendy Dyer

Notice of decision: 09/04/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


12/03/2025 - Bus Service Improvement Plan capital funding

The purpose of this report is to set out how the £1.1 million of Bus Service Improvement Plan capital spend is proposed to be spent and to seek the necessary approvals to do so.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member transport and infrastructure

Decision due date: 20/06/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: David Land

Notice of decision: 12/03/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


28/02/2025 - Debt Enforcement Contract Award (amended to non key due to monetary amount)

To award the debt enforcement contract

Decision Maker: Cabinet member finance and corporate services

Decision due date: 20/06/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Rachael Sanders

Notice of decision: 28/02/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


10/02/2025 - Hereford Enterprise Zone Retained Business Rates – Herefordshire Growth Programme

To approve the expenditure of the retained business rates from the Hereford Enterprise Zone, to deliver a county wide business growth, skills and inward investment programme

Decision Maker: Cabinet member economy and growth

Decision due date: 07/07/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Roger Allonby

Notice of decision: 10/02/2025

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: 18/06/2025

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


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: 31/07/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Leigh Whitehouse

Notice of decision: 30/01/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


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: 20/06/2025

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Steve Hodges

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 transport and infrastructure

Decision due date: 20/06/2025

Wards affected: Bromyard Bringsty; Wormside;

Lead officer: Ed Bradford

Notice of decision: 27/01/2025

Anticipated restriction: Open


18/12/2024 - Retaining of the swimming pool at Peterchurch Primary School

To approve the retention of and structural improvements to the swimming pool at Peterchurch Primary School

Decision Maker: Cabinet member community services and assets

Decision due date: 20/06/2025

Wards affected: Golden Valley South;

Lead officer: Quentin Mee

Notice of decision: 18/12/2024

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: 25/09/2025

Lead officer: Hilary Hall, Hayley Doyle

Notice of decision: 08/06/2023