Decisions
13/05/2022 - Officer approval to extend Warm Homes Fund project installer contracts with GSR Heating Ltd and Communitas Energy CIC via signing of Seal Authority form. ref: 8810 Recommendations Approved
- GSR Ltd. were awarded the contract for first
time LPG central heating systems via a compliant ITQ process.
- No bids were received for provision and install of first time Air
Source Heat Pump central heating systems and Communitas were
awarded the contract via a procurement waiver after recommendation
by a partner authority and the funder.
- The warm homes funding recipient agreement has been extended at
short notice on two occasions-contracts are being extended to
support this and on the advice of Legal Services up to 31 May
2022.
- Warm Homes Fund projects seek to alleviate fuel poverty for
eligible residents in the county via the installation of more
efficient and economic heating systems;
- Fuel Poverty affects an estimated 13,902 out of 84,028 households
(16.5%). This figure is higher than the national level of 13.4% and
reflects the challenges that the county faces in relation to the
energy efficiency of properties including a large proportion of
older, hard to treat ‘solid wall’ properties,
restricted access to mains gas and the resulting prevalence of
expensive heating fuel systems.
- Decreasing fuel poverty can be linked to increasing housing
standards as well as health and wellbeing.
- Housing also accounts for around a quarter of the County’s
carbon dioxide emissions and therefore by helping to improve the
energy efficiency of heating systems in properties, the Warm Homes
Fund projects will contribute to climate change reduction
targets.
Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment
Decision published: 13/05/2022
Effective from: 13/05/2022
Lead officer: Ross Cook
09/05/2022 - *Amended* decision to allocate underspend within the Covid recovery plan to support oversubscribed grant schemes ref: 8809 Recommendations Approved
The council has worked across all directorates
to support businesses, residents and communities throughout the
pandemic to remain as safe as possible and to prevent and reduce
spread of infection and protect those most vulnerable in our
society.
Our focus now moves towards recovery. Over the coming months the
true impact of the pandemic will become better known for the
economy, community wellbeing and the organisation.
To support the recovery cabinet approved a £6.1m COVID
Recovery Plan which includes the economy, community wellbeing and
organisation. The recovery plan now focuses on the immediate
impactful actions we need to take in the short term. Our priorities
are to:
- Establish Safe and Welcoming Places
- Support Business Viability and Resilience,
- Support Employment
- Support Wellbeing.
There has been underspend identified across some schemes within the
original covid recovery plan allocation whereas these grant schemes
have been oversubscribed.
The allocation of the additional funds will support applications
that have met the grant criteria however were unable to be funded
through the initial process due to funding
Decision Maker: Director of Resources and Assurance
Decision published: 12/05/2022
Effective from: 09/05/2022
Lead officer: Andrew Lovegrove
27/04/2022 - Decision to vary the ‘Independent Advocacy Service for Adults across Herefordshire’ contract, to clarify access arrangements to Independent Mental Health Advocates, for children and young people. ref: 8807 Recommendations Approved
The purpose of the contract variation is to
add the following qualifying paragraph into section C (Independent
Mental Health Advocates) of the Service Specification (Schedule 4)
of the Independent Advocacy Service for Adults contract:
‘The provider will make available Independent Mental Health
Advocate (IMHA) services to any young person who has been
temporarily detained at Hereford County Hospital. The level and
frequency of IMHA activity provided to qualifying patients who are
under the age of 18 will be kept under review during contract
monitoring meetings’.
Decision Maker: Assistant Director All Ages Commissioning
Decision published: 12/05/2022
Effective from: 27/04/2022
Lead officer: Ewen Archibald
12/05/2022 - Nordic Walks Procurement ref: 8806 Recommendations Approved
Learning Nordic Walking’ has proved
extremely popular and an effective way to increase levels of
walking and showcase the network of traffic-free paths. The budget
of £3,000 represents budget will cover 12 five week courses
and represents very good value for money.
Decision Maker: Service Director – Environment , Highways, & Waste
Decision published: 12/05/2022
Effective from: 12/05/2022
Lead officer: Mark Averill
13/11/2021 - Community Support Network for staff and volunteers who have undertaken Mental Health First Aid Training ref: 8805 Recommendations Approved
Herefordshire Council is committed to its
approach of working in partnership with the community and voluntary
sector and acknowledges its value in supporting the county and its
residents.
It is recognised that volunteers in the community who may be
offering support to people with developing mental health
conditions, may find themselves coming under stress. It was felt
important to put in place a community network where volunteers
could get guidance and support from their peers with links into
established community based organisations.
Training in Mental Health First Aid and mental health awareness is
being provided to volunteers in the Talk Community Hubs and
volunteers across the county, but it is essential that those
volunteers are not then left without support for
themselves.
Decision Maker: Assistant Director All Ages Commissioning
Decision published: 12/05/2022
Effective from: 13/11/2021
Lead officer: Ewen Archibald
03/05/2022 - Decision to award a contract to undertake a Recovery & Investment Fund Business Case and Options Review ref: 8804 Recommendations Approved
After a published procurement exercise, 31ten
were scored highest across evaluation criteria. This piece of work
will assist the Council to effectively target resources to have the
greatest impact on business development recovery in the
county.
We are expecting the full business case to follow HM Treasury five
stage green book standard as well as including a value for money
assessment and should consider the extent to which the Council
could make investment or seek alternative private and/or public
sector investment.
The value of the contract is £48,075
Decision Maker: Director of Resources and Assurance
Decision published: 12/05/2022
Effective from: 03/05/2022
Lead officer: Andrew Lovegrove
09/05/2022 - Approval for contract of consultancy services provided by Telford & Wrekin for £50,000 ref: 8803 Recommendations Approved
Telford & Wrekin has previously provided
the required services to the council under a previous contract and
has demonstrated that they have the skills and capacity required by
the council. Due to the technical nature required by the Habitat
Regulations Assessment it has also been difficult to procure other
consultancy services. Telford & Wrekin have the required
expertise and specialist understanding and knowledge. Therefore the
decision was made to extend Telford & Wrekin consultancy
contract to the value of £50,000.
Decision Maker: Service Director – Environment , Highways, & Waste
Decision published: 12/05/2022
Effective from: 09/05/2022
Lead officer: Mark Averill
05/05/2022 - A lease for one year at Unit 43, 1 The Atrium, Maylord Orchard Centre, Hereford ref: 8802 Recommendations Approved
The Maylord Orchards Centre is now owned
outright by the council as a strategic asset in the centre of
Hereford.
The Centre comprises multiple retail units with the council
incurring the holding costs of all vacant units.
The terms agreed are for a lease for a 12 month period with the
lessee responsible for the payment of the service charge and
insurance premium attributable to this unit, business rates and all
utility costs
The occupation of this unit under a lease will mitigate the holding
costs that the council will otherwise pay.
The occupation of an otherwise vacant unit will help to improve the
vibrancy of the Centre and should increase footfall which may
benefit the other occupiers
The lease of this unit will not prohibit that council from
undertaking
development at a future date
Decision Maker: Delivery Director – Property Services
Decision published: 12/05/2022
Effective from: 05/05/2022
Lead officer: Andrew Husband
09/05/2022 - Landlords consent for tenant’s alterations at Castle Green Pavilion Hereford ref: 8801 Recommendations Approved
The Friends of Castle Green (FOCG)CIC occupy
the property at Castle Green Hereford under a lease dated 21 June
2018
FOCG have been awarded funding from the government’s Stronger
Town’s levelling up investment programme for a major
refurbishment and extension of the building and as required under
the terms of the lease have requested landlords consent to carry
out these works.
The aim of the project is to transform the historic Pavilion
building by respecting its Georgian heritage whilst creating a
modern, accessible space and iconic riverside visitor attraction in
the heart of Hereford including the provision of café
facilities, a multifunctional and flexible community meeting space,
a gallery celebrating local arts and heritage and a revitalised
home for the Hereford Youth Canoe Club (HYCC).
The lease provides that consent must not be unreasonably withheld
and there is no good reason in this case to do so as the proposals
are intended to enhance and protect this historic building.
The consent will be subject to obtaining any necessary planning,
listed building, conservation, scheduled ancient monument and
building regulation consents and the tenant will be required to
carry out the works to the highest standards to ensure that this
important local building is protected and enhanced for future
generations
Decision Maker: Acting Head of Property (Historic)
Decision published: 12/05/2022
Effective from: 09/05/2022
Lead officer: Helen Beale
09/05/2022 - Grant of new lease at unit 43 Maylord Orchards ref: 8800 Recommendations Approved
1. The Maylord Orchards Centre is now owned
outright by the council as a strategic asset in the centre of
Hereford.
2. The Centre comprises multiple retail units with the council
incurring the holding costs of all vacant units.
3. The terms agreed are for a lease for a 12 month period with the
tenant responsible for the payment of the service charge and
insurance premium attributable to this unit, business rates and all
utility costs
4. The occupation of this unit will mitigate the holding costs that
the council will otherwise pay.
5. The occupation of an otherwise vacant unit will help to improve
the vibrancy of the Centre and should increase footfall which may
benefit the other occupiers
6. The lease, for a period of 12 months, will be outside the
security of tenure provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
and so will not prohibit the council from undertaking development
at a future date.
Decision Maker: Acting Head of Property (Historic)
Decision published: 12/05/2022
Effective from: 09/05/2022
Lead officer: Helen Beale
02/05/2022 - Decision to approve a Street Trading Application, Land at Unit 19a Lower Road Industrial Estate, Ledbury, HR8 2DJ ref: 8799 Recommendations Approved
The council has a duty to determine any street
trading applications it receives.
Decision Maker: Head of Public Protection
Decision published: 12/05/2022
Effective from: 02/05/2022
Lead officer: Marc Willimont
10/05/2022 - To approve the acquisition of up to six properties from the open market and spend the grant award ref: 8798 Recommendations Approved
To approve the acquisition of up to six
properties from the open market in response to the Covid-19
emergency, to accommodate six people who have long and/or repeated
history of rough sleeping
This is the second decision to be approved following the recent
purchase of two of the permitted properties and relates to property
number three. This purchase is approved within the budget of
£176,400 as detailed below.
The overall funding of £1,058,400 has been approved to
purchase the six properties. We are prioritising using the external
grant received from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and
Communities first.
Below is a breakdown of the funding allocated for the purchase of
the properties
Funding streams - Capital
DLUHC Grant £423,360
BCF Grant available through the IBCF Programme £250,000
Strategic Housing funded from borrowing £385,040
TOTAL £1058,400
The council has already purchased two properties at a cost of
£302,098.57.
• Purchase price £279,950
• Legal/conveyancing/survey fees £2,928.57
• Refurbishment costs £22,220
The council is currently on budget.
Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment
Decision published: 11/05/2022
Effective from: 10/05/2022
Lead officer: Ross Cook
09/05/2022 - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities - Autism provision and nurture hubs
It was requested that further detail be presented to a the scrutiny committee on the increasing provision offered for children with autism.
The report will focus on:
· Details of the service and preparations for changes coming from Central Government;
· Challenges going forward with upcoming guidance from Government;
· Challenges facing SEND more broadly;
· The potential risks of an Ofsted inspection on SEND and how prepared the service is for that.
Decision Maker: Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee
Decision due date: 17/05/2022
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Les Knight
Notice of decision: 09/05/2022
Anticipated restriction: Open
09/05/2022 - Amendments to Councillors' Allowances
To approve amendments to the Herefordshire councillors' allowances scheme having regard to the recommendations of the council’s independent remuneration panel (IRP) following proposals from the Rethinking Governance working group. The council must have regard to the report when making or amending the allowances scheme.
Decision Maker: Council
Decision due date: 20/05/2022
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Alice McAlpine, Lucy Pincus
Notice of decision: 09/05/2022
Anticipated restriction: Open
28/04/2022 - Natural Environment Evidence Update ref: 8797 Recommendations Approved
Land Use Consultants were the successful
tenderer for the assessment following the ITT process. The
application met the requirements for the study brief.
Decision Maker: Service Director - Economy and Regulatory
Decision published: 09/05/2022
Effective from: 28/04/2022
Lead officer: Florence Churchill
06/05/2022 - 220137 - COUNTY GROUND OFFICES, HEREFORD, HEREFORDSHIRE, HR4 9NA ref: 8795 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: Planning and Regulatory Committee
Made at meeting: 06/05/2022 - Planning and Regulatory Committee
Decision published: 06/05/2022
Effective from: 06/05/2022
Decision:
The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation.
Wards affected: Widemarsh;
06/05/2022 - 213842 - CLEHONGER CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL, GOSMORE ROAD, CLEHONGER, HEREFORD, HEREFORDSHIRE, HR2 9SN ref: 8794 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: Planning and Regulatory Committee
Made at meeting: 06/05/2022 - Planning and Regulatory Committee
Decision published: 06/05/2022
Effective from: 06/05/2022
Decision:
The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation.
Wards affected: Stoney Street;
06/05/2022 - 212634 - TWO HOOTS, BUSH BANK, HEREFORDSHIRE, HR4 8EJ ref: 8793 Recommendations Approved
Decision Maker: Planning and Regulatory Committee
Made at meeting: 06/05/2022 - Planning and Regulatory Committee
Decision published: 06/05/2022
Effective from: 06/05/2022
Decision:
The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation.
Wards affected: Weobley;
29/04/2022 - Use of Nelson Street car park for St James car club ref: 8792 Recommendations Approved
The car club has historically found
operational difficulties with finding a parking space within the
residential parking area. This often results in the car being left
by a user in a different place to which it was collected, then
communication is needed to the next user to inform them where it is
parked.
In order to resolve this a dedicated parking space will now be
allocated in Nelson Street off street car park, which is owned by
the council.
A charge is usually applied to ‘rent’ a space at this
location (currently £480 per year), however due to there
being many different users in the scheme applying this charge would
be problematic. The only reasonable way would be to charge the car
club for the space which would be cost prohibitive for the
scheme.
The council actively supports car clubs in the county, and has
provided a parking space for the scheme in Kington. Therefore in
waiving the small charge that would have applied with this decision
the council can continue to support this car club scheme.
Decision Maker: Officer Decisions - Economy and Enviroment
Decision published: 05/05/2022
Effective from: 29/04/2022
Lead officer: Mark Averill
26/04/2022 - Covid Recovery - Financial support for emergency assistance – fuel poverty and essential household supplies: emergency food provision ref: 8791 Recommendations Approved
Covid 19 has had a very severe impact on local
communities in terms of the impact on people’s health and
wellbeing, loss of income, loss of jobs, long periods of anxiety
and isolation.
In December 2021 there were 3,015 people in Herefordshire (aged
16+) claiming out-of-work benefits, which is 43% higher than in
March 2020.
Provisional data suggest there were 11,516 Universal Credit
claimants in Herefordshire in November 2021, well above the 5,983
seen in March 2020. In Herefordshire, UC claimants currently
comprise 10% of the working age population. According to the
Institute for Fiscal Studies, rising inflation will mean a 3% real
cut in benefits year on year even before accounting for the removal
of the £20 per week Universal Credit uplift.
Whilst there are no up to date statistics for measuring food
poverty in Herefordshire, there are increasing numbers of people in
crisis situations: in 2020, 10,889 food parcels were distributed
across five food banks in the county. The Children’s
integrated needs assessment 2019 also noted that around 1,900
county school children are eligible for free school meals.
As the true impact of the Covid pandemic is becoming better known,
the significant financial pressures placed on low income households
is becoming better understood.
Due to limited timescales there has not been the opportunity to
test he market. However research has been previously undertaken to
gather knowledge of suitable providers across the county.
Herefordshire Community Foundation has systems, processes and
staffing capacity in place to administer these grants targeted at
voluntary and community organisations providing emergency food. It
also has the local relationships to ensure that these grants are
well publicised and to support applicants if necessary.
Decision Maker: Director of Resources and Assurance
Decision published: 05/05/2022
Effective from: 26/04/2022
Lead officer: Andrew Lovegrove
21/04/2022 - Decision to prosecute against an individual under section 117 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Hereford Central Ward. 21.04.22 ref: 8790 Recommendations Approved
To prosecute the defendant for offences under
the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, Section 117
Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment
Decision published: 05/05/2022
Effective from: 21/04/2022
Lead officer: Ross Cook
03/05/2022 - Decision to award a contract to undertake a Recovery & Investment Fund Business Case and Options Review ref: 8789 Recommendations Approved
evaluation criteria. This piece of work will
assist the Council to effectively target resources to have the
greatest impact on business development recovery in the
county.
We are expecting the full business case to follow HM Treasury five
stage green book standard as well as including a value for money
assessment and should consider the extent to which the Council
could make investment or seek alternative private and/or public
sector investment.
The value of the contract is £48,075
Decision Maker: Director of Resources and Assurance
Decision published: 05/05/2022
Effective from: 03/05/2022
Lead officer: Andrew Lovegrove
04/05/2022 - Council Membership - dispensation
To consider granting a dispensation for Cllr
Graham Jones whose compassionate leave of absence will exceed six
months, on 17 May 2022.
Decision Maker: Council
Decision due date: 13/05/2022
Wards affected: Castle;
Notice of decision: 04/05/2022
Anticipated restriction: Open
03/05/2022 - Hereford Museum and Art Gallery Re-development Abandoned
To accept and spend the additional project
development funding offered by the Hereford Stronger Towns Board in
commissioning the technical support required to develop the
proposed project for grant funding consideration. To progress the
project through the RIBA stages.
Decision Maker: Cabinet member commissioning, procurement and assets
Decision due date: 30/06/2022
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Johnathan Pritchard
Notice of decision: 03/05/2022
Anticipated restriction: Open
03/05/2022 - Stronger Towns Fund Grant Acceptance Maylords Orchard Abandoned
To accept and spend the additional development
funding offered by the Hereford Stronger Towns Board in support of
the proposed provision of a new library and learning resource
centre in Maylord Orchards. TO progress the project through the
RIBA Stages
Decision Maker: Cabinet member commissioning, procurement and assets
Decision due date: 04/07/2022
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Johnathan Pritchard
Notice of decision: 03/05/2022
Anticipated restriction: Open
03/05/2022 - Public Realm Services Annual Plan 2022-2023 ref: 8781 Recommendations Approved
To approve the annual plan 2022/23 for the public realm services contract with Balfour Beatty Living Places.
The annual plan has been developed by Balfour Beatty Living Places
(BBLP) with council officers based on instruction by the council to
ensure that it meets the council’s objectives for the public
realm (highways and related services) within the assigned budgets.
The service manager’s acceptance of the annual plan has
ensured that the annual plan complies with the terms of the public
realm services contract. Cabinet member approval of the plan
provides final confirmation of this acceptance and in doing so
ensures that the plan provides a sound basis for performance and
contract management during the forthcoming financial year. The
council has confirmed that the necessary contractual requirements
have been complied with in regard to the annual plan.
Decision Maker: Cabinet member Infrastructure and transport
Decision published: 03/05/2022
Effective from: 10/05/2022
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 2022/23 with an overall budget of up to £18,775,046; made up of £5,908,046 revenue and £12,867,000 capital budgets as detailed in paragraph 44 below;
(b) the Interim Service Director Transport and Highways be authorised to agree, through the BBLP 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; and
(c) the interim Service Director Transport and Highways be authorised to take all necessary operational decisions in relation to the in-house provision of Public Rights of Way and Traffic Management services and the directly delivered projects identified in paragraph 21 of this report.
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Phil Crossland