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    Christmas Lights Collapsed at Old Market

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    The Christmas lights at the Old Market shopping centre have collapsed from the weight of the snow this morning.

     

    Old Market Xmas Lights.jpg

    Photo courtesy of Tracy Bowes


    Is this the best way to fund a University?

    megilleland
    By megilleland,

    Meeting: General scrutiny committee

    Meeting date: Monday 11 December 2017
    Title of report: Public Accountable Body for NMiTE
    Report by: Cabinet member finance, housing and ICT


    Purpose and summary
    To review proposals that the council act as the accountable body for the new Hereford University, NMiTE (new model in technology & engineering), during its establishment phase.

    Accountable body status means that the council will be accountable for funding allocated to the new university project by central government. Accountability involves receiving funds from central government, ensuring those funds are allocated and spent in accordance with any funding conditions specified, and providing reports on that expenditure.
    The council has been approached by NMiTE to provide this role and, if approved, would work to support independence as soon as practical.

    Recommendation(s)
    That:
    (a) the committee determine any recommendations it wishes to make to the executive to consider when determining whether to act as accountable body for public funding to support establishment of a new university in Hereford.

    (b) the chief finance officer be authorised, following consultation with the monitoring officer and cabinet member corporate strategy and budget, to enter into such legal documentation as are appropriate to protect the Council’s interests.

     

    (extracts)

     

    3. On 26 October the Department for Education (DfE) announced up to £15m funding over three years to support the establishment of the new university in Hereford, NMiTE (New Model in Technology & Engineering). In addition to this funding, NMiTE is due to receive further funding, £8m, through the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The recommendation is for the council to act as the accountable body for the DfE funding announced and a project accountable body role in support of the Marches LEP funding.

    18. No council funds will be payable to NMiTE however the management of the flow of funds between the accountable body and NMiTE will require resourcing. The cost of resourcing these additional operational tasks is to be financed from a share of the grant allocation.

    Risk management
    23. The legal documentation will clarify the risks of entering this arrangement. Ultimately the Department for Education could require the Council to repay the grant funding that it has been received and which it will have paid to NMiTE. Whilst this obligation will also be passed down to NMiTE through the flow-down agreement, it is possible that NMiTE would not be able to make any required repayment, which would therefore leave the Council out of pocket. The risk of any claw-back can be managed/mitigated by ensuring compliance with the grant funding terms through the monitoring and reporting obligations that will be put in place.

    24. In addition the council needs to be aware that if ineligible expenditure is incurred by NMiTE this would not be covered by the grant and could therefore cause a cashflow concern to NMiTE which may lead to a reputational risk.  

    25. These risks will be identified and monitored within the corporate finance risk register.

    26. The draft MoU has a right for the Council, the Department for Education and NMiTE to terminate on giving not less than three months’ notice. However, this document is not expressed to be legally binding and  appropriate rights of termination will need to be included in the legally binding funding agreements that will also be entered into

     

    What could possibly go wrong with £23 million pounds under the council's management?


    Supporting Local Independent Traders in Hereford

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    Supporting Local Independent Traders in Hereford

     

    Shop Hereford.jpg

     

    FREE PARKING

     

    2 hours FREE parking in Castle Street and 3 hours FREE parking at Greyfriars or the Town Hall car parks with the new vouchers, you can also park for 2 hours FREE along Conningsby Street.

     

    #hvshoplocal #herefordvoice 


    City of Culture? Don't make me laugh

    SON OF GRIDKNOCKER
    By SON OF GRIDKNOCKER,

    Admittedly Hereford has been heavily 'marked down' by the bookies as an unlikely winner of the City of Culture 2021, the short list for which is due to be announced this month. Coventry is currently enjoying the shortest odds of the 11 competing conurbations. And is it any wonder they're favorites? They've pumped £250,000 into their bid submission. Hereford's paltry investment? 22K. Less than Council Leader Tony Johnson's take-home pay. And although the official government prize is only £3-million, current Culture City Hull estimates that incoming revenue from tourism will top 20 times that amount by the end of the year.


    Old Market Gateway

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    Breaking News | Old Market Gateway.

     

    Old Market Gateway.png

     

    The proposed development will comprise up to 13,000 sq ft (1,208 sq m) of retail accommodation with 38 dedicated parking spaces.
     
    Use
    The property has planning consent for A1, A3 or A5 retail use (Herefordshire Council Planning Ref: P161446/F)
     
    Rental/Lease Terms
    Available as a single unit, or in a combination of smaller individual units. New lease(s) will be offered on F.R.I terms. Rental on application.
     
    Specification
    The unit(s) will be built to a developer’s shell speci cation with capped off services. A specification is available on request.
     
    Business Rates/EPC
    To be assessed following completion of works.
     
    This is opposite the Old Market next to the Merton Meadow.
     
    Completion expected Easter 2018
     
    Full details can be found here

    FREE Christmas Parking Vouchers in Hereford

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    Hereford Parking Vouchers.png

     

    Herefordshire Council has today issued vouchers for free parking to encourage customers to visit independent businesses in Hereford this Christmas. The scheme is in partnership with the Hereford Business Improvement District (BID) team and aims to promote independent businesses during the busy Christmas period.

     
    Cabinet Member for Transport & Regulatory Services, Cllr Barry Durkin said:
     
    “I’m pleased to be working with the Hereford BID team. We have listened to businesses who are finding it tough in the current economic climate and would like to help encourage shoppers to shop locally this Christmas.”
     
    The parking vouchers are available for local independent businesses to issue to customers. They can be used throughout December for 3 hours free weekend car parking at the Town Hall car park (access via East Street) and Greyfriars overflow car park (the section under the bridge) on Saturdays and Sundays. They can also be used for 2 hours free parking (Monday to Saturday) in the limited waiting bays on Castle Street. These locations are a short walk from the Independent Quarter on Church Street and the surrounding area.
     
    Retailers who would like to receive vouchers for customers should contact the Hereford BID team on 01432 376830.
     
    Don’t forget: Herefordshire Council car parks in Hereford city centre, including the Old Market and on-street pay & display, are free for shoppers after 4pm every Wednesday until Christmas.
     

    Belmont Library Celebrates 25 Years

    Colin James
    By Colin James,
    Join Belmont Library for coffee, cake and books on 7 December
     
    Belmont Library.jpg
     
    There will be a special celebration at Belmont Library this Thursday (7 December 2017) as the library celebrates being open for 25 years.
     
    Located in the vibrant Belmont Community Centre, Eastholme Road. Belmont Library continues to provide a valued service to the local community, welcoming 22,500 visitors a year. The library is a gateway to over 200,000 books, DVDs and audio books held in Herefordshires public libraries. Customers can take out up to 12 books at a time. Reservations are free, computer and Wi-Fi access is free and there are no overdue charges for children or teenagers.
     
    Jan Nesaratnam, Senior Librarian for Herefordshire Councils library service, said:
     
    Quote
    Belmont Library continues to inspire a love of books in both children and adults and we know how much it is valued by the local community. We hope lots of people will come along to celebrate the librarys 25th birthday with us.
     
    Drop in to Belmont Library on Thursday 7 December (10am-12pm). Everyone is welcome for coffee and cake and there will be book giveaways for young children.

    Litter, flytipping, graffiti and other eyesores

    Roger
    By Roger,

    Just to say the rubbish is still there, but will soon be covered by the undergrowth again. Why won't they clean it up - two years now?

     

    3005215.jpg?type=articlePortrait

     

    That split bag of rubbish has been outside the front door of The Town Hall for a few days ... Apparently it was still there this afternoon according to a comment on an article on the HT website ~ even tho the spokesperson for the Council said it should have been shifted by BB at 9 AM. If they can't deal with a bag of rubbish in town they are less likely to sort out rubbish strewn on the Great Western Way ...

     

    Hereford Times


    New Signage In Hereford

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    Good to see some nice new signs in Hereford.

     

    These were Installed by Hereford Business Improvement District. (BID)

     

    Hereford Signs 3.jpg


    Congratulations Bill Thomas

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    Congratulations goes to Bill Thomas for winning our online photo competition. 

     

    The winning photograph will now be used as our main background for at least the next 12 months.

     

    Bill also wins £50 Miller & Carter voucher.

     

    Thank you to everyone who entered, the standard was very high and we look forward to introducing more competitions in 2018.

     

    This is the beautiful winning photograph 

    Hereford Voice.jpg


    Starbucks Hereford Closes Down

    DILLIGAF
    By DILLIGAF,

    I have heard today that even for them the rates are too high and they are shutting up shop in high town.

     

    post-109-0-92092000-1507494813_thumb.jpg


    The oval rat run

    DILLIGAF
    By DILLIGAF,

    This is a letter that I have sent to to our councillor today in the hope that I receive a response. I am sure that is also an issue in other areas, but when you are not even trying to join the que and waiting excessively, something needs to be done. As for the road surface saga - well its just a joke considering it’s a “new†development! I’ve driven on smoother farm tracks.

    I am writing to you in the hope that you may be able to help resolve some issues we are having on Woodward Avenue (formally Broxash Drive)

    Every weekday morning we have problems with traffic using the street as a rat run on to Belmont Road which is causing queues of traffic on our street and problems for residents not being able to manoeuvre vehicles on or off driveways. This morning the traffic was particularly bad on the street and vehicles were queuing up as far as the top of the road next to the children's playground and blocking every driveway. I came out of the house this morning with my 5 year old to take her to school in Madley and despite all the traffic seeing me getting in my car, not one car left me any room for me to pull off my driveway. When the traffic started moving I slowly started to pull of my driveway only for another car to then pull forward, blocking me again, and refusing to move for me to be able to come off my drive, despite me telling them I wanted to go in the opposite direction to them. When I was eventually given space to reverse off the drive I was unable to see down the road to see if anything was coming the other way as the vehicles were obscuring my view, I was lucky that there wasn't a car coming as there would have been no way I would have seen them, or them see me.

    There are also problems with drivers speeding down the road, especially towards the earlier part of the morning before the majority of the traffic builds up on the street.

    The road itself is an utter mess with major potholes all along the street and the extra traffic using the road is only going to make things worse, we have been told by the highways agency that despite this area being classed as a new development, there are no funds available to resurface this road.

    Unfortunately I think at some point in the future if these issues are not addressed there will be an accident on the street, whether due to speeding vehicles, poor condition of the road, or queuing traffic obscuring residents view/access off or on driveways.
     

    post-109-0-04940400-1511357259.jpeg

     

    post-109-0-73543900-1511357268.jpeg


    Droning

    Clarkester
    By Clarkester,

    Last night (not for the first time) I was awoken at around 00:30 by what at first sounded like a midge or other small high-pitched buzzy insect.

    As I lay in bed, vaguely swiping at the possible invader to my boudoir, it dawned on me that it was not actually inside at all, but outside.  As I say, not for the first time, we had an aerial visitor flying about for a prolonged period above the area whee I live (Yazor Road area)

    This is the first time I have heard it during the night, but previously I have spent about 20 minutes standing in my back garden watching the drone as it flies around, hovering for a while, then flying off a bit more and repeating.

    Has anybody on here noticed anything similar in the area that they live?

    I'm not sure what the point could be at that time of night - he typed, desperately trying not to be paranoid...


    Hereford City Link Road Video

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    The City Link Road opens in December. This short film will inform you how to use the road and surrounding streets.

     


    New Cabinet Member Portfolios Announced

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    Herefordshire Council.jpg

     

    Portfolio changes confirmed from 1 December 2017

     
    Herefordshire Council has announced changes to the Cabinet Member portfolios.
     
    Leader of Herefordshire Council, Councillor Tony Johnson, has streamlined Councillor David Harlow’s member responsibility so he will become Cabinet Member for Economy and Communications. This enables Councillor Harlow to focus on economic development, regeneration and the Hereford Enterprise Zone in line with Herefordshire Council’s priority to support the growth of the local economy. Councillor Harlow will also have responsibility for broadband and communications strategy.
     
    Councillor Nigel Shaw will add corporate services to his portfolio to become Cabinet Member for Finance, Housing and Corporate Services. As part of his corporate services remit, Councillor Shaw will take on additional responsibility for areas such as emergency planning and business continuity, legal and democratic services, registration and coroner services, human resources and health and safety.
     
    Councillor Barry Durkin will become Cabinet Member for Transport and Regulatory Services as he broadens his portfolio with responsibility for environmental health, trading standards, licensing, bereavement services and markets and fairs.
     
    Councillor Bramer, Cabinet Member for Contracts and Assets, will take responsibility for shared services and contract management policy.
     
    Councillor Paul Rone, as Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, will incorporate community engagement and development into his portfolio.
     
    Councillor Tony Johnson, Leader of Herefordshire Council, said:
     
    “The Cabinet Member portfolio changes are designed to support our commitment to economic growth, building houses and creating jobs across the county.”
     
     
    The full list of Cabinet Members as of 1 December 2017:
     
    Councillor Tony Johnson
    Leader of the council / Corporate strategy and budget
     
     
    Councillor Jonathan Lester
    Deputy leader of the council / Young people and children’s wellbeing
     
     
    Councillor Harry Bramer
    Contracts and assets
     
     
    Councillor David Harlow
    Economy and communications
     
     
    Councillor Nigel Shaw
    Finance, housing and corporate services
     
     
    Councillor Paul Rone
    Health and wellbeing
     
     
    Councillor Philip Price
    Infrastructure
     
     
    Councillor Barry Durkin
    Transport and regulatory services

    Traffic nightmare in Blackfriars Street.

    ragwert
    By ragwert,

    Wondering how long it will take for Herefordshire Council or whoever has the responsibility of the road layout
    in Blackfriars Street to notice the traffic lights and the right turn into the Old Market simply do not work.
    The backing up of traffic is a frequent problem here with traffic backing up down Edgar Street both ways and in Widemarsh Street.
    But today was horrendous with the flow of traffic coming from the South backing up to All Saints church and traffic in Widemarsh Street & Edgar Street backing up within 20 meters of both roundabouts.
     


    Parking Meters In Hereford

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    I have just read this article in the HT.

     

    ParkingMete.jpg

     

    Quote

    ON-STREET parking charges could soon be coming to Hereford city centre.

    Herefordshire Council is going out to consultation on a plan for 22 kerbside parking meters within the city’s historic core.

    The Hereford Times has learned that the consultation on the £350,000 scheme potentially worth up to £295,000 a year to the council was signed off at cabinet level this week.

    Also proposed is an overall increase in off-street parking charges across the county effective from October and expected to raise an additional £1 million a year for the local authority.

     

     


    I told you it would get worse!

    megilleland
    By megilleland,
    Things are steadily getting worse on Hereford's estates with not much activity on the ground.

     

    post-109-0-13514600-1431682600.jpg

     

    Here on Newton Farm not only are Herefordshire Housing cutting the bulk of the grass, but also the Council's agents (used to be Amey and now Balfour Beatty), and in the case of our street, we pay a service charge for Muir Group Housing to cut the grass and keep the area tidy. 

     

    There is no co-ordination between these bodies, so some grass gets cut and other areas are left to be cut at a later date. This results in an unkempt appearance and local residents not knowing who is responsible for which piece of land. There are pieces of land which have never been cut this year. The problems around the electricity sub-station in Sherborne Close still continue, with fly tipping amd split rubbish bags spewing their contents over the pavements every weekend. Not much hope of anything been done as this has been occuring and visible to anyone passing through this area since the first post here in June 2010.

     

    This lack of co-ordination and co-operation to maintain our estates goes back to 2002 when the council handed over most of our green, open spaces to Herefordshire Housing and other Registered Social Landlords, when they got rid of their housing stock. Since then and several recessions later we were told these alterations and efficiency savings would benefit us the council tax payers and be easier to manage in the future. As we can now see this way of working has failed. There should be one contractor to cover the whole area by adopting all the open space. Balfour Beatty having got their £200 million contract with the council, and possibly a phone line connected in the near future, things could be different, but I doubt it.

     

     


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