Significant investment will support continued improvements to Herefordshire Children’s Services

Herefordshire Council Cabinet approved £11.49m funding at a meeting held on Thursday 31 March 2022, to support the ongoing improvements in Herefordshire Children’s Social Care Services.

The funding will help to ensure the council’s Children’s Services are adequately resourced and can provide a more secure and resilient service to Herefordshire children and their families in the future.

Corporate Director for Children and Young People, Darryl Freeman, said:

“The £11.49m investment provides us with security to support our significant and lasting improvements to Herefordshire Children’s Services.

“It means we will be able to offer our valued Social Workers a realistic workload, experienced managerial support and professional ways of working. It will help us to continue to build Herefordshire Children’s Social Care Services into a desirable place to come and work with a good work/life balance in a beautiful, family-friendly environment.

“Previous funding has already led to increased stability of our workforce, reduced caseloads for some staff, increased levels of personal and case supervisions, and increased frequency of visits to children and young people and their families. This additional funding will allow us to make many more changes, more quickly to improve our social work practice to support the children and families in the county that are most in need.”

A Viking drama that unravelled a few years ago, has led the battle for cultural recovery in #Herefordshire as the county commits itself to improving its libraries and museums.

The campaign to return the Herefordshire Hoard, an Anglo Saxon and Viking age treasure, buried around c.878 and discovered in Eye, near #Leominster, by detectorists in 2015, was launched with a Viking Fun Day at the Rowing Club on 10 April.

The story of the hoard is an intriguing detective story which will be featured in Hereford’s refurbished Museum when the treasure finally returns to the county. By that time it is hoped that the current Museum and library will be a ‘world-class’ museum, sitting alongside jewels like Hereford Cathedral, the Mappa Mundi and the Chained Library.

Gemma Davies, Coalition councillor has been championed the creation of the new Museum, and moving the Library to Maylord Orchard where it will sit alongside a Learning Resource Centre creating a community hub in the heart of Hereford.

Speaking after the success of the Viking Fun Day, Gemma said: ‘It was absolutely packed when I got there ! Full of young people excited about history. I loved it and this is exactly what we will be able to do all the time in the new museum. We want to use our past to help enthuse a love of learning in our future.’

Leominster’s incoming mayor, Trish Marsh, said bold moves to save libraries and museums have saved Herefordshire’s culture. ‘‘When the Coalition was voted in during May 2019 elections the museum was about to be totally written out of the budget and the libraries were also on a steep downward trajectory. Now the position is entirely different and the redevelopment of the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery to create a new high quality visitor attraction has been approved – and funding is being found to develop our ideas into reality. This will only be good news for our heritage and cultural recovery and economy as we build on the incredible strengths and resources in the county.’

‘We know that once the hoard is back, we will be able to feature some of its glory here in Leominster, not far from where it was buried all those years ago. It’s terribly exciting at a time when there seems to be so much bad news around.’

Gemma Davies said: ‘Herefordshire’s Delivery Plan for 2022-23 has committed itself to investment and improvement of libraries and museums as part of the county’s economic, cultural, environmental and family recovery plans.’

Davies said: ‘The Delivery Plan is ambitious, but we are realistic about the scale of the challenge - the loss of government funding, rising costs and changing demands means facing tough choices about where to focus resources. Our day to day services are crucial for residents to get on with their everyday lives, for businesses to thrive, and provide support to people at different stages of their lives. This delivery plan focuses on commitments beyond those day to day services to show how the council will continue improving life in life in Herefordshire.

The council’s achievements from the past year and upcoming priority areas of work are outlined in a new Delivery Plan 2022/23

Two years ago, the council set out its vision for Herefordshire in the County Plan 2020-24. How the council is progressing towards meeting these ambitions and its priorities for the coming year are outlined in a new Delivery Plan 2022/23, which has been agreed by Cabinet.

The County Plan 2020-24 describes how the council will work to ensure a thriving county by building on the strengths of its people and places, particularly focused on the key areas of environment, community and economy.

Key achievements over the past year have included:

Boosting the support available to residents within their own communities through the opening of 46 talk community hubs and a talk community kitchen providing healthy meals;

Supporting local businesses to grow and thrive with investment in new buildings such as the Shell Store business incubation centre, and helping hundreds of businesses access £46m of grant funding towards equipment, new premises and faster broadband.

More than 1,000 independent retailers across the county benefitted from custom through the Shop Local prepaid card scheme funded through covid recovery monies

Encouraging people to get more active in how they live, with free swimming lessons for around 10,000 children and adults; and how they travel, with dozens of new e-bikes for hire in the City and over 60,000 free bus journeys at weekends – all helping to improve overall health and wellbeing.

Priorities for the coming year outlined in the Delivery Plan focus on:

Environment - reducing the amount of household waste generated in the county; investment in Hereford to improve public spaces and travel in the City, reducing the carbon footprint of the council and the county

Community – investing in services to improve the health and wellbeing of children, development of affordable housing and council-owned care facilities, supporting the opening of further talk community hubs

Economy – supporting business opportunity and growth, implementing developments plans for the towns and City including the redevelopment of Hereford library and museum, helping to secure better accessibility to broadband throughout the county

Full details can be found in the Delivery Plan 2022/23

Cllr Liz Harvey, Cabinet member finance, corporate services and planning, said: “We are now half way through our delivery of the ambitions we outlined in our County Plan, and despite the past two years being the most challenging any of us have ever experienced so much has been achieved.

“We set out clearly how we aimed to protect and enhance our environment, strengthen communities and support our economy. Over the past two years we have supported some of our most vulnerable residents and helped create more resilient communities, invested in business and growth, and offered opportunities for people of all ages to get more active – to name only a few of the ways our activities have benefitted everyone in our county. And all at a time when we were also responding to a pandemic.

“We have taken great strides but there is still more to do. We are realistic about the scale of the challenge - rising costs and changing demands means facing tough choices about where to focus resources. This delivery plans sets out how over the coming year council services will enable residents to get on with their lives day-to-day and provide them with support when they need it, invest in services for children, encourage and assist business to thrive, and how we will work to protect and enhance the beautiful county we live in.”

West Mercia Police carried out vehicle checks site on the A49 at Moreton on Lugg in Herefordshire.

Several defects identified including two overweight vehicles, one motorist with no insurance and two motorists with no licences.

Two people arrested, one for drug drive and one for drink drive who blew 98!

West Mercia Police (OPU Herefordshire)

Today marks 40 years since the start of the Falklands War.

Spare a thought today for the brave 255 British service personnel that never came home and for those that still suffer.

Let us always remember the heroic sacrifices made by our military heroes.

#LestWeForget

Plans for new care home to forge ahead amid rising pressure

From The Hereford Times 29th October 2021

HEREFORDSHIRE Council will be developing a new 80-bed care home in the county due to rising pressure.

Existing care home capacity in the county will begin to feel the squeeze as the number of older and disabled people with complex needs rises, the council said.

It's led to the cabinet agreeing to forge ahead with plans for a new 80-bed home.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the closure of a privately run care home due to flood damage, Herefordshire Council opened the Hillside Care Centre in Hereford in 2020.

The plan is for the new facility to offer a high-quality care environment, maximising the use of advanced technology to support the needs of residents.

Potential sites will now be explored, including consulting with key stakeholders and developing the business plan.

Coun Pauline Crockett, cabinet member for health and adult wellbeing, said: “I’m delighted that approval has been granted for a new care home facility which will support the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in the county.

“Care homes play a vital role in the community, and this development will provide an opportunity to connect care and support services more effectively.”

__________________________________

Surely this is the answer for a new care home - seems to have been overlooked and costing less than building from scratch. Of the 60 bedrooms, 32 are located in an annex near the main building and offer extra privacy and parking right outside the door.

Leominster SNT along with colleagues from response/ dog unit conducted a successfully drug warrant today in Leominster town resulting in three arrests. This is now subject to a police investigation.

New cycle shelters to be installed in Gaol Street car park, Hereford City.

Cyclists will soon have more options for where to store their bike when they visit the City, with two new Sedum (hardy, small water storing plants) cycle shelters being installed in Gaol Street car park.

With room for 16 bikes, the new shelters are located close to the historic City centre offering cyclists a covered place to leave their bike during their visit, while they work or shop.

The new cycle shelters, which will have lighting, have Sedum, herbs, grasses and plants on the roof, known to have many benefits for the environment. The plants will help absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen while their flowers are a great food source for bees and other pollinators. The living roof will also help to filter fine dust particles from the air and help to capture rain water.

Work on the new cycle shelters is starting this week and is due to be completed by end March.

The shelters are part of the improvements taking place in Hereford to further enhance the City Centre environment thanks to investment of £6million over the next two years.

The investment, funded jointly by the council and Marches LEP, comes following a difficult period for local traders due to government covid restrictions, and aims to encourage people to spend more time in the City when they visit, helping to boost the local economy.

Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet member for Infrastructure and Transport, said:

“The new cycle shelters will match the Sedum roofed bus stops we brought in last year and will do a little but significant bit towards making the City air a little cleaner, absorbing CO2 and particulates. More significantly they will hopefully encourage people to travel to the City by bike instead of by car, knowing their bikes will be kept safe and dry, and the attractive living roof on the shelters will encourage bees and other pollinating insects.

“The new cycle shelters are part of our continuing investment in our beautiful and historic City, so that everyone who visits or works there has the best possible experience and enjoys spending time there.”

Herefordshire Council are launching an incentive scheme to encourage parents/guardians to ditch single-use nappies in favour of reusable varieties. The scheme launches today (4 April 2022). 

Changing to reusable nappies will not only help the environment, it will also help parents/guardians save up to £1,000 per child. This figure could be even more impressive if reusable nappies are handed down to siblings or sold on to other users. In short, making the switch to reusables is one of the easiest ways a family with young children can reduce their waste while saving themselves a considerable sum of money.

According to WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) a child typically uses between 4,000 and 6,000 disposable nappies by the time they reach 2.5 years of age. That equates to a ton of waste going to landfill or incineration. That waste could be avoided if reusable nappies were used instead of disposables. Making the switch will create savings the council can use to help fund the scheme.

Herefordshire Council are offering a limited number of £200 vouchers to parents/guardians to use at selected suppliers to purchase nappies, liners and nappy buckets. Its webpage provides links to the organisations at which the vouchers can be used. They sell reusable nappies and related products in a range of sizes, styles, colours and materials to suit your babies’ needs.

All Herefordshire parents/guardians with a child aged 18 months or younger living with them are eligible for the voucher scheme. Applicants need their baby’s birth certificate or MAT B1 certificate when they apply.

The scheme aligns with the council’s ambition for the county to ‘protect and enhance our environment and keep Herefordshire a great place to live’. To do that it has promised to ‘minimise waste and increase reuse, repair and recycling’.

Councillor Gemma Davies, cabinet member for commissioning, procurement and assets, says:

“It’s often said that simple ideas are among the best ones and this scheme is an excellent example of that. It’s a really great way for parents/guardians to save money in the long run as well as give our planet a breather by generating less waste. Herefordshire Council is committed to reducing waste in the county and, according to the NCT (National Childbirth Trust), ‘each year, parents/guardians throw away around three billion disposable nappies to landfill’. Herefordshire parents/guardians can play their part in reducing these astronomical waste figures. In doing so, they’ll be investing in a better environment for their own children and grandchildren.”

Reusables have come a long way in recent years and now come in a wide variety of different designs, colours and fabrics to suit all needs. They are free of the chemicals found in some disposable types and soft natural fabrics are thought to be kinder to babies’ skin.

Mayor of Hereford, Cllr Paul Stevens, and Cllr Kath Hey visited the Three Elms Ukraine Donation Centre on 30th March, meeting Olga Tverdokhlib, who is coordinating much of the aid and volunteer effort in Hereford to support Ukrainian refugees.

Olga Tverdokhlib, Hereford Mayor Cllr Paul Stevens and Cllr Kath Hey

Herefordshire has shown a tremendous amount of support for Ukraine’s people following the Russian attacks. Olga has spearheaded this monumental effort, raising money and receiving donations, as well as seeing to the delivery of these supplies, setting up a Facebook page, and promoting the cause. It’s inspiring to see such dedicated determination in the face of such devastating events.

Many tonnes of support aid recently left by the lorry load to Ukraine, and a video can be viewed on the ‘Hereford Help for Ukraine’ Facebook page.

The Centre still urgently needs donations, including baby food, medication, sleeping bags, baby nappies, and long life foods. Visit their Facebook pagefor a full list of wanted items – These can be dropped off at Unit 37, 3Elms Trading Estate, Hereford. HR4 9PU, Monday to Friday between 9am and 7pm and Saturday to Sunday between 9am and 5pm.

The Tourist Information Centre in Hereford Town Hall is also selling small items in support of Ukraine, provided by the Centre. These include ribbons, headbands, knitted hearts and more. Sales go directly to Ukrainian support.

You can also donate here if you wish to support Ukrainian refugees: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hereford-citycouncil

New parking charges will come into force from tomorrow (Friday 1st April 2022) at the Old Market Shopping Centre in Hereford.

We have created a table below showing the existing charges on the left and the new charges on the right.

There are 606 parking spaces with 26 disabled and 18 parents and child spaces (height restriction of 2.25 metres for the car park).

The Midlands Air Ambulance arrived at the scene in Whitecross just after 09:00 and joined other emergency responders and ambulance crews.

A spokesperson from the West Midlands Ambulance Service told Hereford Voice;

'West Midlands Ambulance Service were called to reports of a medical emergency on Marlowe Drive at 09:06 and sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from our Strensham base to the scene"

"Upon arrival we discovered one male patient who was in a critical condition and already receiving medical attention from bystanders. Ambulance staff administered advanced life support but sadly, despite everyone’s best efforts, it became apparent nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene"

1️⃣ Capooches is a Dog Outfitters, Specialising in Collars, Leads, Harnesses, Coats and a selection of Premium Healthy Foods & Natural Treats for your pups! Opening today in Capuchin Yard just off Church St in Hereford

If you love Dogs you'll just adore Capooches Pop along and say hello to Hereford's latest Doggy Boutique.

2️⃣ Pear-Laine Lingerie are opening their exclusive lingerie store in Broad Street Hereford this morning.

They have a huge selection of bra's including first bra, maternity, post surgery, mastectomy, special occasion and sport!

They have also teamed up with a couple of breast cancer charities. Against Breast Cancer have even supplied a bin so you can donate your old bra’s to be recycled for charity when you come in for a nice good fitting new one. Hereford Voice wishing Anna Barnes and her family good luck

3️⃣ Wren Kitchens grand opening is also today!

Wren Kitchens have now moved into the unit formally occupied by Harveys on the Newtown Road Retail Park (next to Curry's)

Wren Kitchens is a privately owned British designer, manufacturer, and retailer of kitchens. It has over 106 stores nationwide, employing over 4,000 people throughout the UK. The majority of their kitchen components are manufactured in England.

Hereford Store is the latest state-of-the-art showroom offering a huge selection of kitchens.

Let us celebrate Hereford and all the good things that our wonderful city has to offer.

Hereford Voice will also be announcing some exciting news soon!

❤️ Please share our positivity ❤️

🔸Shop local and visit some of our fabulous local independent retailers including all those lovely shops, cafes and boutiques in The Independent Quarter and Hereford Butter Market

🔸Outdoor markets and events in the city centre are very popular and bring vibrancy, together with some unique products and produce from many independent traders.

🔸Take a walk along the River Wye and stroll over the Victoria Jubilee Bridge or just relax on the Castle Green.

We love our city and county and we like to shout about it and promote everything POSITIVE. It's all too easy to moan but we are truly privileged to live in such a beautiful part of the World.

Hereford Voice will continue with our efforts to promote local business and encourage people to visit Hereford and Herefordshire.

Join us in our campaign and 'BE POSITIVE' about this fabulous city of ours. 'Positive Hereford' 'Embrace Hereford'

Follow our latest hashtag #EmbraceHereford

#HerefordVoice | #HerefordNews | #PositiveHereford

This weekend, HWFRS are contributing to an NFCC initiative to deliver kit and equipment safely and quickly to Ukraine to support the Ukrainian Fire & Rescue Service's response to the emerging crisis.

Two Service volunteers are driving the fully packed vans to the UK collection point, containing a wide range of equipment that the Service is donating.

The equipment includes personal protection equipment, filters for respiratory protection equipment, ventilation fans, scoop stretchers and chemical protection suits.

Next week, following Government approval, the Service will be donating a fire appliance which will form part of the convoy being driven to Poland. 

The deployment of these donations is being supported by funding from the Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and others and coordinated by the UK charity Fire Aid.

When it reaches Ukraine, the equipment will be used to support firefighters, emergency services and volunteers who are battling together on the front line, dealing daily with fires and other emergencies to protect lives, people and property as the invasion devastates the country.

Area Commander Jon Butlin, the Service’s Assistant Director - Response, said: 

“This is an extremely worthy cause for the Service to be supporting, and I would like to thank everyone who has volunteered to drive the equipment to the collection point this weekend, and those that have assisted in prepping the equipment and the appliance at high speed to get it ready in time.”

For more information about the NFCC Initiative please click on the following our unique link 👉 https://hfd.news/q09

Herefordshire Council has appointed its new director of public health.

Matt Pearce takes up the role that puts him in charge of the health of the population of Herefordshire.

Matt brings considerable experience to the role, having worked in public health for over 15 years. His career has included roles with the NHS and local government. He has a strong background in building partnerships across the public, private and community sectors to improve people’s health and wellbeing. Matt led West Berkshire Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and played a key role in the integrated care partnership. A sports science graduate, he also holds a postgraduate diploma in sports development and a master’s degree in public health.

Matt has a range of research interests and is visiting lecturer at the University of the West of England. He has been published in international, peer-reviewed scientific journals and has presented at national conferences.

Matt Pearce says:

“I am excited about joining Herefordshire Council as director of public health. The last two years have been very challenging and, as we move to the next phase of the pandemic, I am looking forward to re-focus our efforts on the general health and wellbeing of all Herefordshire’s residents.”

Matt’s appointment means Dr Rebecca Howell-Jones will return to her role as consultant in public health for Herefordshire Council. Paul Walker, Herefordshire Council’s chief executive, says:

“I’d like to welcome Matt Pearce as Herefordshire’s permanent director of public health and I’d like to thank Rebecca Howell-Jones for the remarkable job she did in stepping up to lead the Herefordshire Covid public health response over the last two years. This really was as big a challenge as any health chief could expect to face.”

Congratulations to The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) 'Partially Sighted Football Team' who were proclaimed 'Championship League Winners' at the weekend with 15 points clear and 1 tournament to go.

This is a significant achievement and a fabulous 150th birthday present for the College, well done to you all.

Herefordshire Council continues on its improvement path with planned major investment in Children’s Social Care Services. A recommendation to Cabinet, published today, requests a £11.49m investment to help ensure Children’s Social Care Services are adequately resourced and that we provide the foundations for a more secure and resilient service for the future.

Chief Executive, Paul Walker said:

Quote

“Since I arrived in May last year, we have undertaken a thorough analysis of our children’s social care practice, which has informed our recommendation to invest significantly in Herefordshire Children’s Social Care Services. Our Social Workers continue to do their best, often in very difficult circumstances, to support families and protect vulnerable children in our community. We know that our practice still needs improvement in some areas and we are committed to making the changes needed to provide better services for children and families in Herefordshire.”

Corporate Director for Children and Young People, Darryl Freeman said:

Quote

“We should be able to offer our valued social workers a realistic workload, experienced managerial support and professional ways of working. We need to build Herefordshire Children’s Social Care Services into a desirable place to come and work, which effectively supports families during their time of need and which provides employees with a good work/life balance in a beautiful, family-friendly environment. We will continue to ensure our staff have the support they need and the confidence and commitment to report any concerns as we make significant and lasting improvements to Herefordshire Children’s Services.”

Previous investment in Children’s Social Care Services has already led to increased stability of workforce, reduced caseloads for some staff, increased levels of personal and case supervisions, and increased frequency of visits to children and young people and their families. The additional £11.49m funding will allow for significant and lasting improvements to reduce caseloads for Social Workers, provide more frequent and better supervision and management of our social care staff, and allow us to make more changes, more quickly to improve our social work practice for children and families in Herefordshire.

Funding for the investment is being allocated from the Resilience Reserves, which is a fund to address unexpected organisational costs and help support the organisation in a time of need. The total amount currently held in Resilience Reserves is £16.7m.

Herefordshire Council Cabinet will consider the decision at its meeting on Thursday 31 March.

A ten-day festival of artist blacksmithing begins on 25 March, bringing an array of exciting events to Hereford City Centre. 

Created in partnership with Hereford City Life and Hereford College of Arts, Ferrous Festival showcases cutting edge work and ideas, with international exhibitions hosted alongside popular attractions. Visitors are encouraged explore the city centre and discover the world of forged metal. 

Must-see festival highlights include: 

{Queer} + {Metals}

This Craftspace exhibition is co-curated by Dauvit Alexander and Deirdre Figueiredo in collaboration with Rebekah Frank. It features artists including jeweller John Moore, jeweller and drag artist Fei He, knife maker Gilbert Hadden and metalsmith Theo Somerville-Scott, amongst others. 

Queer + Metals explores the multiplicity of queerness—whether as identity, lived experiences, thinking, cultures, aesthetic, influences, stories, place, and imagination—in relation to metalwork and metalsmithing.

Planet of the Blacksmiths 

For the first time, Japanese photographer, Jun Ishikura’s photographs of blacksmiths in their forges around the world will been shown in the UK. Jun travelled to many different places to create the incredible collection of work on show and it is fascinating to see the similarities and the differences in the way that the blacksmithing community work in the many different countries represented in Jun’s photographs. 

Live Forging 

Forging at Ferrous has once again captured the imagination of visitors, with tickets for the popular Have a Go Forgingevent selling out in advance. Visitors can watch as experienced Hereford Anvils blacksmiths guide novice makers through forging their own tree support at the Live Forging tent in High Town or visit the Old Market Shopping Centre to see demonstrations at The Nowhere Forge, a mobile blacksmithing workshop run by Simon Bushell. 

Ferrous Festival will officially open tomorrow morning at 8:30am with a ribbon cutting by the Mayor of Hereford, Cllr Paul Stevens. Live forging begins at 9:30am, with exhibitions opening between 10:00am and 11:00am.

Learn more at www.ferrousfestival.co.uk