Herefordshire Council has today (4 March) adopted the total Council Tax precepts for all Herefordshire residents. 

As the billing authority, the council has a statutory duty to collect charges set by each parish council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia and Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority. However, Herefordshire Council has no control over the level of increase or how these organisations choose to spend their budget.

Herefordshire residents will be provided with individual bills based on their parish location. The raised precepts are needed to support the delivery of vital services across the county, with the average Council Tax bill for a Band D dwelling set at £1,774.84.

This includes the council’s own tax charge of £1,701.70 (for a band D dwelling) which was approved by Full Council on 11 February 2022. The increase is needed to support the continued delivery of vital services across the county and our priority is to get the best possible value for every pound we spend on the people of Herefordshire.

The precept for the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia rose by 3.94% to £249.66, an increase of £9.47.

The precept for Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority rose by 1.96% to £89.40, an increase of £1.72.

The discount on the council tax reduction (CTR) scheme for any struggling family which qualifies will remain at 100% for the coming year – irrespective of the price banding of their home. The budget made available to fund discretionary housing scheme payments for families just failing to qualify for CTR has also been trebled from £272,000 to £772,000. Additionally, some residents will continue to pay no Council Tax at all, such as young adults who have left care and also all the council’s Foster Carer families.

More information and advice on reduction schemes and allowances can be found on the Herefordshire Council website at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/counciltax

Food Share - 12 Noon at Belmont Community Centre, Hereford

Share supermarket food that otherwise will be thrown away, do not let this food go to waste.

Every Friday from 12 noon, everyone welcome.

This is not something new, we have been promoting this fantastic incentive for a long time with thanks to our friend Cllr Kevin Tillett and our long term sponsors at Belmont Community Centre

Also Monday at Hunderton Scout Hut on Blackmarston Road at 11am followed at St Martins Church at 12noon.

Herefordshire Council is supporting an outbreak of avian flu on the Eastnor Castle Estate.

The council is working with the APHA, DEFRA and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) West Midlands to respond to the incident.

Immediate steps were taken by the APHA to limit the risk of the disease spreading. The council is working with the APHA and DEFRA to further limit the spread, with officers visiting properties in the surrounding area to inform and engage with residents who keep birds, to assess and report any risks that might exist.

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) in in place countrywide and it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures.

The national Avian Influenza Prevention Zone means that it is a legal requirement that bird keepers across the country must:

House or net all poultry and captive birds to keep them separate from wild birds

Cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing

Reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control

Thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis

Keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points

Minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds

Bird keepers should visit the gov.uk website for full details of the AIPZ and updated biosecurity guidance.

Do not touch or pick up any dead or sick birds that you find. If you find dead swans, geese or ducks or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the DEFRA helpline on: 03459 33 55 77

Keepers should report any suspicion of disease to Animal and Plant Health Agency on: 03000 200 301.

A planning application has been submitted for the Installation of a new 1.03km closed circuit cycle track with associated external works including perimeter fencing, learn to ride areas, skill based off road areas and perimeter lighting at Hereford Racecourse.

The installation of a social hub comprising of three individual reused shipping containers with associated outdoor seating area.

The Hereford Cycle Track Facebook member have now raised just over £1,400,000 towards the project and would like to say a huge thank you to our funding partners:

- Hereford City Council

- Herefordshire Council

- Sport England & British Cycling

- Stronger Hereford

📣 Knife Angel | The National Monument against Violence and Aggression is now at Worcester

Photo courtesy of WCCYIT

If you missed the Knife Angel Hereford when it was on display at Hereford Cathedral last Summer, you now have another chance to visit this awesome thought-provoking statue in Cathedral Square Worcester from 1st - 31st March 2022.

❤️ Hereford Voice was so proud to have been able to promote and support the Knife Angel Hereford project and are delighted to be able to continue to support this legacy.

The Government wants to increase the supply of new housing and for Herefordshire, this means 850 dwellings per year over the next 20 years.

Give your view on housing distribution across the county by Feb 28 here 👉 https://orlo.uk/626X4

Tributes being paid across Herefordshire and on Social Media this morning following the sad passing of our friend Jamal Haider.

Local people have already started placing flowers as a mark of respect to this much loved gentleman at Jamal’s take-away in Bridge Street Hereford.

Jamal was a personal friend and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time

HRH The Prince of Wales (The Duke of Cornwall), Patron of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust, made a visit to Hereford Cathedral today (Tuesday 22 February) while visiting The Duchy of Cornwall Estate in the county. It was the first opportunity that His Royal Highness has had to meet the new Dean of Hereford, the Very Revd Sarah Brown.

‘It was wonderful to welcome His Royal Highness to Hereford Cathedral’, said the Dean. ‘His Royal Highness first visited the cathedral in the 1980s and has supported our work throughout that time. It was a pleasure to be able to talk to him about our future aspirations.’

During the visit The Prince visited a number of projects which have been supported by the Perpetual Trust. These included the restoration of the Choir House and Old Chapel as part of the recently completed Eastern Cloister Project and he learnt about the developments in the music department, the restoration of the Cathedral Close and the installation of Ascension, the memorial to the SAS. He also had the opportunity to view the ‘All Things Bright’ exhibition, which highlights a thousand years of metalwork from cathedral and diocese, on display within the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library.

‘His Royal Highness has always been a very supportive Patron of the Trust.’ said Nat Hone, the Chair of the Perpetual Trust, ‘He has visited and has hosted events for us. It was a pleasure to be able to show him some of the projects we have funded, to talk about the importance of building an endowment to secure the cathedral’s long-term financial future and to be able to discuss Dean Sarah’s vision for our future ministry.’

‘We were very touched by His Royal Highness’s visit. Like so many other organisations, due to Covid, we were not able to commemorate the Trust’s 25th anniversary last year and His Royal Highnesses visit has given us an opportunity to celebrate.’

During the visit, The Prince had the opportunity to hear about projects from Robert Kilgour, the Cathedral Architect and the current Chair of the National Cathedral Architects Association; Glyn Morgan, the Chief Executive of the Perpetual Trust, who has been involved with the charity for 25 years; and Mr Edward Harley, recently appointed as the Receiver General of the Duchy of Cornwall as well as being the Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire and an Honorary Canon of the cathedral.

The visit lasted almost an hour and His Royal Highness also took the opportunity to meet visitors to the cathedral including children taking part in half term activities.

Photos by Gordon Taylor, Hereford Cathedral.

The River Wye is Hereford is expected to peak this evening at 5.5 metres, check out the LIVE panoramic views of the Victoria Bridge and the River Wye in Hereford via our LIVE Webcam - LIVE FEED https://hfd.news/k17

Hosted by our lovely friends at The Pavilion, Castle Green Hereford.

Hereford Voice are pleased to announce the launch of our latest 'HEREFORD LIVE' HD Webcam streaming 'LIVE' 24/7 from the heart of our fabulous city!

LIVE Stream https://bit.ly/3GMjj8h

Check out the Panoramic view of The Old Bridge and River Wye in Hereford, hosted by our good friends at The Left Bank Village.

Hereford Voice are part of the Skyline network of high definition panoramic webcams scattered around the world with the sole goal of promoting tourism, art and culture!

Statistics | You will be able to see how many people are online as well as how many visitors there have been viewing our fantastic city.

Web | www.herefordlive.uk

Host | https://theleftbankvillage.co.uk

Check out the river levels and they rise and fall during the seasons, especially this time of year when we often see floods in Herefordshire.

Follow Hereford Voice to keep up to date with all the latest news and events in Herefordshire

Here is a sneak preview taken this morning of the view from our New 'Old Bridge' HD Webcam due to go live later this week and hosted by our good friends at The Left Bank Village.

Now you can view the Old Bridge and River Wye levels 24/7

Web | www.herefordlive.uk

Host | https://theleftbankvillage.co.uk

Follow us at Hereford Voice for more exciting news coming soon about our fabulous city!

Following a period of public consultation held in the Autumn of last year, two full rounds of Scrutiny by the council’s three committees and Cabinet agreement, the proposals were today (11 February) approved by Council.

The budget includes a council tax increase of 2.99%, made up of:

A 1% adult social care precept which is ring-fenced to support the delivery of adult social care services

A 1.99% increase in core council tax which will fund all other areas of council service

This will increase the band D equivalent charge to £1,701.70 representing an increase of £0.95 per week (£4.12 a month).

Councillor Liz Harvey, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, said:

“It continues to be a challenging climate locally and nationally, and the pressure on Local Authorities across the country is as intense as ever. Council Tax makes up around a third of the Council’s budget, so this increase is needed to support the continued delivery of vital services across the county.

“Our priority is to get the best possible value for every pound spent, but we acknowledge that it is a difficult time for many local households. This is why we have ensured that the discount on the council tax reduction scheme for any struggling family which qualifies will remain at 100% for the coming year – irrespective of the price banding of their home.

“We will also almost triple the budget made available to fund the council tax discretionary hardship scheme from £272,000 to £772,000. Additionally, some residents will continue to pay no Council Tax at all, such as young adults who have left care and also all of the council’s Foster Carer families.”

The final setting of Council Tax, which will include the precepts for all the county’s parishes plus Police and Crime Commissioner and Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority charges, will take place on 4 March.

More information and advice on reduction schemes and allowances can be found on the council's website: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/counciltax.

The proposed budget 2022/23 was approved with one agreed amendment, to delay the inflation uplift of 10p per hour on parking charges planned for 2022/23 and instead to implement an inflation uplift to parking charges in 2024/25.

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

“I am pleased that we have been able to find additional funds to delay the proposed inflation linked increases in car parking charges. I expect we shall soon be able to offer wider choices for reliable alternatives to travel for residents and visitors who travel within the county and between Herefordshire and our neighbouring areas.”

FREE cracking offer and goodie bags for the first 100 customers! 🙌🤸‍♂️

Hereford Voice were kindy invited to the opening today, so check out the fabulous new facilities below!

While Gloden wait for the power upgrade to be completed, they will be initially operating with just a selection of cabins open and slightly reduced opening times.

Check out the following on offer 👇

💛Fully automated spray tanning by Mystic Kyss

💚Lie down sunbeds including the Ergoline Lightvision!

💜Stand up sunbed featuring collagen red light facial panels

Opening Times;

10am - 7pm Monday - Saturday - 10am - 4pm on Sundays.

There is no need to book an appointment, just pop down.

Find them at unit 4, 109-111 Belmont Road, Hereford, HR2 7JR.

There's plenty of free parking right outside.

Hereford Voice first published the original planning application details for the tanning studio in the former Greggs unit back in April 2021 👉 https://hfd.news/vfo.

We would like to wish our new friends good luck for the future!

Oh yes! Following our news about the Hereford Edition of Monopoly, below is an earlier game with a similar theme with names and places such as Chadds, Browns BMW, BAM Services, Gilbies, Jessons, Heggies Butchers to name just a few, check it out below

Hooked On Hereford

Made in 1991 it is one of a series of Monopoly style board games developed by local YMCA's in the UK to generate funds for their activities.

📸 Herefordshire Museum Service

See our original topic here https://hfd.news/d29

#HerefordNews | #Hereford | #HerefordVoice

Temple Records are moving from their former home in Bastian Mews to their new home in Bridge Street. The new signage is looking fantastic!

Web | www.templeofbass.co.uk

Hereford Voice wish them good luck for when they open in their new location.

Building work has already began in the former 'Fancy Pants' unit in Bridge Street to transform this shop into a new premises for The Little Cypriot who will be offering traditional Fish and Chips as well as authentic Greek and Mediterranean Deli.

We're looking forward to this one!!

A one-off government grant reflecting housing growth in Herefordshire may be used to support insulating the county’s extensive stock of leaky homes making them warmer and healthier.

Herefordshire’s Coalition councillors will argue on Friday that the New Homes Bonus, a grant of £1.33 million, should be used as part of the county’s Climate Reserve to support county residents in insulating their homes and keeping warm.

‘Limiting the amount of energy we have to put into our homes, and the amount we are losing out of them is crucial at a time when energy costs are rocketing,’ said Coun Liz Harvey, who will argue that developing the insulation opportunities will benefit everyone in the county and help them to keep their energy bills down.

Speaking on the day that BP announced profits of £9.4 billion while householders are struggling to pay energy bills, Coun Harvey said that advice, skills and support for householders in making their homes energy efficient would ‘pay you back every day’.

‘We will use the government bonus payment for new homes that have recently been built in Herefordshire to help householders living in all the homes that already exist to deal with the energy crisis that we are facing. It is the right thing to do for residents and for the environment. Not only will this impact current generations, but future home-owners and occupants for generations to come,’ said Coun Harvey. ‘Things are only going to get worse with energy supply and the easiest and quickest thing we can all do at a local level is to cut down on the energy we use.’

Councillors in Herefordshire will vote on the budget on Friday and it is anticipated that the New Homes Bonus will be an area of contention as some councillors may fail to see the benefits of using the grant to support this sort of action here in Herefordshire.

Coun Ellie Chowns said: ‘We already know that there are 87 000 homes leaking heat in Herefordshire. For the sake of the people living in those leaky homes we must address this issue and help residents save money, keep warm and do the right thing for the environment. Insulation and retrofit has enormous potential for residents and businesses in the county – as a responsible authority we must invest in it.’

Insulating Herefordshire’s properties is one of the key issues raised by the Citizens’ Climate Assembly held in January 2022 as a consequence of a unanimous vote by councillors back in 2019 to create a forum to look at environmental issues and solutions in the county. The Coalition is maintaining a Climate Reserve to ensure that important projects addressing climate and ecological issues can access funding when necessary.

#HerefordVoice | #HerefordNews | #Herefordshire

Her Majesty’s Accession Day statement. The Queen wants Camilla to be 'Queen Consort' when Charles becomes King.

Yesterday, on the eve of the 70th anniversary of her Accession to the throne, The Queen wrote a message thanking the public and her family for their support, and looking forward to 'Platinum Jubilee' celebrations over the coming year.