12/08/2019 - Extension of building maintenance and cleaning contract ref: 6193    

Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)

Find out more about this decision (item 30)

To approve the extension of the existing council building maintenance and cleansing services contract, which has been procured through an open market tender exercise, to the 31August 2020.

The extension of the contract will enable time for the strategic service review of the Property Services function to complete, which is being undertaken to ensure a future sustainable service can be delivered.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member commissioning, procurement and assets

Decision published: 12/08/2019

Effective from: 17/08/2019

Decision:

That:

(a) The contract with Balfour Beatty Living Places to deliver an amalgamated property maintenance and cleansing service be extended for one year from 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020 at a total contract value of £12 million.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Andrew Husband

Not bad for a years work.

Been advised that Ian MILLS , the Deputy Editor of the HT  is moving on in September.

i have always found him a very responsive Journalist , who has reacted to my emails honestly and positively .

The latest National Audit Office report concludes planning system in England is ‘not working well’

(extracts from The Guardian article today)

Targets for new homes are likely to be missed by half of England’s local authorities, according to a damning assessment of the government’s housing strategy, while increasingly profitable building companies are getting away with paying less for infrastructure and more than half of councils have failed to draw up adequate plans to solve the housing crisis.

The National Audit Office (NAO) concludes that the planning system in England is “not working well” and says councils are struggling to negotiate successfully with developers, leaving swaths of the country vulnerable to either housing shortages or situations where the wrong homes are built in the wrong places. Since 2010 there has been an almost 40% real-terms cut in spending on planners, according to the public spending watchdog.

Government figures show that while the average contributions agreed with developers for public infrastructure such as schools, health centres, roads and social housing remained at about £19,000 per new home between 2012 and 2017, average house prices increased by 31% in that period. The top five developers’ average operating profit margin increased from about 12% to 21%.

Planning for new homes
Background to the report
This report assesses how effectively the Department supports the planning regime to provide the right homes in the right places.

More facts and figures of financial sustainability of local authorities 2018 with visualisations from NAO.

Information on:
Revenue Spending Power
Service Spending (net current expenditure)
Social Care
Reserves
Budget vs Outturn (service spending)

The controversial bright yellow and pink shop front colours along Widemarsh Street in Hereford have been approved and the current colours are to be changed inline with current planning conditions.

Planning application details: 

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Proposed Non-Illuminated Fascia and Projecting Sign (and repainting ofshopfront with black panels to match stallriser)

This is how to U Break We Fix store currently looks

The new colours below are more inline with current planning regulations.

Application P191115/A

Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards carried out a joint raid as part of a Multi Agency Targeted Enforcement Strategy operation

A Hereford City shopkeeper has been fined for selling illegal tobacco in a case taken to court by Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards service.

Adam Ibrahim, 26, of Bank Street Dudley, pleaded guilty yesterday (Monday 1 October 2018) at Hereford Magistrates’ Court to six offences of possession and sale of illegal tobacco, all of which was non UK duty-paid. The former owner of the Zabka shop at Eign Gate, Hereford, was fined and required to pay costs totalling £2472. Mr Ibrahim is the fourth consecutive owner of the Zabka shop in four years to be convicted of selling illegal tobacco. 

In January 2018, Herefordshire Council's Trading Standards, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and West Mercia Police undertook a joint raid as part of a Multi Agency Targeted Enforcement Strategy (MATES) operation. 1580 packets of illegal cigarettes and 132 pouches of illegal hand rolling tobacco were seized; products were found in sophisticated concealments hidden in the floor and in false backs to large fridges.

Marc Willimont, Herefordshire Council’s Head of Regulatory & Development Management Services, said:

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“The sale of illegal tobacco severely damages honest local businesses, as well as costing the tax payer £2 billion nationally. We will continue to work in partnership with the police to clamp down on this organised crime which is often associated with other criminal activity. This case was yet another successful outcome supported by multi-agency targeted enforcement which clearly shows the value of working in partnership with other agencies.” 

Sergeant Duncan Reynolds from West Mercia Police said:

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"The trade of illegal cigarettes and other commodities is not only harmful to health, it is the type of crime that can be linked to organised crime groups working across our county borders. Serious and organised crime has a devastating effect on communities. I would urge members of the public to work with the police and Trading Standards to recognise the signs and report them so they can be investigated thoroughly.

"This is yet another example of successful partnership working to tackle organised crime in our community. Alongside MATES, West Mercia Police’s Protect campaign will see neighbourhood officers continuing to work closely with other organisations using all the powers available to bring offenders to justice.”

 

There is further information about Herefordshire Trading Standards on the Herefordshire Council website at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/trading-standards

Since the article in The Hereford Times alerting citizens that Herefordshire Council has overwhelmingly backed the principle of passing its offices and other estate on to the countys university project.

The groundbreaking motion went through with just one abstention and no votes against at full council this morning (Friday). Support for the motion means fundraising for the project can begin in earnest.

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STRUCTURE & GOVERNANCE

The New University-Herefordshire is being conceived as a not-for-profit institution, with mixed funding, and operating with input from The John Lewis Partnership model. The assets and endowments of the university will be held in trust by The Herefordshire Tertiary Education Trust.

 

A working Development Team has been in place since late 2012, and is comprised of local business people and educators.

 

The Trust Board of Trustees will initially be comprised of nationally and internationally recognised educators and business leaders drawn from Herefordshire and from around the world. This group will have a 2-3 year mandate to design and fund the university and identify and retain the initial executive leadership team.

 

With seed financing of £3-4 million and an additional £10-13 million to open the university in 2017, the Board will be tasked over succeeding years with securing an additional £50-£75 million in financing; integrating resources from personal and corporate philanthropy, the social capital market, private investment, UK & EU Government funding, public sector asset transfers, and industry sponsorships.

 

The New University will be working in close collaboration with Herefordshire College of Arts, Hereford & Ludlow College, and the Royal National College for the Blind to ensure that Herefordshire is recognized as a national centre of excellence in education.

My first thought - money no object. Where did the seed finance come from? Not the council I hope as they will have to have parking meters along all the roads of Herefordshire to bring in any money to support this. Can any councillors explain as they all voted for this worthy cause, except one who abstained.

Noticed that the Blackfriars building used by the council has been vacated and fenced off completely. Did someone mention that the Robert Owen school was to be given the building?

The former Bob Gallier motorcycle warehouse in Berrington Street Hereford is to become 'Little Princess Trust' Centre of Excellence if plans submitted this week are approved.

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Proposed change of use from a former motorcycle showroom and warehouse building into one single entity which will become an operations and office building for a charity. Works include a first floor extension to increase existing floor space.

The Little Princess Trust provides real hair wigs free of charge to children and young people up to the age of 24, who have lost their own hair due to cancer treatment and other conditions.

Planning application P192461/F

Here is a link to the wonderful charity's website where you will find full details of what they do - The Little Princess Website

Burger King to open in Hereford on Monday 12th August. 

To celebrate the grand opening, BK staff with be in the city centre giving away 1,000 FREE Burgers!

Please share and help find Lyndon. Big into RC community. Also a friend. Thanks

https://www.westmercia.police.uk/article/62770/Appeal-to-help-find-missing-man---Hereford

The Green Dragon Hotel Launches New Cocktail Destination for Herefordshire

This week sees the opening of the eagerly awaited Offa Bar at The Green Dragon Hotel in Hereford. A key area of restoration for the hotel’s refurbishment programme, bringing this historic hub for agricultural business and community back to life as a high-end cocktail venue for Hereford’s social scene. 

Historically, The Offa Bar was a place to meet all of the county’s most influential people and socialise with them, something the new owners are aspiring to. The bar will now boast the best mixology in the county, supported by Chase Distillery who will be the house vodka of choice and who sponsored a recent competition to find the bars lead mixologist, Henry Partridge. Henry will be devising an array of classic and seasonal cocktails that will be changed on a regular basis and focused on local drink suppliers.

Managing Director Julian Vaughan comments:

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“ It has been an exciting time bringing the Offa Bar back to life with its rich history of being the social hub for the city, which we hope to create again. Our focus is on local and seasonal so visitors can expect the best cocktails made with the best local ingredients.” 

The local focus is apparent with many local brands already on-board British Cassis, Chase Distillery, Ludlow Gin, Penrhos Gin and an extensive list of local ciders curated by Susanna Forbes author of “The Cider Insider” and co-founder of Little Pomona cider.

The Offa Bar will be open from 6 pm to 11 pm on Thursday - Saturday. On other days of the week, the bar can be hired for exclusive use, mixology classes and private cocktail parties. For more information contact Ananda Hill ananda@greendragonhotel.com

Thank you to Kie Cummings for the photographs.

Maylord Orchards shopping centre in Hereford has closed their public toilets due to financial pressures. A spokesperson said it's no longer viable for the toilets to be kept open due to the cost of maintaining them.

Simon Whiting, centre manager, said:

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"It is with much regret that as from today the Maylord Shopping Centre toilets will be closed until further notice.

"The closure is a reflection of the current retail climate whereby the financial strain has meant maintaining and managing the toilets is no longer feasible.

"We will continue to monitor and review with the hope being that we will be able to reopen in the not too distant future."

A notice on the Maylord Orchards Facebook page yesterday said: 

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As from today the Maylord Shopping Centre toilets will be closed until further notice. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Well hello...it's been a while but I'm liking the revamp.

Been away with work and doing a bit of my own rebuilding and I guess that brings me to the topic in question.

Does anyone know what's going on in the fields next to the Barrett new development and opposite the road that leads out from the old Herefordshire Nature Trust building ?

The Wasp Guys

The Wasp Guys is a family run company.

Originally from Hereford, we spent 20 years living and building our business in Oxted, Surrey. As a team we have been successfully eradicating wasp nests throughout Surrey, Sussex, Kent and London for over 20 years. We now have a family base both in Hereford and Surrey and our small family  team can therefore provide an excellent service to both these beautiful places.

We can nearly always offer a same day service or you can book us for a specific day that suits you. Please note we operate 7 days a week throughout the Summer, from 7am to 9pm.

Our trained technician will invariably be with you for about 15 minutes. 

Generally all signs of wasp activity around the treated area will be gone within an hour. It's very rare we fail with our 1st treatment. If there were to be any activity after 48hrs, we would return and re-treat the wasps nest free of charge. 100% Guaranteed.

 Call Nick now: 01432  507300 - Mobile 07761  232470  
(mobile number only as we are always on the road)

THE WASP GUYS (Nick's Wasp Nest Removal) have the expertise to rid any wasp or hornet problem you may have, quickly and efficiently. All work is 100% guaranteed and always at a low price.
We are fully insured and DBS (formerly CRB) checked. For a local, efficient, friendly service call us today. 

Click here for the website and see over 600+ genuine Checkatrade reviews! 

With the banks working with the government and mega corporations to abolish cash and use our smart phones for continuing surveillance, is this what will happen after Brexit. This government's proposed white paper on Online Harms centered on Internet Censorship will be the final nail in British democracy for the future. Nice piece concerning Jeremy Hunt in the video which will no doubt raise his popularity in the PM contest.

Proposed Government white paper on Internet Censorship Policy:
Online Harms consultation ends midnight tomorrow. Follow the video to grasp the consequences of what the government will allow you to say.

4 of the last high profile incidents (iirc) involving knives in Hereford all have links to Hunderton. 

Christopher Bagley left a house in Hunderton and was killed, Robert Ecock was from Hunderton (originally), The non local women who went on a speed in hunderton. And now another one where a man ( use that word loosely) stabbed his partner in hunderton. 

It’s like the estate is trying to revive its past “Shanghai” label. 

Morrisons posted a profit warning recently ... 

Robert Peston (BBC) on the subject

So why are they trying to aggravate customers by having a TalkTalk hit squad hovering as you leave? I let it go last night as these salesmen have to earn a living somewhere ... but I got grabbed again tonight by the same guys who had forgotten we had a conversation last night which had ended with me saying I was not remotely interested in their product. 

I was also in a bad mood as the offer product I went in for was bare on the shelf.

Also the car park now has so many rules that it puts you off going there. Machines that need you to type in your car registration number for instance. That loses my interest straight away! Plus ANPR cameras.

And I've not even started on the till situation! 

A Volvo car has crashed into the wall at St Nicholas Church in Barton Road this afternoon. We are not sure how the vehicle managed to crash into the wall with the car facing in the wrong direction...We understand that an elderly couple were in the car.

There is a recovery truck on site and we do not believe anyone was seriously injured.

So our question now is should people have a mandatory re-test every two or three years once they reach the age of 70-75?

How do we go about getting this off the ground to happen on our side of the river? JimmyK  has been heavily involved with picnic in the park on his patch on the quarry with great success.  Any suggestions welcome.