Hereford Voice

The Bank of England desperately trying to slow the economy 

12 minutes later someone had a similar headline..

Over 200 employers are this week (21 June 2023) being named by government for failing to pay their lowest paid staff the minimum wage.

𝟲𝟵. 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗼𝗻-𝗪𝘆𝗲, 𝗛𝗥𝟵, 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝘆 £𝟱,𝟮𝟮𝟭.𝟮𝟳 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝟬𝟲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀.

• 202 businesses named for failing to pay the minimum wage to lowest paid workers.
• Employers ordered to repay workers and face penalties of nearly £7 million after breaches left 63,000 workers out of pocket.
• Follows on from 9.7% increase in National Living Wage and Minimum Wage paid to almost 3 million workers.

Over 200 employers are today (21 June 2023) being named by government for failing to pay their lowest paid staff the minimum wage.

The 202 employers were found to have failed to pay their workers almost £5 million in a clear breach of National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, leaving around 63,000 workers out of pocket.

Companies being named today range from major high street brands to small businesses and sole traders, in a clear message from government that no employer is exempt from paying their workers the statutory minimum wage.

Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business Kevin Hollinrake said:

Paying the legal minimum wage is non-negotiable and all businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working staff.

Most businesses do the right thing and look after their employees, but we’re sending a clear message to the minority who ignore the law: pay your staff properly or you’ll face the consequences.

The businesses named in today’s list have since paid back what they owe to their staff and have also faced financial penalties. The investigations by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs concluded between 2017 and 2019.

The employers named today previously underpaid workers in the following ways:

• 39% of employers deducted pay from workers’ wages.
• 39% of employers failed to pay workers correctly for their working time.
• 21% of employers paid the incorrect apprenticeship rate.

Whilst not all minimum wage underpayments are intentional, there is no excuse for underpaying workers.

Guidance for employers on pay is available on GOV.UK, and today the government has published additional advice about breaches and the steps employers should take to make sure they pay their workers correctly.

Bryan Sanderson Chair of the Low Pay Commission said:

The minimum wage acts as a guarantee to ensure all workers without exception receive a decent minimum standard of pay. Where employers break the law, they not only do a disservice to their staff but also undermine fair competition between businesses.

Regular naming rounds should be a useful tool in raising awareness of underpayment and helping to protect minimum wage workers.

The government has been clear that anyone entitled to be paid the minimum wage should receive it, and that robust enforcement action will be taken against employers who do not pay their staff correctly.

National Minimum Wage Naming Scheme R19 Educational Bulletin (PDF, 210 KB, 8 pages)

Since 2015, the budget for minimum wage enforcement has doubled with the government having ordered employers to repay over £100 million to 1 million workers.

The government is determined to ensure workers are paid for their hard work, having increased the National Living Wage by a record amount in April 2023. This led to the lowest paid workers in the UK seeing a rise of 9.7%, keeping the government on track to achieve its manifesto commitment for the National Living Wage to equal two-thirds of median earnings by 2024, provided economic conditions allow.

List of employers named in Round 19

This is the full list of employers being named and shamed for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage, with fuller detail provided in the attached spreadsheet:

List of named employers (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 48.4 KB)

Final_Publication_Spreadsheet_of_Named_Employers_in_R19__1_.xlsx

Our friends at Vision Building and Development have sent us this fantastic Reel! Showing the progress onRegeneration Project!

We are so excited about this project and plans for the regeneration of the historic Pavilion building. One of many StrongerHereford projects.

We would like to thank our Friends of Castle Green and Katie Bott

Our webcam is temporarily offline but we will have more exclusive images on the progress and some exciting news on the webcam as the project develops!

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞

West Mercia Police confirm that the 63-year-old man who died in the incident on Thursday 8 June has been identified as Paul Dabin, a resident from Putson in Hereford. Paul’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by a family liaison officer.

Police were called to Brook Retail Park in Hereford in the early hours of Thursday morning after a man suffered cardiac arrest and was taken to hospital where he sadly died.

The death was initially treated as suspicious while officers continued their work to establish the circumstances around Paul’s death.

On Friday 9 June a post-mortem examination was carried with the preliminary results established that he died of natural causes with no evidence of assault.

Paul’s death is not now being treated as suspicious and is now being dealt with by the coroner.

Detective Chief Inspector Leighton Harding said: “My thoughts are very much with Paul’s family at this sad time.

“I would like to also thank the public and local businesses for their patience and understanding whilst we conducted our investigation.”

Original article here

There are far too many accidents on the A49

Latest Update 

Enquiries continue to establish circumstances around death of Hereford man.

Following the death of a man in Hereford in the early hours of yesterday morning (Thursday 8 June) our work continues to establish the circumstances around his death.

Senior Investigation Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Leighton Harding, said: “Our investigation continues to ensure we determine the full chain of events that led to this 63-year-old man suffering a cardiac arrest whilst at the Brook Retail Park.

“Our initial enquiries led to the arrest of two men in their 30s. As our investigation has moved to the next stage we have been able to determine that no further action should be taken against the 32-year-old arrested and the 31-year-old has been released, under investigation, whilst we follow up on details of the incident. We understand that arrests following a death will be alarming to the local community but we are satisfied that there is no risk to the wider community.”

UPDATE 

𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝘂𝘁 𝗧𝗼 𝗦𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽

Two dogs that between them killed 28 sheep in rural Herefordshire have now been located and their owner has agreed to have them put to sleep.

Sergeant Mark Jones said: “We have been aware that there has been considerable upset among the farming community in the Dinedor area as a result of this, both from an emotional and financial point of view.

“We have taken steps wherever possible to keep the victims informed of what we have been doing and have carried out exhaustive enquiries which have ultimately proved successful.

“We have now located the dogs and in light of what has happened, the owners have agreed to have them both put to sleep.

“I’d like to thank everyone affected for their patience and co-operation following an unfortunate set of events but hopefully

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 | Man's death in Hereford being treated as suspicious

The death of a man in Hereford is being treated as suspicious.

Around 2.10am this morning (Thursday 8 June) police were called to Brook Retail Park after a man suffered cardiac arrest.

The man, aged 63, was taken to hospital but sadly died.

An investigation has been launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the man’s death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.

Earlier today a 31 year old man was arrested on suspicion of murder, a second man, aged 32, has also been arrested on suspicion of murder. Both are in police custody.

Enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances around his death.

Detective Chief Inspector Leighton Harding said: “Our investigation is in its early stages with enquiries on-going to establish the cause of the man’s death and circumstances surrounding the incident.”

A planning application has been submitted to create a take-away with seating inside and on the pavement Commercial Street in Hereford City centre.

𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙥 (𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙀) 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 (𝙨𝙪𝙞 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨) 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙖 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 (1𝙢 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜) 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙛𝙡𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙧 𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡.

There will also be accommodation above the unit which was formally occupied by tReds.

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 | A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in police custody.

Around 2.10am this morning (Thursday, June Police were informed a man was in cardiac arrest. A man was taken to hospital by paramedics, however, has sadly died.

A cordon is currently in place around Commercial Road while initial enquiries are carried out in to the circumstances of the incident and cause of death.

𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗟

Officers are appealing for witnesses, anyone who was in the area in the early hours of this morning is asked to contact Hereford CID 01432 347399 quoting reference 00033_I_08062023.

Alternatively, information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A man has been arrested on suspicion or Murder.

A serious incident In Hereford this morning as Police cordon off Commercial Road.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said;

Commercial Road is closed between the junctions of Blueschool Street and Barrs Court Road.

The road is expected to remain closed for sometime, motorists will need to use an alternative route.

📸 James McLelland

Council responds to the findings of an independent report

Today a report has been published by an independent ‘Families Commission’ following meetings with families that have previous and current experience of Herefordshire Children’s Services.

The panel was commissioned jointly by the Children’s Commissioner, Eleanor Brazil; the Herefordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership; and Herefordshire Council, and comprised of three appropriately qualified and experienced professionals, independent of Herefordshire. 

The Families Commission report can be viewed on the Herefordshire Safeguarding Partnership website.

Darryl Freeman, Director of Children’s Services:

I want to thank all the families for coming forward and sharing their experiences with the panel. I know that this must have been a very difficult and emotional experience and want them to know how deeply grateful I am.

I also want to thank the panel for the sensitive, professional way they have gone about their work and for their detailed and thorough report.

This report is a hard read. I am truly sorry for the failings it details and apologise to all the families for what they have been through. Our mission now, as part of our improvement journey, is to continue to learn from the mistakes of the past.

We are building a new culture and different way of working in the service. We will now look at each of the seven questions raised by the report carefully and honestly and explore with families how we can better work with them and meet their needs.

We share a common goal with all the families who have come forward – and with the whole of Herefordshire. We want to build a children’s service of which the whole county can be proud. Our families deserve nothing less.

Councillor Ivan Powell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People:

This is a challenging and difficult report for everyone connected with Herefordshire Council. For too long our children’s services have failed the very people who need them most. Some of those failings are laid out in stark detail in this report.

I am grateful to all the families for coming forward and hope that the work of the commission has helped them to feel heard and to start to recover from their experiences. Their stories must not – and will not – go unheard.

As the newly-appointed cabinet member for children’s services I am committed to ensuring that every aspect of children’s services learns from what each of the families has told the panel.

We must use this report and the families’ lived experience to ensure that the voice of children and families is central to our improvement plan and the future of the service in the long term.

Hereford Police are appealing for witnesses after a dangerous dog incident happened on the 30/05/2023 and 01/06/2023 in the DINEDOR area where sheep have been killed/injured by a dog.

The dog is pictured below. If you have any information please contact the Police, reference 22/51560/23.

“Whether I was in uniform or not, I would have done the same,” says West Mercia Police Federation member Chris Rogers, who has been nominated for a Police Bravery Award after risking his life to save a man from drowning.

Police constable Chris has told how he ‘went into auto-pilot mode’ when he saw a man fall from a 30-foot tall bridge.

The man, who was believed to be intoxicated, landed face down in the river and was unconscious, resulting in Chris running hundreds of metres before jumping into the water and swimming out to save him.

“If I’m honest, I didn’t even think about what I was doing. I went into complete auto-pilot mode,” said 35-year-old Chris.

“I’m actually a little bit embarrassed that I’ve even been nominated for an award. For me, I was just doing my job - and whether I was in uniform or not, I would have done the same.”

Chris, who joined the Force in 2008, described how the incident occurred after ‘two intoxicated men’ tried to enter a scene he was guarding.

“We prevented them from entering the scene after which they climbed up onto a bridge. Then, all of a sudden, one of them just fell,” father-of-three Chris continued.

“I immediately ran to towards the water and chucked off my stab vest. I jumped in to find the man face down, unconscious and floating. I couldn’t see his chest going up and down. He wasn’t breathing.”

At this point, Chris turned the man over and began CPR on his chest in an attempt to get him breathing. Chris pulled the male to the river bank where he continued CPR.

Eventually, the male coughed up blood and water, but he was still unconscious.

Chris’s police colleagues came to support him until the paramedics got there. The man was taken to hospital by ambulance and remarkably only suffered facial injuries as a result of the fall.

Chris added: “I didn’t speak to the man directly afterwards but I was told he wanted to say ‘thank you’ to me.

The bravery awards are organised each year by the Police Federation of England and Wales.

Along with nominees from police forces across England and Wales, Chris will be attending this year’s awards ceremony, which will be taking place on Thursday 13 July in London.

Hereford Fire Station have provided the following update following the house fire in Belmont;

29.05.2023 14:40

461 and 462 mobilised this afternoon to reports of a garden fence on fire affecting a property in Belmont, Hereford.

On arrival it was apparent the fire had spread to two houses and the roof spaces were well alight. Immediately assistance was requested “make pumps 6”.

Firefighters were deployed in Breathing Apparatus (BA) using hose reel jets to attack the fire internally while crews set up covering jets externally to also suppress the fire.

Further crews arrived from Ewyas Harold, Leominster, Ross and Whitchurch, Aerial Ladder Platform from Worcester as well as the Incident Command Unit from Ledbury.

Once the fire was extinguished crews then pitched 9m ladders and used the ALP to remove roof tiles to expose and deal with the remaining embers. Unfortunately both properties suffered severe fire damage.

Thankfully no serious injuries were sustained. A fire investigation is currently underway to fully determine the cause of the fire.

Relief crews from Peterchurch and Fownhope were brought in this evening to damp down and maintain a watching brief.

A spokesperson West Mercia Police said;

"South Wye SNT, have been informed about concerns relating to the sales of 'vapes' to children (under 18) by shops in the area of south Hereford.

Due to this information all shops have been visited to check they are checking for ID on sale. We were impressed by how some of the shops challenge age, however there is still room for improvement with others.

Police will be informing Trading Standards of the information and our findings to challenge the illegal sales to children within our community"

Image credit: pavel_shishkin

More than 200 knives have been surrendered and 15 people arrested as part of a national campaign to tackle knife crime.

Last week, West Mercia Police took part in Op Sceptre – a national dedicated week of action to tackle knife crime. During the week:-

• 231 knives were deposited in our knife surrender bins
• 15 people arrested
• 87 stop searches carried out
• 178 visits to local schools were made where officers talked to pupils about the dangers of carrying a knife
• 37 community events were held
• 50 diversionary visits
• 10 test purchases carried out to ensure retailers were complying with the law and not selling knives to children and young people under 18
• 207 retailer visited and advised around their responsibility in selling knives.

Superintendent Edward Hancox said: “We were pleased to once again be involved in operation sceptre, the dedicated week of action gives us an opportunity to highlight the work we do all year round to tackle knife crime.

“While our level of knife crime is relatively low across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcester, we are not complacent and we know that incidents do happen, often with devastating consequences. One incident is one too many which is why we will not stop in our work to bring down the level of knife crime even further.”

During the week police also joined up with the NHS to highlight vital first aid people can give to someone who has been stabbed.

Supt Hancox added: “Police alone cannot tackle knife crime and the support we have from our partner agencies, such as expert advice from the NHS, is absolutely crucial in helping prevent the number of people killed or seriously injured by a knife.

“While much of our work focusses on prevention and early intervention to stop a knife incident in the first place, if someone is stabbed first aid in the initial aftermath could potentially be the difference between life and death.”

Four simple steps to help someone who’s been stabbed:

1. Is it safe to approach? Consider your own safety

2. Put pressure on the wound.

3. Call 999.

4. Keep pressure on the wound until and ambulance arrives.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “It is brilliant to see the impact West Mercia Police has made across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcester to tackle a crime that tears communities apart.

“As PCC, I am committed to delivering my Safer West Mercia Plan by ensuring your police force has the resources and tools it needs to combat knife crime.

“By working closely with local partners, society can turn the tide on knife crime by educating young people about the dangers of carrying a weapon and offering them the support they need to enjoy their childhood free from harm.”

Damien Lucas, 36, of New Street in Leominster was sentenced to 92 months in prison at Hereford Crown Court on Tuesday 23 May when he pleaded guilty to eight charges of:

1: Attempt to arrange / facilitate the commission of child sex offence - rape / assault by penetration of child under 13 (26/10/2022)

2: Make indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (23/06/2021) Particulars: 114 Cat A images

3: Make indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (23/06/2021) Particulars: 58 Cat B images

4: Make indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (23/06/2021) Particulars: 270 Cat C images

5: Make indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (28/02/2023) Particulars: 85 Cat A images

6: Make indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (28/02/2023) Particulars: 101 Cat B images

7: Distribute an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (26/10/2022) Particulars: 1 Cat B image

8: Make indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (28/02/2023) Particulars: 279 Cat C images

Detective Inspector Matt McNelis said: “The strength of this 7 year sentence sends a strident message to online child sex offenders across the country. The possession, making and distribution of indecent images of children and the grooming of children to provide opportunities to commit contact offences are abhorrent crimes that we are fighting hard to prevent every day. Damien LUCAS pleaded guilty to having hundreds of images including 199 Category A images. Each of these depicts the rape and / or torture of a child. The possession and sharing of these images and videos re-victimises each child in perpetuity and we continue to work with partners, including Lucy Faithfull Foundation and Family Matters, to stamp out this vile trade in human misery.”

If you have been affected by child sexual abuse, you can contact police on 101 and speak to a police officer in confidence.

We recognise that not everyone has the confidence to speak to police, but there are support services available that can help you if you are a victim of abuse.

Anyone who has experienced abuse in childhood or is concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC helpline confidentially on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111.

Karen and Alex wrote to us today;

"Hi Colin,

We are the newest bar on bridge street situated between the Left Bank Village and The Tipsy Kat, lovely out door seating area with garden bar that opens over summer period, we offer free event hire (subject to conditions).

Perfect for hen, stags , parties , weddings , christening , wakes .

We have a small indoor play area to keep little ones entertain and offer a meal deals to keep the cost down. 

Open Monday to Sunday and later nights on a Friday and Saturday 

Thank you" 

Great to see the former unit previously occupied by The Den to be open again with this new and exciting business. 

Call in and say hi and on a gorgeous day like today try the ICE CREAM!! 🍧🍨🍦

Hereford Voice wish Karen and Alex all the very best and look forward to sampling that ice cream for ourselves! 

Hereford has some superb restaurants, pubs, bars and venues and this is another welcome addition to our fantastic city! 

The decision was made in March 2022 and was published by Herefordshire Council yesterday. 

The £130,000 contract was awarded to local builders S C Joseph Ltd.

Decision Title

Award a contract to carry out building improvements including window frame repairs, localised rainwater good repairs and works to the external canopy at Governor’s House, Hereford, up to a value of £130,000

Decision Made

This decision is to award the contract to S C Joseph to carry out these works to the Governor’s House, Hereford, following the completion of a successful tender, evaluation and moderation process.

Works to include carrying out building improvements including window frame repairs, localised rainwater good repairs and works to the external canopy

To approve the works expenditure of up to £130,000 which includes £9,400.75 contingency and £14,101.13 for professional fees.

Responsibility for delivering works to be carried out by the Capital Senior Project Manager within the spend budget of the Capital Building Improvement Programme

Reason For Decision

These works are part of the Capital Building Improvement Programme 2022/25.

The required improvement works have been assessed and prioritised based upon select criteria which covers health & safely, operational need/impact and lifecycle/value

Full details HERE

Full Council yesterday announced how Herefordshire Council will be governed in the 2023/24 municipal year.

Councillor Jonathan Lester has been elected Leader of Herefordshire Council,

Councillor Roger Phillips is Chairperson of the Council and Councillor Stef Simmons is Vice-Chairperson of the Council.

Full Council also appointed Herefordshire Council’s committee chairpersons, confirmed as:

Audit and governance committee
Chairperson: Councillor David Hitchiner
Vice-Chairperson: Councillor Aubrey Oliver

Children and young people scrutiny committee
Chairperson: Councillor Toni Fagan
Vice-Chairperson: Councillor Liz Harvey

Connected communities scrutiny committee
Chairperson: Councillor Ellie Chowns
Vice-Chairperson: Councillor Ed O’Driscoll

Employment panel committee
Chairperson: Councillor Jonathan Lester
Vice-Chairperson: Councillor Ellie Chowns

Environment and sustainability scrutiny committee
Chairperson: Councillor Louis Stark
Vice-Chairperson: Councillor Helen Heathfield

Health, care and wellbeing scrutiny committee
Chairperson: Councillor Pauline Crockett
Vice-Chairperson: Councillor Kevin Tillett

Planning and regulatory committee
Chairperson: Councillor Terry James
Vice-Chairperson: Councillor Clare Davies

Scrutiny management board
Chairperson: Councillor Liz Harvey
Vice-Chairperson: Councillor Jenny Bartlett

Licensing sub-committee
Chairperson: Councillor Polly Andrews

Herefordshire Council have recently introduced QR codes displayed at over 500 bus stops across the county, providing instant information on the next bus due at your stop.

Much of this will be in 'real time' so you can see exactly when your bus is on its way!

Happy retirement PD Stevie! 

This one took 4 minutes ...

Photo: SWNS

Judge Nicholas Cole at Worcester Crown Court this afternoon slammed the farmer for his 'outrageous behaviour' but reduced his sentence by 2 months down to 10 months.

The farmer from Kingsland was sentenced to 12 months in jail by a district judge last month following the destruction of 1.5km of the protected River Lugg in 2020