megilleland

Hereford Times reader's letter highlighting the same problems all over the city.

Smartphones for not very smart people. As we move forward in the technology age so we unknowingly lose more of our freedom. until we enter a new digital serfdom. This is where consumers give up their personal and private information in order to be able to use a particular product or service. Serfdom is a system of forced labor that exists in a feudalistic society. It was very common in Europe during the medieval age. In this system, serfs or peasants do a variety of labor for their lords in exchange for protection from bandits and a small piece of land that they can cultivate for themselves. Serfs are also required to pay some form of tax often in the form of chickens or crops yielded from their piece of land. Hassan Khan in The Next Web points out that the decline of property ownership is indicative that we are living in a digital serfdom. In an article he says: “The percentage of households without a car is increasing. Ride-hailing services have multiplied. Netflix boasts over 188 million subscribers. Spotify gains ten million paid members every five to six months. “The model of “impermanence” has become the new normal. But there’s still one place where permanence finds its home, with over two billion active monthly users, Facebook has become a platform of record for the connected world. If it’s not on social media, it may as well have never happened.” Joshua A. T. Fairfield elaborates this phenomenon in his book “Owned: Property, Privacy, and the New Digital Serfdom.” Fairfield discusses his book in an article in The Conversation, stating that: “The issue of who gets to control property has a long history. In the feudal system of medieval Europe, the king owned almost everything, and everyone else’s property rights depended on their relationship with the king. Peasants lived on land granted by the king to a local lord, and workers didn’t always even own the tools they used for farming or other trades like carpentry and blacksmithing. “Yet the expansion of the internet of things seems to be bringing us back to something like that old feudal model, where people didn’t own the items they used every day. In this 21st-century version, companies are using intellectual property law – intended to protect ideas – to control physical objects consumers think they own.” In other words, Fairfield is suggesting that the devices and services that we use — iPhones, Fitbits, Roomba, digital door locks, Spotify, Uber, and many more — are constantly capturing data about behaviors. By using these products, consumers have no choice but to trade their personal data in order to access the full functionalities of these devices or services. This data is used by private corporations for targeted advertisement, among others. This system of digital serfdom binds consumers to private corporations who dictate the terms of use for their products or services. “In the coming decade, if we do not take back our ownership rights, the same will be said of our self-driving cars and software-enabled homes. We risk becoming digital peasants, owned by software and advertising companies, not to mention overreaching governments.”

EXCLUSIVE: Channel 4 to air Wuhan Covid19 investigation David Malone has spent the last few months making a documentary film for Channel Four with co-producer Jan Klimkowski. Focusing in depth on what happened at Wuhan, the film sets out to answer the question, “Has the narrative surrounding Covid19 at the Wuhan lab been engineered?’ It will air on Four this coming Sunday 22nd August at 10 pm BST. Earlier this week, The Slog gained an exclusive interview with Malone.

Landline phones will be axed by 2025: Digital switchover leads to fears elderly and vulnerable will struggle to cope if they're forced to rely on mobile technology * Millions of customers will be pushed online for first time or must rely on mobile * Upgrade will impact services that rely on the existing telephone network like alarms, phones in lifts, payment terminals and red telephone boxes * Concerns over older and vulnerable households which are not online, do not use a mobile phone or live in a rural area with poor connectivity being left behind * Around 6 per cent of homes– roughly 1.5 million – do not have internet access Is this going to affect you and your relatives? Technology taking over humanity. I have a smart phone but hardly use it. Still use the old style flip phone no problems. The internet is getting to be a joke with the sites' cookies wanting to collect all your data to sell on to third parties. The dictatorship wanting to track you 24 hours and social interaction a thing of the past - just do as your told or else.

Now Covid has gone off the boil it's time to ramp up the fear with Climate terror. All this pushed out by the United Nations for all the world's governments to impose on our lives. You can't beat a bit of control to keep the plebs in place.

Agenda General scrutiny committee - Tuesday 10 August 2021 10.15 am * Attendance details * Agenda frontsheet PDF 422 KB * Agenda reports pack PDF 2 MB * Add meeting to your calendar using VCS format Venue: Three Counties Hotel, Belmont Road, Belmont, Hereford, HR2 7BP Contact: John Coleman, Statutory Scrutiny Officer Link: Watch the meeting on the Herefordshire Council youtube channel Title of report: Freehold Disposal of the Town Hall, St. Owens St. Hereford Meeting: General scrutiny committee Meeting date: Tuesday, 10 August 2021 Report by: Statutory Scrutiny Officer Classification Open Decision type This is not an executive decision Wards affected Central Purpose To consider proposals for the disposal of the Town Hall, St. Owen Street, Hereford within the context of the council’s overall asset management strategy. It is important to note that the method of the disposal has not yet been determined. The general scrutiny committee has identified this decision from the council’s Forward Plan and has added this to their work programme as pre-decision call-in. There are a range of services accessed by members of the public that are currently operating from the Town Hall. Namely, the county Coroners, registrars, storage, car parking enforcement, Custodians services and IT data room. The Town Hall also hosts two external local tenants, notably, Hereford City Council and the Business Improvement District (BID) Recommendation(s) That: a) The Committee reviews the proposals for the disposal of the Town Hall and determines any recommendations it wishes to make to the executive, which may enhance the effectiveness of the plans. Alternative options 1. There are no alternative options, this is a report for scrutiny to consider the council’s proposed decision within the context of a wider overall asset management strategy. Key considerations 2. The Town Hall, in St. Owens St, in Hereford is one of the County’s most iconic public buildings. The Edwardian building was opened in 1904 and houses the town's civic administration, including council chambers and the registrar's office. The property is a grade II* listed building in a prominent position in the city of Hereford. 3. The now expired Herefordshire Council’s Corporate Property Strategy, 2016 to 2020 notes that the Town Hall, along with other significant public buildings such as the Shire Hall will be retained for public sector occupation and use. A new Strategic Asset Management Plan is being developed to take forward a new way of managing our assets for the future and current conditions. 4. On 5 July, the Council published a statutory notice that it would be taking a key decision to dispose of the Town Hall, in St. Owens Street. 5. The council currently operates a number of services in the buildings, namely the Coroner, Registrars, Parking Services and Electoral Services. The council also delivers a range of other functions including weddings, inquests and citizens ceremonies. It is proposed that plans are developed and implemented to relocate these services within the council’s property portfolio. The building also plays host to two external tenants, Hereford City Council and Hereford Business Improvement District (BID). 6. Many of these statutory services will continue to require having physical buildings within the county to continue to deliver their services for the residents of Herefordshire. 7. The City Council approached the Council with regards the future management of the asset. Further to discussions with the City Council regarding a potential interest in taking over the management of the Town Hall building, the Council commissioned a survey in 2019 to understand the condition at that time and take a view on backlog maintenance and estimated cost. The survey identified that a total of £1.8m maintenance or repairs were potentially required. 8. Previously, maintenance works to the front elevation of the Town Hall were identified and incorporated in the capital bids for the year 2017/18. The front porch had settled by approximately 50mm and was required to be supported by scaffold to keep the front entrance open and safe. 9. A sum of £421k for stonework repairs at the town hall was approved by full council as part of the capital programme in December 2016. Current Finances Associated with the current running costs and income generated 10. The running costs of the Town Hall, based upon 2019-20, as 2020-21 figures are unreliable due to Covid 19 as a true reflection of usual expense, are as follows:. a. Building & Maintenance – £47,778.96 b. Cleaning - £49,398.43 c. Rates - £66,765 d. Utilities - £30,000 TOTAL: £193,491.00 11. The Income generated from the Town Hall (2020-21) show the following e. Rental income- £25,809 f. Services Charges - £11,864 g. Other income - £190 (in 2019/20 this income was approximately £6k) h. Income generated from other sources, namely car parking fees (2019-20), was £8,465 TOTAL: £28,738.00 Community impact 12. The current proposals support the Council’s County Plan (2020 to 2024) to further rationalise our property holdings to deliver efficiencies as well as new income streams to support our services. Environmental Impact 13. The council provides and purchases a wide range of services for the people of Herefordshire. Together with partner organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors we share a strong commitment to improving our environmental sustainability, achieving carbon neutrality and to protect and enhance Herefordshire’s outstanding natural environment Equality duty 14. Under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, the ‘general duty’ on public authorities is set out as follows: A public authority must, in the exercise of its functions, have due regard to the need to – a) eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act; b) advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it; c) foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. 15. The public sector equality duty (specific duty) requires that the council consider how we can positively contribute to the advancement of equality and good relations, and demonstrate that we are paying ‘due regard’ in our decision making in the design of policies and in the delivery of services. Our providers will be made aware of their contractual requirements in regards to equality legislation. Resource implications 16. There are no resource implications from this committee reviewing the responses. The resource implications are set out within the reports. Legal implications 17. There are no direct legal implications arising from the recommendations. Risk management 18. These are set out in the appended reports Consultees None Appendices Appendix A: Town Hall Data – General Scrutiny Committee Background papers Herefordshire Council – Corporate Property Strategy 2016 – 2020

In The Guardian today: Hay festival in disarray as director quits after bullying claim upheld Exit of Peter Florence adds to list of woes that include two years of Covid cancellations and a sex assault claim against a Gulf royal. You could write a book on this!

JULY 21, 2021 A statement from Mayor of Hereford Paul Stevens regarding Hereford Town Hall; “The City Council was abolished in 1998 when the new Herefordshire Council was formed. All assets of the City Council transferred to the new unitary council. In 2000 the City Council was recreated as a Parish Council. The only assets that were returned were the allotments. The Town Hall could have been returned at that time but the new council decided not to do that. Since then the building has been owned and maintained by Herefordshire Council. They have had the opportunity to raise funds from renting parts of it out including our offices, Mayor’s Parlour, silver museum and tourist information centre, from weddings and other events. The unitary council did suggest selling it back for £2m but this was not a reasonable offer and nothing came of it. That was around 2010. Since then there have been some works but nowhere near enough to keep the building in a reasonable condition. We discussed an arrangement whereby the City Council could take the building over providing the essential and most urgent repairs were done, but this was not acceptable to Herefordshire Council. At that time they would have cost about £1.8m for urgent work, with another £4.2m to find over three to five years. More recently we discussed the possibility of a third party forming a charitable trust who would have been able to bring in the essential external funding to enable the building to be kept for future generations and used as a centre of live arts as well as a civic building. That fell through because their trustees needed reassurance about the current and most urgent repair needs. Setting up a charitable trust to replace them would take about a year and is the only way we can get external funding to try and restore the building. We are not prepared to take it on with huge outstanding repair liabilities that would fall to the City’s tax payers. We are prepared to work with Herefordshire Council, and anyone else who is willing to help with the project, to try and secure a future for the building.” by Connor Powell

Hastily abandoned low-traffic schemes could cost councils funding Transport minister warns local authorities not to remove cycle lanes or other reduction measures without evidence of their failure Councils which rip out cycle lanes or low-traffic neighbourhoods before giving them a chance to work or without evidence they are failing could lose future central government funding, ministers have warned. In a sign of the growing frustration within government at some councils, both Conservative and Labour, which have removed active travel schemes in the face of sometimes noisy objections, transport minister Chris Heaton-Harris is formally writing to the leaders of all English local authorities with transport responsibilities. In separate comments, Boris Johnson warned councils that he was serious about boosting active travel, saying that “trying to squeeze more cars and delivery vans on the same roads and hoping for the best is not going to work”. “I support councils, of all parties, which are trying to promote cycling and bus use,” the prime minister said. “And if you are going to oppose these schemes, you must tell us what your alternative is.” In his comments, Johnson directly tackled the charge from opponents of low-traffic neighbourhoods and similar schemes that they simply move traffic to other roads, saying: “Of course some journeys by car are essential, but traffic is not a force of nature. It is a product of people’s choices. If you make it easier and safer to walk and cycle, more people choose to walk and cycle instead of driving, and the traffic falls overall.” Heaton-Harris’s letter, being sent on Friday, warns councils that if schemes installed using central government money, such as funds provided to boost walking and cycling during Covid, are then hastily abandoned, this could affect future grants. “Premature removal of schemes carries implications for the management of the public money used in these schemes and for the government’s future funding relationship with the authorities responsible,” wrote Heaton-Harris. Wonder if the Bridge Street scheme came under this scheme?

Expect more: One in seven shops now vacant across the UK Retailers call on government to amend business tax rates in response to changing shopping needs and habits More than one in seven shops are now vacant on UK high streets, retail parks and shopping centres, the highest proportion since at least 2015, as the Covid-19 pandemic ramped up pressure on already weakened retailers. Fashion stores have been hit particularly hard, with a major shift to online shopping during the pandemic, and a lack of parties, events and nights out to dress up for. Shopping malls, which tend to house more clothing stores, are now searching for tenants for a fifth of their units, according to research from the Local Data Company and the British Retail Consortium. Yes everything now comes to you in a cardboard box. No need to step outside your house, just want the government and the big corporations want - total control.

After the tree clippings above have lain on the ground since July 2020 I decided to clear up the mess myself and take 2 large builders' bags of debris to the tip this afternoon. I did it while a friend sat in with my partner. Pity that the council couldn't manage it, but over the years asking them to do anything you have more chance of winning the lottery.

UK water firms can raise prices temporarily to offset Covid costs The UK’s water regulator is to allow utility companies to increase prices temporarily starting next year to offset higher bad debt costs because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Water companies from April will bear 25% of bad debt costs where these are more than 2% of non-household revenue, and non-household customers will bear the rest, the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) said in a statement. The regulator added that the adjustments to price caps would apply for a minimum of two years. Utilities have been struggling with a sharp drop in water consumption by businesses as virus restrictions have moved people out of office buildings and into remote working, while defaults have also been rising. The largest water companies in the UK include Thames Water, United Utilities, Severn Trent and the South West Water owner, Pennon. “These decisions aim to protect the interests of non-household customers in the short and longer term … as the business retail market continues to feel the impacts of Covid-19,” said Georgina Mills, Ofwat’s business retail market director. _________________________________________________________ I would have thought that if there is a drop in water consumption and people using meters to save water, I can't see why water companies can ask for more money, but it's no surprise. Same with all the other utilities - they have got the public over a water barrell.

How tidy is your street, your estate. Seen any rats yet? We have had tree cuttings left on the ground since July 2020 even though they were reported several times since , there is even a Christmas Tree lying on the ground. It appears the council can take away a useful litter bin, but can't empty the ones which regularly overflow. Could that be the reason for the problem? If we didn't have several volunteers who take it on themselves to try and keep Newton Farm tidy we would be under a land fill site by now. Have you seen any councillors walking around the estate? What's their impression? Maybe they would like to knock on a few doors and seek residents views, but now the elections are over I imagine they have gone back down their burrows.

Not only central government putting money into their friends' pockets, but together with local authorities bleating that they have no money due to poor financial control, things don't bode well for the future and for us citizens. Nobody really Cares because they have no Respect for the electorate, are thoroughly unAware of what is happening under their noses, all resulting in a complete lack of Pride for their surroundings. Years going by, nothing happening of benefit and money washing down the drain.

Cheung Chung-kiu, a Hong Kong-based property tycoon, sought permission to partly demolish and reconstruct 2-8A Rutland Gate, in Knightsbridge, in order to create his vast new home, which experts said could be worth up to £500m when completed. Question raised in The House of Lords this week by Lord Young of Cookham (Conservative) Introducing higher rate bands for Council Tax, especially a re-evaluation of all properties to reset the levels of payment (bands). As some Lords said there is a great disparity in what people pay especially in London and South East compared to rest of the UK. Top council tax band in Westminster is only £1655.12, while living in the Herefordshire countryside you will pay in top band £4308.44 - Bromyard and Winslow.

I watch some of Jeff Berwick – The Dollar Vigilante videos. He is one of the best as he covers most of the areas for concern in the coming years. Who is Jeff Berwick? https://dollarvigilante.com/who-is-tdv/ To watch The Ten Stages to Satan Klaus’ Fourth Reich Genocide click on https://dollarvigilante.com/channel/ then select The Ten Stages to Satan Klaus’ Fourth Reich Genocide It's an hour long, but interesting and entertaining.

He would say that wouldn't he. When are the police going back on the beat - remember Neighbourhood Watch?

Having watched the programme it appears more stupid to spend £90 billion plus on HS2 when there are millions of gallons of sewage discharged into our rivers every day by our water companies and totally illegal, What do you want clean water or to get to Manchester from London 40 minutes quicker. Maybe it's being built so the BBC staff can commute from London although a lot of them are working at home now?

Livestreamed documentary Rivercide to unmask UK’s water polluters George Monbiot hosts innovative investigation naming the farms and water firms damaging Britain’s rivers Giant livestock farms and privatised water firms accused of polluting the nation’s waterways are to be named in what is thought to be the world’s first livestreamed investigative documentary. The crowdfunded investigation Rivercide, which will be broadcast online at 7pm on Wednesday, will be hosted by environmental journalist and Guardian columnist George Monbiot. Monbiot will travel along the River Wye, which flows between England and Wales, to collect water samples that will be analysed as the documentary unfolds. “This is a really shocking story of how our rivers are being devastated,” said Monbiot. “We’ll be revealing some serious wrongdoing.” Monbiot decided to focus on the River Wye after a disturbing canoeing trip last summer. He found the Wye, which was once prized for its salmon, had changed beyond all recognition over the course of a decade. “There hadn’t been any rain so it should have been crystal clear but you couldn’t see anything,” he said. “I made the mistake of going swimming. As soon as my nostrils got near the water I nearly gagged because it was so disgusting. When I got out, my whole body felt like it was coated in slimy snot. It was like something out of a 1970s science fiction film.” https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/14/livestreamed-documentary-rivercide-to-unmask-uks-water-polluters

Here is a comment from The Slog a few days ago: Let me educate you all about dentistry. All dentists are independent self employed people. Some agree to take an NHS contract. This gives a certain amount per year for an unspecified amount of work. Thus ,in short ,they are juggling the amount of work to fit the amount paid . From this amount all costs are borne by the dentist -staff payments ,mortgage, materials, everything . Privately on the other hand they can charge what they like for the individual procedures it doesn’t take the brain of Britain to work out that this is not only more financially rewarding ,though greater risk ,than working on the NHS . Hence why you are always offered a private alternative by an NHS dentist (or nearly always). So comments like dentists should be forced to do NHS work is like saying you must work for less as a self employed person. How many of you would do this? Equally as none of you have a clue on running costs you are in no position to judge what is expensive. Such a judgement can only be made when you are in full possession of facts. I worked until 2006 non the NHS when the current ludicrous system was invented. It was done by govt to fix their costs, that is the only reason. Obviously it is not good for patients but they are only interested in price-at least the NHS moaners . So there you have it. i retired 4 years ago and wouldn’t touch the job i loved with a barge pole now. It is truly screwed My reply: I don't think anyone is an NHS moaner. Us older folk need to budget on our pensions. Gone are the days when I could afford to spend £3,000 on an implant. I note that your Association were calling for an uplift in pay of at least 5% for 2020/21. Did the care workers and nurses get similar treatment I don't think so. NHS dentists and doctors across the UK will receive a 2.8 per cent pay rise, backdated to April, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed. The Government has accepted in full the pay recommendations in the latest Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) report, which considers a range of evidence from the NHS and trade unions. This pay award is worth, in basic pay, between £2,200 and £3,000 for consultants, between £1,100 and £2,100 for Specialty Doctors, and between £1,500 and £2,600 for Associate Specialists. Obviously market forces prevail. Make hay while the sun shines.

Have rung all the practices below and none are taking NHS patients. In some cases September was the earliest on a waiting list. Some state: NOT accepting children (up to the age of 18) NOT accepting adults (18 and over) NOT accepting adults entitled to free dental care So generally not accepting those that cannot pay privately. Dental Access Centre Asda Site, Belmont Road, Hereford, HR2 7JE 01432 382180 Bupa Dental Care, Hereford Pool Farm, Belmont, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR2 7JZ 01432 279066 St Owen Dental Studio Ground Floor, Broadway House, Aubrey Street, Hereford, Herefordshire HR4 0BU 01432 272084 Evans, Morton & Evans (Orthodontics) - Braces only 34 Castle Street, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR1 2NW 01432 273393 mydentist, St Owen Street, Hereford 4 St. Owen Street, Hereford, Herefordshire HR1 2PH 01432 356 891 Collins House Dental Surgery 19 St. Owen Street, Hereford, Herefordshire HR1 2JB 01432 357 717 mydentist, Commercial Street, Hereford 8 Commercial Street, Hereford, Herefordshire HR1 2DB 01432359126 The Willows Willows Dentistry, 15a Commercial Street, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR1 2DE 01432 274749 Brighton Villa Dental Surgery 7 Wyecliffe Terrace, Bath Street, Herefordshire, Herefordshire, HR1 2HG 01432 272925 Kyrle Street Dental Practice 18 Kyrle Street, Hereford, Herefordshire, Herefordshire, HR1 2ES 01432 273037

I have to get a new NHS dentist in Hereford as mine in Leominster is retiring. I am caring full time and travelling to Leominster without someone sitting with my partner, makes it nigh impossible. From my searches it appears that no dentist in Hereford is taking NHS. As a last resort I will be willing to pay if there is no alternative. The Conservatives said they would destroy the NHS through Creative Chaos. They appear to be achieving this very well and are now applying their skills to our hospitals. Unless you pay you won't get treatment,

Trolleywise have just been to pick up the Tesco trolley left in the street last week. On the council website it says they (I assume BBLP) will pick up Tesco trolleys but they don't. Still it isn't as bad as this chap in The Sun with 65 trolleys in his garden. These authorities want us to use smart phone technology to improve their service, but basically it's to deter you bothering them. Trolleywise phone number is 0800 316 1241 or use www.trolleywise.co.uk (not able to connect at moment)

Freehold Disposal of the Town Hall, St. Owen Street Any background information about this?

Another load of cat litter left on top of hedge off the footpath from Sherborne Close to Dunoon Mead. Environmental Health are looking into it, although not literally.