Denise Lloyd

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjJ3cqn7LnYAhVhCsAKHbqaB9UQqUMILzAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fsociety%2F2018%2Fjan%2F01%2Fover-11000-homes-have-stood-empty-for-at-least-10-years-data-shows&usg=AOvVaw2xYprDxe0dGNGzMDPyc9dv

According to new research over 10000 homes have stood empty for at least 10 years in this country.

Now I am not as travelled as many of the posters on HV but are there many empty homes in Herefordshire?

My partner, who does all the driving for now, is struggling with the roads - the junctions and roundabouts really - more than he's struggled in Plymouth or London...or any other city, but I'm sure he'll get a handle on it :-)

I think a lot of the locals are struggling with the roads in the city Sezbet so take heart (Nearly renamed you then but managed to edit it!)

I thoroughly recommend a trip to Hay on Wye and of course Abergavenny

Questions raised if the council achieved best value for money for taxpayers following farm sales

Questions raised if the council achieved best value for money for taxpayers following farm sales

 

QUESTIONS have been raised about whether best value for money has been achieved for county taxpayers following the sale of Herefordshire Council's farms.

The smallholdings sale saw more than 4,000 acres presented to the land market in 59 individual lots with an accumulative guide price of about £38 million.

Overall sales averaged £6,835/acre which meant most of the sales achieved 59 per cent of vacant farm value.

George Dunn, chief executive at the Tenant Farmers Association, said: With the majority of sales achieving short of 60 per cent of vacant possession value, questions must be raised about the extent to which this political decision has achieved best value for the council taxpayers of Herefordshire.

"The poor return quoted prior to sale simply highlights the councils poor management of the estate which could have been improved. The council has also failed to honour its commitment that no one would lose their homes or livelihoods as a number of farm tenants are being evicted.

The council put its smallholdings estate on the market in April to generate capital and give the council the opportunity to reduce its historic borrowings.

Agents Fisher German handled the sales and said there were more than 200 bids from across the UK, and beyond into Europe and even the Middle East.

However more than 70 per cent of the buyers farm within 10 miles of their purchases, and less than 10 per cent came from outside the county.

Vacant and equipped farms topped £16,000/acre and sales averaged £11,420/acre across the portfolio.

Arable prices ranged upwards from £12,000 to more than £15,000/acre.

Hillside grazing in the west of the county realised in the region of £6,000/acre, while lowland leys achieved north of £8,500/acre, resulting in an average of £7,880/acre for grassland overall.

A spokesman for Fisher German said: "Where farms were let under lifetime or retirement tenancies, investors were generally seen off by sitting tenants where there was a desire to acquire.

"Farms of varying sizes let under smallholdings legislation achieved sale prices ranging from £5,500 to £8,500/acre. Overall sales averaged £6,835/acre, equating to 59 per cent of vacant farm prices, reflecting the incentive for sitting tenants to take their vacant possession windfall."

But regional farmer Graham Clay, who was NFU tenants chairman during the farm sale said: “Despite intense lobbying on the issue we were deeply saddened that Herefordshire Council pressed ahead with the sale of the estate.

“Our thoughts continue to be with the tenants who were unable to buy their farms or secure alternative tenancies and were consequently forced out of mainstream farming."

A council spokesman said: Herefordshire Council can confirm that the disposal of the smallholding estate is progressing and the exchange and completion of sales contracts has begun.

Herefordshire Council cannot confirm details of the sale at this stage in the process, but will release further details once all contracts have been completed.

No HC wrote it!

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjNz7CwlpPYAhUCJMAKHZGTB30QFgg0MAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworld-australia-42361874&usg=AOvVaw18Wlf0PogA9sX1qmiaAG8Q

This was reported on the Radio 4 News the other night but since then I have not heard it reported once.  Another hush up I fear.

I do not know if any children from this county were shipped out for a "supposedly better life" but the practice only really came to an end in the 1960's.  What some of  these children went through was horrific and why has it not been spoken about more?

Oh so no grand opening ceremony?!!

and the Traffic Order now in place I expect!

Monday 18th December 2017 is the new date for opening now

Or are there just too many skeletons that could well fall out of that particular wardrobe? 

Yes something has been putting grit down on our roads in Kingstone - the roads are still not the best but it has made it a lot safer around here.  Well done to the guys and gals who have worked out in this crap weather to make life a lot easier for so many folk - that is all sectors from farmers to carers - you name it if they have made the effort thank you

Well i expect the buses are not running because of the state of the roads and

From HC Twitter

Obviously I was not referring to the bus driver. As soon as I posted my comment I just knew someone would misunderstand my musings.  I should have added I hope the people who are working today are safe and will get home safely 

It always amazes me that people find it necessary to drive in this weather.  Obviously those that are due to work need to make the effort but do the others really need to?   I heard the dot.com ladies set out this morning and very early too - good girls!  

All resources will be transferred from the more needy areas to keep this long awaited and exceedingly costly road open

What indeed!

Congratulations to Coventry well deserved

Snap I have just this minute copied the link - great minds

I should have added I hope they do not charge silly money to view it and Cloudberry I do agree with your comments we take so much for granted and without the volunteers who do so much I cannot imagine what this country would look like!

I have already made a mental note to come and see this.  I am sure it will be well worth a visit

I would say more likely 4 people Cllr Rone does not look like he got stuck in might be wrong but I don't think so.

The other 4 must have worked very hard to achieve that well done just hope it will be kept tidy now.  It makes so much difference when you live in a clean tidy environment 

BT Openreach are  awaiting a decision from Central Government on the use of drones for the installation of Fastershire.  This will in some part enable Openreach to reach the target set by CG to get Fastershire to all areas by year 20 and something which I missed to hear properly

I immediately think of Tram Inn and Pontrilas - the train passes through both.  Just think how much traffic those 2  would take off Belmont Road!!