Chris Chappell

I have pledged on my election address that I will continue to campaign for an Eastern route by-pass as I have for years. Most of my constituents want a by-pass, most to the east but some to the west. It is the most common discussion on the door step. Other modes of transport can be considered of course, but the by-pass continues to be the most popular priority and the people are always right!

Some years ago a family were causing a great deal of problems. No father figure, the five kids shared three dads who were not around. Mum could not control kids and neighbours in street were always concerned that their property would get smashed up. There were four boys and a girl who I think was six at the time. Although lots of complaints to Housing and police about kids and their behaviour very little was done. There were police cautions and. Housing officers read the riot act but it takes a great deal more than that to get a family to behave. The young girl was often reported to me as being seen sitting on some communal grass at 1 or 2am because she did not want to go home as mother was doing things with men and brothers were doing their own thing at home. The only people who showed her any love was her school but there is a limit to what school staff can do. On one occasion, a neighbour could not sleep for the noise and when at midnight he banged on front door a boy told him to p... Off. So neighbour asks where is mum upstairs says boy, neighbour goes up stairs to find her in bed with two men. What hope have children when adults behave like that? Some weeks later I was phoned by residents to be told the kids were going up and down street with metal pole bashing cars and they wanted something done now, but had phoned the police. I arrived to see mum shouting at two cops as they were putting eldest, 17 year old boy in police car. No sign of neighbours even when police took boy away and mum and rest of kids went indoors. Leaving my car safely up the road I ventured to the people who had phoned me. As I got near the mum and two boys came out of house. Mum shouted how dear i phone the police and belted me one. As I was not expecting punch I was caught on side of face and went down in gutter. Fortunately, several neighbours had witnessed this from their windows, and to cut an already long story shorter, the resulting court case meant troubled family lost their home, mum got done for assault, and children, not least young girl received the foster care and help that they needed. Moral of the story is, bad parenting can lead to all sorts of problems for kids and mental health problems in later life. It takes a long time for officialdom to do anything. It was admitted by Housing and police that if I had not been assaulted they would not have been able to get problem family moved and children into some foster carers who could give TLC. So I do have some use! (Please do not use this as an excuse for assaulting your local councillor) By the way, the young girl is now a young woman who I understand has turned out to be charming and very unlike the rest of the family.

Hi Dazza and Everyone. Dazza all I know is the regiment have to be 20 minuets away from base in case called in in emergency. I not sure about the rest.. To continue some of our chat about mental health care in Herefordshire. I have put it to GPs that there needs to be a more joined up service. It is ok to give anti depressants or what ever, but it is the cause of the mental illness that needs to be tackled. I have suggested, and it received fairly positive response, that when giving a prescription in the surgery for medication, an appointment is also made with CAB, Housing Association and Women's Aid. Giving a prescription for meds is fine, but if the root cause is at home or at work or elsewhere in the community, the problem is not going to be solved. Over the years I have been a councillor, I have seen women, in particular, wilt because of the domestic strain at home. Bullying partner, children out of control. Poor wages but long hours, a house that is too cramped for the whole family as children grow older but do not leave home because cannot afford anywhere to live. I have known families who twenty years ago were full of expectations but now are a shadow of themselves and it is usually mum who takes the fall. If GP makes the appointment with other agencies and voluntary organisations there is a chance that things could get better, the answer is not solely in the giving of medication. As a councillor, I am often called in too late to advise or to do much, but if the Ward councillor, who usually knows more than social workers or GPs etc about the people or the area, then a lot can be done to help families. A close working relationship with schools and CPSOs can often help but it all needs to be coordinated. Right that's me for now but interested to hear your views. ,

Good Morning Dazza and Everyone, I will keep this short as have to be out soon! The Independents are that, Independents, whereas IOC are a political group, I have had enough of doing what others expect of me. I have to do what I believe is right for my constituents. I will work with anyone who wants to provide a health and social care service in Herefordshire that will deliver. I have been involved with health social care for many years apart from being a care worker also for ten years was a member of the Hereford Community Health Council, which had teeth of course! In answer to your housing question, there is nothing preventing in law the SAS from buying properties to rent and living in 'quarters'. I think there are proably still more serving members in South Wye than at Credenhill and certainly former members and yes they rent out their homes to the private sector but some also rent to Housing Associations. All serving members have to live within 20minuets of camp. Interestingly, one of the LD candidates tried to stop a women's hostel being built in South Wye and at a public meeting the LDs arranged allowed some very unhelpful things to be said about homeless people! The issue of social housing needs to be looked at again following the election.

Dazza, you are so right about poverty being a cause of mental health issues. It is also a reason, but not an excuse, for domestic violence. There is so much to do in the county with health and social care and so many heads to knock together to get it done properly!

Maybe I need to declare an interest. My dad was a vicar and I attend Challenge Community Church in Belmont Road. Reference is made in my leaflet that has gone into every home in the Ward. I worked for the Salvation Army when I did VSO in Chile running an orphanage and farm. So my dad took in drunks, druggies, the homeless. He was a war hero who as a naval chaplain won the DSC. My church does the same and many of them are Street Pastors. None of this should make any difference to whether someone will make a good councillor or not. These are my private and personal beliefs which I do not expect anyone else to share. Nor do I push them on to anyone else. Many of my friends and family are agnostic or atheists, some are Moslem or Jews. I even have a friend who is a conservative! As a life long socialist I do not expect the rest of you to share my political views. What I do with my money is my business. I am not telling anyone how I spend it and it has nothing to do with standing for election as a councillor. Ok, so I think Sebastian is wrong to be a conservative. I do not share his view of the bible, but I will defend his right to be one what ever the cost. Got a feeling that other bloggers may share that view?. Ps. The Bishop of Hereford's son is the Labour candidate for Bury in the general election. Do not know if he is a Christian but surely we are not saying he should not claim any expenses if he is elected?

Dazza, same question I have asked of the Parties standing for election to the Council. Mental health is a huge issue in the county and is the reason why there is, believed to be, so much domestic violence. Although it is difficult to prove that domestic violence has increased in the county, from my long experience both as a care worker and as a councillor, I believe it to be on the increase. This is a mental health issue. I also believe that the delivery of home care is the next big scandal in Herefordshire while there are rumours that some care in Care Homes is not as it should be. Not sure that it is being taken seriously by those who should know better but time will tell. I have highlighted it but there are some who do not want to rock the boat. I have arranged for a visit in July with the CE of 2together, the provider of mental health care in Herefordshire, to come and visit with me some of the places/ people/ situations in Hereford where there is a mental health issue to be investigated. There is very little in the manifestos of any of the political groups concerning the social and health welfare of people in Herefordshire. There is a lot of talk about NHS funding, but not a lot about what happens at grass routes. As an Independent councillor, that gives me opportunity to do things differently which may help to how been done before in county. I am afraid that there are those in Herefordshire in health and social care who do not have vision or courage to change.

There are approx 7000 people on the housing list! Come back from Hunderton where the house has no heating, kitchen roof may fall in at any moment, no electric lighting in kitchen, bathroom or hall way. No heating for two years other than oil heaters and no hot water accept in shower. Daughter sleeps with mum as her bed is too damp to sleep in. Severe cracks in many of the walls, Not the worse I have seen! Water seeps through the roof when it rains. Told off mum for not having battery in either smoke detector, and there appears to be a garden growing in the guttering. Suggested door handles were replaced just in case fire fighters or paramedics need to get in. Poverty is of course relevant, you either have enough money or you do not. Now waiting for Environmental Health to write a report but even if tenant is put on Home Point list could be three years before being rehoused. So no problem there then! Tories will sell off best council housing, the homeless in Hereford can continue to sleep under the new bridge or in the shelter at St.Peters and the rest of us can sleep easy in our beds because we do not want any social housing and can not agree what affordable housing is!!! And in any case out of site out of mind! Only had three requests for help with housing issues so far this month. May be Spring has arrived. We need to build 2/3 more 'foyers', 100 bungalows equipped for wheelchairs, several four bedroom houses and several three/ two bedroom houses, not to mention two bedroom flats across the county. I could not care less where they are built as long as they are on a bus route, near a shop and doctors surgery. Let's house the homeless and badly housed first then build for the others. Every village and town needs to have more of these, prefer brown field sites but if not available build on green fields. People are the environment too and some of them may be our children or grandchildren!! Just a thought.

Victor, I was gutted, looks good though! Thanks for your kind words.

I know nothing about the cakes of Jesse Norman. It does't sound to me that Jesse has done anything that warrants any more than a slap on the wrist. Election law is very clear about what you can give/do during an election period. Anything that might be seen as buying a vote is not allowed. For example, you can call me mean if you wish, but I will not be buying anyone from my Ward a beer in the Vaga or anywhere else until after the election. Nor will I accept one! Election law is very strong on this. ' in the publics view you must not be seen to be in any way buying a vote or putting yourself in a position to be beholden to someone who may be voting for you'. I hold a Diploma in Election Law and have been fighting election campaigns for forty years. It is always unwise for a candidate to do anything that might be misconstrued. Other than Independents, who normally are their own Agents, most Party candidates have an election agent who in law is responsible for the actions and words of the candidate and candidates supporters. It's an agents nightmare when a candidate or supporter goes off and does something that might bring the law down on them. Heavy fines or imprisonment awaits for the most serious breach of election law!

Hi Cambo Every Parliamentary and council candidate, parish and Unitary, will have to declare to the ERO the amount spent on their election. This includes all leaflet,posters and hireling of rooms for meetings. It includes offices hired especially for organising the campaign and includes, but this can come under miscellaneous, postage phone calls and petrol. The names of all those who gave the candidate in part or whole lily money or property, be it a building or a car for example, has to be declared. Receipts have to go in with the electoral return by Friday 12th June. They are open for public challenge a few weeks later when ERO has scrutinized and remain open for the life time of Council. All Councillors will need in their declaration of interest before they can take their seat, all their sponsors etc.

Denise, Parliamentary candidates get the chance to use 'free post' through Royal Mail. Their literature has to comply with certain rules, size of envelope or addressed etc. hThis is not the case with council elections where there is no free post and parliament candidates can only have one leaflet delivered free. Apart from Independents, all other candidates, belonging to political parties, are likely to have sponsorship either from private individuals who hope to get something from the party they sponsor, or from a national political party, or perhaps from a trade union. There is no such thing as a free lunch!

Two things have occurred to me: as Amanda Martin mentioned earlier, first thing needed is a feasibility study. Without that there is no funding from Government, Lottery or anyone else. Project would be non starter. I have not looked at the Council's Constitution yet, having a lazy day before campaigning again tomorrow, but it may be possible to use any monies left over from the £125K that the Independents got from the Tory Budget for feasibility study for rail link into Rotherwas, to use for the Tram feasibility study! I think it would need a Notice of Motion to make an amendment to the original agreement for the use of the £125K. There was an understanding that any underspending would go back into the budget for rural transport, buses. Could not happen until July meeting of Council but if there are enough of us prepared to support this N o M it might be a goer. I am certainly prepared to lay the Motion before Council, should not be difficult to get seconded. What do others think? The other thought I had was there is still a great deal of rail line laid a the Morton on Lugg industrial site plus a sidings shed, which might be useable, at cost, for tram lines. Not been used by trains for years. Just a thought. Happy Easter.

Not sure if on line, sorry can't help with that. Up to the Election Returning Officer to decide where it is all publish but the HT will publish candidates.

Perhaps a good place to Start would be ask Bulmers, who still own their bit of rail, to give permission for an exhibition of possible trams! May be a mad idea but if we are able to show the public what the possibilities are it is likely to get more support. Bulmers might also become a sponsor!

Notice of all candidates standing and their wards will be published on Friday 10th April not later than 4pm. It should appear on All council notice boards and will be published on Town Hall notice board.

I was delighted to nominate Charles as the next Mayor and will be formally nominating him, subject to being re- elected, at the Mayor making ceremony in May.

It is a great idea and runs through my Ward. Dr Heinz wanted to pay to set it up but not for the running costs. No one came forward to run the trams as it was not considered profitable. This was at the time when Cheltenham were considering scraping their road bus. The two nearest schools were Haywood and Hunderton but not many of the pupils were far enough way to want to use the tram. People from RedHill, And Newton Farm could use the bus which would get them closer to the city centre or Rotherwas. Residents in Hinton and Ross Road area were more likely to bus or cycle or walk into town if they did not use the car. To make it viable the price of a ticket would need to be far more than most people could afford, and it was considered that there were not enough people who would want to use the tram going north while there would be fewer people wanting to go south at peak times. The Great Western. Way is a long way from Rotherwas so this also cut down the number wanting to use the service. It could be linked to park and ride but for that to be viable there would need to be a car park for 500 cars. Somewhere close to make use of the tram. RedHill or Newton Farm, Brampton Road or Marlbrook Road? Both likely to be unpopular with local residents with extra car movements. There was another problem too. There needed to be at least two trams each way every half hour so a passing point would need to be provided for a tram thus taking out space used by cyclists and pedestrians. There was a fear cyclists might catch there wheels in the rails. If a tram service is going to happen along the GWWay it needs to be run by a not for profit social enterprise with funding from the lottery and grants from national and regional government. Maybe the model train group in Broomy Hill could run it but they are only open inthe spring and summer months. For a service that would be of use to the public, it needs to be a regular service. I am more than happy to put my name forward to start up a social enterprise but I am not sure that it will solve the problems of traffic chaos in Belmont Road and of course with the IOC and Tories both supporting a bus lane down Belmont Road I am worried that the ASDA round about and Belmont Road will become even more congested than now!

Ubique, if you let me have the details, parish, name of road etc I will get on to it. Are you sure it is not on/ in a private verge or road?

Colin if it is useful, I can send you these reports as they co me in but I only get the ones for this/my area.

It is also the same across the county. Posters in the North of county or Ross area also have locality managers working closely with Ward Councillors and parish clerks. Traffic orders are taking up to two/ three years mainly because of demand but also that old chestnut, the law!!! I have several requests for parking restrictions but these all take time.

Next Friday, 6th March, is the last meeting of this Council! Some Councillors you may never see again! From then you are likely to see more council candidates out and about knocking on doors. For Glenda and I,we will continue our Ward work as well as canvass, as the Ward work never stops. I waited at table for 70 elderly folk at the community lunch on Friday that Glenda was at, and will be at the Hereford Academy twice next week on various matters as well as several other meetings concerning our community. I am sure Glenda and I, who do not have a party machine behind us, nor their money, would welcome assistance with leafleting in our respective wards if any of you are interested? Unlike the other political groups, Conservative, LibDems, Labour, UKiP and IOC, we Independents have to pay for our own campaigns and do our own leafleting and knocking on doors. Still it keeps us fit and I expect to lose another stone by May 7th. Please do't forget you can not vote if you are not on electoral register and if you are away from home on Election Day, now would be a good time to apply for a postal vote.

Dippy, I am sure those that follow how parish councils work will know about the Hereford Association for Local Councils and it's parent, NALC? The parish councils should be able to give you information you need about HALC as most are signed up to this organisation. There should be no confusion as all know about each other and most have web sites. Locality Stewards are working well, and they work closely with PCs, Commuinity Groups, Ward Councillors etc. RTOs are Road Traffic Orders, and take far too long to implement but the law is there and there to ensure the public are protected. Twowheelsgood, send me an email to my council address;cchappell@herefordshire.gov.uk I need exact position of all the rubbish you speak about. 12 weeks to get graffiti may seem a long time to you and me, but some of our posters may think that filling pot holes has priority. The cycle way is in Lower Bullingham Parish Council area and I will also inform their Clerk about the graffiti. There should be no confusion amoung Councillors so if you contact yours, he/she should be able to help you.

For details about the Lengthmens scheme and parish councils signed up to it, contact HALC who represent most of the PCs in the county. All PCs have a clerk to the council who would be responsible for over seeing, along with possibly the parish chairman, the work of the Lengthman's. They all work closely with the Locality Steward for the area and it is to the Locality Steward that any problems with litter, water courses, pot holes etc should be reported. They are then sent through to BB who prioritise the work. RTOs are taking almost three years but litter picking should be done with in a few days. All these things need to be reported first either to Ward councillor or to parish Council. The Locality Stewards are working well, report weekly to their respective Ward Councillors and PCs about work done and work to be done next next week. We have just had published the road works schedualled to be done for next two years. Your Parish Clark or Ward councillor should be able to inform of work in your area. Again hope this helps.

Perhaps I can throw some light the Lengthman's scheme. I recently interviewed the chairman of Canon Pyon PC who have a Lengthsman and are very happy with the work he does for that parish and neighbouring parishes. In the city the situation is slightly different as the Lengthman's scheme does not really fit in with the city environs. I understand that in the rural parts of the county the Lengthmen work vey closely with the local area BB area manager. I was part of a scrutiny Task & Finish group who wanted to investigate the work of Balfour Beatty. Th parish councils appear to be happy wth the Legthmen scheme as they have direct control over their work. The size of the city makes it a little more difficult to run the Lengthman's scheme. I think Glastonbury Close is outside city boundary and therefore Belmont PC would be responsible. I am unsure if they has a Lengthsman. Glenda may know. Task & Finish group has almost finished our report and it goes to Cabinet! befoere it is adopted by Council, probably after May 7th!