Cambo

Legalising cannabis 'would raise £1bn in tax for the UK' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44648817

No disrespect to Clehonger (I grew up there)but you would think that properties in Hay-on-Wye would be more desirable? But obviously not…Clehonger's is obviously on the up!

6 hours ago, Aylestone Voice said:

Contract for works at Widemarsh Children Centre

BOOM! - Awarded to Integral utilising  S C Joseph

BOOM! - Up to £55,000

http://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/documents/s50058052/Contract award for work at the Widemarsh Children Centre.pdf

Clearly other local building firms need to get the estimator from S C J on board 

Yes well they seem to be very snugg & cozy in bed together don't they?!

my understanding is if HC need construction work doing & it's below £200k then it's the service provider integral who the tendering process goes through…which makes it ripe for abuse in my opinion. I'm also hearing that integral are to be replace as the council service provider in August but who is replacing them I do not know?!

So today I've been chasing up integral to get some answers to my FOI…I can tell you they are a slippery bunch of eels giving me the run around eventually got through to their national accounts manager a man call John Eastley who thinks because there a private company he doesn't have to answer my FOI as being a private company it excludes them from the FOI  process so then told me he wasn't going to continue the conversation that I should contact their HR department then abruptly hung up…(I think he was a little bit rattled that I should be asking such things).

however I have his email address so he won't be getting off that easily…his  behavior also leads me to suspect that he has got something to hide?

On 20/06/2018 at 07:57, Denise Lloyd said:

They come in as the cheapest so they get the contract.  The fact that they add on extras after is quite another matter

But are they the cheapest? Are they up against anybody else when tendering? If so are they getting inside information as to what others prices are being tendered so they are able to put in the cheapest?

16 hours ago, Aylestone Voice said:

 

I see that with work in progress they have discovered a leak in the roof so have added a further £19K to the costs

An extra 19k & yet it states on the form not to exceed 99k

it would make you wonder whether or not they caused that leak themselves given it was not picked up in the original survey?

well I've sent integral a email requesting information that I submitted in the FOI

I see that the government are at last looking into the use of medical cannabis & would seem that a change in the law which is long over due is coming…next they will have to look at recreational use to if Theresa May wants to find the extra billions in tax to pour into the NHS then legalizing its recreational use could help fund the NHS…we are behind the times on this whether you agree or not Canada are have pass a bill to legalize it…it's also ludicrous to have a ban substance but yet be the biggest exporter of it? As the UK was the main producer and exporter of cannabis-based medicines in 2016, according to the UN's International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). 

13 hours ago, Denise Lloyd said:

Cambo don't take it personally but I believe  people generally are afraid very afraid to voice an opinion any longer

I'm not taking it personally Denise,I'm just disappointed at the lack of response but I don't think it's just on this thread it seems to be across the board on all threads there doesn't seem to be the posters there once was posting…the disease of apathy is even spreading through the realms of HV with Hereford people voices falling silent which is not a good sign! 

Appears to be a lack of control over costing & what roof repair works was to be undertaken on the library from HC…devoid of any diligence on there part…the council have there own property maintenance department or is this really integral? & if not why didn't they handle this?

i was going to do another FOI to get the schedule of works which was sent out to those companies to tender to…I guess now I will have to get in touch with integral to get this information too?

I've had a reply to my FOI

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/487175/response/1175167/attach/3/FOI%20IAT%2016229%20LA%20Prov18.06.18.doc?cookie_passthrough=1

the council did not tender this out it was done through integral?…which raise more questions than it answers

I have to say I'm a little disappointed at the response to this thread…I was hoping to open up a debate on the subject matter to engage other posters feelings on this issue.

as I feel that these five heads should face a independent scrutiny panel…so this thread I was hoping would open up a discussion on how we might bring that about?…as impossible as it might sound or seem? I really do feel we can make it happen as a community working together…so come on HV post lend me your ears & thoughts.

10 hours ago, Pete Boggs said:

McNeil's a busted flush, probably always has been. It's Geoff Hughes who really runs the Council. While I'd love to see him get the third degree off a pitchfork wielding lynchmob an independent scrutiny panel it ain't gonna happen.  Local authorities don't do this type of transparency and I can't imagine Herefordshire with its embedded culture of secrecy, deals behind closed doors and brown envelopes, being a pioneer in that regard.

But he's still getting paid quite handsomely for being number one head which if what you say is true pete,he needs to go because he's not fit for purpose & is not good value for money!

your right there's no way they would agree to a public scrutiny of themselves because then they'd be found wanting as we all know that they would be…but that is exactly what I am aiming to do force them into agree to do one!…& as Blackadder would say I have a "cunning plan"which is already in motion to try to bring,about just that!

13 hours ago, Denise Lloyd said:

Yes and also have you Cambo considered putting yourself up for election?

Not really thought about that Denise…I'll see how this thread goes then maybe I might?

Should the five heads of the LA…who are Alistair Neil,Stephen Vickers,Chris Baird,Geoff Hughes & Karen Wright face a totally independent scrutiny panel that is a panel made up of people who are not involved in the day to day running of the council?

as I believe they should. Because for me,these five hide in the shadows…never ever face true scrutiny…are puppet masters of our elected councillors? as I would say they are behind the true policy making?…conjuring up decisions,orchestrate plans,deciding what building developments go where,advise & coerce our councillors into rubber stamping what is in effect there own desires with little or no regard to true public opinion…As at the end of the day it is us,who's daily lives are affect by the outcome of their actions…which can last years if not decades in some cases?!

I have submitted my objection to the design of this building…but I might have to do another one as I forgot to mention something about the loss of the transport hub! Doh!

I see Historic England have submitted a objection 

14 minutes ago, ragwert said:

The final decision has been made today so we will know in the next week or so exactly where all buildings/multi storey will be built.

i take it there has been a council meeting today regarding this then?…was it held in secret or was it open to the public?

On 01/06/2018 at 21:01, Maggie May said:

This is not just a surgery it also includes a retail element (could be a pharmacy?) and an area for "expansion".

The plans also claim that this application will "increase green infrastructure" to the City Link Road. To me there is minimal "green infrastructure" being proposed when they are seeking so many car parking spaces albeit it is an improvement on the industrial expanse of tarmac where the canal basin should have gone! Another opportunity lost - this proposal bears no relation to what was being proposed as part of the whole ESG plans we were told about when this area was all to be developed   ESG Proposals here. These proposals were for a 21st century development putting cyclists/pedestrians above cars and providing park & ride and bus services, from a new bus station alongside the railway station. Can nothing of this vision be salvaged?

The entrance to this large car park will also sever what was supposed to be a protected cycleway. The design does nothing to enhance the setting of the railway station and the proposed "transport hub" in the pictures in the design and access statement make this look no more than a few modern bus shelters - what about bike hire? Taxis? AS the application says "the transport hub (design unknown)" Why? I thought the transport hub was an integral part of the City Link Road project and was supposed to be delivered if not designed by now.  

Whilst I welcome in theory this larger health centre I still believe it is in the wrong place, is an unacceptable design and will mean even more of the opportunities that Cllr Roger Phillips waxed so lyrically. AS the ESG says "Roger Phillips, Leader of Herefordshire Council, which instigated the development scheme, said, “Herefordshire Council recognises the important economic, environmental and cultural impacts the project will have, both on the city and the county. Opportunities to redevelop a major part of an historic market city are very rare and I urge everyone to examine and comment on the Masterplan, the success of which is so vital to the future of our county.”

I see that a Jeremy Milln has made a very detailed objection, making reference to the Historic England report and condemning the design and location.

Did you read this email from the agent to Kelly Gibbons? I don't think he's happy with Matthew Knight comments on the design!

https://myaccount.herefordshire.gov.uk/documents?id=1b583854-5cff-11e8-b537-0050569f00ae

Why can't they build the university building here?…the site has been empty for what seems for ever & a day!…then the super surgery could of been built on the old Essex arms site,at lest there its ugly design would not diminish the appearance of the railway station building?

22 hours ago, megilleland said:

Application form states Herefordshire Council own the land.

Thanks megilleland 

so does this mean if planning is granted that the developers will then purchase the land? & if so how much for? 

I know the developers are building this, then renting it out to the surgeries going in there…does that mean it's there £18 million they are spending or is the government paying(i.e. us)? 

Does anyone know what these surgeries will paying in rent? I bet it won't be cheap!

1 hour ago, ragwert said:

It is one of the two locations being looked at Cambo so yes.
My guess is as good as yours as to where the Uni will be built but I still think it will be on the Link Road as shown on the feasibility plan below.
 

So the uni on the old Essex arms pitch Pegasus old ground…ironic student accommodation behind FC's place I expect they will be rubbing there hands at the thought of that being a prime recruitment ground?! 

Does anyone know who owns the land this super surgery is going to be built on!…is it the council or have they sold it on?if so how much for?

1 hour ago, ragwert said:

The other location for a multi story was on the railway station car park which would be a better location if the Uni is to be built

across the road from the new super surgery.
 

Ragwert I feel you are not telling us something? So is the location of the railway station car park still a viable option for a multi-storey car park?…& have the council now earmarked the bus station car park for a new uni building?

No I have no idea but they have been going for it all day today?!

33 minutes ago, ragwert said:

Plans for a new multi story car park on the Country bus station site in Commercial Road look to have been scrapped.

https://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=50026347&Opt=0

I expect FC will be happy as looking at that image they'd have to knock down the old cinema to accommodate it?…which they presently occupy…which the council do not own?!

18 hours ago, ragwert said:

18 million Cambo.
Western power are installing the main power cables next week for this building so it looks like its going to be built.

£18 million & that's the best design they could come up with…I'd of expected an iconic building which would win awards for that much money shocking!