Just seen a helicopter/plane pass over the city tonight possibly heading for Credenhill. It looked like one of these. First time I have seen this sort of aircraft in the area.

Fire at industrial unit Rotherwas Ind Est Hereford. Dampening down and cutting away in progress by the Fire Brigade 

Photo courtesy Adrian Lloyd (fire fighter)

Herefordshire voted to leave.

1916 ~ 2016

The Battle of the Somme was fought at such terrible cost that it has come to symbolise the tragic futility of the First World War. Its first day of conflict remains the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army and it was felt deeply at home.

Nice to see the football team joining in!

Noticed tonight that the large willow tree on the roundabout has been chopped down and all that remains is a pile of logs. Anyone know why? This is in a conservation area isn't it? Could the Highways Agency be making plans to alter the road layout and add more traffic lights? With the high traffic pollution in this area the tree would have been absorbing much of it and doing a lot of good.

Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet are dropping like flies, An emotional Angela Eagle led the latest exodus today, shortly after left-wingers Owen Smith, the work and pensions spokesman, and Lisa Nandy at shadow energy chucked in the towel, having failed to persuade their leader to step down.

Jim asked me if I would post the responses to his questions. 

Cllr Kenyon Contract Management queries

1.Strategic partnering board "who sits on it"? No cllrs

This detail is in the contract data

Director EEC (Geoff Hughes)

Assistant Director PBC (Richard Ball)

The Service Manager (Clive Hall)

No Cllrs sit on the board, as the management of the contract is not a political function.

2.Need site of the annual plan for this year

A presentation to members is planned, also a report to Cabinet member / director re internal governance

There is no annual plan for this year (2013-14); due to the contract starting part-way through the year. The plan is being developed for the future in accordance with the contract.

3.Clause 31 ten year extension seems stacked in BB favour who sets the performance acceptability and can that be adjusted during the length of the contract.

These clauses allow for a ‘rolling extension’ to be awarded in return for continued acceptable performance. They are designed to keep the provider incentivised throughout the contract term, as opposed to ‘winning all extension in one chunk’. The term can be reduced in performance not maintained. The Employer also has options to reward more, and might do so to:

• Give time to re-procure;
• In return for an investment (fleet, roads);
• Some other reason that is not foreseen at this time.

4.So far have there been any dispute's with BB and if so how many and what cost.

No disputes, but early warning and compensation events have/are being processed.

To date 16 Early Warnings and 22 Compensation Events have been raised by both parties.

Of these, 11 Early Warnings have been closed, or are in the process of closure at a value of £40,163, which is made up of increased costs for commissioned design and build works, and 5 remain live.

Of the 22 Compensation Events, 3 have been cancelled, 10 have been accepted and closed, at a valuie of £182,480 and 9 remain live.

5.Direct fee % is 9.83% Sub-contracted fee is 9.83% unless open book 25% less or less £10,000 or less spent in one year net of vat (my info) Management agent  fee 2.60% (my info)

The fee is 9.83% the application of this through the various payment mechanisms should be understood. The payment mechanisms are, lump sum (a tendered price, adjusted for the following years, in each year’s annual plan), target cost (pain/gain share, this incentivises improvement), Cost reimbursable (the cost +fee). With Lump sum the risk transfers to the Provider, but the Employer will pay for the risk in the lump sum. With target cost the risk is shared, this is a healthy partnership approach. In cost reimbursable the risk is retained by the Employer, this works well for ‘events’ that are difficult to quantify prior to them happening, such as the response to severe weather.

6.What is enhanced third party margin 0% up to £25,000 then  50%

A way of HC benefiting in enhanced third party work (work for other clients) and the way that this will spread their business overheads.

7."Good industry practice" how do we bench mark against who?

There are various benchmarks, nationally, regionally and locally. Some to be developed further, for example with other BBLP contracts.

8.Performance Indicators "Need to See" agreed list (seen)

Note strategic and operational indicators, purpose of each and the fact that these are not the only measures used in the delivery of service.

Strategic measures are used to help determine future contract extension. First measurement period 2014/15 – 2015/16.

Operational measures are used to determine payment of 25% of their fee percentage each month.

Other performance measures are being developed by BBLP using their asset management system (Confirm) which is accessible to the Contract Management Team.

9.Recognised sub-contractors where is the list and how do local business's get on that list.

Sub-contractors used by the previous provider formed the basis of the BBLP list; further suppliers have been added to the list since the 1st September. BBLP have consulted the Hereford and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce on the potential of the local supply chain and will also be holding a supplier open day in March. 

Subcontractors are required to go through a stringent vetting process before they can be engaged on the Herefordshire Contract and BBLP are actively providing assistance to some of the smaller subcontractors to get through this process. The Councils Contract management have full visibility of BBLP approved sub-contractor list.

10.With new and existing  staff what responsibility would Herefordshire council have regarding pensions etc

TUPE applies to transferring employees, see schedule 7 for detail . This is a complex area. BBLP have admitted body status, but broadly comparable pension schemes can be provided. Note pension fund shortfalls on termination fall to the Employer; this is equitable way of dealing with this risk.

David Cameron has resigned as Prime minister

Long Shot!

We found a dog today on Barton Road - he is now safe - contact me for help.

Had a red collar with an 01443 contact telephone number.

With the General Election now over - there is possibly only two years (2017) before we get a referendum on whether to stay in the EU or get out. Having believed we would have had a change of government, nationally and locally by now, I do not have much confidence that any referendum will be conducted fairly in order that the ruling poitical parties get the result they and the EU want.

What are the benefits of being in or out for Hereford and the county? Maybe some information and facts through this topic could help us make a reasoned decision when voting, although I think we will be staying in the EU at any cost. Not for the benefit of the citizens, but for all those entwined in the machinations of the EU political and monetary systems.

Trevenant Court at the Oval.

I think they should of provided more homes by building a few more of these and maybe even added another floor. Give it ten years and they will wish they had, I am sure.

National Bike Week 2016 starts today with thousands of events all over the country, except, sadly, in Hereford, where Herefordshire Council seem to have abandoned support for this key promotion of cycling for all ages and levels. Strange how they constantly bang on about better cycling provision, choosing how you move, but when push comes to shove, nothing.

Bike Week is an annual opportunity to promote cycling, and show how cycling can easily be part of everyday life by encouraging ‘everyday cycling for everyone’. Demonstrating the social, health and environmental benefits of cycling, the week aims to get people to give cycling a go all over the UK, whether this be for fun, as a means of getting around to work or school, the local shops or just to visit friends. The 2016 event will take place 11-19th June but events still take place through September and beyond!

Cycle Hereford seems to be taking a pass on this as well.

I notice some encampment on the Hinton side of the meadows. Can someone enlighten me? Not seen or heard anything anywhere!

Seeking local knowledge please'

I was stationed at Bradbury Lines at the age of 15 years 1 month in January 1957 - until the Regiment moved to Nuneaton Warwickshire in April 59 .

My question is , and I can guess the answer but unable to find any definite proof - was the Camp named after the below ?

Captain Edward Kinder Bradbury VC (16 August 1881 – 1 September 1914) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Bradbury was an officer in the British Army during the First World War where as second-in-command of L Battery, Royal Horse Artillery he led the battery during an engagement at Néry during the Retreat from Mons on 1 September 1914, where he was killed in action. For the gallantry at Néry, he and two other men were awarded the Victoria Cross.

Police & ambulance on scene with rumours of someone jumping off bridge onto rail track

Hereford at a complete gridlock yet again! An accident at the junction between Greyfriars Bridge and St Nicholas St has brought the city to a standstill this afternoon.