Well, folks, seems it will soon be time to focus on the Leadership election, as Mrs May has now indicated that she’ll be jumping ship in June. Let’s not go into the boring detail of who the aspirants for this lucrative job are, save to point out that the casting votes in the second round of the contest (the first round is restricted to the 330 serving Conservative MPs in the Commons) are vested only in paid-up members of the Conservative & Unionist Party of the UK. And at the last count there were a mere 125,000 of them – mostly with Bus Passes and many with limited life expectancy.

Against a UK population of just over 66 million. So the next British Prime Minister will be elected by just under 2% of the population. Does that sound fair to you?

                                                                                                         ANYONE BUT BORIS

Planning permission has been approved (with conditions) for a 65 bedroom Premier Inn hotel with ancillary restaurant, car park and associated works in Blackfriars Street Hereford.

Once complete the hotel will employ around 25 people.

Application P174776/F

Hereford Housing have submitted plans for the proposed demolition of 41 existing (prefab bungalows) in Beattie Avenue Hereford.

Construction of 71 bungalows and houses with associated parking, private amenity, access and alterations to highway.

An extract from the Hereford Housing website reads:

Quote

The decision has been taken to redevelop the prefabs on Beattie Avenue (story here). These prefabs weren't designed to last, the past 30 years have been a compromise between the costs of sustaining the properties vs the costs to redevelop them. The time when we need to consider the latter has come. At this stage no plans other than the decision to redevelop has been made.

Application P180694/F

Work is scheduled to begin as soon as May.

The Hereford Skate Park has bee featured in the latest Co-op TV Adverts, check it out;

Co-op food that helps fund local causes #ItsWhatWeDo like the Hereford Skate Park.

Today is International Women in Engineering Day (INWED).

INWED is an international awareness campaign to raise the profile of women in engineering and focuses attention on the amazing career opportunities available to girls in this exciting industry.

I copied the above from an Armed Forces Group , believe that the proposed Engineering University in Hereford have missed an opportunity to spread the word further on this special day - you might be aware that the Armed Forces have numerous opportunities for Women in Engineering.

Planning permission has been granted for a new student accommodation block at Station Approach.

The application was submitted by the council’s development partners, energy and regeneration specialist ENGIE and Cityheart Partnerships, for purpose-built student accommodation at Station Approach. 

Hereford College of Arts (HCA), which has a proven need for good quality student housing to support its growth plans, will be the main customer of the Station Approach project. There will also be rooms allocated for students of NMiTE, supporting its development.

Station Approach is part of Herefordshire Council’s Development and Regeneration Programme (DRP) in partnership with ENGIE which will deliver the programme over the next 10 to 20 years. The programme will support the council’s economic vision for the county which includes support for the delivery of the new university and Hereford’s existing colleges.

The site is located at the heart of Hereford’s transport system, to the north east of the new Hereford City Link Road and provides easy access to Hereford College of Arts (HCA), Hereford station and the city centre.

Along with accompanying hard and soft landscaping, cycle parking, and accessible parking with fast charging points for electric cars, there will be public art designed and made by the students. 

Cllr Harry Bramer, cabinet member contracts and assets, said:

Quote

“After the incredible hard work that has gone into the application and designs for Station Approach, it is fantastic news for Herefordshire that Station Approach has been granted planning permission. This is a wonderful example of a collaborative development, with the council, ENGIE, Cityheart, Hereford College of Arts and NMiTE all working together to progress this exciting project.

“We are delighted to see momentum building behind the DRP, which is a key part of our commitment to supporting the growth of our local economy and championing Herefordshire as a great place to live, work, study and visit.”

On working with Hereford College of Arts and NMiTE, Cllr Bramer concluded: “I would like to thank the staff and students of HCA and NMiTE for their feedback on the initial designs, which will help us to deliver one of the most vibrant and well-designed student accommodation projects in the country, and contribute to moving Hereford forward as a great place for higher education.” 

Jake Fellows, Major Projects Director for ENGIE’s Places & Communities division, said:

Quote

“We’re delighted that these exciting proposals have been approved. This new development will help to cement Herefordshire’s place as a top destination for students over the coming years, and we’re looking forward to starting work on the site later in the year

“With plans for Station Approach progressing well and work about to begin on Ross Enterprise Park, the Development and Regeneration Programme is now really starting to gather pace, and this is thanks to the vision and commitment of Herefordshire Council and its partners.”

Abigail Appleton, Hereford College of Arts, said:

Quote

“This opportunity plays an important role in our plans to attract more students than ever before to Hereford for creative degree courses at Hereford College of Arts.  We are also excited about the way that student and staff  artwork will help make this building an inspirational gateway to the city and represent our city’s great creative heritage and future.  

“We believe that collaboration between HCA, NMiTE and Herefordshire Council will help promote Hereford across the UK and beyond as a centre for exceptional specialist education.”

Elena Rodriguez-Falcon, CEO of NMiTE, added:

Quote

“We are fully supportive of these exciting proposals and delighted to be partnering with HCA as customers for this purpose-built accommodation which will, we hope, make an important contribution to our requirements for our September 2020 intake of learner engineers”.

What's all this nonsense about saving the planet.

It all started to go downhill when schools dropped home economics in the 1970’s with a switch to computer and design technology, so that all you need to know now is how to handle a tin opener. The demise of home economics skills (cookery, laundry and budgeting) result in a scruffy mindless herd eating on the streets and throwing their tins, wrappers, plastic bottles and lottery tickets anywhere but into a waste bin. The specialty disposal method favoured locally is to deposit waste into someone’s garden hedge.

What does this mess (not politics) tell us about our future citizens and their minds. This is the outcome of the Liverpool and Tottenham match in Madrid. No wonder the Spanish get the wrong impression of British tourists.

I have just read this article: It is a pity that there is mention of Colin or Hereford Voice within any of this publication.

Quote

HEREFORDSHIRE Council leaders say they will consider proposals for ultra-light rail to reduce congestion in the city

The Herefordshire Sustainable Transport Group has submitted evidence to the Department for Transport answering its call for submissions on opportunities to introduce new light rail systems into towns and cities in England.

The group says it was encouraged by Hereford MP Jesse Norman, who they say has been instrumental in preparing and instigating the call for evidence.

Chairman Carole Protherough said: “HSTG has paid close attention to important land use changes in the city, the need for regeneration especially of the urban core and the availability of potential ultra-light rail routes already in public ownership.

“Working with representatives from the light rail industry and environmentalists the HSTG response is a significant step forward in future transport planning for the city.”

Council infrastructure cabinet member John Harrington said they would explore the options for ultra-light rail in Hereford.

“The council is determined to respond to and work within the principles of the climate emergency declaration that was unanimously supported by all parties early this year.

“It is important that we have the city’s case for ultra-light rail properly examined.

“The solution to reducing congestion and promoting access and movement around Hereford through sustainable modes of transport will be multifaceted, and ultra-light rail will be considered as part of that approach.”

Coun Harrington also thanked Herefordshire’s voluntary transport organisations for contributing to the development of the county’s transport plans.

Mr Norman said he was pleased to be able to publish the call for evidence on light rail when he was a transport minister..

“There is a real potential opportunity not just for the county but for the country as a whole, through the creation of a new light rail industry.”

https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/17684813.eastern-bypass-spat-severs-ruling-group/

Sounds  like an excuse for a Party ....     

Next year's early May bank holiday will be moved back by four days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
May Day is traditionally held on a Monday but will be put back to Friday 8 May 2020.
VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, marks the day towards the end of World War Two when fighting against Nazi Germany came to an end in Europe.
The holiday will form part of a three-day weekend of commemorative events.
They will include more than 20,000 pubs encouraging people to toast the heroes of the war, while churches will take part in a Ringing Out For Peace.

Next year's early May bank holiday will be moved back by four days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
May Day is traditionally held on a Monday but will be put back to Friday 8 May 2020.
VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, marks the day towards the end of World War Two when fighting against Nazi Germany came to an end in Europe.
The holiday will form part of a three-day weekend of commemorative events.
They will include more than 20,000 pubs encouraging people to toast the heroes of the war, while churches will take part in a Ringing Out For Peace.

( From BBC Website ) 

he Ross Gazette liked

Jesse Norman‏Verified account @Jesse_Norman 2h2 hours ago

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Very honoured and delighted to have appointed Minister of State at @transportgovuk. My portfolio remains as is, with additions.

Plans to demolish the Broadleys Pub!  - ( 3 years on from the original proposal here ) 

Co-Op proposal dampens the Christmas Spirit.

Residents are up in arms that the Co-Op have drop leaflets to their houses this evening with proposals to demolish their local The Broadleys Pub and replace it with a Co-op store! 

Tonight is the annual community carol service which is always well attended by the community and disappointment in the Co-Op is palpable.

Mark Haslam from Herefordshire CAMRA said:

Quote

“This is a very disappointing development. There is no need for another convenience store, but there certainly is the need for a pub to serve the local community. What is more, to leaflet local residents on the day of their annual carol service is nothing short of contemptible. We will be helping the local community fight these proposals.”

There are 7 main parties in the upcoming EU Elections 23 May 2019 with 7 seats in the West Midlands up for grabs.

There are 49 candidates being put forward to represent the region.

When people go to the polls, it will only have the parties on the ballot paper for people to vote for NOT the person. 

Based on the % of votes each party gets that will determine how many seats they have attained.

Once the votes are through the Party Chair will choose which candidates get a seat.

Of course if the government manage to reach a Brexit deal by the 22nd of May the vote will be called off.

Here are the party candidates:

BREXIT:
Rupert Lowe
Martin Daubney
Andrew Kerr
Vishal Khatri
Nikki Page
Laura Kevehazi
Katherine Harborne 

LABOUR:
Neena Gill
Sion Simon
Julia Buckley
Ansar Ali Khan
Zarah Sultana
Samuel Hennessy
Liz Clements

TORY:
Anthea McIntyre
Daniel Dalton
Suzanne Webb
Meirion Jenkins
Alexander Phillips
Mary Noone
Ahmed Ejaz

LIB DEM:
Phil Bennion
Ade Adeyemo
Jeanie Falconer
Jenny Wilkinson
Jennifer Gray
Lee Dargue
Beverley Nielsen

CHANGE:
Stephen Dorrell
Charlotte Gath
Peter Wilding
Amrik Kandola
Joanna McKenna
Victor Odusanya
Lucinda Empson

UKIP:
Ernie Warrender
Paul Williams
Graham Eardley
Paul Allen
Nigel Ely
Joe Smyth
Derek Bennet

GREEN:
Ellie Chowns
Diana Toynbee
Paul Woodhead
Julian Dean
Louis Stephens
Helen Heathfield
Kefentse Dennis

Any of these local or linked to or interested in Herefordshire?

With two accidents this week Monday at St Martin Street and tis morning by Asda do you not think we should start up again for lights to be off or remove altogether and go  back to having a roundabout system, also consideration of a tram line down GWW. Glenda

The Conservative Party has lost overall control of Herefordshire Council.

The Tories won 13 seats in total, losing half the amount they previously held.

The feeling among many of the Conservative candidates was that the national picture, and in particular the handling of Brexit had badly affected their results.

Herefordshire Independent Group Leader Bob Matthews has said it is an "excellent result" that was "better than expected".

New Council make-up following results;

Independent: 18
Conservative: 13
It's Our County: 8
Green: 7
Lib Dems: 6

Well not for some it seems. Looking at the expenditure of Herefordshire Council for June 2018 and surprised they paid out £32,088,600.02

The following top 20 payments totaled £20,419,153.81

£6,900,000.00      Worcestershire County Council
£2,629,744.71      Balfour Beatty Living Places Ltd
£1,962,747.78      Balfour Beatty Living Places Ltd
£1,349,077.00      West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner
£1,349,077.00      West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner
£1,279,250.00      Hoople Ltd
£955,141.94        Worcestershire County Council
£953,819.45        Worcestershire County Council
£560,874.30        Hereford & Worc Fire & Rescue Service
£334,010.22        Fcc Environment Services (uk) Ltd
£327,465.66        Fcc Environment Services (uk) Ltd
£280,380.82        Integral UK Ltd
£268,452.87        Shaw Healthcare (Herefordshire) Ltd
£262,325.10        Shaw Healthcare (Herefordshire) Ltd
£259,793.10        Shaw Healthcare (Herefordshire) Ltd
£254,283.84        Integral UK Ltd
£246,355.01        Whitecross@Stepnell Ltd
£246,355.01        Whitecross@Stepnell Ltd

On a lighter note secret video footage taken in the finance department confirms dodgy goings on.

To approve the expenditure of up to £200k to undertake feasibility work for the Hereford Urban Village Masterplan

Decision Maker: Director of Economy and Place

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:
Approve expenditure of up to £200k to undertake feasibility work for the Hereford Urban Village Masterplan, the work will be delivered through the Council Development and Regeneration Programme using its appointment Development Partner

Contact: Peter Clasby, Growth Programmes Technical Manager Email: Peter.Clasby@herefordshire.gov.uk Tel: 01432 261968.

Publication date: 29/04/2019

Date of decision: 29/04/2019

Accompanying Documents: