megilleland

We already have What I Heard About Herefordshire Council and the Hereford Heckler. There is Here for Hereford also. A publication on the lines of the The Bristolian makes a very good read especially the recent edition which mentions Hereford. However this is a bit like trying to change voting attitudes. Everyone wants to set up their own campaign and all that happens is that the vote and effort is split and the two mainstay parties either get in again. Now if these publications' stories were pulled together and posted onto this forum maybe the message would get out to a greater number of people who could be guided to put up a united front against this council. We only need 7172 to get a referendum to change the way the council operates. Over 3000 votes were raised for the Edgar Street Tree campaign in a matter of weeks. It could be done.

MPs will vote on new government plans to gag charities and campaigners for a year before elections. If it goes through, from next May 38 Degrees and a whole host of other organisations will be banned from holding politicians and political parties to account like we do now. You might have heard about the “gagging law†currently being voted on by MPs. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s really bad news. If it goes through, it will have a chilling effect on British democracy and on our right to speak up on the issues that matter to us. Basically, the law slashes the spending limits on campaigning for the year before any election. Campaigns that have impact don’t cost the earth, but they aren’t free. Community groups, charities and campaigning organisations would all be hit. Election time is when ordinary people have the most influence on our politicians. On the big issues of the day – whether or not to go to war, the future of our NHS, the environment, welfare, immigration, etc. – we'd all be gagged. The problem is that this law has come out of nowhere and not many people have heard what’s going on. If we’re going to defeat it, we need to get the word out further. If every single person who’s ever joined a local campaign group or taken action with their favourite charity knew that they could be stopped from doing that again, the outcry could explode. Here’s a simple five minute video you can watch for more information. Can you take a look, and then help get the word out by passing it on to your friends and family?

In Sherborne Close some residents still put their black bags out Thursday evening onwards for a collection the following Tuesday. This problem has been ongoing for 2 years (see past post here) The bags sitting in the road are sometimes split by cats and dogs and I cannot understand why Herefordshire Housing does get some big bins to put the bags in. There is still a lot of debris fly tipped behind the electric sub station and in it. The big problem is no one from the Housing Associations, Herefordshire Council/Amey is walking around and seeing these things.

It's about time it worked for the residents of the city.

The boundaries are not changing till 2015. No good reason to stop getting this on a political basis before them. I am not supporting a particular party, just that when you have a problem the two excuses to solving them are, it's not in my area (ie I'm not interested in your problem) and it's not my responsibility (ie passing the buck). The IOC website puts out one point of view. You can go there to find out their interest in the city as you can go to other websites for the other political parties. This website should give people confidence that their voice is going to be heard and acted upon by our councillors with other residents agreeing or disagreeing with the issue. It should not be just a place for a good moan and then forgotten whereby the issues put into the archive and forgotten.

Issues affecting people fall into areas where they live. So it may be an idea to break the forum down into the two political areas ie Herefordshire - The County Council Covers the whole of Herefordshire and is divided into 40 wards represented by 58 councillors. Elections for Herefordshire Council are held every four years on the first Thursday in May. Next election 7th May 2015 Wards are: Aylestone Backbury Belmont Bircher Bringsty Bromyard Burghill, Holmer and Lyde Castle Central Credenhill Frome Golden Cross with Weobley Golden Valley North Golden Valley South Hagley Hampton Court Hollington Hope End Kerne Bridge Kington Town Ledbury Leominster North Leominster South Llangarron Mortimer Old Gore Pembridge & Lyonshall with Titley Penyard Pontrilas Ross-on-Wye East Ross-on-Wye West St Martins & Hinton St Nicholas Stoney Street Sutton Walls Three Elms Tupsley Upton Valletts Wormsley Ridge Obviously you can't have a forum for each - it would be too unmanageable. Hereford City - The City Council 18 Councillors are elected for each of the seven wards that make up the City of Hereford. Elections are held in conjunction with the Herefordshire District Elections every four years in May unless a member resigns in which case a bye-election is held. There are seven wards in the Parish of Hereford City: Aylestone Ward Belmont Ward Central Ward St Martins and Hinton Ward St Nicholas Ward Three Elms Ward Tupsley Ward This may result in more councillor participation!! Also a section for events that residents may like to contribute to.

Best of luck with the switch. I am sure this is the way forward as well. This will become a truly democratic voice for all those who wish to raise issues or concerns about our city. Well done Colin.

This approach to basic environmental care is typical of this council. You only have to walk around the estates and the city to see weeds growing out of the kerbs. Litter strewn everywhere, blocked drains and areas of open space where nobody takes responsibility for grass cutting. On top of this, irresponsible dog owners allowing their "pets" to defecate on any open space, some where children play regularly. You don't need expensive machinery to do the job - just a broom, hoe and shovel. Let's hope Balfour Beatty have got a few spare quid out of their £200 million pound contract over the next 10 years to buy some basic kit. If they are not sure how to use them, I will set myself up as an outside consultant, and will be looking for a generous contract to show Balfour Beatty which end of the broom to hold! Regarding the brook, I reckon I could do a better job with a bill hook.

When I had a hotel between 1988 and 1999 most guests paid with a credit card. The credit card companies charged me a handling charge for each transaction about 3%. The interesting thing was that at the time VAT was charged at 15% and included in the guest's bill and because there was no section on the credit card slip to show the amount paid in VAT the credit card companies took 3% off the total bill including the VAT. That is where the added value is for the banks. I wrote to the Office of Fair Trading for an explanation and was told that this arrangement had been agreed between the banks and government. Although credit card slips have almost disappeared the same system is still being used with chip and pin. Just imagine what 3% of the VAT element (20% today) is on card purchases used every day in the UK.

A cabinet decision. That means half a dozen councillors telling us what is good for the all of us. Just add it to the council tax and forget about it! Stop press: After giving the impression that the incinerator decision was to be taken in late September it now appears that Worcestershire County Council are going to try to push the vote through, in early September and appear to be trying to drag Herefordshire with them. In doing so they will extend an already over priced PFI and stop cheaper methods from being used for 25 years.

Belmont Voice is attracting people with something to say and when an issue is raised it remains posted here for further comment. Unfortunately the Hereford Times cuts comments and drops issues when it suits them. I do not think their new comment format helpful on their website. Belmont Voice can carry photos to illustrate your points (a picture is worth a thousand words) and you can link to other sources of information to support your view very easily. Belmont Voice is a marvellous site and something Colin can be proud of. I feel it should cover the city, as what applies here in South Wye generally concerns or involves the remaining wards of Hereford.

Thanks Glenda

It's in the remit of Herefordshire Council. All I need is a phone number of who to contact. The present council website is a waste of time. I hope Balfour Beatty has more interest in our surroundings.

Amey need to sort out the drainage on Great Western Way just past Barton Road bridge on the left hand bend. The drain under the mud is completely blocked and the last lot of rain completely blocked the path and people had great difficulty in passing this point for a couple of days.

Hello Glenda cycled along this path last night and the hedge is pushing out over the path between the Three Counties Hotel and Tesco. The hedge and trees are on the highway verge and not in the residents gardens.

Following on from Ian R Crane's excellent lecture on Fracking in Hereford earlier this year and the activity down in Balcombe, West Sussex where Cuadrilla are drilling for shale gas this latest video - Ian R Crane: The UK's Fracking Nightmare spells out the dangers and special interests of those involved. An excellent insight into how fracking came about and how it could affect our water supplies in the future.

Agree totally Bobby. Politics locally and nationally are causing upset and disarray. Government policies are working against the interests of ordinary people and the nation and their approach is seeping down to local authority level - witness the cutbacks and lack of consultation where decision making is made. The cabinet system, used here in Herefordshire, where a small group of councillors decide what is best in the interests of their party and not its inhabitants. So much is going on it is difficult to know where to start and get involved to help change things. I think there are four important dates as far as Herefordians are concerned which could affect our daily life and future here in Herefordshire, UK and Europe. 1 European Parliamentary Elections The European Parliament serves for a fixed term of five years. The next European election is expected to be held in June 2014. The actual date will be confirmed by the Secretary of State. This provides an opportunity to vote for a party that will keep us in or take us out and send that message direct to the UK Parliament on the feelings of the electorate. Herefordshire is part of the West Midlands constituency which is represented by six members of the European Parliament (MEP). 2 Herefordshire District Council Elections on 7 May 2015 Herefordshire is divided into 40 wards represented by 58 councillors. Elections for Herefordshire Council are held every four years on the first Thursday in May. 3 Hereford City Elections 18 Councillors are elected for each of the seven wards that make up the City of Hereford. Elections are held in conjunction with the Herefordshire District Elections every four years in May unless a member resigns in which case a bye-election is held. 4 Parliamentary Elections Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to the House of Commons. Each parliament's government serves for a maximum of five years. The Fixed-term Parliament Act 2011 sets the date of the next general election at Thursday 7 May 2015 and subsequent elections to be held on the first Thursday of May at five year intervals. Herefordshire is covered by 2 MPs: Jesse Norman, Hereford and South Herefordshire Bill Wiggin, North Herefordshire People hope that things will change for the better, but the effect of the present electoral system means that we just go from one party to another all robbing the taxpayers for their own ends. Alternative parties are not going to get a look in unless more of the electorate get up and cast a vote at the above elections. I know who I am going to vote for. Nigel and UKIP. Have you notice lately that the Hereford Times and the general media seem to be backing off from bringing items of interest to their readers. No matter what you turn on or read they all say the same thing - what the government wants you to believe. I get my news from UK Column and for a more pithy approach from the who tells you as it is, although his delivery may offend some people. Colin's website here could go along way to helping people change the system. We do not have to go on like this for ever, only a couple of more years!

Hello Colin the homepage is here: The first link is to a report carried out for Herefordshire & Worcestershire Action Group.

Another mad scheme to burn council tax payers' money. There is no alternative Herefordshire and Worcester councils tell us. Yes there is - read what the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Action Group tell us can be done and save a lot of money in the process: * 68% of the waste could be treated for a third of the cost of burning * There is no final business case available * No cost comparisons with cheaper preferred options * No overall lifetime costs * Waste levels are falling * Incineration over capacity grows * Waste budget figures are not available * There is no available transport plan * Worcester County Council is ignoring the alternatives whilst slashing £100 million from their council budgets over the next 5 years. It now appears that the Councils of Herefordshire & Worcestershire are just going to push the vote through on the 18th July, they are trying to extend an already over priced PFI contract by 25 years. It is imperative that you have your say. Don't let them sign an open cheque Please also sign the 38 Degrees Petition and get others to sign here: What is Herefordshire Council's position on this and how much is our contribution to the scheme? Jesse Norman MP view should be sought on this financial scam as he drew attention to Private Finance Initiative (PFI) schemes which he said have been one of the costliest experiments in public policy making ever attempted. It has led to £200 billion of public debt, the equivalent to £8,000 for every household in the country. Maybe he can tell us of alternative financial schemes where the council tax payer gets value for money.

Community Cyber Cafe at Hereford Academy I called in at the Hereford Academy and noticed a useful facility of benefit to those of us over 18 years of age and may want to get computer literate. The Cyber Cafe is open to the public five days a week at various times when you can use computers free of charge to read and send emails, shop on-line, search for a job, write letters, practice your IT skills, tax your car or do just about anything on-line. You can also follow a course through the Cyber Cafe even if you are a beginner. Opening times do vary but include at least two or more evenings per week. There is no need to book, but we recommend you call the Cyber Cafe on 01432 373575 or e-mail community@theherefordacademy.org.uk to check availability. Opening hours from 3rd June 2013 Monday: 9.30am to 1pm & 3.30pm to 5.30pm Tuesday: 9.30am to 5.00pm Wednesday: 9.30 to 12 noon (tutor available) & 12 noon to 5pm Thursday: 3pm to 5pm & 5pm to 7pm (tutor available) Friday: 9.30am to 1pm

Community Update from Superintendent Ivan Powell, West Mercia Police concerning stabbing incident at Broxash Drive 16th May 2013 As the policing commander for Herefordshire I think it is important that I communicate clearly with local residents following the events of this afternoon, the 16th May 2013. At approximately 1525 on Thursday 16th May 2013 we received a telephone call from the ambulance service telling us they were responding to a report of two men who had been stabbed. We have established that this occurred in a private address in Broxash Drive, Hereford. A significant number of police resources were deployed to the location. These resources included firearms officers, plain clothes and uniform response officers and dog units. At around 15:40 only 15 minutes after the call, two men were located at a private address in Golden Post Hereford where one was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. After a short stand, off another man was arrested at the same location. This was a fast moving investigation that required the deployment a significant number of police resources. I would like to re-iterate some key messages: • We have two men in custody, and there is no longer any threat to the community. • Those arrested are believed to be known to the injured men. • We have significant policing resources committed to investigative interviewing, forensic investigation, crime scene searches and house to house enquiries. I would like to thank the local communities in Hereford for their understanding and support during this police operation. Whilst the identity of the injured men is known to some members of the community, police will only be confirming these identities in due course. Whilst both men were seriously assaulted, their respective conditions are not believed to be life threatening. We are providing support to them and their families at this time. It is important for me to acknowledge that these were very serious incidents, but please be reassured there is no longer a threat to the community of Herefordshire. Members of the public who believe that they have information that may be relevant to the police investigation are to contact West Mercia Police on 101 and ask for officers at Hereford, or please approach any of my staff who will be patrolling your areas whilst they conduct house to house enquiries over the next few days.

- a nice little video produced by a chap called David Bishop from Ewyas Harold about a couple's visit to Hereford and encountering its traffic. I heard this today on BBC H&W Radio.

The metal garden shed has been removed by some tinkers. However the rest of the rubbish is still there. Coming up for one month with no action. I did call in at Herefordshire Housing and tell them and they acknowledged that they were looking into it.

Just noticed this on the H&W website traffic report: A49 Herefordshire - Traffic light failure on A49 Cross Street in Hereford at Belmont Roundabout. Expect delays. On the roundabout. Surely they mean traffic flowing freely not expect delays! I am just going to catch a bus into town so will find out what its like.

Hello Glenda. I spoke to the council today about the latest rubbish dumped as it is on the open space at the bottom of Bredwardine Close. Also notice that some of the wood has now been thrown over the wall of the electric sub-station. So it now looks that because the rubbish couldn't be picked when reported there are now three bodies involved ie Herefordshire Council, Herefordshire Housing and maybe the electricity board.