megilleland

September 2018 figures in for council expenditure of £31,335,697.60 for the month. 1. 6,900,000.00 Worcestershire County Council 2. 3,129,029.98 Balfour Beatty Living Places Ltd 3. 2,629,744.71 Balfour Beatty Living Places Ltd 4. 1,349,077.00 West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner 5. 1,349,077.00 West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner 6. 972,417.63 Worcestershire County Council 7. 953,819.45 Worcestershire County Council 8. 686,534.88 Integral UK Ltd 9. 604,644.25 Balfour Beatty Living Places Ltd 10. 560,874.30 Hereford & Worc Fire & Rescue Service 11. 560,874.30 Hereford & Worc Fire & Rescue Service 12. 335,896.47 Fcc Environment Services (uk) Ltd 13. 327,465.66 Fcc Environment Services (uk) Ltd 14. 268,452.87 Shaw Healthcare (Herefordshire) Ltd 15. 262,325.10 Shaw Healthcare (Herefordshire) Ltd 16. 259,793.10 Shaw Healthcare (Herefordshire) Ltd 17. 254,283.84 Integral UK Ltd 18. 246,355.01 Whitecross@Stepnell Ltd 19. 246,355.01 Whitecross@Stepnell Ltd 20. 231,028.54 Balfour Beatty Living Places Ltd 21. 207,843.98 Wye Valley NHS Trust 22. 204,000.00 Sharpe Pritchard LLP No 22 looks interesting - Sharpe Pritchard, Solicitors & Parliamentary Agents Solicitors and parliamentary agents based in London provide legal services to public sector organisations, from procurement to dispute resolution.

Reminder of why they amalgamated: 20th June 2012 - Hereford Times. 1,000 jobs set to go in £30m police cuts PLANS to shed £30 million from policing costs across the region under a “strategic alliance” between forces in West Mercia and Warwickshire are about to be finalised. West Mercia Police agreed to enter into a formal partnership yesterday, a move which is expected to lead to up to 1,000 job cuts in total. About £22.8 million of the savings will come from losing workers, with the cull set to take place between now and 2015/16. And £4 million is due to be saved from sharing IT, reviewing building costs and vehicles. West Mercia Police will take the brunt of the cuts, with the force aiming to save £20 million of the total figure. Warwickshire’s police authority is meeting today to finalise their side of the alliance, and will be responsible for the remaining £10 million. The exact number of the job losses have yet to be confirmed, but HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) revealed last year more than 1,000 posts were likely to go. Simon Payne, of the Police Federation, has hit out at the move, saying: “The key thing for our members is, are we being treated fairly? I think not. “The public will rightly be asking who is to blame for this.” Councillor Mary Drinkwater, who sits on the police authority, which approved it, said: “I think people want to see police kept on the streets and communities protected. Hopefully, it will work. Over last year police and officers have worked incredibly hard to put this together, it’s been a lot of effort.” The majority of the job losses will affect staff in “management and leadership” roles, rather than frontline police officers. Both forces will keep their chief constables and deputies, but expect to lose a significant number of other senior positions. All police stations have been placed under review, any new vehicles being bought will be funded jointly, and a single firearms unit will be created. Both police authorities will be defunct by November, when a new police and crime commissioner will be elected. Robin Walker, Worcester’s MP, said: “These are tough economic times and when there is not as much money to go round, prioritising spending on police officers while sharing assets and making back office savings is a better approach.” Looks like we drew the short straw paying for this and still expected to pay again for the "divorce". Marvelous savings for the ratepayers!

Test

From West Mercia Police website: Enhancing and Improving West Mercia Police West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion and the force's Chief Constable Anthony Bangham have today jointly announced their intention to withdraw from the current strategic alliance arrangements the force has with Warwickshire Police. The decision has been made to deliver more effective and efficient services to communities, and ensure the public get better value for money. A formal process has now started to bring the existing strategic alliance to an end on October 8, 2019. This will include negotiations with Warwickshire Police to identify where efficiencies may remain and be maximised through a different shared service arrangement. PCC John Campion said "This has been a carefully considered decision with communities in mind, and both the Chief Constable and I, are in agreement that this approach will enhance and improve the service moving forward. "How exactly this will look will be shaped over the next year, and this will be worked in detail, with our communities and workforce at the forefront of any decisions." Chief Constable Anthony Bangham said: "This is a positive start for a new chapter for West Mercia Police, opening up opportunities to deliver more efficient and effective policing services and providing the very best protection to our communities, with a greater focus and clarity at a local level. "Whilst officers will respond as they always have, local policing will be enhanced, by improved supporting services. Work is underway to shape this, refocusing where collaborative arrangements are currently in place. "The planning of this will now commence at pace, with immediate effect and we will continue ensure our workforce and key partners remain informed throughout this process." ENDS. Notes to Editors: Formal notice of the intention to end the alliance arrangement was served to Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner on the morning of 8th October. However this discussion followed extensive discussions between both PCCs and Chief Constables over a longer period of time. The decision had been communicated to both the Warwickshire PCC and Chief Constable at least a week prior to the formal written notification. For further information and interview requests, please contact: Sarah-Jane Morgan, Engagement Officer (West Mercia OPCC) Tel: 01905 338 850 or 07817 032 739 Email: Sarah-jane.morgan@westmercia.pnn.police.uk Formal notice of the intention to end the alliance arrangement was served to Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner on the morning of 8th October. However this discussion followed extensive discussions between both PCCs and Chief Constables over a longer period of time. The decision had been communicated to both the Warwickshire PCC and Chief Constable at least a week prior to the formal written notification. For further information and interview requests, please contact: Sarah-Jane Morgan, Engagement Officer (West Mercia OPCC) Tel: 01905 338 850 or 07817 032 739 Email: Sarah-jane.morgan@westmercia.pnn.police.uk

To re cap the previous dealings with Herefordshire Housing and the Council regarding Argyll Rise Open Space best to read from the post dated November 2, 2010 (edited). The post dated January 16, 2011 sums up the position following the rejection by the council for making Argyll Rise Open Space a Town Green.

Following this article in the Hereford Times - Children fear losing green to potential housing estate, tried to connect this reply with past history on Hereford Voice to no avail. Only 48 hours left to comment. Housing and employment site options - Hereford Area Plan consultation The Herefordshire Local Plan Core Strategy, adopted in 2015, sets out an overall framework for the scale and location of new development across the county. The Hereford Area Plan (HAP) will set out detailed proposals to ensure the delivery of the targets for the city in the adopted Core Strategy. It will include policies and proposals for growth in the historic city of Hereford including specific proposals for housing, employment and urban regeneration. In doing so, the plan must also protect and enhance its attractive built and natural environment, providing for its current and future community needs. Housing and employment site options Identifying and delivering new housing and employment land is a key policy area that the HAP must deliver. The Core Strategy identifies four strategic sites for housing and employment land at Three Elms, Holmer West, Lower Bullingham and the city centre area. These sites will account for a significant proportion of the city’s housing growth target for the plan period. It is the task of the HAP to identify further deliverable site allocations to aid the delivery of the remainder of the target. Work has been carried out to prepare potential site options for the delivery of housing and employment growth in Hereford City and to help inform the preparation of the HAP. View the potential options for housing and employment sites There are several ways you can view the potential site options for housing and employment sites in the Hereford Area Plan before letting us know your views.

Herefordshire Now is the new quarterly residents’ magazine from Herefordshire Council Herefordshire Council has launched a new publication to share news and information about council services with residents. Produced four times a year, Herefordshire Now will be available on the council website, with a small number of paper copies available through community outlets such as libraries and council buildings. The magazine follows on from the positive response to the ‘How your council tax is spent’ publication, which was delivered to every household in March with council tax letters. Residents told us they welcomed finding out more about the council’s priorities and how their council tax is being spent. Each issue of Herefordshire Now will include news about a range of council services, and information such as details of council-run courses and events. With a large number of people now accessing information on their digital devices, being online means that readers can easily link through to further information and see video content. For people who would still prefer to read from a paper version, copies of Herefordshire Now will be free to pick up from community outlets such as libraries and council buildings. The cost of printing the magazine (£499) has been met by the council for the first issue, however it is planned to cover this cost in future through advertising. Herefordshire Now is available at: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/news/herefordshirenow Published: Thursday, 27th September 2018 - Council News

Maybe that's also a problem that people have. No enthusiasm for finding out the alternative solutions to a broken system. George Soros!

Policies for the People We are in the party conference season and UKIP held theirs last week, if you didn't notice. They have published an interim manifesto which is worth a read as the next General Election is bearing down on us in 2020 if not before. Topics covered: 1 Brexit 2 NHS Policy in England 3 Social Care and Mental Health Policy in England 4 Welfare and Disability Policy in England 5 Immigration 6 Housing 7 Education and Training 8 Transport 9 Foreign Affairs and Overseas Aid 10 Defence and Security 11 Veterans’ Issues 12 Police and Criminal Justice 13 The Prison Service 14 Agriculture 15 Fisheries 16 Economy and Trade 17 Industry 18 Energy 19 Environment 20 Small Businesses 21 Taxation 22 Children and Families 23 Sexual Exploitation & Paedophile Gangs 24 Animal Welfare 25 Combating Islamic Literalist & Fundamentalist Extremism 26 Constitutional and Political Reform 27 English Identity and Issues 28 Free Speech and Political Correctness 29 Cost Savings 30 Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland

Part of the problem I feel was when the website was upgraded. I found the new format confusing and has I am sure deterred some past members from posting on it. The original version was simple to use, clear, and easy to immediately to respond to. Change can be good if it benefits us, but not always. The present trend today is to sow discord, confuse, harass, unsettle and divide the population in everything it does to bring about change. Examples of "creative chaos" the words of Nicholas Boles, Tory MP for Grantham and Stamford (18/12/2010) This is already happening in our day to day life regarding family life, education, work, leisure and health. It is not that people count anymore, but that their data is sucked out of their life styles to feed and justify the politicians, bankers, media and global corporations manic ambitions which will entail total control of your mind and actions and enslave you as a moronic consumer. The best thing is to get your face out of your mobile and talk to those around you. Not many people are aware, care or respect one another today and it will only get worse, but then it doesn't affect me or does it? Will I bother to post in the future who knows.

Meanwhile in Leominster: 6th September 2018 Hereford Times Seems these large concerns involved with the Council are only in it for the money. Get the deal signed off and sit back.

Hereford Enterprise Zone - Cyber Security Centre joint venture with University of Wolverhampton To seek approval for the council to undertake detailed legal and financial due diligence to determine the preferred partnering arrangements with the University of Wolverhampton (the University) for the development and operation of a centre for cyber security on Hereford Enterprise Zone. The University propose to develop a centre for cyber security located on the Hereford Enterprise Zone, as a joint venture with Herefordshire Council. The proposed site will form part of a national ‘Cyber Triangle’ with GCHQ Cheltenham and the Government Cyber Centre in Newport, South Wales, and ‘Cyber Valley’ with Worcestershire. It will be an anchor building generating new research and short course opportunities that will feed into training and education in industry and within the University. The University are proposing that the centre for cyber security is undertaken as a joint venture with the council. It is recommended that the council agree to take a direct role in the development and operation of the centre for cyber security through the establishment of some form of appropriate partnership structure, such as a company limited by shares. Further legal and financial due diligence will need to be undertaken to determine the most appropriate nature of this role for the council and evaluate the business case for the project and risks and opportunities associated with it. In July 2018 Council made provision within the capital programme of £3.5m to support the delivery of the centre for cyber security. When the due diligence work has been completed a recommendation on the way forward will be brought to Cabinet for consideration. Decision: That: (a) Up to £35k is allocated to provide the necessary legal and financial advice on appropriate partnership structures to secure delivery of the centre for cyber security in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton be approved. Alternative options considered: 1 Not having a direct role within the centre for cyber security project but instead seeking to sell the site to the University of Wolverhampton (the University). Advantages Should the University still proceed with the project, the council would receive a capital receipt in the order of £500,000. All risk associated with establishing and operating the centre would pass to the university. Disadvantages There is a strong likelihood that the University would review the business case for the project and may determine to postpone implementation of the project, or withdraw from the project altogether. The council loses direct influence on the aims, objectives and future operation of the centre particularly in terms of ensuring local business benefit. The council loses direct influence in terms of using the centre as an asset to leverage national government cyber policy, and future funding initiatives to invest locally, as well as a draw for international business investment into the zone. No opportunity for the council to benefit from future success, financial or otherwise. 2 Council undertakes to deliver the project itself. Advantages Avoid the need to enter into negotiations with the University. The council retains 100% control over the centre’s construction and operation going forward. Disadvantages Need to find £9m plus to fund the centre – not part of the current capital allocation for the Hereford enterprise zone. Funding has already been secured by the University from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (Marches LEP), and from its own resources, with a bid to European funding already well advanced. Likely to be significant fall out with those funding partners and an important local partner (the University). The University is very experienced in starting and running business centres; the council would need to start from scratch, and seek to find a replacement and credible higher education partner, given the research and development, and knowledge transfer components. Lack of operating expertise within the council so would require recruitment of additional staff or procurement of services to manage the facility.

Plenty of forward weather information on internet. Surely someone appointed in BB can make a decision based on TV or internet forecast and instigate action as necessary.

Just mentioned on H&W radio: Traffic lights not working on ASDA roundabout - NO DELAYS Enough said.

No respect for property or other people. Manchester’s bike-share scheme isn't working – because people don't know how to share Manchester bike hire operation `could be suspended in weeks´ due to vandalism The unexpected beauty of China's bicycle graveyards – in pictures These images of abandoned dockless share bikes in China are astonishing Bike-share companies accused of creating e-waste mountains

Agree, especially as the station is unmanned after 9.30pm.

I overheard one of the Keepmoat workers who were removing the site equipment by The Oval talking to our bus driver and he said they are moving up to the link road to start building the 800 homes in The Grid. Have they got any plans for what is going there?

July 2018 figures in for council expenditure of £29,941,410.94 Top 20 payments 1. Worcestershire County Council £6,900,000.00 2. Balfour Beatty Living Places Ltd £2,629,744.71 3. Balfour Beatty Living Places Ltd £1,630,982.34 4. West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner £1,349,077.00 5. Balfour Beatty Living Places Ltd £1,202,425.71 6. Worcestershire County Council £1,131,152.62 7. Worcestershire County Council £953,819.45 8. Hereford & Worc Fire & Rescue Service £560,874.30 9. Hereford & Worc Fire & Rescue Service £560,874.30 10. Fcc Environment Services (uk) Ltd £331,461.60 11. Fcc Environment Services (uk) Ltd £327,465.66 12. Integral UK Ltd £311,576.85 13. Shaw Healthcare (Herefordshire) Ltd £268,452.87 14. Shaw Healthcare (Herefordshire) Ltd £262,325.10 15. Integral UK Ltd £254,283.84 16. Whitecross@Stepnell Ltd £246,355.01 17. Whitecross@Stepnell Ltd £246,355.01 18. Wye Valley NHS Trust £207,843.98 19. Wye Valley NHS Trust £207,843.98 20. Wye Valley NHS Trust £207,843.98 Making a total of £19,790,758.31 to 10 organisations Other payments made to these organisations outside the top 20 total £20,400,616.43 which represents 68% of all monies spent during July. Nice work if you can get it.

Why not give all of us £20 to vote leave and get the result he wants.

Julian Dunkerton: the man who gave £1m to the People’s Vote campaign Can't say I agree with him. Must have drunk too much cider!

Replacement of roofs over Units 1-6 Tarsmill Court, Rotherwas, Hereford Purpose: To seek approval to release capital funds set aside in the approved budget for the financial year 2018/19 and undertake replacement of defective roofs over units 1 – 6 Tarsmill Court, Rotherwas via an appropriate contractor procured and appointed through the council’s competitive tendering process. Decision: That: (a) replacement of defective roof over units 1 – 6 Tarsmill Court, Rotherwas be undertaken within a budget of £400k; and (b) the works are procured from an appropriate contractor via open tender to ensure that best value is obtained. Alternative options considered: 1. Do nothing. The existing roofs leak extensively and are causing significant disruption and damage to the two business tenants of the units. Both have threatened to leave and to sue the council for financial loss caused by water penetration damaging machinery and goods and loss of business. If the tenants leave, current rental income of £61k will be lost, the units will be difficult to re-let in their current condition and the value of the council’s investment property portfolio will be reduced. 2. Dispose of the freehold interest in the units, selling as seen in their current condition. This would shift responsibility for improving the units to the new owner but the capital value achievable would be depressed due to the condition of the roof. It would also lead to the loss of the regular rental income stream which the council invests in delivery of local services. 3. Use existing contractor to carry out work. The cost estimate is higher than the threshold for both the existing Integral maintenance contract or the new BBLP contract so open tender is the most appropriate method of procurement and will be managed by the design and maintenance team.

Urgent improvement roof works at Plough Lane Head office Decision to award the contract to carry out maintenance and improvement works to plough lane roof To award the contract to carry out the urgent improvement roof works at Plough Lane Head office through the expenditure of the 2018/19 capital maintenance budget. The reasons to award the contract to carry out the improvement roof works at Plough Lane offices through the BBLP public realm contract are:- (a) The estimate of 249K for the works was provided by Integral (Hereford) Ltd, the council's current provider within an agreed delivery timeframe, however the current maintenance contract with them is due to finish by 1st September. BBLP have been awarded the maintenance and cleaning contract from the 1st September and in order to address the urgency to carry out the work before winter the most expedient course of action is to appoint BBLP to carry out he works through the existing public realm contract. (b) there is rain water ingress through the roof that is causing damage to the finishes within the building (c) water ingress damage is causing disruption to services every time it rains (d) the water ingress is causing deterioration to the building fabric which will lead to greater cost and losses in the medium to long term if the issue is not resolved and will also ultimately render the building no longer fit for its intended purpose Given the nature of the ingress problem equality issues in respect of the working environment have been taken into account. The contract with Integral is due to finish by 1st September and therefore they cannot deliver the works hence BBLP is being asked to take on the works through the public realm contract. Timescale for completion is to be agreed and may run into periods of inclement weather. Details of any alternative options considered and rejected: Alternative option —do nothing. This has been discounted as there is water damage to the finishes within the building and disruption to services every time it rains as well as deterioration to the building fabric leading to greater cost and losses. Instigate patch repair. This will not provide a comprehensive resolution to the problem and may lead to greater deterioration of the roof in the longer term. The cost implication of not completing the work is potentially further damage to the buildings fabric and interior therefore adding to cost overheads. Service delivery will also be affected. Haven't they already spent a large sum of money on this office?

In the Daily Mail today: The Tories must think there are votes in this. However I see more people getting back into their cars if this goes ahead.

On Twitter: Maybe they can sweep the kerbs and unblock a few drains in the meantime.