megilleland

Guy Taylor with Brian Gerrish on UK Column today. He looks very comfortable in dealing with issues concerning fraudalent documents which are being used to take away people's home without proper judicial procedures. 500 people turned up to stop eviction and no mainstream media reports. It's a good job Russia Today was there to record the proceedings. I imagine if the BBC had been there they would have been more interested in why RT were there - maybe Putin sent them I don't think. Despite his admitted past I would consider voting for him if he stood locally.

Maybe Nigel's press releases are being intercepted by GCHQ.

The Guardian, Monday 26 January 2015 English pubs deemed important to communities to be protected by law New government proposal would see pubs saved from demolition or change-of-use without planning permission. Seems like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. Oh I forgot, there is a general election coming up. Amazing how it concentrates the minds of our MPs.

No mention of Iceland regarding the Greek economy on BBC News. Watch Iceland’s president explain just how they got their country down to 2% unemployment and kick-started their economy. The first step? Let private banks fail. And jail the bankers.

Iceland sorted the problem out they got rid of the bankers. All these western leaders in government and business just can't get enough control over us. Well it looks as is the tide is turning. Everybody better get down to Tescos and stock up on water and baked beans.

You're not talking about the ordinary Greek Harry are you? Most of the elite's money is "invested" here in the UK in London property. Let the elite pay it back instead of passing it down to the peasants after all David Cameron said we were all in this together except when it comes to paying it back.

The change is happening in Spain also. Look up Podemos (We can). Also they are beginning to prosecute corrupt officials and local mayors - over 2000 to date, and even have a princess on trial for fraud. Greece shows what can happen when the young revolt against corrupt elites The rise of Syriza can’t just be explained by the crisis in the eurozone: a youthful generation of professionals has had enough of tax-evading oligarchs.

I think the situation in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy and elsewhere can be summed up as "squeeze someone until the pips squeak" which translates in any language as extract the maximum amount of money from someone. Even works here in the UK. The problem is it is the ordinary worker who suffers regardless of political party. After all where does this money come from, but thin air? It is the creditability of the bankers that will take a knock and the establishment has been told to sort it out or to go down with the ship. However the Brits love to suffer instead of removing the real problem which is get power back from our political classes.

I just hope that the EU don't get Greece to vote again should the right result not be to their liking. Remember Ireland.

List of planning public notices affecting the city It is a legal requirement for the council to give public notice of certain types of planning application and other planning matters by the display of an advert in a local newspaper. If you wish to comment, please follow the advice contained in the notice. The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2010 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, Sections 67 & 73 Application Types: P - Planning permission L - Listed Building Consent SL - Affecting the setting of a Listed Building AC - Affecting a Conservation Area D - Not in accordance with the provisions of the Development Plan RW - Affecting a public right of way T - For a telecommunications mast 22nd January 2015 No applications affecting City If you wish to make representations or comments you can during the period of 21 days beginning with the date of the publication of this notice quoting the relevant number: By the Website: Using the online comment form By e-mail to: planning_enquiries@herefordshire.gov.uk By post to: - Planning Services, PO Box 230, Hereford, HR1 2ZB ANDREW ASHCROFT (Assistant Director)

Hereford Civic Society's Winter Magazine 2015 Is out now and can be read here: The issue is covering a range of items peculiar to the city and is the result of a dedicated number of people within the society. I think they do a very job. Wonder if any councillors and planners read it? Herefordshire Council in crisis Three ElmsTrading Estate Street design for all Venn’s Lane PLACE Update Former Campion’s site at Greyfriars Civic Voice Manifesto Refurbishment of Council offices Hereford Tomorrow - Ideas Amazing places of Hereford - Hereford Town Hall National Tree Week Planning Matters Neighbourhood Planning News Meetings Your opinions The HCS/Hereford Times Hustings

The original title was "I told you it would get worse" refering to the state of litter in the city and estates with specific places highlighted. That Sherborne Close features regularly is that I live close by and therefore provided a perfect example to illustrate my points. I do not think renaming it "Mess of Sherborne Close" is going to achieve anything as it has been an ongoing problem for years and getting worse. There are other places referred to in the topic which I pass everyday on my way to work and clearly visible. A photograph just highlights the state of things. Taking photos after so called clean ups is a waste of time - a comment that informs people that some action has taken is good enough, but we get very few of these. Litter grot spots in the city could be a title, but you decide as there appears to be pressure to put this matter in the background.

First published Wednesday 21 January 2015 in Hereford Times Letters This Monday 100 days to the General Election. Countdown timer to General Election 7th May 2015

In Hereford Times News today I like the presentation of this programme. Should create a few more train journeys.

I'm sorry Glenda but things have only slightly improved in Sherborne Close since my enquiries two weeks ago. To show the improvement means taking a picture of the site immediately after cleaning up when it is done. As reported above: That this topic has attracted over 13,647 views says the problem hasn't been resolved and because it isn't reolved goes back years in time. Unfortunately litter, dog mess and flytipping is becoming accepted as part of the rural and urban scene with those in power unable to come up with a scheme to reduce or prevent it. I've said it before, what is needed is a task force to tackle these issues on our estates and within the city. Maybe a public meeting with the city's Locality Steward for Balfour Beatty can explain their approach to keeping our city and surroundings fresh and attractive. Speaking to one of Balfour Beatty's operatives last week on GWW the only reason the mattress was not removed earlier was because a ticket had to be issued before the task could be completed. Sounds like a good way of keeping jobsworths in business.

What they need to do is go to a valuation tribunal and get their business rates revalued. Although I don't hold out much hope as the government and local authorities don't really like handing money back and work hand in glove with each other to make you pay regardless of the profitability of your business. Of course you can be a multi-national concern paying no rates as an enticement to move to a new shopping development, but this wouldn't happen in Hereford would it? However, there was a valuation principle in Rating that a property had to be valued on the assumption that it was vacant and available to rent. Consequently, the Rateable Value could be derived from the rent the hypothetical landlord would be prepared to accept from his or her tenant. 10 Signs you might need a Business Rates Review If your business has received its rates bill and you’re wondering if you can claim back some of the money or reduce it in future years, here are some simple things to look for: * Your property rent is lower than your rateable value * You have physically altered the property or sub-let part of it so that your own rental is less. * You don’t fully occupy the property * You have vacated or demolished part of your premises * Your local vacancy rates have increased * Your property is undergoing maintenance works sanctioned by the landlord * Your property is affected by maintenance works being carried out on a neighbouring building or roadworks * The Valuation Office has valued a reception or service area that is not within your control or is a communal area * The Valuation Office has served a notice on your property * The Valuation Office has an incorrect factual detail about your property. The Rateable Value The rateable value has historically been reassessed every FIVE years by the Valuation Office Agency (an executive agency of HM Revenues and Customs) and for most properties the rateable value represents an open market annual rent on a set date. Rateable values in the rating list currently in force from 1 April 2010 are using a rental valuation date of 1 April 2008 but physical factors affecting the property may alter that assessment if the Valuation Office is made aware of them. The Government is currently proposing a delay in the next revaluation so that the current rateable value will have effect until 31 March 2017 unless altered by the Valuation Officer and the occupier or owner has a right of appeal against their assessment (see Notes 10 - 13). From April 2012 Clause 69 of the Localism Act 2011 has amended section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to allow local authorities to provide a discount from the business rates of any local ratepayer. Although the Government has given Local authorities this new discretionary power, it is totally unfunded and the local authority will have to find the funding in full if it chooses to grant any new discounts. In reality, any new discretionary relief funding will have to be paid for by future increases in Council Tax Bills for the residents, from savings or increased charges for services or from funding currently already allocated to provide essential services to the community in general. If the Council were to consider awarding a discretionary discount we would have to be able to justify this, not only to Council Tax payers but also to other businesses who may be in a similar position and who might feel that they were being disadvantaged by a neighbour or competitor paying a lesser amount of rates. No budgetary allowance has been made for the funding of any new applications received under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 due to the insertion of clause 69 within the Localism Act. Ratepayers wishing to pursue this matter either individually or in partnership with other ratepayer will have to make a case which identifies the cost and duration for any application and which demonstrates that the benefit of providing extra discretionary rate relief will outweigh the financial or social costs to the Council Tax payers who will ultimately have to fund it. Each application will have to be considered on its own merits and within the constraints of existing budgets.

Another barking mad survey. Analysis of dog types by post code across the country. In Hereford the results are: 3,000 Labrador Retreivers 2,200 Jack Russell Terriers 1,500 Border Collies 1,500 English Springer Spaniels 1,300 Cocker Spaniels I wouldn't want to be on the post in Cardiff. 6300 Staffordshire Bull Terriers, as is the case in most large urban areas -356,000 nationally.

Touché Cosimo. Put a claim in for the distress caused and get an apology from Cllr Johnson.

The mattress and bedding removed from GWW today. The litter problem remains bad especialy where the bank at the top of GWW has been trimmed and exposed with dormant litter from eons ago. Cycling to work, the whole city is in decline, with litter a key feature of the townscape. A stretch from the Sainsbury traffic lights to ALDI along the Bulmers fencing is a joy to behold, as is the link from Canal Road to Morrisons, where one can see a preview of the product lines available from the store. Also needing attention are the verges alongside the county's roads. The litter stretch from the Bromyard turn to Eau Withington adds interest to the county's landscape and culture giving visitors an insight into the eating habits of Herefordians either who have no time to eat at home, or are trying to reduce the waste inside their cars to gain improved petrol performance. Finally returning closer to home Sherborne Close is much tidier, although about 10 black bags put out this week for a black bag collection appear to have been left behind on the kerb - so will no doubt be there for another two weeks, if not removed this Tuesday as recycling.

Being watching a good run of UK Column (20th to 23rd January) this week as an alternative to BBC. GCHQ are monitoring UK Column alongside the BBC as seen in this still at 35:15. It looks as if UK Column has an audience of 5 staff discussing or watching the real news. I suppose it pays to keep informed about what is really going on in the UK.

As a result of following up Hereford Futures Ltd - Board Meeting Minutes from a couple of years ago I came across this piece here: FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION Following the Audit Committee meeting, it was agreed that Jonathan Bretherton should pursue a vigorous reduction in the legal costs invoiced by Wragge’s. Having a look at Wragge's on the web, I then came across this piece on Healthwatch Herefordshire News: I had a look at the on-line booking form and only 13 places left. If it is run on the lines of the BBC's Question Time I think the questions will be sifted and answered accordingly.

Early day motion 208 House of Comons: DEMOLITION AND CHANGE OF USE OF PUB BUILDINGS Session: 2014-15 Date tabled: 02.07.2014 Primary sponsor: Leslie, Charlotte Sponsors: Brooke, Annette Blackman, Bob Connarty, Michael Lucas, Caroline Cunningham, Tony That this House believes that permitted development rights are leaving pubs in England vulnerable to demolition or conversion to a range of retail uses without planning permission; further believes, in light of evidence from the Campaign for Real Ale, that two pubs a week are converted to supermarkets, and that these planning loopholes are contributing to the loss of valued community amenities; is concerned that local people are being denied a say in the future of their neighbourhoods; and so urges the Government to bring forward amendments to the General Permitted Development Order 1995 so that any demolition or change of use involving the loss of a pub would require planning permission. Total number of MP signatures: 96 in support A further regulation, the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (SI 418) grants what are called permitted development rights's. Permitted development rights are basically a right to make changes to a building without the need to apply for planning permission. Under this order planning permission is not needed for changes in use of buildings within each class and for certain changes of use between some of the classes. Planning: change of use system Standard Note: SN/SC/1301 Last updated: 16 December 2014

Looks like another idea to stop you getting out of your car and get some exercise. Maybe you'll be able to order a takeaway while you are waiting for a parking space and charge that to your account. How cashless (or clueless) parking works RingGo lets you pay for your parking without coins, you just need a payment card and a phone or pc. (and a good phone/wifi signal). You can register for RingGo on the sign up page or when you want to park.

How about something radical. Lets get rid of the Hereford City Parish Council and its councillors, after all they duplicate themselves on the county council and within the eight wards set up a panel of residents to supervise/oversee the day to day running of their own wards. People who know their areas and can react when something needs to be done. I know this sounds like existing Community Associations, but I don't see them working for the benefit of everyone, only their own agendas ie Big Society, and Locality as set up by the Conservatives. Having written this, my idea has already failed as it already exists. It is just not working.

In The Independent today. Sounds familiar. So we are going to pay council tax to pick up other peoples' litter, while the council gradually gets deeper into debt developing schemes that only provde benefit for themselves. The chief executive will also outline proposals to develop the structure of his senior management team, specifically by putting in place a number of permanent senior management posts in place of interim roles as the council continues to respond to unprecedented financial and policy challenges. Sounds like a good idea.