megilleland

Another invitation from Jesse Norman: Have a read on Wikipedia about this very eccentric chap. I reckon he and Bobby47 have got a lot in common, Jesse could have saved some money by inviting Bobby and using the Commercial with the audience getting their money back if they attended!

Herefordshire Council Tree Officer comments: The proposed development requires the removal of several trees, shrubs and hedgerow. The trees identified for removal can be identified within the tree survey accompanying this application as T1 Yew, T2 Corsican Pine, T3 Yew and T4 Corsican Pine. These four trees are situated within what is currently a car park along the eastern boundary of the site adjacent to Bath Street. The Corsican Pine trees are mature, in a good condition and with a significant amenity value providing a focal point and a visual screen from other nearby buildings. The two Yews are young mature trees in a good condition forming a joint crown below the Corsican Pine trees and also making a positive contribution to the character of the area. I have carried out a Tree Amenity Evaluation Assessment on these four trees and they have all scored above the level required for inclusion within a Tree Preservation Order (the benchmark is 15 and these trees scored 16). This indicates that it would be appropriate for a Tree Preservation Order to be placed on these trees. These trees make a positive contribution to the Character of the Conservation Area as well as being trees of significant amenity value and are, therefore, worthy of retention and protection should the site be developed in accordance with BS5837:2012 the protection of trees on development sites. This assessment is borne out by the arboricultural report submitted with this planning application which categorises the condition of these four trees as good with a considerable future life expectancy in their current setting. I feel the loss of any of these trees would result in a significant loss of amenity, therefore, they should be retained and adequately protected during any proposed development of the site. T.BOULTON More sense being spoken.

I have extracted a piece from John Harrington's lettter of objection about the condition of the existing fire station. So no rush to move then.

Business as usual. 6.15 The site does not immediately adjoin any third party properties and furthermore there is no objection from the Environmental Health Manager on the issue of potential noise or nuisance. The proposal therefore is considered to have no significant impact on existing residential amenity. I suppose that it depends on what criteria one considers, but personal mental health isn't one of them.

First published Tuesday 7 October 2014 in Hereford Times Letters The problem is that if you have not got the money why come up with hair brained finance schemes using PFI for incinerators, building roads we can't afford. Cllr Johnson should come round and see my wish list if I win the lottery. Unfortunately most local government authorities seem to use use Ponzi practices to get away with their pipedreams. Ponzi: a swindle in which a quick return, made up of money from new investors, on an initial investment lures the victim into much bigger risks.

I have just spoken to Jonathan Preece and asked if the Working Boy's Home could be part of the University's campus plans. He was very helpful, but said that at this early stage he was unaware whether the buildings were being considered. I mentioned that as the planning application for the fire station was imminent and that a large number of objectors had raised the use of the buildings for campus use, it may be helpful to put a comment into the planning office as soon as possible. He said he would contact the Board and let me know of the outcome of any views or decision.

See The New University - Herefordshire post 49 I have kept this news item separate from Fire Station topic, but its relevance could be the saviour of the Workig Boys Home.

Looks like there could be something in this university plan and may save the Working Boy's Home.

Tuesday 7 October 2014 in Hereford Times News by Bill Tanner, Reporter Neil Doverty didn't stay long, he only joined the Trust in May 2013. You don't want to be around when a budget deficit of £9 million and unprecedented emergency demand is on the cards.

Order of speaking and time allotted The order of speaking will be: (1) Parish/Town Council appointed representative(s) - 3 minutes in total (2) Objectors - 3 minutes in total (3) Applicant/Agent/Supporters - 3 minutes in total Please note that in each case there is just one 3 minute slot per category. Speakers are welcome to share a 3 minute slot. In exceptional circumstances the Chairman has discretion to allow a longer period for speaking Bearing in mind the age of the heritage (over 100 years) and the number of objectors, the Chairman hopefully, will be able to allow more than 9mins, but we will see.

Herefordshire Council News 6 October 2014 Core Strategy moves into final stages towards adoption The Core Strategy, which looks at Herefordshire’s planning priorities up to 2031 and includes proposals for 16,500 new homes in the county, has been subject to government examination which began on 23rd September 2014. The strategy broadly identifies where different types of development will go and once approved, it will be the legal document against which planning applications will be assessed. Neighbourhood plans, being prepared by parish and town councils in the county, have to be in line with the policies in the strategy. The examination is an important stage where the Core Strategy and all supporting documents will be analysed by Government Planning Inspector, Christine Thorby. She will decide which issues will be discussed at round table sessions known as hearings. Christine will also decide who will be invited to take part in these discussions. The hearings are expected to take place in the New Year. The examination will end when the inspector has made her recommendations to the council on any changes that should be made to the Core Strategy. Around 1000 representations were made by individuals and organisations on the pre-submission consultation which took place between May and July earlier this year. All the objections and expressions of support have been sent to the Inspector. A new webpage - Examination of the Core Strategy which can be viewed here which will provide all the information about the examination as it becomes available. It also gives the contact details of the Programme Officer who is responsible for the administration of the examination under the direction of the Inspector.

Another of Theresa May's friends following on from the Tory Conference. I think this is justifying a system to keep the paedophiles and elite protected from those seeking to expose them. Have a read of this to see where it's all heading.

This body pops up in Wales. I got here from Robert Penn. Sounds like a Welsh Common Purpose and it has been going on for years. What is Solace? Solace is the representative body for Chief Executives and senior managers working in the public sector in the UK. We are committed to promoting public sector excellence. We provide our members with opportunities for professional development and seek to influence debate around the future of public services to ensure that policy and legislation are informed by the experience and expertise of our members. Whilst the vast majority of our members work in local government, some occupy senior positions in health and social care organisations, police and fire authorities and central government departments. Digital leadership in a networked society Local authorities, and the wider public sector, are only beginning to grasp the implications of these changes. Digital innovation offers both great opportunities and great threats. New ways of working are being enabled that have the potential to transform the way councils function. Equally, without preparation, adaptation and foresight these changes could pose profound threats to the sector. The latest Solace masterclass examined ‘Digital leadership’ Extract: Firstly, we heard from Henry Branson of Eastbourne Borough Council. Henry presented Eastbourne’s journey of organisational change, supported by session sponsor Civica, over the last few years. Henry began by introducing Eastbourne’s (not unique) challenge: rising demand, falling costs and a political commitment to protect front-line services. He then moved into discussing Eastbourne’s two-stage process of change. Firstly, was the introduction of a programme of agile working to create immediate short-term gains. This involved moving to fully open-plan offices, centralising administrative support, digitising paperwork and investing in technology to enable truly flexible working. Bobby will love this council speak. Once embedded, Eastbourne continued their journey through the development and implementation of ‘The Future Model’. This is a new organisational model which seeks to eliminate traditional organisational silos, replacing function departments with horizontally integrated organisational structures based around triage, service processing, specialist advice and customer enabling. Though not a technology programme, this change relied heavily on technological change and digital innovation. Technology was needed to support a new single point of contact, to ensure the number of systems was kept to a minimum and different systems talked to each other & to support channel shift and demand management activities. In short, while technology did not provide the answer, it was critical to ensuring the answer worked. And these Chief Officers have their own organisation in the EU to promote regionalism. Profesional Development Our ambition is to be the premier professional association for general managers across European local government. So I suppose there will be more money on the gravy train when they have decimated the local authorities in the UK. Its definitely not the councillors we should be worried about. Its these megalomaniac officers. The megalomaniac differs from the narcissist by the fact that he wishes to be powerful rather than charming, and seeks to be feared rather than loved. To this type belong many lunatics and most of the great men of history. [bertrand Russell, "The Conquest of Happiness"]

How true!

How long do we have to take this pounding?

Monday 6 October 2014 in Hereford Times News by Mike Pryce No mention in the article about the travellers' site next to their house and lack of council concern.

Maybe they had a whip round for them to buy a leaving present!

At long last the monthly expenses have been corrected and now appear in the right order and with the right content. Note that Hereford Futures was paid £34,250 on 13th August 2014. I thought they had been wound up?

Came across these. I assume it is the same Richard Penn. PENN SUCCUMBS TO STRESS AT BRADFORD Association of Local Authority Chief Executives I suppose it started here sometime Bradford Common Purpose

Regulatory Sub Committee Monday 13 October 2014 12.00 pm 5. Application for the Grant of a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of Wok & Rice., 59b Commercial Road, Hereford, HR1 2BP The Licensing Authority object to the application in full. Whilst we are aware that the police have not objected to the application, nevertheless the authority must object to it as it is within the heart of the area of the City covered by the Special Policy (Cumulative Impact Policy). It is unable to see any reason why the authority should divert from this policy. . . and Should the committee wish to override their current policy then the Licensing Authority recommend that the following conditions should be attached to the licence. . .

West Mercia Police Belmont & Newton Farm Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) OCTOBER 2014 Newsletter I see there is a web chat being arranged in this newsletter.

And more here: Insane: Poland guy blow up a dustbin cannon on the street. Do not try this in your street. Dustbin Challenge - Can you you do better? When the council have sold off all the playing fields this could be the only exercise we will get. The worlds deepest dustbin! Very clever. Burning Dustbin Lorry The council's answer for a cheaper waste incinerator.

How will I be able to do the Dustbin Dance?

Yes I did (lol).

My partner's daughter had this letter sent to her from Marlbrook Primary School warning of suspicious character hanging around school. All a bit strange as letter says childrens' father was with them. Still the suspects car should be identifiable.