megilleland

The Guardian, Monday 29 September 2014 So our Council will still be paying £20 million a year to prop this lot up.

Jesse appears to have been absent at all the times voting on Use of UK Military Forces Overseas occured. Whether that is to be construed as a NO vote only he knows.

Agree with you completely.

You may be right ragwert, but you cannot ignore that this is only one part of the pollutants coming from our highways. In fact there is so much lying in the gutters that one company is making a fortune from processing the waste and extracting all the heavy metals. From roads to riches: How the streets of London are paved with valuable metals like platinum

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 18th September 2014 P142576/FH - AC Single storey rear extension. 17 Nelson Street, Hereford P142643/F - AC Change of use of commercial space into 4 flats to include changing of windows. Sullivan House, 72-80 Widemarsh Street, Hereford P142674/F - AC Construction of roof top penthouse apartment. Conversion at Sullivan House, 72-80 Widemarsh Street, Hereford P142662/FH - AC Demolition of single storey garage, replace with two storey side extension. 3 Vineyard Road, Hereford P142651/F - AC Extension to rear to form new store at BBQ's & Brews (formerly The Hop Pole), 57 Commercial Road, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR1 2BP P142661/A – AC SL 2 no. fascia signs and 1 no. projecting sign. 14/15 High Town, Hereford 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)

Good to hear we have the right man here.

Yesterday's vote on military action in Iraq As you will know, Parliament was recalled yesterday so that MPs could debate the UK's response to the appalling terror now being waged by ISIL in Iraq and Syria. As in last year's vote on Syria, I reluctantly decided not to support the Government's motion. I was not persuaded that our intervention would necessarily help the situation there, or indeed be in our long-term national interest. However, there is also a more fundamental constitutional problem with such votes, and this was the focus of my remarks. The speech is short - we were only given three minutes - but I thought you might find it of interest. Good to see Jesse talking about democracy. The same approach could be argued in Herefordshire Council. Decisions made up in advance and the party majority voting them in. The Fire Station planning application wouldn't be a forgone conclusion would it?

With all the news of a lack of police involvement in investigating child abuse in Rotherham, Nottingham and Scotland lets hope this chap is the best appointment.

Every time I come into the city I get hit in the face with the blue signs on the side of the Debenhams building telling you that there is parking for hundreds of cars around the corner. Isn't this an admission that inadequate signposting has been made off the road approaches. Maybe we will see the Hereford tradition of hanging a bed sheet out to advertise the OLM's birthday!

MEMBER QUESTIONS TO COUNCIL – 26 SEPTEMBER 2014 Question from Councillor ACR Chappell Question 2: Bath Street With reference to the recent decision to dispose of the Bath Street site can the Cabinet Member confirm: a) Before the decision was taken, what other sites were investigated? b) With the Cabinet supporting the Southern Relief road, what consideration was given to providing a site, through developers money, for a joint emergency services centre on the line of the Rotherwas access road and Southern Relief road? c) With a 1000 homes due to be built up against the access road and increasing development at Rotherwas, and the intention of continuing these roads to form part of the by-pass, why was Bath Street handed to the Fire Authority? d) The Bath Street site, the ambulance station site in Ross Road and the present fire station site, provide enough space for 300 homes, thus relieving green field space from development. Will the Cabinet member re-consider his agreement with the Fire Authority? Answer from Councillor H Bramer Cabinet Member Contracts & Assets The Fire & Rescue Service (FRS), who are the lead on this project, will be able to advise what other sites they investigated; however it is understood that the Bath Street site has been demonstrated to be the best possible site to serve the city from a fire and rescue point of view. This was validated by response modelling and a sequential test of options. The decision to dispose of the site, taken in April, (report available on the council website at http://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2683), was in line with the council’s agreed accommodation strategy, having been declared surplus to operational needs. The agreement the council has reached with the FRS provides the opportunity for a land swap deal whereby the FRS develop the existing Bath Street site, demolish the buildings and hand part of it back to the council for business user car parking for children’s safeguarding staff. In return the council will receive the existing FRS site levelled to the ground. The council will then be able to dispose of this site at will. The council will continue to work with developers and other partners to identify suitable sites to meet all the needs of the county whether housing, employment or maintaining essential emergency services. WRITTEN STATEMENT OF A KEY DECISION CABINET MEMBER CONTRACTS AND ASSETS ITEM: DISPOSAL OF LAND AND BUILDINGS KNOWN AS THE BATH STREET OFFICES, HEREFORD Date of Decision: 14 April 2014

Excellent objection from English Heritage telling the Council that just because the Working Boys' Home would not be listed, the Working Boys' Home still remains a key heritage asset within a Conservation Area. Maybe our councillors will think a bit more outside the box when it comes up at the Planning Committee.

If they are professional they must be worth a fortune!

The top 10 dirtiest towns and cities also include St Albans and Brighton where pollution levels have breached EU safety limits along with congestion hotspots Cambridge and Chelmsford. Lisburn, Hereford, Newry, Oxford and Norwich are also among those places named and shamed for high greenhouse exhaust gases. Along with Peterborough, the cleanest cars are found in Portsmouth, Stirling, Worcester and Glasgow, as well as Birmingham, Durham, Sunderland, Exeter and Gloucester. CITIES WITH MOST POLLUTING VEHICLES - EMISSIONS IN G/KM 1. London: 176.95 2. St Albans: 165.52 3. Brighton: 165.34 4. Cambridge: 164.70 5. Chelmsford: 163.91 6. Lisburn: 163.73 7. Hereford: 163.67 8. Newry: 163.38 9. Oxford: 162.78 10. Norwich: 162.59 CITIES WITH GREENEST VEHICLES - EMISSIONS IN G/KM 1. Peterborough: 142.03 2. Portsmouth: 146.69 3. Stirling: 147.38 4. Worcester: 150.21 5. Glasgow: 150.35 6. Birmingham: 150.58 7. Durham: 151.36 8. Sunderland: 153.10 9. Exeter: 153.43 10. Gloucester: 154.08

No ideas?

Hereford Edgar Street to Commercial Road link orders confirmed 24 September 2014 Council News: "In association with the proposed Link Road, the council is also looking to take forward proposals for a new transport hub and to improve other highways in the area. The road construction and improvements to the surrounding highway infrastructure is being funded from the government’s Growth Deal with £12m allocated to the Edgar Street to Commercial Road Link scheme". So the Commercial Road site could become vacant very soon.

Isn't it time these council committees were filmed? The Planning Committee and the fire station planning application may become an epic. Anyone with decent camera skills?

Is it no surprise that all the Council's department consultees can find no merit in supporting the refusal of the relocation of the fire station: You get the real feeling it is going to be a great big stitch up. Economic Development Team: From an economic perspective; we feel that on balance that we support application (P142554/F), on the grounds that; (1) Evidence suggests a current supply of office space in Hereford City Centre, of 9,459.26 Sqm. (2) There is currently no indication of demand for a large office based development and although the building, at 1,509 Sqm, is a flexible size, the age and configuration of the property means that it is not Ideally suitable for modern office accommodation. In addition, given the nature of neighbouring mixed uses and the current configuration of units on the site, we feel that, if the site was to be retained for Bl use, there is almost certainly the need for the future redevelopment of the building. It is therefore questionable whether or not any new Bl use, would be proportionate to the current surrounding area. (3) The proposal will help remove the applicant's existing constraints placed on St Owens site. (4) The proposal will assist in safeguarding jobs for their existing workforce. (5) The proposal will bring a vacant site back to operational use. What about some small start up units linked with housing? What class use is a fire station? There is no threat to existing workforce as the jobs already exist. Environmental Health and Trading Standards Comments I would take this opportunity to make the following observations on this application: 1. Plant noise - The Noise assessment recommends noise limits for plant noise and advises that the night time noise limit is very low and that careful consideration will be required to the selection of any plant that will be required to operate at night. I would further add that this care should be given not just to the sound power levels of plant but also to any characteristic of the noise generated such as a distinguishable, discrete, continuous note (whine, screech, hiss, hum etc.,) and to the existence of any distinct impulses (bangs, clicks, clatters or thumps) I would recommend that should it be minded to grant permission that a condition is attached requiring prior approval of any such plant. 2. Activity noise - It has to recognised that there will be some noise /disturbance caused by activity noise, noise such as vehicle sirens, drills etc. I would comment that such noise is of a relatively short duration and that this area is currently subject to considerable noise from road traffic, passing emergency vehicle sirens etc. and that if this activity noise is kept to an operational minimum, particularly at night, I would not expect it to be the cause of concern to local residents. So its ok to add to the noise and the implication that there will be noise at night. Julian Cotton, Archaeological Advisor, Herefordshire Council * In summary, I see no compelling archaeological reason why the development should not proceed here, subject of course to suitable archaeological recording as mitigation. This recording should encompass all above and below ground items that might be of interest. Therefore, in line with 'saved' Policy ARCH6 of the Hereford Unitary Development Plan, and para 141 of the NPPF, I have no objections. I would advise the attachment of standard archaeological condition E02 to any permission granted Internal Ecology Consultee: Dr. Rob Widdicombe If given approval I recommend that the decision is accompanied by a non-standard condition for compilation and submission for approval of a habitat and species enhancement plan as follows: Prior to commencement of the development, a habitat enhancement plan integrated with the landscape proposals should be submitted to, and be approved in writing by, the local planning authority. The plan should incorporate compensation for loss of nest sites for nesting birds with provision for bats and the work shall be implemented as approved. An appropriately qualified and experienced ecological clerk of works should be appointed (or consultant engaged in that capacity) to oversee the ecological mitigation work. Are nest boxes to be attached to the training tower? Reasons: To ensure that all species are protected having regard to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 and Policies NC1, NC6 and NC7 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan To comply with Policies NC8 and NC9 of Herefordshire’s Unitary Development Plan in relation to Nature Conservation and Biodiversity and to meet the requirements of the NPPF and the NERC Act 2006 Hereford City Council (Parish Council) Decision: We have no objection in principle and appreciate the need for new Fire Station in Hereford; however, we regret the loss of Bath Street building and think it’s unfortunate to locate the Fire Station on such prominent site in the City. Are they saying they know the building is coming down?

Tuesday 23 September 2014 in Hereford Times News by Bill Tanner This Council is like a leaking colander.

Put my objection in today and got a receipt for it (Wednesday).

Here is some news from Worcestershire County Council which we were paired with in the years before 1998.

Now there is mass confusion and distraction following the Scottish Referendum, Maybe our MPs would like to comment on this next attack on our sovereignty which is going to happen in two months time. On the 1st November 2014, we are giving away the right of Parliament to legislate over us in 43 areas to the EU. The important ones, will be removed and be made subject to approval. They call it QMV, Qualified Majority Voting. Each member State will lose it right of Veto over these areas, so Cameron’s idea of negotiation to recover any areas goes out the window at the same time. The following areas of competence will switch from requiring unanimous approval of all member states to qualified majority voting only: Initiatives of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Administrative co-operation – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Asylum – Nice: QMV; Lisbon: QMV Border controls – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Citizens’ initiative regulations – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Civil protection – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Committee of the Regions – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Common defence policy – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Crime prevention incentives – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Criminal judicial co-operation – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Criminal law – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Culture – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Diplomatic & Consular protection – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV Economic & Social Committee – Nice: QMV Lisbon: QMV Emergency international aid – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV Energy – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV EU budget – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Eurojust – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV European Central Bank – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV European Court of Justice – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Europol – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Eurozone external representation – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Foreign Affairs High Representative election – Lisbon: QMV Freedom of movement for workers – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Freedom to establish a business – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon QMV Freedom, security, justice, co-operation & evaluation – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Funding the Common Foreign & Security Policy – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV General economic interest services – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Humanitarian aid – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Immigration – Nice: QMV; Lisbon: QMV Intellectual property – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Organisation of the Council of the EU – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Police co-operation – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV President of the European Council election – Lisbon: QMV Response to natural disasters & terrorism – Lisbon: QMV Rules concerning the Armaments Agency – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Self-employment access rights – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Social Security Unanimity – Nice: QMV; Lisbon: QMV Space – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Sport – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Structural & Cohension Funds – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Tourism – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Transport – Nice: Unanimity; Lisbon: QMV Withdrawal of a member state – Lisbon: QMV How does all this affect us? It definitely looks as if we will be just a region of the EU with no control over our affairs. The decision making processes between citizen and state is being widened all the the time ie citizen - local authority - LEP - Regional - EU.

Monday 22 September 2014 in Hereford Times News by Bill Tanner Taken from the Council's Statement of Accounts 2013 - 2014

£375,416.66 redacted just a coincidence? See post 72 on this topic.

Councillor replies to Fire Station e-mail (post 40): Received 19th September 2014 22. Lloyd-Hayes, Marcelle (Cllr) IOC I tried phoning you at about 2.20pm . I am , in principle supportive of a new Fire Station and need to tell you that several sites were considered before the†land swap†proposal was put forward. I am very familiar with John Venn and the work he did for Hereford citizens and his generosity regarding land and buildings . I am not impressed with the design of the new Fire Station and will make my views known, however, I do not want to see Hereford without –or with a reduced fire service .I do believe the link to John Venn needs to be established and have contacted the Fire Service regarding this point. The Government’s recent idea to centralise blue light services is timely /untimely depending on your view. Kind regards Marcelle Lloyd-Hayes

Here is his letter - give him a ring!