megilleland

From the Hereford Times - Your Say March 20th 2014: Not cut and dried then?

Interesting article from The Guardian, Friday 21 March 2014 12.25 GMT by Richard Williams Good job Herefordshire Council aren't involved - it would turned into another car park. And another letter regarding local skate park in Hereford Times - Your Say March 20th 2014: Does that mean the total costs are going to be around £4,583,333 or have I got my maths wrong? You could easily of had a Velodrome for this sort of money. Or is it £550,00 total cost - not clear.

From the Hereford Times - Your Say March 20th 2014:

From the Hereford Times - Your Say March 20th 2014: Balfour Beatty have got the contract to repair the roads over the next 10 years. With the government awarding the council an additional £3.5M to help with the road damage caused by the recent floods, plus £20M the council announced last month which will be used over the next two years to address underlying deterioration and prevent roads from deteriorating further in future years, are we going to see this money siphoned off or creatively accounted towards the Link Road. I hope not! and I wonder where he called to see Balfou Beatty - I'll contact him. Great tips on how get the rubbish removed as a last resort. and I think so.

What are the minimum requirements? Where were the two sites rejected? Since this date what other sites have been being considered, other than Bath Street, which I assume is the existing site referred above? In view that Marcelle Lloyd-Hayes (IOC - Tupsley ward) and Bob Matthews (Independent - Credenhill) are Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority Members, has Cllr Mark Hubburd (IOC - Central ward) got together with them and Jim Kenyon (IOC - Tupsley ward) to discuss what is going on?

Mark. So your saying there is no alternative scheme?

And of course the Belmont Pub which was demolished for McDonalds.

Should the link road be built, the bus station site would give easier access to Edgar Street for fire vehicles to go north or south of the river.

What's all this about? How can the council be saving money if it is proposing to extend FCC's contract by seven years. Paying less, but for a longer period. Surely another contractor could offer a better price to cover the existing collections. After all the waste is collected everyday in Spain and they do not use black bags. They have large bins located on the collection routes and people put their waste in them preventing vermin and litter on the streets. They also act as public waste bins.

From the Agenda (page 109 onwards) for the meeting of the Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority Policy and Resources Committee 26 March 2014 Conference Suites 1, 2 & 3 Headquarters, 2 Kings Court, Charles Hastings Way, Worcester WR5 1JR Councillors: Mr K Taylor (Chairman), Mr R Adams (Vice-Chairman), Mr A Amos, Mr P Gretton, Mr A Hardman, Mrs R Jenkins, Brigadier P Jones CBE, Mrs M Lloyd-Hayes, Mrs F Oborski, Mr D Prodger MBE, Mr D Taylor, Mr P Tuthill and Mr R Udall. item 14. Asset Management Strategy : Hereford Fire Station pages 109 - 112 To advise the Policy and Resources Committee of a proposed arrangement to provide the new fire Station in Hereford and seek approval to proceed with this project through to completion. The appendix to this report includes exempt information. If there is to be a discussion of the details in the appendix the Committee will be asked first to make the following resolution: Exclusion of the Press and Public In the opinion of the Clerk to the Authority the meeting will not be, or is not likely to be open to the public at the time item 14 is considered for the following reason: Item 14 is likely to disclose information relating to the financial or business affairs of the Authority Report of Head of Asset Management 14. Asset Management Strategy: Hereford Fire Station Purpose of report 1. To advise the Policy and Resources Committee of a proposed arrangement to provide a new fire station in Hereford and seek approval to proceed with this project through to completion. Recommendations It is recommended that: i) the Policy and Resources Committee approve the proposed arrangement between Herefordshire Council and the Fire Authority to provide a new fire station in Hereford; and ii) that the Policy and Resources Committee authorise the Chief Fire Officer to proceed with the project to completion, on terms to be agreed with the Treasurer and Head of Legal Services and in consultation with the Chairman of the Fire Authority. Introduction and Background 2. Members will be aware that in March 2011, the Policy and Resources Committee gave approval for indicative budget allocations to replace a number of fire stations as part of an overall Asset Management Strategy. A summary of the indicative allocation for the replacement of Hereford fire station approved at that committee is given in the appendix to this document. 3. In November 2013, the Policy and Resources Committee were informed about a project to deliver a new fire station in Hereford at Herefordshire Council’s Bath Street offices site in Hereford. The site is an ideal location as available space for the size of site required for operational resources is limited in Hereford, it is well placed to respond to risk in the city, and being very near to the current location, the availability of Retained Duty System officers mobilising to the new site will be acceptable. 4. The Policy and Resources Committee authorised the Chief Fire Officer to carry on with negotiations with Herefordshire Council, to move the project forward and agreed to spend part of the previously allocated budget on work to take the project to planning approval stage. The Policy and Resources Committee were also advised that a further paper, including a detailed cost feasibility would be brought back for final approval before entering into a contract for the acquisition of the site. Current position 5. Following detailed discussions with Herefordshire Council, the principles for the project to proceed have been established as part of the development of the draft Heads of Terms. These reflect a proposed land swap and associated works costs which balance the valuations of both sites, which were independently evaluated by the District Valuer in October 2013. Essentially, there is a land swap of the two sites, but in addition to the demolition of the existing building in Bath Street and the construction of the new fire station, the Authority will hand back part of the Bath Street site on completion of the construction of the Fire Station for use by Herefordshire Council’s staff. 6. Herefordshire Council will acquire the freehold of the current Fire Station site at the same time that the Authority will aquire the freehold of the current Bath Street Council Offices. A lease-back arrangement will exist between both parties so that the Fire Station can still be occupied by fire service staff as the new fire station is being built. The financial consideration for this rental period will reflect the cost of the demolition of the current fire station, which will balance the overall differences between the valuations. 7. Herefordshire Council Executive members have approved the proposal in principle and should formally approve the project towards the end of March. The Bath Street site is part of a conservation area, but the buildings are not Listed. English Heritage have confirmed that the offices will not be listed in the future. Considerable interest and representations have been made by the Hereford Civic Society, who are not supportive of the proposal. Herefordshire Council has undertaken a Heritage Impact Assessment which indicates the council offices on Bath Street to be of low historic/architectural value. This has been shared with the Planning Service. Pre-application advice has been taken by the H&WFRS and the preliminary desgns for the new fire station are due to be taken through the planning approval process in April 2014. Financial Considerations 8. The arrangement between Herefordshire Council and our Authority is structured so that the only financial outlay to enable the project to proceed consists of three parts: * the cost of demolition of the Bath Street site; * the cost of building the new fire station on that site; and * the cost of demolishing the current fire station. 9. As all of these elements are subject to a tender process and are therefore commercially sensitive, a detailed cost estimate is set out in the exempt appendix. The Committee can be assured that the current cost estimate for all of these elements sits comfortably within the overall project estimate, which has previously received Policy and Resources Committee approval. 10. If the planning application is successful and Herefordshire Council formally approve the proposal, there should be no further barriers to the project proceeding. There is a possibility that recommendations coming from the planning process may increase the overall cost of the scheme, for example because of enhanced treatments to the exterior of the building. It is hoped that if this is the case, the overall cost of the project will still be contained within the previously advised estimate. 11. It is therefore requested that the Policy and Resources Committee agree to the format of this proposal and authorise the Chief Fire Officer to proceed with this scheme to full conclusion to provide a new fire station in Hereford. Conclusion/Summary 12. It is recommended that the Policy and Resources Committee approve the proposed arrangement between Herefordshire Council and the Authority to provide a new fire station in Hereford and that the Policy and Resources Committee authorise the Chief Fire Officer to proceed with the project to completion, on terms to be agreed with the Treasurer and Head of Legal Services, in consultation with the Chair of the Fire Authority. Corporate Considerations Resource Implications (identify any financial, legal, property or human resources issues) As a Capital Project and an agreement between Authorities, the paper refers to a number of Financial, Property and Legal items. Strategic Policy Links (identify how proposals link in with current priorities and policy framework and if they do not, identify any potential implications). The Asset Management Strategy supports ‘Our Strategy’ on the foundations of ‘Buildings and Infrastructure’. Risk Management / Health & Safety (identify any risks, the proposed control measures and risk evaluation scores). All capital projects are managed within the CDM 2007 regulations. Consultation (identify any public or other consultation that has been carried out on this matter) Consultation is undertaken as part of the planning approval process. Equalities (has an Equalities Impact Assessment been completed? If not, why not?) No – this will be considered at the appropriate time. Supporting Information: Appendix 1 – EXEMPT INFORMATION Background papers – Policy and Resources Committee 19 November 2013 Contact Officer Ian Edwards, Head of Asset Management (01905 368360) Email: Iedwards@hwfire.org.uk

At last the Council is listening.

From the Budget today: "Many of the enterprise zones we created are now flourishing – so the business rates discounts and enhanced capital allowances will be extended for another three years". George Osborne

Seems that Hereford Rugby Club are also having problems. Note that Herefordshire Council are involved in some scheme to buy the Wye Ground for a £1. Makes a change from them giving away land worth a fortune for nothing ie Bath Street and Blackfriars. You can read the transcript of the High Court hearing here.

Sir Ben Gill wears many hats and I think here he is banging the drum not only for Herefordshie Council, but also Hereford Housing and The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership who are planning to cover the county with extra housing and tarmac. All these bodies are intertwined with each other with the same old names cropping up time and time again telling us what is good for us and better for private finance (PFI) and private corporations (Balfour Beatty, Stanhope et al). Remember this interview (post 7) a few months back concerning a bypass around Hereford. The reality is that it is jobs for the boys. The council is broke, the Marches LEP is making all the major infrastructure plans for the county, the government is slipping a few quid to maintain this unelected body, while praying that we stay in the EU, by agreeing to turn our counties into regional areas. Extract from "The case for bringing regional policy back home" • Over the 2007-2013 EU budgetary period, the UK is contributing roughly £29.5bn to the EU’s structural and cohesion funds, and getting back around £8.7bn, making it the third largest net loser from the funds, after France and Germany. • Of the 37 regions in Britain under the EU’s classification system, 35 are net contributors to the structural funds, with only West Wales and Cornwall net beneficiaries. This means that some relatively poor areas lose out substantially. • For example, we estimate that the West Midlands, which has the lowest disposable income per capita in the UK, pays £3.55 to the structural funds for every £1 it gets back. Merseyside, which has a disposable income of 88% of the UK average, pays in £2.88 for every £1 it gets back. All the regions in the North East pay in more than they get back, as does Northern Ireland (£1.58 for every £1 it gets back). All sub-regions in Scotland are likewise net losers from the structural funds. • Some regions that are under the UK average for disposable income per capita pay far higher contribution ratios than those above the average; for example Devon (94% of the average) pays £6.58 for every £1 it gets back, while Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire (105% of the average) pays £4.49. So this seems be another case of the council tax payer locally and the tax payer nationally putting in more money than he is getting out. The only benefit to some is an increase in their egos.

Following the black wheelie bins for Hereford topic and posts here, I thought I would add some photos taken today on my way back from work. Have we got to live with this squalor or are the local authorities going to get their act together and sort it out. Unfortunately judging by the previous posts here I don't think anyone is interested.

Just to illustrate some history of this site I have pulled the following information off the internet: General view of building showing facade. Short history Old Hereford Pics

So we are not the only ones who have their public assets given away. The only difference is that they are on the streets trying to stop it. Read more here.

Tell me more about this.

Yes I think your right, but it looks as if both institutions are using Blackfriars from information here: Q&A The New University Herefordshire and The Robert Owen Vocational School

Colin delete this please - posted twice.

In the Hereford Times: p16 13th March 2014 What are they up to! £200 million pounds of council tax payers money to run this contract for the council and now they are looking for other people to do the work. Who signed this off?

Letter in Hereford Times this week from Hereford Civic Society member John Faulkner

I have moved this here so not to distract from Saving the Working Boys Home topic. You need to go back to 2009 to find out how Blackfriars Street Site was disposed of: Higher Education Facility for Herefordshire Meeting: 04/06/2009 - Cabinet (Item 121) 121 HIGHER EDUCATION FOR HEREFORDSHIRE Cabinet is asked to allocate the Council owned Blackfriars site in Hereford for possible use as a Higher Education (HE) Centre and reserve it for that purpose. Additional documents: Appendix 1, item 121 Higher Education in Herefordshire developing more HE locally and shouting about it! Blackfriars 2, item 121 Plan showing ownership of Blackfriars Street site Looks like the council didn't own all the site. Full minutes - Higher Education for Herefordshire and HIGHER EDUCATION FACILITY FOR HEREFORDSHIRE PORTFOLIO RESPONSIBILITY: RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES - CABINET 4 JUNE 2009 Wards Affected The site is located in Central ward. Benefits will be County-wide Purpose Cabinet is asked to allocate the Council owned Blackfriars site in Hereford for possible use as a Higher Education (HE) Centre and reserve it for that purpose. Key Decision This is a Key Decision because it is likely to result in the Council incurring expenditure above agreed budgets for the service or function (shown as a line in the budget book) to which the decision relates but allowing for virements between budget heads and savings within budget heads of up to £500,000. Recommendation THAT: a) the allocation of the Councils Blackfriars site as a location for a possible Higher Education Centre be approved, and; b) authority be delegated to the Director of Regeneration, in consultation with the Director of Resources, to finalise arrangements subject to development of a robust business plan. Lots of information in this report. Looks like Geoff Hughes was well and truly involved in the negotiations. Read the rest to discover the value of the site in 2009 was £1.2 million and who the The Higher Education for Herefordshire Management Board and consultees where.

I came past the churchyard, behind Morrisons this afternoon and witnessed the usual down and outs sitting on the grave stones drinking out of litre bottles. There is just no respect for those buried there. The whole site is covered and surrounded by litter as reported here (post 6). The mayor Cllr Phil Edwards had launched a fund through his charity to repair/restore the archway that leads in to the churchyard, but I do not know how successful he will be. The wall at the Canal Street end that was driven into has been cleared of rubble, but not repaired. Rumours that Balfour Beatty are getting rid of some of its street cleaning employees beggars belief - you need an army to tidy this place up. The state of the city is just going from bad to worse. The council can't see (they are visually blind), that in order for the consumers to get to their OLM jewel, these visitors will have to sit in traffic columns on damaged roads, negotiate new sets of traffic lights and pass through neglected and blighted areas with its accompanying litter to spend its cash.

Just to recap: BBC H&W Radio: 27 April 2013 Last updated at 15:25 and Ledbury Reporter: 10:03am Saturday 11th January 2014 in News Save the Blackfriars buildings for a private concern, but knock down the Working Boys Home. A slap in the face for council tax payers. Double standards I think.