twowheelsgood

Councillors approved the application, not planners - big difference in who and how they can be held accountable for their actions. Unless you're a tory councillor making a planning application ...

The interest could not have been clearer - a tory councillor on the planning committee!

Perhaps the applicant should put a false name and address on the form - he's done it before and got away with it! "Planning permission for an open market house in the open countryside - absolutely no chance, sir, contrary to every policy going - oh, you're a Tory councillor? Well in that case, the permission is in the post!"

It's simple - none. Having opened the door and let them in, they are now completely autonomous, no councillor is man or woman enough to stand up to them, sad to say. They got us into the Jarvis deal, the Amey deal and now this, each one more of a disaster than the last for Herefordshire. Vote them out in May, but we're still stuck with BB.

Well, well - I noted a double mattress dumped on the pavement in Bodenham Road yesterday (Sunday) and submitted a report via fixmystreet - this morning I had an email from HC (not BB) to say the offending item would be removed within 24 hours!

Just hope its bit drier for this one, although the rain didn't stop the children having fun!

But did BB tell the Cllr they were actually going to do anything?

The third in our series of free activity days at Central Park, off Central Avenue, behind the Fire Station (or via Daws Road). Thanks to Herefordshire Housing for funding.

Please report this to the Police.

Have you contacted your ward councillor about this and if so, what was their response?

Don't forget they took your lightbulbs as well, giving us the high polluting mercury based alternative. The latest is they've taken our handbrakes - oh yes - new cars can't have a good old lever because it discriminates against those who can't pull on one, so to speak. Enter the electric button, and many cars rolling down hills. Irons are next … (really).

+1 to AV methinks ... a fine riposte! I didn't see any cold water being thrown, it was a valid point. But, the Council/Balfour Beatty will continue to be slagged when they are being paid for a service which they are not delivering. It is well documented that a clean and tidy environment is better respected than a dirty and litter strewn one. So, we need both - education (and that will take time) and action - which can be done immediately IF there is a political will. If not, the ballot box will out.

Ubique - could I suggest driving it to Plough Lane rather than the tip, having arranged for the HT to be present when you dump it on their doorstep and present them with a bill. Really, its farcical, infuriating and deeply worrying in equal proportions. Councillors - we've elected you to run this County on our behalf - get it bloody sorted!

Yes, you're right Ubique - it's the contemptuous attitude that really rankles. If they simply responded "Thank you for your report - it's been filed in the bin because we really don't give sh i t" we would all at least know where we stand.

The Council's 2011 statistics data show 4734 people working in 'Accommodation and food service activities' and 4178 in 'Other industry' which includes the arts, entertainment and recreation industry. Which make the tourism figures look decidedly questionable. Chain fast food outlets do not a tourist destination make - unless perhaps you are a statistician.

Ask the MD to justify her statements?

It is staggering, and indeed bloody madness. Needles are just the tip of it, so to speak. "Health checks and stop smoking services currently provided by GP’s and pharmacies - tender evaluations currently in progress and successful bidders identified within the next few weeks." Health check by a GP or a council funded outsourced operative, likely on a miserly wage whilst earning a fortune for offshore share holders? I know which I'd prefer, indeed demand.

"Not our job gov!" or "We haven't got a ticket for that job" are some of the standard phrases I have heard trotted out in these situations.

Over the weekend i submitted a number of litter, flytipping and blocked gulley reports via 'fixmystreet'. I was concerned about the Hereford to Sutton road in particular, as I cycle along there regularly and the litter is just awful. Just to make it worse, some scumbag had dumped a small van load of rubbish next to the River Lugg bridge. Gulleys were ones I've reported many times in recent years and none of them have ever been cleared. I shall go out again next weekend and see if anything has happened. I know for a fact this road hasn't been litter picked once in two years, let alone twice a year - who the hell checks that these things are being done and why isn't it done?

It is essentially a private university. "The project's philanthropy company is looking to raise at least £25 million identified as needed to see the university through its first years." "Though a not-for-profit institution, NMITE will be run as a company and headed by a Chief Executive/Founding President, Chief Academic Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Finance Director and a Marketing Director. The Chief Executive will report to a board of trustees. Running costs of the university, once launched, will be met through tuition fees and continuing funding from industry. The project will initially raise at least £20M for purchasing land, building the campus and other capital needs." Lots of important sounding job descriptions lined up already. Herefordshire Council's contribution appears to be to throw in every potential development site in the City, whether they own it or not. That said, probably the less they have to do with it the better. I wish it well. It's not going to be easy.

.

I came past today and noted that Connells now have a standard 'for sale' sign up - seems rather odd!

Dear Lord, no, not again! Shabby and shanty town spring to mind. The terms of the Council's enforcement notice said that a representation of what had been approved was to be applied to the hoarding ie a life size picture of new shop fronts. Obviously now the plug has been pulled, no one is going to do anything much. Should have just left it plain.

Looks like a rare outbreak of common sense, and fantastic news, but let's see!

'Place Based Commissioning' was a name thought up by, and billed for by external consultants (really) as there was a requirement from within the Council to make the department as oblique/invisible as possible - it was of course previously called 'Highways' which is far too descriptive and leaves them wide open to being contacted by the great general public. As for the rest, well, grammar doesn't seem to be their strong point. But Mr Ball is on upwards of £78k so why should he care.