twowheelsgood

Yep, just driven through town and back - couldn't believe it - this council learn nothing. Ever. We are all doomed.

Odd but entirely true - I've been humming 'Billy, Don't Be A Hero' all morning, and for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why because it’s ghastly little tune, hellish even. I flick on the Hereford Voice eager for bobby47's latest bowl of tripe and there it is - proof positive I'm heading southwards - it'll be a pothole that does for me, you'll see.

Grid knocker is correct, and, not only do they not face north, but they don't let any light in either! The gables face due south and when the sun comes out they'll produce enough glare to temporarily blind drivers and burn the paint off passing cars.

The Council were asked under FOI a little while ago about how much they had spent on CommonPurpose training (a certain Mr Bull being a CP graduate) - they said £0. When the invoices for £63k were shown to them and they were asked why they had supplied incorrect information, they refused to respond.

Blurring of public and private continues - I'm baffled as to why or how the council think they can close down a private limited company - only the directors (or administrator) can do that. We might ask why we are having to pay for all this work to be done when it is the responsibility of Futiles. As to the two hats issue, I now understand that neither Johnson nor Neill took up their director positions at Futiles - I wonder why.

Actually, despite ALL of this, we STILL can't get the grass cut or the litter picked up ...

It is noticeable that there are no pictures in the brochure of the godawful elevations to Newmarket St and Edgar St we will all have to endure for the next 25 years.

Mould growth per se can and often does occur even if the building is watertight - it can be as a result of poor ventilation, poor heating control and numerous other factors and isn't easily resolved. The mild and damp winter has certainly not helped.

HT site updated - 'UPDATE: Contrary to rumour and speculation, Stanhope will not face financial penalties due to the delay. Opening in May would still be months ahead of the agreed date in the contract programme, at which point any penalties may come into play." Would that be rumour and speculation on Hereford Voice do you think?

Now confirmed on the HT site - whole thing delayed two weeks - blaming it on the weather.

HT are reporting, albeit less than emphatically, that Next will be opening two weeks late, but we have to wait until next Thursday for the full story! No word on the others.

Kirsty Williams AM, Peter Hain MP, Neil Hamilton and Jesse Norman MP on Any Questions tonight, Radio 4, 8pm. Any Questions, or as I call it 'The Jonathan Dimbleby show, its all about me, me interrupting and then some more of me'. Great programme spoilt by the opinionated Chair (and very often appallingly amateurish sound). Jesse will be up against the deputy chair of UKIP and two others!

Quite. Expect a resounding silence from the Council - and indeed Hereford Futures, bless em, it'll all be someone else's fault. Personally, I couldn't give a monkeys - I won't be going there any time soon.

South West Audit Partnership are recruiting for posts in Coleford/Hereford - 'We are looking to recruit to a number of permanent posts and are offering you the opportunity to embark on a career as an internal auditor. No previous experience is necessary, although a higher starting salary may be available for exceptional candidates who have some previous audit experience.'

I understood it was £70k per week ...

Oh dear, ridiculous move by the developers - particularly when it was recommended for approval. They'll be looking at a 6 month delay to get a decision from the Planning Inspectorate now.

Eh? That doesn't make sense. There has to be a decision to appeal against, unless they're appealing against non-determination, and that can't be the case because its in front of the committee to determine!

Good man, thanks.

So what did the Council do with the £46m? Given that they've admitted they're bumping along the bottom with only £100k of reserves?

Absolutely. I believe it was a unilateral decision by a certain lady councillor to bestow this horror on us … time for it to go.

This application goes to Planning Committee on 2 April - it is recommended for approval. Some £150k is sought as a 106 contribution to 'sustainable transport measures'. The Traffic Manager acknowledges the potential for non-car borne access to local shops, schools and employment opportunities and it is this potential that off-sets concerns in relation to the potential for increased pressure on the signalised junction at Ledbury Road / Folly Lane junction. In other words, everyone will walk to the shops, schools and employment and there will no impact at the Ledbury Road/Folly Lane junction - in his dreams, what planet are these people on? This is a golden opportunity - and probably the only one - to get rid of these lights and do something much better. It will need councillors to call it - I really hope Cllrs Kenyon and North can do something worthwhile here.

Just posting this again, because since megilleland posted it at the start of this thread, a lot has been said, but the application for Listing by the Woolhope Naturalists’ Field Club has only been viewed 10 times! It behoves us all to read this thorough and fascinating report on the history of this building and why it must be saved somehow. How English Heritage can say it has no historic interest is baffling. Woolhope Listed Boys Home appn.doc

I (think I) recall that Cllr Hubbard said a little while ago that he was going to stand down at the next election.

Correct link https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/transport-and-highways/transport-schemes/edgar-street-grid-and-hereford-link-road

John Bothamley from the Civic Society says 'Have paid to see the land registry title and there appears to be no restrictive covenant.' I'd still be interested to know how the site came to be in the Council's possession.