Ubique

The more one reads these comments you realise that the Council do not , and never have had a plan when it comes to BB . There is a very well know saying in some circles ! !!!!.......FAILING TO PLAN IS PLANNING TO FAIL........ Need I say more? The sooner the Council revert to Direct Labour in my opinion the better ( and cheaper )

Interesting to read that the Fire And Rescue Service are still concerned about flooding when the Link Road is opened - or is it an excuse ?

Looks very good to me - well done Colin etal .

Saw the below on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire , appears to be a general trend The research also showed that West Midlands as a whole had fewer stores opening than closing during 2014, with 524 outlets closed compared to 371 openings. This equates to a net reduction of 153 shops across the region.

Expect they had a good home for it !

Twowheelgood , do you know if BB collected the mattress " within 24 hours " ?

The area where I reside ( Burghill area ) organised a Community Litter Pick a couple of weeks ago , as they have done for the last few years. Think that it's a very good initiative because with the best will in the World no Council Contractors can cover all the highways and Byeways in this County. Mrs Ubique and I did our lane leaving the Flytipped Settee which has been the subject of a previous post to BB to collect.

Herefordshire Council contractor Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP) is getting ready for Spring by taking delivery of a fleet of new mowers and promises to deliver twice the number of grass cuts than last year but at the same cost. Andy Williams, BBLP Contract Director, said: “We know how important grass cutting is to the residents of Herefordshire and we’ve worked hard over the winter to plan more for less.†He added: “We’ve had the time to purchase more effective and efficient kit, plan better routes and ensure we are working with our sub-contractors to achieve best value.†Last year BBLP found itself in a grass cutting storm just months after securing a 10-year public realm contract for the county. The Council had substantially reduced the 2014 grass cutting budget to contribute towards unprecedented savings needed to balance the books. Later in the season the Council topped up the budget and the higher figure has been allocated for this coming year. Cllr Paul Rone, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for transport and roads, said: “I am delighted that BBLP has taken on board public concern and has reconfigured its service in order to increase the amount of grass cutting in the coming season. “But, although the amount of grass cutting will be increased compared to last year, we won’t be returning to the 2013 levels because of Council spending constraints.†This year there were be six or seven amenity cuts, two verge cuts and additional safety-splay cuts, if required. In the autumn, BBLP carried out extensive public consultation on its 2015 Annual Plan and has taken on board residents’ concerns about grass cutting. Cllr Rone added: “We are still encouraging people to get involved in keeping their own verges and public areas tidy. The Council website provides advice on safety and grant funding for community groups.†In addition, the new lengthsman scheme will cover some grass cutting such as parish roadside verges. A grass cutting schedule will be published on the Council’s website when the grass cutting season starts next month. www.herefordshire.gov.uk

Hopefully the Cllrs that cover this area will kick @sses , we the Council,Tax payers of this fine County are paying BB the going rate for less than half a job. All we get from HC is Press Releases stating how good BB are. - the latest Press Release stating the BB have purchased new superdouper lawnmower which will cut more grass than last year at no extra cost to the Council . Do they really think we are stupid ?

It appears that the Authorities bottled out in dealing with the owners over a number of years. I also agree that all dogs should be in a lead in a public place .

From BBC ..... punishment !!!!!!!!!! Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC sentenced Kenneth Stutchberry, of Gwynne St, Hereford, to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years, and Andrew, of Bridge St, Leominster, to nine months imprisonment, suspended for two years. Their mother, Davina, 51, of Bridge St, Leominster, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog which caused injury [and] which was dangerously out of control. She was given a conditional discharge and also banned from keeping dogs for life. After the attack, Ms Stinton was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham by air ambulance. One of the dogs, an American red nose pit bull cross, died shortly after the attack. The judge ordered the other, a Staffordshire bull terrier cross, to be destroyed. Robert Hirshman, who witnessed the attack, told the court there was "blood everywhere". The court heard police had given the brothers warnings about dogs in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012.

Just my opinion as a dog owner for a very long time - a Dog Licence will not make the irresponsible dog owner a better dog owner - what it might do is allow the Council to employ more Dog Wardens so that irresponsible owners can be brought to book . Doubt If a Dog Licenes will prevent dog attacks of this nature . The Courts must give out stricter sentences but that's another problem bearing in mind some of the light sentences dished out for some horrendous crimes.

I know little about advertising but just wondering if Hereford Voice should be in capitals ?

Apologies for boring you but the Settee was removed today , 3 weeks 3 days after it was reported to HCC . A very nice lady from Herefordshire CC Customer Services phoned me yesterday morning stating that she had chased up BB on Tuesday , they advised her that the removal would happen very soon ! HCC released a Press Release today................. Clear Up Herefordshire! On behalf of Balfour Beatty Living Places 19-03-2015 11:15 AM GMT Herefordshire Council contractor Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP) is backing the first national Community Clear Up Day on Saturday (March 21), the first day of spring.

Thanks for update re this , I have a clearer picture of the event - appears that many questions should be asked by the relevant Cllrs and Officers - but I doubt if they will. Read the HT article again and thought that it was very lacking - I accept that they said that the full story will be published tomorrow - ( expect that it has knocked off the front page the article relating to my " sofa " ) Sorry to have it confirmed that Cllr Hubbard is stepping down in a couple of months .

Cllr Mark Hubbard was left angered after a planning application submitted by a committee member was approved by the chairman during a meeting last month despite it being recommended for refusal. ........... I know less than nothing about the Planning Laws etc so can somebody advise me if what happened was legal - appears wrong - but was the Chairmans action approving a Planning Application legal ? If it was legal can somebody please explain what the problem is If not legal is action being taken to rescind the Chairmans decision ?

To be very honest when I saw this Planning Application I thought that the houses will fill in an area very nicely - but after Megilland posted a number of comments / objection I realised that one point I hadn't considered was the proposed drain on my Surgery at Bobblestock - OK if my need is urgent I stand a very good chance of being seen the same day - and I appriciate that , however if my request to see a Dr. Is not , in my judgement , urgent I may have to wait at least 14 days , therefore with a growth of at least a 1000 which may include 300 young children ( guessument ) the pressure on the nearest Surgery will increase . The Planners must also consider the drain on the local schools etc . It's not all black and white . Be interesting to hear what the local Cllr has to say !

Well said Bobby ....a well thought out post .

Twowheelgood - you are the lucky one , having said that time will tell , " my " settee plus three black bags of rubbish , tv stand and kitchen Cabinet ( in good condition ) are still in location . However , I am pleased to report that about an hour ago the Editor of the HT phoned and spoke to Mrs U , he wanted to confirm that it was still in the location - answer Yes. - so the HT are now going to run the story . Must give serious consideration to what power my Cllr has when it comes to BB ?

Dippy , Like it , well done , short , sharp , and to the point

Dippy. My Settee ( not really mine , but helps with identification ) is still in location , now joined by 3 black bags . Read the updates from Phil ( Burghill ) with interest - even though the settee has been in the ditch for 21 days there was no mention of it in the report. Nor was anything close to Tillington reported in his report .

Roger , I am sure that the Police say to a lot of people who report anti social happenings that they will " Pay extra attention in the area " .having lived in my present home for 10 years and never seen a West Mercia Police Officer in the Parish I will not hold my breath .

Some 12 months ago might be longer 500m of this lane was resurfaced and the ditches cleared by the Council contractors , not sure if it was Amey or BB , took them 6 working days . So , in view of all the work carried outby the Council Contractors I must presume that it's the Council. Was very surprised when is was done because the lane is only used by a very small number of cars and within 200m is a lane in far worse state of repair. Yesterday I sent the above photograph and comments to the HT , a reporter phoned me this morning for more details so hopefully it will get publicity. Included in the comments I added that somebody may well know the owner of the settee or recognise it and tell the Council or Police , slim chance I know but worth a try.

Had a reply from my Cllr today........ ". I have been chasing up this issue today with Balfour. There seems to have been an increase in flytipping in the area which I have alerted the police to and they are going to pay extra attention to the area. " I sent a photograph plus comments to the HT yesterday.

Following is the first paragraph of the Councils Press Release................. Future development of Hoople to be considered 12-03-2015 12:00 PM GMT Since it was established, Hoople has delivered significant savings to the council and has secured business from a range of other customers. Hoople has also successfully developed a positive and customer focused staff culture which has contributed to the company’s success.