Denise Lloyd

Yep the same thoughts passed through my mind

Is it Belmont PC that has huge sums of money in their account why do they not spend a bit of it in hiring somebody to get their area cleared up rather than rely on volunteers who are already paying over the odds in Council Tax for what? The same goes for the parish that Greenway comes under which I suspect is Dinmore. Volunteers are what the name suggests not a means of free labour!

The above has been written by Charles Cowap @charlescowapRural surveyor and sage. Translating new knowledge into rural professional and commercial practice. The abve

FARMING, LAND Smallholdings: State of the Nation The county smallholdings estate is generating an operating surplus of £16.1 million from more than 2,500 farms covering an area of 86,700 hectares let as smallholdings. In the words of the reportfrom which these data are taken: Whilst the data set is incomplete this report indicates that council farms continue to play an important role in the tenanted agricultural sector across England covering approximately 86,700 hectares of agricultural land providing approximately 2,583 holdings for around 2,081 tenant farmers. About sixty percent of the lettings are equipped farms (1,536 equipped holdings) and 49 lettings were made to new entrants during 2015/16. The report shows that the reporting smallholding authorities generated a revenue account net surplus of just over £9.5 million in 2015/16. What more can be gleaned from the 66th Annual Smallholdings Report from Defra? This year’s report is much more comprehensive than the last one as 42 out of 43 authorities with smallholdings in England responded. They have a total of 89,360 ha in their farming estate, of which 86,700 ha are let as smallholdings in one way or another. Although the data are not complete, 41 authorities let 2,583 farms. The 39 authorities which provided rental information declared a rent of £23 million. Eighty-six hectares were added to the smallholding estate, but 1,048 hectares were lost. Total income for the estate was £26.5 million. Operational costs of £10.4 million left an operational surplus of £16.1 million. 115 new tenancies were granted and 174 tenancies came to an end. Forty-nine of the new tenancies were to new tenants, and 11 were ‘promotions’ within the estate. The estate includes 579 lifetime tenancies, 330 retirement tenancies and 1,172 Farm Business Tenancies (FBTs). Biggest smallholdings authority continues to be Cambridge by a considerable margin, with an estate of 13,190 ha and 181 let farms. At the other end of the scale is Medway, 30 ha and two farms. Local authorities are encouraged to refer to guidance prepared by the Association of Chief Estates Officers and TRIG (Tenancy Reform Industry Group), Rural Estate Asset Management Planning Good Practice Guidance in formulating future plans. The report covers the year up to 31 March 2016 and its production is an annual obligation on Defra under the Agriculture Act 1970. What pointers can we take from it: Local authority smallholdings are alive and well in many counties. A case study of Staffordshire for example points out an annual return of 7% from rent and capital growth before considering development sales. However the picture seems to vary a great deal from county to county. Some estates are vibrant, Staffordshire and Cambridgeshire for example, while others seem to be on a path of slow but inevitable decline (admittedly this comment cannot be attributed to the report itself). Recent events in Herefordshire have highlighted some of the issues which can arise. Does this raise a question as to the appropriate level of ownership, control and administration of ‘county’ farms? Is there a better way that this asset could be managed? ‘Lead’ authorities taking on more farms from those authorities with a very small estate to enable a more focussed approach to investment and future direction perhaps?

Dare I say it I think the truth of the matter is the authorities just do not know what to do with this lady and whilst on the roundabout they know where she is.

"This is clear evidence that we need a greater degree of independent scrutiny by Central Government to ensure that wrongheaded decisions are not made out of political expediency as opposed to rational thought." One sentence from the above that says it all!! As long as the independent scrutiny is not headed up by guys like Peter Robinson

From the TFA News Letter Hammer Blow for Herefordshire County Council Tenants Farm tenants on the Herefordshire County Council Estate have been finding out their fate this week following the decision of the local authority made in December 2015 to sell the 4500 acre estate in lots. We understand that a number of tenants occupying on Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies have been unable to secure their freeholds but at least their tenancies will continue to operate under the statute with the new owners. More concerning is the fact that a number of tenants occupying on farm business tenancies will be evicted at the end of their tenancies in September despite the assurances provided to them by the Leader of the Council that no one would be evicted, no one would lose their homes and no one would lose their livelihoods. TFA Chief Executive George Dunn has said that whilst it appears that the local authority has complied with the letter of the law, its actions are morally indefensible given the clear and public promises made to farm tenants during the Cabinet meeting at which the decision to sell was taken. The Cabinet took its decision despite the advice of its own Scrutiny Committee and independent professional advice which said that best value for Council tax payers would be achieved by retaining and rationalising the estate. However, not even the Local Government Ombudsman was prepared to sanction the County Council when it was asked to consider whether or not there were grounds for a claim of maladministration. This is clear evidence that we need a greater degree of independent scrutiny by Central Government to ensure that wrongheaded decisions are not made out of political expediency as opposed to rational thought. TFA Chief Executive George Dunn gave a radio interview on the matter to BBC Hereford & Worcester on Tuesday 18 July, listen from 02:06:00. A follow up interview was then held with BBC Radio 4 Farming Today on Thursday 20 July, listen from 00:08:55.

More bad national no international press for HC and yet HC keep pressing on with what they believe is right for the county 20 July 2017 08:21:52 |Finance,News,Property News,Rural Life Herefordshire farmer ordered to leave land as council moves to fund 'struggling services' The council said it must fund the 'growing bill' for caring for elderly and vulnerable people in the county A Herefordshire farmer's bid to buy land he rented for 14 years has been rejected after county councillors wish to sell its tenant farms to fund 'struggling services.' Steve Clayton, a tenant farmer at Rowleston, will have to sell his livestock after previously warning that the move would end his 'farming livelihood.' The council said it must fund the 'growing bill' for 'caring for elderly and vulnerable people' in the county. It could raise more than £40m by selling off 59 lots of land ranging in price from £175,000 to £2m. Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet agreed in December 2015 to the sale of all its tenant farms. Around 45 farming families are affected and some tenants have already left with others having to negotiate either new tenancies or uncertain as to their future. The NFU said communication from Herefordshire Council during the past three years has been 'very poor'. 'Devastated' Mr Clayton said he is 'devastated' to leave. "Unless we find another farm to rent, our livelihood will be over," he told the BBC. "We've probably invested well over £100,000 here and it's been a long hard struggle to do it. "We just got into where we're sort of finding our feet and sailing along quite nicely but all of a sudden the mat's been pulled out from under us and our days of farming are over." Patricia Morgan, deputy leader of the council, said: "As funding becomes ever tighter, the notices have been issued to ensure certainty for tenants and we will support tenants to ensure they receive the support and help they require." 'Steamrolling ahead' Tenant Farmers' Association (TFA) chief executive George Dunn said the council was 'steamrolling ahead' with no regard for the impact of its actions. "At the meeting of the Council’s Cabinet in December, various assurances were given which are not being followed through. "The Cabinet also said that affected tenants 'would be supported through the process'. If kicking tenants out of their homes is being supportive, I would hate to see the Council taking a hardline!" Herefordshire Council said: "A very small number of tenants will be adversely affected. Several tenants have been successful in bidding for their farms. "Tenants' welfare will be supported throughout ensuring that their respective rights are protected."

TFA†@tenantfarmers 4h4 hours ago More CEO @georgewdunn spoke to @BBCFarmingToday this morning on the sale of @HfdsCouncil tenant farms. Listen from 8:55 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08xxdp5#play ……

Stanhope

No doubt a scape goat will be selected and then the heads that should roll will carry on floundering in the dirt and darkness that they wallow in

Referring to the above post on Peter Robinson I could not find the forum where he was discussed previously so thought I could put the two together sort of Rogues Gallery. Anyway how can Peter Robinson the finance director suspended by HC for financial irregularities get a job on behalf of CIPFA advising other councils on their finance?.

BBC H and Wâ€Verified account @bbchw 23h23 hours ago More @HfdsCouncil said "nobody will lose their livelihood" now tenant farmer Steve has 10 weeks to leave his home and land

A highly enthusiastic interim director and management consultant who motivates and inspires his teams with a track-record of making immediate impact, both in respect of delivering change, reducing costs and improving services. CIPFA and MBA qualified, experience as Director of Finance/Resources for Bristol City and Herefordshire Council’s, delivering robust budgets and financial strategies. Currently working for CIPFA undertaking financial resilience reviews for local authorities. Specialities, strategic financial planning, change management, cost reduction, service improvement, public/private partnerships, commercial flair, building strong and effective teams.

Second senior management suspension as Cheshire East Council investigates misconduct allegations Second senior management suspension as Cheshire East Council investigates misconduct allegations A SECOND member of Cheshire East Council's senior management has been suspended as a result of an internal disciplinary investigation. Bill Norman, the council's director of legal services and monitoring officer, has been absent from his post since April and has now been officially suspended. The decision follows the suspension of council CEO Mike Suarez on April 27. A CEC spokesman said: The Investigation and Disciplinary Committee reconvened on Friday, July 14, 2017. The committee is considering allegations relating to the conduct of senior officers. As a result of Friday's hearing, the decision has been taken to suspend the director of legal services and monitoring officer in order than an independent investigation is undertaken. The chairman of the committee said: We would stress that this suspension is a neutral act taken in the interests of both the council and the director of legal services and monitoring officer. It is very important that this investigation is undertaken objectively and therefore it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this stage. In line with arrangements made by the staffing committee on April 27, an interim officer is covering Mr Norman's role. As confirmed in April, CEC has made temporary appointments for its positions of chief executive, section 151 officer, and monitoring officer and head of legal services. The council confirmed that Jan Willis is being paid £1,025 a day, which will be reduced to a monthly salary of £10,626, as acting section 151 officer so current officer Peter Bates can focus on other responsibilities. Kath Dwyer has been appointed as acting chief executive follow the suspension of Mr Suarez over officer conduct in April, and Daniel Dickinson has taken on the responsibilities of Mr Norman. Mr Dickinson will be paid £2,621 a month on top of his existing salary for the duration of Mr Norman's absence.

Still no election called to elect a replacement for Graham Powell. Anybody know why

You guys are too quick for me - yes more money down the pan and they have to show for £22k being spent precisely what? They could have hired a person to start weeding. Looking around it is clear if a machine cannot do the job it is not done

Perhaps the Hereford Times could do a weekly column on it instead of the crap that is sometimes published. What say you Rebecca/Ben Jess pick an area and follow it through until it is clean and tidy and add an area each week and so on - sounds like a good idea to me. Try shaming them into action

The situation is truly awful every where you look there is litter or rubbish or weeds . Volunteers will only do so much then they will realise they are being taken for granted by the Council who are forking out millions of our money paying a contractor to do the job the volunteers are doing. Absolute madness. Surely somebody in the Council can see what is happening to our once beautiful county and rattle a few cages. There has to come a time surely.

Here is another one! Please can we have a grand tidy up first before spending a fortune on these hallucinations

Oh yes I had compost bins and then I had rats and little dogs who just would not come in at night. One little dog even decided it would be lovely to chase the rats across the neighbour's garden one cold frosty snowy night! Compost bins given away after trying several different methods of getting rid of the rats. A word of warning to anybody who has compost bins or who thinks it is lovely to have a couple of chickens in their garden - Beware of the Rats Whilst on the subject of rats the Council offer a pest control service but what they did for £80.00 I could well have done! As nice as the chap was it was a rip off!!

So piddled off am I that we religiously pay an arm and leg for the green bags specific to garden rubbish only to see it getting chucked in with the household rubbish and then onto landfill I have now signed up to Biffa for £4.50/month plus an initial payment of £15.00 to get a wheelie bin for garden waste. They then turn this green waste into compost. Prior to signing up I checked that they are independent of the Council. Totally off topic sorry. Why is our Council so lacking?

Modern architecture - could that be the very expensive all singing and dancing new Records Office. As for modern art works perhaps the bigger plan is to make features out of the potholes littering our roads - sort of paint them blue paint a bit of sand around the edges and somehow fix some ducks floating on the blue - you've got the idea. Ridiculous even attempting to bid for it could have spent the £22k on a lot more worthy causes.

Non-executive Chair sought for Hereford Enterprise Zone Hereford Enterprise Zone Ltd is seeking to appoint a non-Executive Chair from the private sector to take a strategic lead in taking its business forward. Following a successful bid from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, Enterprise Zone status was awarded to Skylon Park in 2011, covering over 100 acres of employment land at Rotherwas in Hereford. The Company was created to take the work of the Zone forward, connecting the land owners into the wider supporting partnership, including the business community. The Zone has established itself and is proving a success. Over 26 acres have been sold, representing 12 investments with 2 direct developments altogether totalling 300,000 sq ft of new workspace already built or under development. More sales are in negotiation. This is a unique opportunity to lead the Enterprise Zone and to act as an Ambassador to promote its work to prospective clients and partners. The Chair will make a significant contribution to encouraging further inward investment and identifying new opportunities, maintaining and promoting strategic relationships with key stakeholder partners, including membership of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership Board. The Chair will be a highly respected individual with a proven track record in the business community, passionate about the future economic well-being of Herefordshire and able to provide dynamic, high profile leadership for the Zone. A knowledge of or background in commercial property would be valuable, but this should not be a deterrent to otherwise suitably qualified candidates. The appointment will be for a period of 3 years. The commitment is expected to be approximately 2 - 3 days per month and is not remunerated. Travel expenses will be met if required. The appointment will run from 1 January 2018, with the expectation of a hand over in the autumn of 2017 as the current Chair prepares to step down at the end of a successful full term. A candidate’s pack can be obtained from the Enterprise Zone Managing Director on 07792 880248 or by emailing mark@skylonpark.co.uk Completed submissions should be returned by 5.00pm on 31 July 2017.

The weeds look more healthy than the ones we have here must have had more rain! It is truly awful perhaps our re-elected MP would like to get involved. Colin my mistake I thought there was planning behind this house from memory it is 156 Belmont Road must have my bearings wrong - old age eh!