Month: February 2024

Support for those affected by Storm Henk

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A package of government financial support is now available for local residents and businesses who were significantly impacted by Storm Henk last month.

This support is available through a scheme called the Flood Recovery Framework which is used in exceptional circumstances to support councils and communities following severe flooding.

Flooded households can apply for £500 from the Community Recovery Grant to help with immediate costs and small-to-medium sized businesses can apply for up to £2,500 from the Business Recovery Grant to help them return to business as usual. Households and businesses significantly affected could also be eligible for 100% council tax and business rates relief for at least three months.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 15 March 2024.

Cllr Philip Price, Herefordshire Council Cabinet Member Transport and Infrastructure, said: “Herefordshire experienced significant flooding as a result of Storm Henk. Currently around 60 properties in the county are known to have flooded internally and could be eligible for funding. I’d therefore like to encourage those affected to visit our website for more information about the grants available and eligibility criteria.”

“If you believe you qualify for support, please use our single online application form, and we will then assess your application as soon as possible. The funding is only available for a limited time, so I would encourage applicants not to hesitate.”

More information will be released in due course about how eligible flood-hit property owners can apply to Herefordshire Council for up to £5,000 to help make homes and businesses more resilient to future flooding.

Farmers who have suffered uninsurable damage to their land will be able to apply for grants of up to £25,000 for repair and reinstatement costs due to exceptional flooding. This is being administered by the Rural Payments Agency and further information will be provided when the scheme is launched.

For more information and to apply see https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/storm-henk

Penyard Ward Councillor Report February 2024

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Penyard Ward Report – February 2024

My reports of the last few months have also focused on the Council’s Revenue Budget and the proposals contained within it.  As you may be aware the minority Conservative administration (of which I am part) took charge of the Council in May 2023.

Unfortunately significant overspends and unrealistic budgets in previous years had left the Council finances in a precarious state with little room to manoeuvre. Our challenge was to address a predicted annual deficit of some £28.8 million and we have done this by finding over £19.5 million in savings and efficiencies in conjunction with a 2% rise in the Adult Social Care Precept and a 2.99% rise in Core Council Tax.  Whilst the increase in Council Tax is regrettable, a failure to do this now would have seen us on a very dangerous path indeed.

You only need look across to Birmingham, where a 10% rise in Council Tax is being suggested, to see what happens where a Council fails to keep control of their finances. This budget also addresses the black hole in the Council’s medium term financial forecast and will hopefully put us on the path to lower Council Tax rises in future years – something I am sure we can all agree is overdue. The challenge will now be delivering this budget without overspends and to help with this we have introduced new spending controls including a ban on all spending over £500 without senior sign off.

After the draft budget was published in December, Herefordshire Council received news of additional funding from the Government and we have allocated this to (Strategic Housing (£1 Million), Leominster HSAZ (£300k) and  Support to the Voluntary Sector (£200k) amongst other things. A number of us also raised the vital role that Parish Council’s and local communities play and I am pleased to say we won the argument for more funding to be spent in this area. This will see the appointment of a Funding/Grants Officer to support Town and Parish Councils (£56k), an increase in the Lengthsman Scheme (£250k), the creation of a new Public Rights of Way Scheme (£250k) and the creation of a new Drainage Grant Scheme (£450k). On a personal level I am delighted that this money will be spent at a local level and not with Balfour Beatty or other Council contractors – I made clear during the election that I wanted to see more funding put in the hands of Parishes and I am delighted progress is being made to facilitate this.

Alongside the Revenue Budget we passed minor amendments to the Capital Budget which thanks to a re-scoping of priorities in December will see additional funding to establish new employment land across the county helping to attract inward private investment and create better paid jobs to the county alongside £10 million for resurfacing our road network.  The actions taken over the last few months have moved this Council on to a much firmer financial footing by refocusing its attention away from the much lamented schemes of the last four years and to getting back to delivering on residents priorities.

Finally for this Council round up, there are two items on the horizon at Herefordshire which I think will be of particular interest to Councillors. Firstly the Roads / Bypass strategy which will be discussed by the Cabinet in the coming weeks and secondly the end of a tender process for a new highways maintenance framework. Whilst the latter may sounds dull it is one of the most significant changes we have made as it will allow us to spend the additional highways funding outside of our Balfour Beatty contract as many of you have been clamouring for over a number of months/years.

As ever – I am always contactable on 07900 918384 or by email on harry.bramer2 @herefordshire.gov.uk – if you feel that I might be able to help on any council related issue – please do contact me

Cllr Harry Bramer

Herefordshire Council – Cabinet Member – Community Services and Assets

 

 

 

Police and Crime Panel backs West Mercia Police plan to deliver improvements to communities

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The West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has secured the support of the Police and Crime Panel for the latest investments he wants to make in West Mercia Police, allowing him to build on the work he has already done to build a Safer West Mercia.

The PCC has had to make tough decisions as a result of the financial challenges the country continues to face. This has resulted in a need to refocus resources to ensure they are aimed at the areas of greatest public concern.

This includes:

  • Improved visible and accessible policing – creation of town centre policing to tackle shoplifting, anti-social behaviour and thefts.
  • Better investigations and outcomes – improved technology to support police officers in checking for criminal activity on mobile phones and computers.
  • Improving public contact – improved call response times for the emergency and non-emergency lines, and technology to allow digital evidence to be uploaded by the public.

PCC John Campion said: “This budget has the communities of West Mercia at the heart of it. My latest investment will build on the progression I have already made in West Mercia Police and will focus on the areas that matter to the public such as how they make contact with their police service.

“This budget has come with some tough decisions and, as a result, some changes will have to be made within West Mercia Police. However, it is important that we review this, and I have worked with the Chief Constable to ensure that resources are refocused towards the areas of priority and public concern.

“I remain committed to ensuring the communities of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire feel the benefits of the decisions I make on their behalf.”

Temporary Chief Constable Alex Murray said: “Building on the investments made over the last year, this budget will support our commitment to visible and accessible policing for the people of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire.

“Due to the current national financial landscape difficult decisions have had to be made, but I want to reassure the communities we serve that we are prioritising the issues that we know matter most to them. We will continue improving the service you receive when you contact us and will keep reducing the number of victims and people impacted by crime.”

The PCC secured backing for the following proposals:

4.91% increase in the council tax element for policing. This equates to approximately £277.50 for an average Band D property (25p per week).