Month: July 2024

Ward Councillor for Penyard Report: July 2024

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Penyard Ward member report: July 24

This report is written 6 days after the General Election, so I can only comment on what is thought to be the likely impact of change locally as new policies emerge.

At present Herefordshire Council will continue business as usual.

On Tuesday we hosted a Parish Council Summit with approx. 90 representatives from many PCs across the county present at Plough Lane. A market place of Council services was setup in the atrium where those present could talk with Council officers on the many stands displaying what the Council offers to Herefordshire residents. This was followed by presentations by the Leader and Cabinet colleagues and the Chief Executive on the Council Plan 24-28 and the delivery plan for this current year, and then by a presentation on the Public Realm contract.

This form of communication between the two levels of local democracy appeared to go down well with many questions asked and an almost unanimous show of hands for further similar events going forward.

The four-year Council plan is based on “Delivering the best for Herefordshire in everything we do” with 4 themes: People, Place, Growth and Transformation. To read the policies follow this link to the Council website About Herefordshire Council – Herefordshire Council

The delivery plan looks at those policies the Council, will complete this financial year with quarterly reports on how each project is delivering. This is an ambitious and long list of services with a clear intent to achieve the actions as set out. To view the intent click the following link
Herefordshire Council Delivery Plan 2024/25

There will be delivery plans each year for the duration of the Council Plan.

Whilst we are on the subject there is also the “Local Plan” which will eventually replace the Core Strategy. This has progressed through the consultation period at Regulation 18 to progress to the next stage and adoption. Following the General Election and likely new mandatory house building targets that may come our way, it is probable that the Local Plan may need a refresh and further consultation before adoption. Until that time the Core Strategy and Neighbourhood Development Plans will remain current. It is feasible that new planning arrangements may be brought in under national policies before our Local Plan is adopted.

The Local plan as it stands today can be found at this link Local Plan 2021 – 2041 – Herefordshire Council

As I have mentioned before the Public Realm contract that Balfour Beattie Living Places operates will cease on 31 May 2026.

We are defining the future operating model as below for the new contract before procuring a new contractor.

Contracted Services

The contractor will deliver these “core services” under a new contract from 1 June 2026:
• Network resilience & civil emergencies
• Winter provision
• Reactive maintenance (potholes & patching)
• Carriageway and footway maintenance programmes
• Drainage (gully cleansing & land drainage)
• Street lighting
• Structures (maintenance of bridges and culverts)
• Street cleaning (bin emptying, fly tipping & road sweeping)
• Fleet management and mechanical workshop (TBC)
• Parks and open spaces (highways verges and trees)
• Cemeteries and burials (TBC)
• Projects up to £100K may be delivered in the contract

The new contract will:
• Focus performance on the core services
• Resolve historic service and operational challenges
• Larger projects will be delivered from the council’s framework
• Focus on council’s current requirement and future priorities

Council Services

Council services will be restructured to include the following technical services from BBLP:
• Asset Management Team
• Network Management
• Locality Stewards (including Highway Inspections)
• Design / Project Management / Quantity Surveying (part)
• Customer Services (enquiries and complaints)
• Communications Lead (communications management including social media)
• Fleet (part)
• Health & Safety / CDM (part)

This will enhance the council’s:
• Capacity
• Resilience
• Technical knowledge and expertise
• Ability to manage the contractor
• Assurance over works (check & challenge)

As with all change, this has to be managed to a high level to achieve the best outcomes and value.

Please feel free to contact me on any council matter either by email on harry.bramer2@herefordshire.gov.uk or by phone on 07900 918384

Cllr Harry Bramer, Ward member Penyard, Herefordshire Council.
Cabinet Member – Community Services and Assets