Ward Councillor Report for Penyard Ward: April 2024
Every month I hope to open these reports with news of spring sunshine, however until the last week or two it seemed like the rain just will not stop. Unfortunately the persistent rain throughout the winter months has played havoc with our road network, and has made repairs very difficult. Please keep logging the potholes where you can and alerting me where you can’t. Equally if there is a particularly bad stretch of road then please do let me know and I will ensure it is raised with the Locality Steward and Herefordshire Council.
The start of the new financial year will see the beginning of the additional investment for roads which I have mentioned previously. The total funding available for Highways will be some £38 million this year which is nearly £12 million more than the last financial year and the highest allocation since the Green and Independent Coalition took control of the council in 2019. I made clear during the election that roads and investment in them was a priority and I am delighted to be part of an administration delivering on that promise. Of particular interest to me locally is the £5 million for A & B road resurfacing and I have pushed for some of our local roads to be included in this work. We should find out which roads will benefit from it in the weeks ahead.
Aside from Road Resurfacing the condition of the lines and markings on our roads has also deteriorated and If you have spotted any areas in need of a refresh please do let me know and I will ensure they are flagged with Balfour Beatty and if necessary our Head of Highways.
The deadline for expressions of interest in the new Local Drainage Grant is at the end of this month and I would urge any Parish that has not yet done so to email and express their interest. This fund offers Parish Councils the chance to address localised highway flooding outside of the normal lengthsman payments.
As we move through the Spring the verges of our highways will begin to grow very fast and I urge any resident who feels a junction is becoming dangerous due to vegetation growth to report it to through the Herefordshire Council website so, where necessary, a cut can be arranged.
On a County level, you will be pleased to know that Herefordshire Council has finally filled the Head of Planning post which had been vacant / filled by interims for quite some time. Since my last report the Council has also seen the departure of our Head of Children’s Services and whilst change is always fraught with risk, this represents a real chance for us to deliver sustained progress in an area that has historically struggled to improve. The Council have moved quickly to fill the post and recruit a very experienced Director in the form of Tina Russell who currently works across the border in Worcestershire. There is no meeting of Full Council during April but we have the Annual General Meeting of the Council in May which will be a big test for our minority administration.
On a final note, this month has seen the publication of the Government’s £35 million strategy for the River Wye and I sincerely hope this will mark the start of a serious commitment from the Government towards the much needed recovery of our river.
As always if you have any concerns locally please contact me – harry.bramer2@herefordshire.gov.uk or 07900 918384
Cllr Harry Bramer
Herefordshire Council – Penyard Ward
Cabinet Member – Community Services and Assets