Penyard Ward Report March 2024
Whilst the lighter nights and mornings promise the arrival of spring we are still waiting for the weather to catch up and between heavy rainfall and a few frosty nights, our roads have really taken a battering in the last month or so. As always, please report any defects on the council system where you can and if they are in a busy or dangerous location then please let me know and I will ask the locality steward to attend and report them. Drainage has also been an issue locally and where problems have been raised with me I have reported them on to Balfour Beatty for inspection and rectification.
The state of local roads continues to be a source of deep frustration for many residents and I am in discussions with the Highways Team as to what can be done in the short and medium term to address the declining state of roads across this ward and the wider County. I am hoping that some of the additional £13.5 million pounds that this administration has allocated to the roads from April this year will be used locally and I will continue to make the case for this.
Councillors will remember that I referenced new sources of funding that are due to be made available to Parish Council in the new financial year through the Lengthsman Scheme (£250k), Local Drainage Issues (£445k) and the Public Rights of Way network (£250k). Details of this funding and how it will be delivered have been made available to Parish Council Clerks and I would encourage you to take up the offer of funding wherever possible. If you have any questions or require any further information then please contact me and I would be happy to help or direct you to the right Council Officer.
Outside of local issues there was a Full Council Meeting on the 8th March where Councillors were tasked with approving the proposed rate rises for the year ahead. After the budget passed successfully at the previous meeting the purpose of this one was to rubber stamp the proposed rates for Parish Councils, The Police and Fire Authorities and Herefordshire Council. In addition to this the Council formally adopted the new Minerals and Waste Policy (several years overdue) and there were motions on the Household Resilience Fund and the Gaza conflict that were passed by Councillors unanimously.
The Cabinet is considering the Herefordshire Transport Strategy at its meeting on the 28th March and this will see discussion on a Hereford Bypass return. Since we last met the Government has allocated £101 million to Herefordshire Council for infrastructure improvements across the county from 2025 to 2032. This money will be crucial in delivery of the Hereford Bypass but the Leader did confirm that where possible funding will also be provided for rural areas that may not immediately benefit from any bypass project. To be clear the Department of Transport have indicated that this funding is not intended for maintenance of existing roads but for new and improved infrastructure projects.
As always I am here to help and if you have any queries then please get in touch by email on harry.bramer2@herefordshire.gov.uk or pnone on 07900 918384
Cllr Harry Bramer
Herefordshire Council – Penyard Ward
Cabinet Member – Community Services and Assets