Month: February 2021

Voting safely at this May’s elections

by

We are helping you to stay safe while casting your vote in this May’s elections

On Thursday 6 May residents in Herefordshire will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them at the Police and Crime Commissioners elections, plus various local by-elections and Neighbourhood Planning Referendums.

While the elections are not until May, we’re already making plans to help you stay safe while casting your vote.

There are a number of ways to have your say in the elections in May – you can vote in a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, which is known as a proxy vote.

Colette Maund, Electoral Services Manager for Herefordshire said:

‘’We’re thinking about these elections now so that, however you choose to cast your vote in May, you can do so safely. We’re putting arrangements in place to help you stay safe at the polling station; you can expect many of the measures you’ve become used to in shops and banks over recent months, such as hand sanitiser, floor markings and face masks. But you also have the option to apply to vote by post or by proxy’’

Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission said:

“The choice on how to vote at this May’s elections is yours – you can have your say in person, by post or by proxy.

“If you’re thinking about voting by post, you can apply now. This will make sure your application is processed early, and your postal vote can be sent to you more quickly. It’s easy to apply and you can find out how by visiting the Electoral Commission website.

“You need to be registered to vote in order to have a say at the elections – the easiest way to register is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote”

Residents can visit the FAQ page on the Herefordshire Councils website at http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/forthcomingelections to find out more about the elections on 6 May. The page will be updated with new information as it becomes available. Any residents who have questions can also contact their local elections team at elections@herefordshire.gov.uk or by phoning 01432 260107.

Full Council approves budget and Council Tax for 2021/22

by

Council Tax set to rise by 4.99% as council faces long-term Covid-19 cost pressures on its budget

Full Council has approved the 2021/22 budget today (12 February 2021). This includes the setting of Herefordshire Council tax rates which will come into effect from April 2021.

The final budget takes into account the 2021/22 final local government finance settlement announced by central government. This includes:

  • A new ‘Lower Tier’ Services Grant of £0.25m
  • Revenue Support Grant funding of £0.6m
  • New Homes Bonus funding of £1.7m
  • Rural Services Delivery Grant of £5.3m

The council is continuing to face long-term Covid-19 cost pressures on its budget. The council has looked first to find savings within its core activities to offset these costs. This has resulted in £11.2m in savings being identified across the council’s services – the largest one-year saving this council has ever had to make.

Councillor Liz Harvey, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, said:

“2020 didn’t turn out the way any of us expected, and none of us anticipated the impact the Covid-19 pandemic would have on us nationally and locally. The council’s 2021 budget has to address a shortfall of £15.1m in a base budget of £157m – that’s almost 10% savings in-year – whilst continuing to deliver on core and statutory public services.

“We have managed to identify more than £11m of internal savings, but following consultation with the public and stakeholders, we do need to set a 4.99% Council Tax increase to bridge the funding gap.

“We are mindful that this is a very challenging time for everyone, so alongside this tax rise we have also increased the Council Tax discount scheme to 100%, for those that qualify, and we are providing £1.9m to fund this alongside the council’s local assistance fund for others experiencing financial hardship.”

Council Tax funds around 29% of the council’s budget. A 4.99% total increase to Council Tax has been recommended. This is an equivalent rise of £1.51 a week for a Band D property. The increase is made from a 3% increase to the ‘adult social care precept’ and 1.99% increase to ‘core Council Tax’. In total this will provide £3.2m towards the cost of council services.

Residents on a low income may be eligible for help to pay their bill through the Council Tax Reduction scheme. Some residents will continue to pay no Council Tax at all, such as young adults who have left care and, with effect from 2021, also all the council’s Foster Carer families.

More information and advice on Council Tax reduction schemes and allowances.

Work on bypass ceases

by

Herefordshire Council has taken the decision to cease work on a western bypass for Hereford at Full Council today (Tuesday 2 February 2021).

Council has determined to stop the progress of the southern link road and western bypass schemes, which are included in the adopted policy. A suggested amendment was debated but not approved.

The decision follows a detailed review of the transport strategy for Hereford which set out to better understand existing and future transport conditions in the city, and to assess alternative options particularly in light of the declared climate and ecological emergency and changes to national transport policy.

The votes cast were 27 for, 19 against and 6 abstentions. All 52 councillors were present and voted.

The decision means that the Hereford Transport Package will be removed from the council’s capital programme.

The council meeting can be viewed again on the council’s Youtube channel.