Month: May 2021

Take part in our consultation, which will run until 11 June

The need for a safe, warm and affordable home is central to all of our lives, which is why we are asking people to share their views and help to shape the future of housing in Herefordshire.

The council is involved in housing in a number of ways, including:

Assessing local housing needs and understanding the local housing market.
Developing effective partnerships to increase the supply of affordable housing.
Working towards the prevention and relief of homelessness.
Improving conditions in the private sector.
Enabling people to live independently in their own homes.
Ensuring safe and controlled development of new homes through the Core Strategy.
All of these strands are brought together in the Local Housing Strategy, a key document that the council is developing that will allow us to plan strategically for meeting current and future need and demand, and the effective delivery of housing-related services.

The Local Housing Strategy is based on up to date information about the overall housing market in Herefordshire, and now we are looking for people’s individual experiences and the wider communities’ views to help shape the Strategy.

Hayley Crane, Strategic Housing Manager, said: “The views and experiences of local people are vital in helping us to shape the Local Housing Strategy, so we would encourage everybody to take part in the consultation and have their say. All responses will be considered and the feedback will be used to prioritise the objectives within the Strategy.

“As well as the public, we will be consulting with our delivery partners including registered housing providers, private landlords and the service providers that support our residents.”

The consultation is now live and closes on Friday 11 June. The draft housing strategy will then be updated and presented to Cabinet.

The consultation is available as a clear, concise and accessible online survey via the Herefordshire Council website.

In order to make the survey as accessible as possible we can also offer the survey in large print and easy read versions, as well as offering help to people to complete it over the phone. Interpreting support will be offered where appropriate.

For further information, to request the survey in an alternative format, or for help to complete the survey, please contact the Strategic Housing Team on 01432 383531 or email hannah.mcsherry2@herefordshire.gov.uk

Businesses across Herefordshire that have been impacted by this year’s national Covid-19 lockdown restrictions could benefit from a new discretionary grant support.

For businesses and charities that were not eligible for the April Restart Grant, a Discretionary Restart Grant is available for those that were mandated to cease their main trading activity due to the covid-19 restrictions on 5 January 21 or those that have lost 75%+ income due to sectors that were mandated to close on 5 January 21 ceasing to require their goods or services.

For businesses and charities that are not eligible for the Restart Grant or the Discretionary Restart Grant, the council will also consider making a Discretionary Restart Grant – Exceptional Circumstances award for those that have lost 50% or more of their business income for January 21 compared to January 20 (or October 20 if not trading in January 20) as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions.

Councillor Ellie Chowns, Cabinet Member for Environment, Economy and Skills, said: “Although we are making good progress in tackling COVID-19 and working towards recovery, it remains a very difficult time for Herefordshire businesses. The Discretionary Restart Grant will provide support for affected businesses that have not benefitted from recent rounds of grant support. I encourage anybody who may be eligible to take a look at the criteria and options available on our website.”

Further details, the full eligibility criteria for businesses and how to apply can be found on the Herefordshire Council website.

Herefordshire Council has today (Tuesday 18 May 2021) received a non-statutory Improvement Notice from the Department for Education (DfE).

The notice follows significant concerns raised in a recent High Court judgement which led to an urgent and thorough external review of Herefordshire Children’s Social Care Services.

The Improvement Notice includes the appointment of Gladys Rhodes White OBE as an Improvement Adviser for a minimum of 12 months, and until such time that the Secretary of State is satisfied that she is no longer required. Mrs Rhodes White will provide advice to Children’s Social Care Services and Herefordshire Council, and she will chair the Improvement Board which is being established from the beginning of June 2021.

Paul Walker, newly appointed Chief Executive of Herefordshire Council said:

“We welcome the appointment of Gladys Rhodes White OBE as Improvement Adviser following the Department for Education Improvement Notice. Mrs Rhodes White is an outstanding leader with substantial expertise and skills in transforming and improving services and outcomes for children and families. I will work closely with Gladys and Cath Knowles, our Interim Director of Children’s Services, to address the serious issues identified by the High Court judgement and Department for Education Improvement Notice and to deliver a sustainable and improved children’s services department.

“We take full accountability for the failings of our Children’s Social Care Services and we will make much-needed changes to our culture and practices. Our Interim Director of Children’s Services continues to lead the improvements to our Children’s Social Care Services. Our social workers continue to do their best, often in very difficult circumstances, to support families and protect vulnerable children in our community. Under the new leadership, we will strive to ensure we offer Herefordshire children, and their families, the highest level of care and support possible.”

A review of Children’s Social Care services is underway to understand and address any failings and immediate actions are being taken to deal with any serious concerns. Herefordshire Council continues to offer residents the opportunity to report a concern following their experience with its Children’s Social Care services. A dedicated team, led by the Interim Director of Children’s Services, are working through these concerns and while we seek to understand the full extent of past decisions made within Children’s Services, we regret that we may find further instances that do not meet the required standards. If you have any concerns about the way you or your family have been treated by Herefordshire Children’s Social Care services, you can contact us at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/careconcerns or email careconcerns@herefordshire.gov.uk

We are pleased to announce that our Neighbourhood Plan went to Referendum on Thursday 6th May 2021. More than half of those voting have voted that they want Herefordshire Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Bredenbury & District Group to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area.

Numbers cast for yes: 119 = 96% Numbers cast for no:     5 = 4% Total spoilt votes = 1

Total votes recorded represented 43.7% of the registered electors.

We wish to thank the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group for their hard work in preparing and producing the plan, our residents for their input through questionnaires and surveys and the support of our Parish Councillors.

Herefordshire Rural Hub May 2021

Paul has worked in local government for over 30 years

Herefordshire Council has welcomed Paul Walker who joins the council as Chief Executive today (Tuesday 4 May 2021).

Paul has a wealth of experience working in local authorities including experience as an Assistant Director, Director and 5 years as a very effective Chief Executive. He joins the council at an important time following a recent high court judgement which led to an urgent and thorough external review of Herefordshire Children’s Social Care Services.

Paul’s most recent role was Corporate Director at Harrow Council, where he led the development of the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership. This is Harrow’s largest investment and development project which will see the development of 1500 new homes, a new school and open space, and bring apprenticeships, training and investment in the local economy to the borough. Paul also led Harrow’s Climate Emergency strategy and the Green Recovery programme of the West London Economic Recovery Plan and was instrumental in the development of Harrow’s Homelessness Reduction Partnership

Prior to his time at Harrow, Paul held the positions of Executive Consultant at Rossendale Council, Chief Executive at Copeland Borough Council, and Executive Director at Blackpool Council.

(l-r) Paul Walker and Councillor David Hitchiner

Paul Walker said:

“I am proud to have been appointed as Herefordshire Council’s Chief Executive and I am really looking forward to working with our staff, elected members and partners. This is a critical time for the council, and for the last few months I have been working closely with Councillor Hitchiner, elected members and senior management to ensure we make real and sustainable changes to our Children’s Social Care services.”

Councillor David Hitchiner, Leader of Herefordshire Council, said:

“Paul is joining Herefordshire Council as we reach a watershed moment following the recent high court judgement. He brings a wide range of experience gained from over 30 years of public service including time as a Chief Executive. I am looking forward to the impact that Paul will have on the county and the community through delivery of the County Plan. These are challenging times and I am confident that Paul will deliver. I would also like to add my thanks to Claire Ward and Andrew Lovegrove who led the council as Acting Deputy Chief Executives following Alistair Neill’s retirement.”