Month: July 2021

Reducing the amount of waste we produce, and reusing and recycling where possible, benefits the county and the environment, and is the aim of a new waste strategy for Herefordshire agreed at the council’s cabinet meeting today (29 July).

The new waste strategy sets out the changes that will be taking place to the way that household and business waste is collected and then treated, and schemes that support and encourage a reduction in the amount of waste being produced. These include:

• Reduce – promoting schemes that reduce the amount we throw away such as community fridge schemes
• Reuse – supporting organisations that repair and reuse items, community share schemes and encouraging donations to charity
• Recycle – composting garden waste, supporting people to recycle more
• Recover – introducing a new kerbside food waste collection and producing energy from food waste

The small proportion of waste remaining will only then go to landfill.

The strategy also sets out changes to the black bin and recycling collections based on feedback from a resident consultation held earlier this year, when around 3,500 people told us what worked well for them and what could be improved about their kerbside collection service.

A number of pilot schemes will trial these changes to see what works best, so that they can be introduced across the county in the most effective way.

Cllr Gemma Davies, cabinet member commissioning, procurement and assets said: “We want to introduce and support more ways for people to reuse and recycle, reduce the amount of waste we all produce and ultimately reduce what goes to landfill, as this benefits residents and communities and is better for the environment. Our new waste strategy sets out clear measures to achieve this.

“The council’s waste collection and disposal contracts are due to end in 2024. It is important that we use this opportunity to align our waste strategy with our vision for a more sustainable county and our declared climate and ecological emergency, and to fully consider how to make changes to meet the requirements of the government’s 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy for England.

“I am particularly excited to see how we can work with our local communities to support and encourage people to reuse and recycle more. They do say one person’s trash is another person’s treasure – and we have set an ambitious target to increase the amount of recycling in the county. We also intend to make better use of our garden waste for composting and food waste to produce energy.”

The new waste strategy, as well as the outcome of the rubbish and recycling consultation, can be found on the council website.

The annual canvass ensures that Herefordshire Council can keep the electoral register up to date, identifying any residents who are not registered to vote so that they can be encouraged to do so.

Colette Maund, Electoral Registration Officer at Herefordshire Council said: “It’s important that residents look out for messages from Herefordshire Council’s Electoral Services, so we can make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in Herefordshire. We will be sending out our annual canvass communications over the next few months for you to respond to. Please simply follow the instructions sent to you.’’

People who have moved recently are particularly encouraged to look out for the voter registration messages from Herefordshire Council and check the details.

Research by the Electoral Commission, published in 2019, indicates that recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time. Across Great Britain, 92% of people who have been at their property for more than sixteen years will be registered, compared to 36% of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.

Information on registering to vote is available on our website.

Any residents who have any questions can view Herefordshire Council’s Annual Canvass FAQs or contact the Electoral Services team at 01432 260107.

Vaccination is the best defence against Covid-19

Drop-in clinics are now available in Hereford if you are 18 or over, for the first or second dose of the Covid-19 vaccination.

No need to book – just turn up!

First dose drop-ins

Pfizer

Monday 19 to Sunday 25 July

9am – 12pm

1pm to 4pm

at Elgar House Hereford

Wednesday 21 and Friday 23 July 

8am – 12pm

12.30pm – 4.30pm

at Saxon Hall, Hoarwithy Rd, HR2 6HE 

Second dose drop-ins

Drop-ins are available to anyone 18 years and over, who had the first dose over 8 weeks ago

AstraZeneca

Monday 19 to Sunday 25 July

9am – 12pm

1pm to 4pm

at Elgar House Hereford

Pfizer

The Centre, which is owned by the Council and managed by Social Enterprise and Registered Charity Halo Leisure was forced to close in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The original plan was to reopen in August 2020 along with all other leisure facilities, however, this wasn’t possible due to severe and deliberate damage caused to the roof of the Centre through vandalism.

Since then the contractors working on behalf of the Council have made the building watertight and repaired the substantial water damage caused by the vandalism. The Centre is now due to re-open ahead of schedule.

Alex Haines, Halo Partnership Manager said: “When the centre reopens it is going to be a real hub of activity with gym workouts, an exciting range of exciting group exercise classes, badminton, sports hall activities and library all under one (recently repaired) roof. Bookings are now open on the Halo Leisure Bromyard Centre app for gym and group exercise sessions”.

Cllr Gemma Davies, Cabinet member for commissioning, procurement and assets, said: “We have all been frustrated that The Bromyard Centre has had to remain closed for such a long time, and we are very sorry that needless vandalism prevented the Centre from re-opening much sooner. The benefits that come from such community assets, including boosts for physical and mental health, and community cohesion, are needed now more than ever.

“Halo customers and the community in general have been anxious to see their Centre return to business, and we are delighted that it will be re-opening its doors this month, providing a great way for residents to get active and enjoy themselves this summer.”

Alex Haines added: “If you haven’t used the centre before and would like to sample exactly what is happening in terms of helping more local people to get more active more often – please visit https://haloleisure.org.uk/7daypass/ and claim your FREE 7 day guest pass.”

For more information please visit haloleisure.org.uk

Herefordshire Council is asking people to continue to protect themselves and others as we enter into Step 4 of the Government’s Roadmap out of lockdown.

From Monday 19 July, all remaining limits on social contact will be removed and there will be no more restrictions on how many people can meet in any setting, indoors or outdoors, including life events. The legal requirements to wear a face covering will also be lifted, as well as social distancing rules. However, the Government is advising people to act responsibly to protect themselves and others.

Council staff will continue to wear face coverings when walking around council buildings, including libraries and museums, and encourage visitors to do likewise. The pre-booking system at Herefordshire Recycling Centres will also remain in place after proving to be successful at reducing queues and crowding at peak times.

Rebecca Howell-Jones, Acting Director of Public Health for Herefordshire, said: “Everyone in Herefordshire has played a huge part during the pandemic and I want to thank you all.

“However, even though a lot of the restrictions are being eased this week, coronavirus is not going away and indeed the number of cases in the county is rising and expected to rise further. I therefore ask everyone to make informed decisions to protect themselves and others and to continue to play their part in keeping Herefordshire safe.

“I, for one, will continue to wear a face covering in indoor public settings and on public transport and would advise and encourage you to do the same.  I will also try to socialise outdoors as much as possible. We all know the Hands, Face, Space (and ventilation) mantra and continuing to choose to take these actions can help protect ourselves, friends and families from COVID infection.”

The COVID vaccination programme has had a huge impact and is preventing many serious cases and deaths from coronavirus. The vast majority of adults in Herefordshire have had at least one dose of the COVID vaccine (over 86%), and over 71% of adults have had two doses.

However, there are still a significant number of cases, particularly in young adults so, if you haven’t received your first dose yet or are still awaiting a second one, please book it now. Alternatively, keep an eye on our social media platforms or www.herefordshire.gov.uk for any walk-in clinics that will become available in the county.

It is also important that you continue to take regular lateral flow tests, even if you have been vaccinated. Testing twice a week will help protect you, your family and friends. Please visit here on details on how to book or collect a test. Alternatively, you can order one online here.

If you have COVID symptoms, you and your household must isolate immediately by booking a PCR test, and you. Remember, although vaccination is very effective against becoming very ill or dying with COVID, you can still get infected and infect others.

Herefordshire residents and visitors can benefit from exclusive discounts, deals and loyalty schemes, across the county, simply by downloading the LoyalFree app.

The app is free for everyone to download and use and features a great range of deals and loyalty schemes, with independent retailers across the county.  The app also includes some fantastic trails, to encourage more people to get out and about in Herefordshire, including walking and cycling, art galleries, gardens and castles and even dog friendly coffee shops.  If that’s not enough, there’s also a local events section, to help everyone enjoy a summer staycation in Herefordshire.

Herefordshire Council has introduced the app, in partnership with award winning provider, LoyalFree, to help support economic recovery in the county, by encouraging people to stay, shop and spend locally across our historic market towns and villages.

Councillor Ellie Chowns, Cabinet member for Environment and Economy, said: “The introduction of the LoyalFree app by Herefordshire Council will help support and strengthen economic recovery across the county.  The app, which is free to use for residents, visitors and businesses, is a great way to encourage people to shop locally and the boost in footfall will significantly help our high streets and local retailers.  For businesses, it is quick and easy to add your details onto the app, to help attract additional customers, as we continue to recover from the pandemic.”

Councillor Pauline Crockett, Cabinet member for Health and Adult Wellbeing, said: “I’m delighted the LoyalFree app is now available across Herefordshire.  Not only will it give our local economy a much needed boost, but it will also help individuals, couples and families to get out and about and enjoy more of what our beautiful county has to offer.  As more of us are likely to be staying closer to home this summer, there’s a fantastic range of trails and events to discover, so you can enjoy the perfect staycation in Herefordshire.”

Find out more about the app or download for free by searching ‘LoyalFree’ on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

For Herefordshire based business owners, find out how the LoyalFree app can benefit your business and how to sign up