Month: October 2021

HIGHWAY RESURFACING WORKS – ROAD CLOSURES

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HIGHWAY RESURFACING WORKS – ROAD CLOSURES

Resurfacing works (including white lining and stud works, if required) as well as any preparatory works (i.e. drainage, kerbing) if required.

A44 West Hill, Bromyard (NIGHT WORKS)

Tuesday, 2 November 2021 to (and including) Friday, 5 November 2021.

Road closed 20.00 hours to 06.00 hours daily.

Resurfacing Works.

 A465 Railway Bridge to Nunnington

Monday, 8 November 2021 to (and including) Friday, 12 November 2021.

Road closed 09.00 hours to 17.00 hours daily.

Resurfacing Works.

 BRIDGE WORKS

 C1011 Kinsham Bridge

Works commenced Monday, 21 June 2021 and will be completed by the end of December.

Full 24/7 closure. Road closed from 09.00 hours on Monday, 21 June 2021 and will re-open by the end of December.

Demolition of existing bridge deck and replacement of new bridge deck.

DRAINAGE WORKS

Excavation of carriageway as part of improvements to the local drainage system.

U65005 Church Lane, Upper Sapey

Road closed Monday, 1 November 2021 to (and including) Wednesday, 3 November 2021.

Road closed 09.00 hours to 17.00 hours daily.

Drainage improvement works.

 Burton Mill Access Lane, Lower Burton

Wednesday, 3 November 2021 to (and including) Tuesday, 16 November 2021.

Road closed 24 hours per day.

Repairs to blocked drainage system.

Garway Court Lane and Garway to Gwent, Garway

Thursday, 4 November 2021 to (and including) Wednesday, 17 November 2021.

Road closed 24 hours per day.

Drainage investigation and repair.

C1027 Station Road, Titley

Thursday, 4 November 2021 to (and including) Wednesday, 24 November 2021.

Road closed 24 hours per day.

Clear out existing drainage and repair.

C1130 (between A4103 & A438) Bartestree – DRAINAGE AND RESURFACING WORKS

Monday, 8 November 2021 to (and including) Friday, 19 November 2021.

Road closed 09.00 hours to 17.00 hours daily.

No weekend working.

Drainage and Resurfacing Works.

Lane Off A466 Llancloudy (The Moors Road From Llantywaun Brook To A466 Llancloudy)

Monday, 29 November 2021 to (and including) Friday, 3 December 2021.

Flood prevention works to road surface.

 MISCELLANEOUS ROAD CLOSURES, EMERGENCY CLOSURES & OTHER PROJECTS

OLD GORE CROSSROADS

Phase 1 Road Closure – B4224 (North of the A449)

Road closed Wednesday, 27 October 2021 for up to 6 weeks.

Full 24/7 closure.

Installation of new traffic signals, street lighting & carriageway modifications.

B4203 Willowbrook, Bromyard

Monday, 1 November 2021 to (and including) Friday, 5 November 2021.

Road closed 09.00 hours to 17.00 hours daily.

Resurfacing, anti-skid application and drainage works.

 Dancing Green / Bailey Lane End – Ross-on-Wye (Eunice Saunders Way)

Monday, 8 November 2021 for one day.

Road closed 09:00 hours to 17:00 hours.

Cattle grid removal.

Upper Sapey Cross Roads (B4204)

Monday, 8 November 2021 to (and including) Friday, 12 November 2021.

Road closed 09:00 hours to 17:00 hours daily.

Road markings, anti-skid application, kerb repairs.

U71411 Garway Court Lane

Emergency road closure due to carriageway deterioration.

U71000 – Tresseck Mill Road

Emergency road closure due to carriage edge erosion.

C1247 TREGATE LANE FROM A466, Welsh Newton

Emergency road closure due to collapsed culvert washing away verge and undermining carriageway.

U66004 Rams Corner, Little Cowarne

Emergency road closure as steep supporting bank to above stream has collapsed, undermining carriageway.

Penyrhiwiau Road, Longtown, Hereford

Emergency road closure due to carriageway deterioration.

Upper House Farm Road, Walterstone

Emergency road closure due to carriageway deterioration.

C1031 Spond Lane, Lyonshall Bridge (Offas Dyke Bridge)

Emergency road closure due to unsafe structure/bridge safety.

Works due to start on 8th November.

Pig + Whistle Road, Lingen Deerfold

Emergency closure due to carriageway condition.

C1122 Marden – Laystone Bridge 41310880

Emergency road closure due to bridge strike.

New plan to transform Herefordshire’s children’s services

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Improvement Plan aims to re-set the future of Herefordshire’s children’s services

Details of a far-reaching plan to transform the future of children’s services across Herefordshire has been published.

The draft Children’s Services Strategic Improvement Plan sets out how the council will deliver high-quality services for the county’s children and young people and place them at the heart of decision-making processes.

It comes after the council was issued with a non-statutory improvement notice for its children’s social care service by the Department for Education in May 2021, following a High Court judgment which raised significant concerns about the service.

The plan aims to rebuild trust and ensure that we provide compassionate and effective children’s services that last into the future.  It includes detailed actions to be taken to reach each goal, including reviews of staffing levels and current working practices and how the council will work with its partners to introduce the improvements.

A second and third phase of work will then ensure that the improvements are firmly cemented into the council’s structure and that prevention and early intervention become key principles of a system which has children at the heart of it and delivers consistently good outcomes for children and families in Herefordshire.

£5.2million has been made available from the government to fund a raft of changes to comprehensively improve the service.

Herefordshire Council’s new Chief Executive, Paul Walker, will lead the development and delivery of improvements across children’s services.

In addition to Paul Walker’s appointment, other changes in senior roles has seen Councillor Diana Toynbee take up the position of Cabinet Member for Children’s and Family Services, and Young People’s Attainment and Darryl Freeman appointed as the Interim Director for Children and Families. Darryl is working closely with the Department for Education appointed Improvement Advisor, Gladys Rhodes White OBE, who chairs the Improvement Board that oversees the improvement process as set out in the plan.

The plan will be presented at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday 28 October for their endorsement.

The Children’s Services Strategic Improvement Plan is available to view on our website.

National Adoption Week

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Supporting people thinking about adoption

Adoption Central England (ACE), the regional adoption agency for Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Solihull, is once again celebrating National Adoption Week -18 to 24 October.

This year the focus is on sharing the voices of those whose lives have been changed by adoption and all its rewarding and challenging experiences. ACE is doing this by sharing adopter stories throughout the week on the Facebook page @aceadoption. The case studies will not only provide information about the adoption process, but also include stories from adoptive families – giving a true insight into adoption.

One adoptive parent speaks openly about the highs and lows of adoption said:

“Our adoption journey has been emotional yet exciting, frustrating yet fulfilling and terrifying yet totally worth it. It has definitely not been an easy option, but it is the most rewarding thing we have ever done. We have learned lots about ourselves, our capabilities and limits.

“We’ve been amazed by the level of support from the unlikeliest of places. The social workers from ACE have been there for us every step of the journey and have shared in the highs and lows of it all. Our family may not be typical or traditional, but we feel an incredible loving bond with our son. We are proud parents and proud to be adopters.”

Councillor Diana Toynbee, Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s and Family Services, and Young People’s Attainment, added:

“Herefordshire Council is proud to be part of National Adoption Week. It’s a great opportunity for us to have a realistic picture of what adoption is all about, and the stories families are sharing on ACE’s @aceadoption Facebook page are really helping people who are considering adoption to understand what to expect.

“Children need stable and loving adoptive parents, and we support ACE’s work, which has found homes for more than 350 children since they first formed back in 2018.

“Supporting families is crucial, from ongoing training and get-togethers with other families, to the more specialist therapeutic help that some families may need as their children develop. Adoption is all about love, something that in Herefordshire Council we never lose sight of.”

As a well-established adoption service ACE has many services in place to support people on their adoption journey, including the recently introduced Buddy Scheme. The scheme pairs up new adopters with experienced adoptive parents who offer additional advice and support to people during those early stages.The ACE website is also currently undergoing a refresh and will include new case studies and information for anyone involved in the adoption process. More information will be shared shortly.

ACE welcomes interest in adoption from people from all sections of the community whether they are unable to have children of their own, or where they want to extend their home to those children waiting for a family. Interest is welcomed from single people, those in same sex relationships and from the Black, African Caribbean and other minority ethnic communities.

People do have to be over 21 years to apply for adoption and able to provide a stable and secure home for a child who needs to be adopted.

ACE is waiting to receive your call. Contact ACE on 0300 369 0556 or complete the enquiry form on the ACE website www.aceadoption.com. You can also make an enquiry by email on enquiries@aceadoption.com that will be followed up by one of our friendly adoption workers. Also connect with the adoption community through the ACE Facebook page @aceadoption and read about real adoption experiences.

Get Online Week – Free Workshops for Beginners

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Herefordshire Libraries host free events to help residents get online

Between 18 and 22 October, Herefordshire Libraries will be holding a series of events to help beginners get online. The free to attend workshops are part of ‘Get Online Week’, a national digital inclusion campaign.

The activities organised by Herefordshire Council’s Fastershire initiative will offer a warm welcome to anyone who wants to develop their digital skills.

Herefordshire Libraries host free events to help residents get online

Councillor Ellie Chowns, the Cabinet member for environment and economy at Herefordshire Council, said:

“We know that some people across Herefordshire are still missing out on the huge benefits the internet can offer. So all of the workshops are aimed at people who might still be nervous about using the internet. The sessions will support and guide them as they take their first online steps.”

Sharon Akers, who will be leading the workshops, added:

“The pandemic has highlighted how vital digital skills are to our wellbeing and safety. It’s about giving people the chance to benefit safely from all the online world has to offer, like using home delivery services and keeping in closer touch with friends and family.”

The week will begin with ‘Facebook Basics’, which will take place at Hereford Library on Monday 18 October. This is followed by ‘WhatsApp for beginners’ in Leominster on Tuesday 19 October; ‘Get to know your tablet’ in Ross-on-Wye on Thursday 21 October; ‘Get to know your smartphone’ in Kington on Thursday 21 October and ‘WhatsApp for beginners’ in Ledbury on Friday 22 October.

Places are free, but booking is essential. Participants can sign-up by visiting or calling the Library or asking a friend or relation to find out more at fastershire.com

Spray scam hits Herefordshire residents

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Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards service is warning elderly residents not to fall for spray foam loft insulation scams currently active in the county.

Unscrupulous companies are targeting residents with spray foam insulation at excessive prices. Repeat scams are also being attempted on those who have previously had the insulation installed. These homeowners are falsely being told the spray foam has caused dangerously high moisture levels in their lofts. Fraudsters are then selling them unnecessary solutions at grossly inflated prices. These include ventilation systems for £4,500, which is five times what they are worth.

Other residents have been mis-sold ‘roof coatings’ on the basis that they are needed on properties that have spray foam insulation. This service involves jet-washing roof tiles before spraying them with a waterproof coating. Again, this is wholly unnecessary and vastly overpriced at anything up to £5,000.

Our Trading Standards service manager, David Hough, says:

“We believe many hundreds of local homeowners are being targeted at the moment. The scammers find their potential victims by using databases of those in their 70s and 80s. Spray foam loft insulation is simply not necessary and at best all homeowners require is a top up of their existing ceiling level insulation. The scammers also use lists of properties that have already had spray foam insulation fitted.

“They then send a commission-only salesman to the resident’s home, often pretending to be a qualified surveyor. The salesman then pressurises the homeowner to sign a contract for unnecessary, expensive work. This is carried out within days to minimise the chances of the homeowners cancelling the order,” 

Give cold callers the cold shoulder

David continues:

“We urge local residents to avoid becoming a victim of these scams by simply not engaging with any cold callers, whether on the telephone or at the door,” he adds.

Anyone who is concerned about cold calls is urged to contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 2231133 or visit our scam advice pages for more information.

Grayson Perry exhibition

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An exhibition of Grayson Perry artworks is going on display at Hereford Museum and Art Gallery.

Featuring six 2 x 4 metre tapestries, the Vanity of Small Differences exhibition opens at the Broad Street museum on Saturday 9 October and runs until Saturday 18 December. The Hereford event follows in the footsteps of successful exhibitions in London and in galleries throughout the world. The tapestries are full of images and stories of class, identity and taste, inspired by William Hogarth’s A Rake’s Progress.

A multi-award-winning artist, Grayson Perry has featured in a number of television programmes on the BBC and Channel 4, including Grayson’s Art Club, which aired during the Covid lockdown. His books include Portrait of the Artist as a Young Girl and The Descent of Man.

In the series Perry goes on “a safari amongst the taste tribes of Britain”, to gather inspiration for his artwork, literally weaving the characters he meets into a narrative, with an attention to the minutiae of contemporary taste every bit as acute as that in Hogarth’s 18th century paintings.

Hereford artists exhibit their work

Artwork shows lemurs and a hummingbird against an abstract background.Liminal Lemurs by Jessica C. Oleksy is one of the submissions received to feature as part of the wider exhibition.

Artwork by local people will also feature as part of the wider exhibition. Work submitted by members of the public and Hereford College of Arts students includes pieces by Maggie Sanderson of Rejuvenate creative carer group as well as a poignant personal journey piece by Jessica Olesky, who was in Mexico when it went into lockdown due to the pandemic.

Every one of the works submitted will form part of a virtual display via Herefordshire Council’s website. These will also be available to view on an interactive screen within Hereford Museum and Art Gallery and will be viewable on YouTube from 9 October.

Judy Stevenson, Hereford’s Museum team leader, says:

“We are so excited to be showing Grayson Perry’s thought-provoking tapestries in Hereford and delighted that the exhibition has provided Herefordshire residents with a creative opportunity during lockdown. It drew many people together, online, and gave individuals an outlet to express their feelings and experiences. The results are wonderfully creative pieces, which reflect the appeal and inspiration of Grayson Perry.”

Herefordshire Council, which manages the museum, will be posting mini exhibitions of the public submissions across its social media channels from Saturday 9 October.

Visitors to the museum will be able to walk off the street into the exhibition without having booked in advance. Opening hours are 10-4pm, Tuesdays-Saturdays. Entrance fees are £5 for adults; under 18s and students with ID are welcome free of charge.

Leader confirms change to Cabinet

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Herefordshire Council Leader confirms change to Cabinet from 1 October 2021

Leader of Herefordshire Council, Councillor David Hitchiner, has announced a change to the Cabinet, to take effect from 1 October 2021.

Councillor Felicity Norman will step aside from her Cabinet role but will continue her duties as a ward member.

Cllr Hitchiner said:

“Since the election in May 2019 Cllr Norman has led two of the most challenging Portfolios in the Cabinet and I am very grateful for her willingness to take these on. She has shown extraordinary commitment and dedication to do the very best for our county.”

Following a two month absence from Cabinet for personal reasons, Councillor Pauline Crockett will return to the role she held previously as Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Wellbeing.

All other Cabinet roles remain the same.

The Cabinet from Friday 1 October 2021 will be:

Councillor David Hitchiner – Leader of Herefordshire Council / Corporate strategy and budget
Councillor Liz Harvey – Deputy Leader of Herefordshire Council / Finance, Corporate Services and Planning
Councillor Diana Toynbee – Children’s and Family Services, and Young People’s Attainment
Councillor Gemma Davies – Commissioning, Procurement and Assets
Councillor Ellie Chowns – Environment and Economy
Councillor Pauline Crockett – Health and Adult Wellbeing
Councillor John Harrington – Infrastructure and Transport
Councillor Ange Tyler – Housing, Regulatory Services and Community Safety
Cllr Norman said:

“Due to a current conflict of interest I am stepping aside from my Cabinet role, however I will be continuing my duties as a ward member. I have enjoyed my time in Cabinet and wish my colleagues well in the future.”