Month: August 2022

Air pollution is associated with a number of adverse health impacts, and particularly affects the most vulnerable in society, including children and older people, and those with heart and lung conditions. It is recognised as a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer.

In Herefordshire, there are two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) due to higher levels of nitrogen dioxide, exceeding national standards (40μg/m3). The AQMAs include the A49 Road through Hereford and Bargates Road junction in Leominster.

Herefordshire Council’s automatic monitoring station at Victoria Street, Hereford was in need of updating. This has now been completed, and the new station will improve the access, scope and reliability of real-time data capture and reliability providing a monitoring station to the same high standard as those operated by the government.

Cllr Ange Tyler, Cabinet member for Housing, Regulatory Services and Community, said: “The main pollutant of concern in Hereford is nitrogen dioxide (NO2), the primary source of which is vehicle emissions. The A49 Road through Hereford has been identified as a local hotspot where traffic is a significant contributor.

“The new Air Quality Management Station is a big improvement on the old facility and a fantastic asset for the health and wellbeing of the community. It is much more accurate and reliable, meaning the data will be more useful in helping to identify measures to improve air quality. As well as measuring nitrogen dioxide it will also provide continuous data on two types of particulate matter, one known as PM10 and the other known as PM2.5.*

“By measuring these pollutants, the new monitoring station will update us in real time on the impact of the various traffic measures in place and should hopefully confirm a positive impact arising from the various initiatives we are delivering.”

The project will next supply a new Air Quality Monitoring Station for Leominster at Bargates that will provide real time data of NO2 levels which can help identify actions to improve air quality and provide additional data on other pollutants. The Leominster station is expected to be completed later this year and progress on this will be reported on separately.

More information can be found on our website.

*Particulate matter (PM) is everything in the air that is not a gas and therefore consists of a variety of chemical compounds and materials, some of which can be toxic. Due to the small size of many of the particles that form PM some of these toxins may enter the bloodstream and be transported around the body, lodging in the heart, brain and other organs. As a result, particulates are classified according to size. The UK is currently focused on measuring the fractions of PM where particles are less than 10 micrometres in diameter (PM10) and less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter (PM2.5) based on the latest evidence on the effects of PM to health.

(source: gov.uk)

Pensioners on low incomes will soon get some financial support to help them manage their bills during the cost of living crisis.

When the department for work and pensions (DWP) allocated Herefordshire Council with £1.3 million in funding, it stipulated at least one-third of the money must be used to help pensioners. The council is now asking those who receive pension credit guarantee to look out for a letter being sent out soon stating they will be given £170 to help them pay their essential bills.

It’s not just pensioners who are struggling: other residents are also advised to visit Talk Community’s Money on your Mind (MOYM) webpages, run by Herefordshire Council. The site has all sorts of useful advice and tips on how to manage your money and where to go for further support.

The MOYM webpages also provide information about local organisations that may be able to help with food and energy bills as well as other essential household items. A number of these organisations have been funded through government’s Household Support Fund (HSF). Some take direct applications, others take referrals from local support agencies, such as social workers, housing associations and Citizens Advice Herefordshire.

Councillor Pauline Crockett, cabinet member for health and adult wellbeing, says:

“Unfortunately, the already-high cost of many essential goods and services, including fuel, is set to increase further in the autumn. I’m very pleased we’re able to provide some help and support to very vulnerable groups during this difficult time. I strongly advise everyone who is finding it difficult to pay their bills to visit the MOYM webpages to learn what help is available to them.”

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The Household Support Fund is provided by UK Government’s department for work and pensions.

A Leominster business has moved to new, more suitable premises after receiving funding from the Marches Building Investment Grant.

Danfords (Construction Equipment) Ltd, formerly based at Marlbrook Park, Leominster, supply concrete equipment, along with spare parts and service. Their items are sold to a range of customers ranging from independents to multi-national companies

Due to continued growth, Danfords reached capacity at their existing premises, restricting any further growth, so they made the decision to apply for funding to help to move to a new, purpose-built site.

Their bid was successful, and using £150k awarded from the Marches Building Investment Grant, the company have now built a new workshop and office premises, along with outside working, storage and parking space areas, at 14A, Leominster Enterprise Park.

The new premises will enable the company to meet current demand with room for expansion and become more efficient. Based at their new location, Danfords plan to introduce another product range and undertake more service work and stocking of spare parts and equipment.

The relocation work is projected to create a total of eight jobs, four of which are already being recruited for.

Dan and Alex Fordham, owners of Danfords, said: “We would like to thank Herefordshire Council for the grant which has helped us considerably with our development and therefore create more jobs as we expand. We would also like to thank Herefordshire Council’s MBIP Programme Manager for her guidance throughout the grant process.”

Cllr Ellie Chowns, Cabinet member for Environment and Economy, said: “It has been a pleasure for everyone at Herefordshire Council to be the accountable body for the Marches Building Investment Grant. The many success stories of businesses being able to flourish as a result of grant funding have been wonderful to see. Thanks to £150k of funding, Danfords have been able to expand and create new jobs, which is great news for the local economy of Leominster and the county as a whole.”

The Marches Building Investment Grant was funded as part of the European Regional Development Fund. Herefordshire Council is the accountable body for the scheme. The scheme is now closed, however there is a range of funding and grant options available in the county, and businesses can find out more via the Marches Growth Hub Herefordshire which offers free business support to all business: MGH Herefordshire – Marches Growth Hub

Cllr Chowns added: “It is a challenging time for local residents and businesses, following the pandemic and with a spiral in the cost of living. The good news is that the Council and Marches Growth Hub are here to help, so if you are a local business looking for advice or funding to encourage growth, efficiency, or sustainability, I would urge you to find out more about the support that is available.”

The Council has taken a lead role in efforts to support the restoration of the Wye, working through the Nutrient Management Board and investing in a significant national influencing role to progress river restoration.

In January 2022 Council voted unanimously for a Water Protection Zone. Unfortunately this call was rejected by Minister Pow, Secretary of State, DEFRA.

A Cabinet Commission is therefore proposed to undertake a more strategic and systems led review of river quality and in particular to consider how Herefordshire Council can use all the powers and influence available to it to progress the restoration of the Wye and Lugg.

Cllr David Hitchiner, Leader of Herefordshire Council, said: “The Council has been leading this fight, and following a unanimous Council vote, we requested the introduction of a Water Protection Zone covering the River Wye. This was rejected by Government, so we are now proposing the establishment of a Cabinet Commission on Restoring the Wye, which will not only gather the evidence required for a Water Protection Zone but will seek to work as quickly as possible to consult and identify practical options to making a long term difference to the Wye and Lugg.”

In a world-first, the council is creating a number of Integrated Wetlands specifically for the purpose of removing phosphates before they reach our rivers, which will enable the damaging ban on development in some areas to be lifted.

The new Phosphate Credits system will allow developers to buy credits generated by the operation of the wetlands to offset the phosphates that their new developments will create. In this way it is possible to ensure that the overall effect of new development is what’s called ‘nutrient neutral’, similar to the way companies can offset their carbon footprints by planting trees or sponsoring carbon negative projects.

Trading in Phosphate Credits will commence this month (August 2022) and will increase as further Wetlands arrive on stream. Credits will be allocated on the agreed first come first served policy.

Cllr David Hitchiner added: “Excellent progress has been made on our pioneering Integrated Wetlands Scheme. For the first time anywhere in the world, Wetlands sites will remove phosphate pollution from waste water before it reaches our rivers, and thanks to the Credits scheme, developers will be able to purchase credits to offset the impact of their development. Not only will this mean an end to the damaging and frustrating ban on development in certain areas, but also that new developments will be ‘nutrient neutral’.

“This is just one example of the practical steps we are taking to restore Herefordshire’s rivers.”

More information is available in the meeting agenda.