Campaigning for a better deal for Rural Councils

The Government is looking at reforming the Funding of Councils from just Council Tax and Business rates..

The Rural Sparse Network and have  long argued that the Government’s approach to funding rural areas is unfair and has historically put rural Local Authorities at a disadvantage due to receiving significantly lower government grant.

Rural local authorities received 45% less government grant per head of population in the current financial year (2017/18) than their urban counterparts – this gap in funding is due to grow even wider under the current four year finance settlement; indeed it is becoming a chasm.

Moreover, in 2017/18 Council Tax is on average £87 per head of population higher in rural areas compared to urban areas – that gap too will grow over the period to 1920/21 under current plans.it can not be right that homes that are worth more than a million pounds in central London pay less council tax than someone in my ward in a three bedroom modest residence.

Rural areas have a higher percentage of older people resident in their areas, often living in social isolation, which increases demands on services. The brunt of this burden falls on Adult Social Care Services the funding of which is acknowledged to be in crisis. We have more miles of highways and higher costs to deliver services due to the distances that have to be covered.

Roads Update

The consultation on the western route Hereford Bypass was completed last month and  the project has been championed by the Cabinet Member Philip Price at a National Infrastructure event and the Midlands Engine ( regional economic strategy). There is considerable local opposition but the majority of the county support the proposal recognising our future without it will be very much poorer.

Jesse Norman has been made Minister of Roads so he will have first hand understanding of rural highways and potholes and the need for our bypass.

Locally the highway through Eardisley is due for extensive works at the end of August.

Please report any problems on highways or footpaths using the links below or phone 01432261800.
https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/transport-and-highways/maintenance/potholes

https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/transport-and-highways/footpaths-byways-and-bridleways/cg-report-prow-problem

if you wish to make a claim as a result of damage to your vehicle please use    https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200196/roads/206/highway_claims

Nutrient Management Plan – NMP

The Board for the NMP met on 5th June 17 where the partnering organisations gave an update from their perspective of progress in reducing Phosphates in our water courses in the Rivers Wye and Lugg catchments.

All participating partners confirm an improving position in phosphate levels with significant work in the pipeline for further improvements.

There are still spikes in the levels recorded on certain testing days, but overall average is declining slowly. It is considered that much has to be done over the border in Powys to help improve our rivers as much of the catchment is in Wales.

If you want to discuss a planning matter please contactmttansley@herefordshire.gov.uk

if you have a planning enforcement concern Debbie.Crowley@herefordshire.gov.uk