February 2008

Herefordshire Council has agreed to begin the statutory consultation process to change the status of Wyebridge Sports College to an Academy in September 2008.

Herefordshire Council is to get its urgently needed social care computer package to replace outdated computer systems and improve its service to the most vulnerable members of the community. The council's cabinet has approved (Thursday 21 February) an investment of £2.47 million over four years after it had been scrutinised by the council's strategic monitoring committee last month (31 January 2008).

At a packed meeting in Colwall last night (Wednesday 27 February) Herefordshire Council and Network Rail gave a firm commitment and a clear timetable for the village to get a brand new railway bridge in one year.

Hereford's revitalisation as a shopping, business and leisure destination has taken a major step forward with the appointment of the developer for the city's new £200-million retail quarter.

Herefordshire Council, working in conjunction with Worcestershire County Council, has introduced nine more volunteers to the delights of being a Master Composter, including a woman from Upper Sapey in Herefordshire.

A series of workshops on archaeological finds will be held this spring at Ross Heritage Centre and Hereford Museum Resource and Learning Centre, including one led by an expert from the BBC Antiques Roadshow programme.

Residents in the parish of Little Dewchurch will have the opportunity to elect a new parish councillor when they go to the polls on Thursday, April 3.

Herefordshire Council is urging residents in the Central Avenue of Hereford to make sure they have their say on how a play area is updated and improved.

Hereford's revitalisation as a shopping, business and leisure destination takes a major step forward this week. Herefordshire Council and the board of ESG Herefordshire will announce the preferred developer for the city's retail and leisure quarter on Thursday (28 February 2008).

Students at John Kyrle High School are being given a peak into the future to see how they could look in twenty years time.

Citizens in the Old Gore ward of Herefordshire will vote in a by-election on Thursday, April 10.

Results published this week show that Herefordshire schools have once again performed above the national average in key stage three tests.

Herefordshire is lending its green space and wide-open countryside to some of the very best outdoor activity and experience providers in the country to create "The University of the Great Outdoors".

Herefordshire Council has succeeded in bidding for £2 million to help cover the costs incurred as a result of its response to last year's summer floods.

S & A Property Limited's application to the Court of Appeal in London today (Monday, February 25) to try and prevent enforcement action by Herefordshire Council has been dismissed. The decision now clears the way for the council to take enforcement proceedings against the company.

Herefordshire is to have its first part-time 20mph speed limit as part of a pilot scheme endorsed by the Department of Transport.

Hereford Leisure Centre has been rated fifth in the country for public leisure services and has joined Ross Swimming Pool in being rated as within the top one per cent of public leisure facilities nationwide.

A scheme which helps hundreds of shoppers with mobility problems each year to get around Hereford is holding an open day for people to find out what they can offer.

Plans for 151 homes on land off Bullingham Lane, Hereford, were deferred by members of the central area planning sub-committee at their meeting on Wednesday, February 20.

Members of Herefordshire Council's central area planning sub-committee have decided to hold a site visit over plans for erecting two buildings for light industrial use at Marshall Business Centre, Westfields Trading Estate, Hereford.

Plans for a glasshouse at Whitethorn Farm, Carey, Hoarwithy, were approved by members of Herefordshire Council's central area planning sub-committee at their meeting on Wednesday, February 21.

Plans to extend quarrying operations at Wellington Quarry, Marden Lane, Wellington, have been approved by members of the central area planning sub-committee at their meeting on Wednesday, February 20.

Beverley Hughes MP, minister of state for children, young people and families, has congratulated Herefordshire Council for being one of the first ten authorities in England to complete phase two of the children's centre programme.

Herefordshire Council is one of the first authorities in the country to launch a new health passport for looked after children. The passport will be used to keep together important medical and historical information which the child can take with them and pass on to their carer.

Herefordshire Council is running a two-week, hands-on celebration of Japanese culture over the Easter holidays.

Do you want to be more creative and improve your drawing skills?

A severe national shortage in social workers has prompted Herefordshire Council to launch a trans-Atlantic drive to recruit qualified personnel.

Herefordshire Council is to meet with schools minister Jim Knight next month to put the county's case for the protection of rural schools.

Herefordshire's residents receive excellent customer services from the council's Info in Herefordshire and Info by Phone and as a result, they have been awarded a charter mark for the fifth year running.

Herefordshire Council is hoping residents will carry on the enthusiasm for exchanging unwanted items that was generated by the hugely successful Swap Shops.

Herefordshire Council's road safety unit has booked the Tiny Giants Theatre Company to perform their drama "Baron Chance &The Invincibles" to Key Stage 2 pupils in primary schools around the county.

Herefordshire Council's public rights of way department is delighted the ECHO Walking Group has adopted a popular footpath in Leominster.

A new policy on tackling bullying amongst children and young people is being launched by Herefordshire Council at an anti bullying conference on 22nd February.

Herefordshire Council confirms that its annual bill on branded bottled mineral water, which is the subject of a BBC Panorama programme tonight (Monday 18 February), is too small to be measured using its internal account systems. The council does not encourage the use of bottled mineral water in its public buildings and for staff consumption because of the adverse environmental impact.

Herefordshire Council wants to show residents the benefits of food waste disposers.

They're unlikely to ever get nominated for an Oscar, but a series of on-line videos in a handful of languages giving advice about affordable housing in Herefordshire has become an overnight hit.

Hereford's Pedi Cargo service has now covered the same distance as Land's End to John O'Groats just in moving items for Herefordshire Council's planning department.

Young parents from across the county can benefit from parenting advice and meet other young mums and dads thanks to the council and primary care trust working together.

The leader and chief executive of Herefordshire Council are to meet organisers of a pro-schools rally scheduled for Wednesday (13 February 2008).

S & A Property Limited has failed in a bid to get an injunction at the High Court of Justice in Birmingham seeking to stop enforcement action against buildings at Brierley Court Farm, near Leominster, from going ahead.

No closures of high schools during this administration, says leader.

Outstanding young musicians from across the county have been selected to take part in this year's Young Musicians' Showcase at The Courtyard in Hereford on Friday 22nd February

Plans to erect a garden room at the Hope and Anchor public house in Rope Walk, Ross-on-Wye have been refused by members of the southern area planning sub-committee at their meeting on Wednesday, February 6.

Planning permission for four homes at Yew Tree Farm, Poplar Road, Clehonger, has been approved by members of the southern area planning sub-committee at their meeting on Wednesday, February 6.

Plans for the removal of an existing house and construction of nine flats at Green Orchard, Ryefield Road, Ross-on-Wye were refused by members of the southern area planning sub-committee at their meeting on Wednesday, February 6.

Children and young people across the county are being invited to enter a competition to design the cover of a new children and young people's plan for Herefordshire.

Herefordshire Council has won another legal victory following the granting of planning permission for an innovative waste treatment and recycling plant in Madley. Herefordshire Waste Watchers, a local pressure group, took further court action in January to appeal against the ruling of a judicial review in favour of the council, which took place in November last year in the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Herefordshire Council is working closely with the organisers of a planned rally against schools closures to ensure the event can take place safely, with minimal disruption for the travelling public.

Young people in the north of the county are signing up to babysitting courses thanks to Coningsby Children's Centre in Leominster. Eleven young people from the Minster College aged 13-15 have successfully completed a ten-week programme designed to provide all the basic skills and confidence needed to become a babysitter.

This year's Herefordshire Walking Festival includes some special treats for families, including walking with llamas, discovering mini beasts in a meadow and stroking owls and small breed animals.

As part of SCAM awareness month, Herefordshire Trading Standards Service is taking part in a national campaign led by the Office of Fair Trading ( OFT) called 'SCAMNESTRY' to highlight the growing problem of SCAMS and to help prevent local residents (especially the elderly & vulnerable) from being conned - potentially out of £000's of pounds!!

Colwall Green Railway Bridge report 5 on progress leading towards the re-opening of the bridge

An expert in building construction from Herefordshire Council is assisting the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service in the aftermath of an overnight fire in Hereford.

The pioneering partnership between the council and the primary care trust is seeking to appoint a director of integrated commissioning, who will drive the way public services are planned and purchased. The aim is to make sure that health and social care is delivered in a joined up way that supports individual needs much more closely in Herefordshire.

Ledbury Tourist Information Centre is to move from its current location on the High Street to the Master's House a few minutes away to make use of the historic property owned by Herefordshire Council.

A 53-tonne tunnel boring machine has been safely lowered into place as part of the £7.1million Ross Flood Alleviation Scheme, spearheaded by Herefordshire Council.

Herefordshire Council is encouraging people to enjoy Pancake Day, as the event can have an environmental benefit to add to its religious roots.

Herefordshire Council has been busy promoting cycle safety with a special event held at various locations throughout Hereford city.

Herefordshire Council is again seeking to recruit a wide range of carers to offer placements for children who need temporary and longer term foster homes.

The programme for the 2008 Herefordshire Walking Festival has been finalised and features some well-loved favourites as well as exciting new ideas.

Whether you're a Romeo from Rotherwas, or a cupid from Cusop, you won't want to miss a special valentines craft market in Hereford later this month.

The Brookfield School in Hereford is the only school in the county to be awarded specialist status in behaviour management.

ICT advisers from Herefordshire Council's school improvement service have scooped an award for their groundbreaking work with new technology in primary classrooms.

Herefordshire Council is again seeking to recruit a wide range of carers to offer placements for children who need temporary and longer term foster homes.