Recent Blogs
- iPhone v HTC HD2 - Is the HD2 an iPhone killer? By Chief Editor| 16 Jan 2010
- Salt anyone? By Chief Editor| 13 Jan 2010
- Winter weather good for birdseed sales By Chief Editor| 13 Jan 2010
- 2010 Share Tips By Chief Editor| 29 Dec 2009
- Share Tips By Chief Editor| 19 Sep 2009
Recent News
More time spent on caring for patients
- Published 29 Jan 2010
Ward nurses and assistants in the county’s community hospitals are now able to spend more time directly caring for patients.
It’s all part of an initiative led by NHS Herefordshire, which is being rolled out to wards at Leominster, Bromyard and Ross Community Hospitals, Hillside Intermediate Care Centre and Cantilupe Ward at the Stonebow Unit.
The Releasing More Time to Care Programme was devised by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement.
The first stage of the programme has seen staff observing and recording the work of ward nurses and assistants minute-by-minute over an entire shift of either eight or twelve hours. This information is then analysed to identify where time can be saved through rearranging or changing systems, processes and the working environment.
At Bromyard Community Hospital, more than an hour and 22 minutes has been saved each day by reorganising filing systems, workstations and store cupboards to make essential, daily processes more efficient. The team believes that it can save more time by making other changes to their environment, which can then be spent with patients.
Patient feedback at all five sites has been positive about the improvements that have been made. Forty six staff and visitors recently held an event to share their experiences of the programme so far at which matrons, ward staff, programme support team and managers showcased the good work being undertaken around the county to colleagues and NHS West Midlands.
The programme is funded by NHS West Midlands and Herefordshire’s good practice is being shared with other primary care trusts in the region.
Future work will focus on patient involvement, medicines, meals, admission and discharge processes, handover and multi-disciplinary team working. The new ways of working will become part of everyday business.
Richard Carroll, interim managing director of provider services, says: “This is an innovative and exciting programme that the staff have put a lot of effort into resulting in real benefits for our patient care. I am delighted that even at a relatively early stage the benefits are already being demonstrated. Such is the success of this programme we are actively looking to see if we can roll it out to our community services. The staff are to be congratulated on the results they have already achieved and I am sure more benefits will follow as the programme continues.”
Anne Harris, programme manager, added: “The success of the programme so far is down to the enthusiasm and hard work of the staff. They want to be able to spend more time on patient care and one way to do this is by making our essential processes and systems even more efficient. We are already saving hours and minutes and that is just the beginning.”
It’s all part of an initiative led by NHS Herefordshire, which is being rolled out to wards at Leominster, Bromyard and Ross Community Hospitals, Hillside Intermediate Care Centre and Cantilupe Ward at the Stonebow Unit.
The Releasing More Time to Care Programme was devised by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement.
The first stage of the programme has seen staff observing and recording the work of ward nurses and assistants minute-by-minute over an entire shift of either eight or twelve hours. This information is then analysed to identify where time can be saved through rearranging or changing systems, processes and the working environment.
At Bromyard Community Hospital, more than an hour and 22 minutes has been saved each day by reorganising filing systems, workstations and store cupboards to make essential, daily processes more efficient. The team believes that it can save more time by making other changes to their environment, which can then be spent with patients.
Patient feedback at all five sites has been positive about the improvements that have been made. Forty six staff and visitors recently held an event to share their experiences of the programme so far at which matrons, ward staff, programme support team and managers showcased the good work being undertaken around the county to colleagues and NHS West Midlands.
The programme is funded by NHS West Midlands and Herefordshire’s good practice is being shared with other primary care trusts in the region.
Future work will focus on patient involvement, medicines, meals, admission and discharge processes, handover and multi-disciplinary team working. The new ways of working will become part of everyday business.
Richard Carroll, interim managing director of provider services, says: “This is an innovative and exciting programme that the staff have put a lot of effort into resulting in real benefits for our patient care. I am delighted that even at a relatively early stage the benefits are already being demonstrated. Such is the success of this programme we are actively looking to see if we can roll it out to our community services. The staff are to be congratulated on the results they have already achieved and I am sure more benefits will follow as the programme continues.”
Anne Harris, programme manager, added: “The success of the programme so far is down to the enthusiasm and hard work of the staff. They want to be able to spend more time on patient care and one way to do this is by making our essential processes and systems even more efficient. We are already saving hours and minutes and that is just the beginning.”
Kent rescue teams return home from Haiti
- Published 23 Jan 2010
A specialist search and rescue team from Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has returned home from Haiti.
The six staff flew to the Caribbean island last week (January 13) to assist in the international effort to rescue survivors in the aftermath the earthquake which killed and injured thousands.
Arriving back at their Maidstone base this morning (Saturday January 23), team leader John Mazzey explained some of their duties during the deployment: “Our initial task was to concentrate our search and rescue efforts in the capital, Port-au-Prince where the UK International Search and Rescue (UK-ISAR) team rescued several people trapped.
“On Sunday we were sent to the town of Leogane, about 25 miles west of the capital, which was much nearer to the epicentre of the earthquake. We found houses that had been completely ‘pancaked’ (flattened) and worked with local people who had either heard voices in the rubble or knew of people trapped inside.
“We experienced a major aftershock in the early hours of Wednesday morning (January 20) but fortunately it did not harm our crews. Soon after, 15 members of UK-ISAR team flew by helicopter to Petit-Guave to carry out reconnaissance. They identified seven buildings that had sustained further damaged and cleared these buildings, while our firefighters resumed operations in areas of Port-au-Prince that had not yet been reached by search teams.”
The Kent crews joined staff from eight UK fire and rescue services including Greater Manchester, West Sussex, West Midlands, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Hampshire and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Services; totalling 64 staff, two search dogs and 12 tonnes of equipment.
Successes of the Kent crews working with other UK teams while in Haiti, have included the rescue of a man in his 60s after several hours of tunnelling.
The man was thrown out of his bed by the earthquake and ended up under it. The bed seemed to have protected him and helped him to survive. After rehydration, the lucky survivor recovered well and was treated for minor injuries.
John added: “The reception from the local community was very good and it was excellent to be able to help, but it is important that we are not a burden to the country and so we took our own food and accommodation. As soon as the rescue phase was declared over and our skills and training were no longer needed, we returned home.
“The team is very close knit and has worked together for a long time but we also made sure we talked about anything we’d seen or done. Our extensive ongoing training certainly prepared us for this and we will be discussing this with the rest of the USAR team once we’ve all had a chance to rest.”
KFRS Director of Operations Steve Demetriou said: “I am extremely proud of the team from Kent and the impact they have been able to make in the aftermath of this terrible earthquake. They are truly special people to be able to work in these types of situations.”
Based in Maidstone, the 14-strong team has been selected from existing KFRS staff and is trained to use specialist equipment capable of handling a range of major emergencies.
The team also forms part of KFRS’s Urban Search and Rescue response which has capability including kit to lift, cut and remove concrete and rubble from collapsed structures along with sophisticated equipment for finding casualties, including special cameras and listening devices.
The tools they use can penetrate reinforced concrete and metal to gain access to casualties and the use of shoring equipment allows team members to maintain a safe working position during rescues.
The six staff flew to the Caribbean island last week (January 13) to assist in the international effort to rescue survivors in the aftermath the earthquake which killed and injured thousands.
Arriving back at their Maidstone base this morning (Saturday January 23), team leader John Mazzey explained some of their duties during the deployment: “Our initial task was to concentrate our search and rescue efforts in the capital, Port-au-Prince where the UK International Search and Rescue (UK-ISAR) team rescued several people trapped.
“On Sunday we were sent to the town of Leogane, about 25 miles west of the capital, which was much nearer to the epicentre of the earthquake. We found houses that had been completely ‘pancaked’ (flattened) and worked with local people who had either heard voices in the rubble or knew of people trapped inside.
“We experienced a major aftershock in the early hours of Wednesday morning (January 20) but fortunately it did not harm our crews. Soon after, 15 members of UK-ISAR team flew by helicopter to Petit-Guave to carry out reconnaissance. They identified seven buildings that had sustained further damaged and cleared these buildings, while our firefighters resumed operations in areas of Port-au-Prince that had not yet been reached by search teams.”
The Kent crews joined staff from eight UK fire and rescue services including Greater Manchester, West Sussex, West Midlands, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Hampshire and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Services; totalling 64 staff, two search dogs and 12 tonnes of equipment.
Successes of the Kent crews working with other UK teams while in Haiti, have included the rescue of a man in his 60s after several hours of tunnelling.
The man was thrown out of his bed by the earthquake and ended up under it. The bed seemed to have protected him and helped him to survive. After rehydration, the lucky survivor recovered well and was treated for minor injuries.
John added: “The reception from the local community was very good and it was excellent to be able to help, but it is important that we are not a burden to the country and so we took our own food and accommodation. As soon as the rescue phase was declared over and our skills and training were no longer needed, we returned home.
“The team is very close knit and has worked together for a long time but we also made sure we talked about anything we’d seen or done. Our extensive ongoing training certainly prepared us for this and we will be discussing this with the rest of the USAR team once we’ve all had a chance to rest.”
KFRS Director of Operations Steve Demetriou said: “I am extremely proud of the team from Kent and the impact they have been able to make in the aftermath of this terrible earthquake. They are truly special people to be able to work in these types of situations.”
Based in Maidstone, the 14-strong team has been selected from existing KFRS staff and is trained to use specialist equipment capable of handling a range of major emergencies.
The team also forms part of KFRS’s Urban Search and Rescue response which has capability including kit to lift, cut and remove concrete and rubble from collapsed structures along with sophisticated equipment for finding casualties, including special cameras and listening devices.
The tools they use can penetrate reinforced concrete and metal to gain access to casualties and the use of shoring equipment allows team members to maintain a safe working position during rescues.
Snow brings traffic disruption in Herefordshire
- Published 20 Jan 2010
Herefordshire Council has opened its emergency information line to take residents questions on how the snow is affecting roads, schools and services this morning. The number is 0844 939 6101.
The council reports that gritting teams are working across the county to tackle the heavy fall of snow that coincided with the start of commuter journeys this morning. Persistent heavy rain overnight meant that gritting could not start earlier as rock salt would simply have been washed away.
Traffic is at a standstill on several roads – including Fromes Hill on the Worcester to Hereford road where the council’s contractor Amey Herefordshire is hand-gritting to try and get traffic moving after a bus broke down and several vehicles abandoned. There remain traffic queues into Hereford city.
The council reports that gritting teams are working across the county to tackle the heavy fall of snow that coincided with the start of commuter journeys this morning. Persistent heavy rain overnight meant that gritting could not start earlier as rock salt would simply have been washed away.
Traffic is at a standstill on several roads – including Fromes Hill on the Worcester to Hereford road where the council’s contractor Amey Herefordshire is hand-gritting to try and get traffic moving after a bus broke down and several vehicles abandoned. There remain traffic queues into Hereford city.
Featured Articles
£20,000 up for grabs to boost energy efficiency
- By Chief Editor
- Published 6 Feb 2010
- Herefordshire
- Unrated
Herefordshire Council is running a village hall energy challenge where four parish councils get the chance to win £5,000 each to spend on energy efficiency measures.Councillor John Jarvis, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for the environment and strategic housing, said: “The aim of the challenge is to raise awareness of the impact individuals have on climate change and the positive impact we can all make towards tackling it.
“The challenge involves parishes encouraging as many residents as possible to calculate their own carbon footprint, using the community carbon calculator on www.myherefordshire.com
“After people have calculated their carbon footprint, they will then be given a number of recommendations which, as well as being beneficial to the environment, may help households make financial savings.
“We want to encourage as many households as possible to be aware of what they can do to reduce the impact their activities have on the environment and I would urge as many parishes as possible to join in.
“Winners will be the parishes who get the highest number of individual carbon footprints and they are divided into four categories based on the size of the parish.
“Each of the winners gets £5,000 which must be spent on improving the energy efficiency of their village hall, installing a renewable energy technology or for communal cycle parking facilities or pool bicycles.
“I would urge as many parishes as possible to take up this challenge because if everyone does their own bit to reduce their carbon emissions, then we can make a huge impact across the county,” he added.
The challenge, which starts on March 5, is open to all Herefordshire parish councils except Hereford City, Leominster Town, Ross-on-Wye Town, Ledbury Town, Bromyard Town and Kington Town.
Any residents who would like their community to enter the challenge are urged to contact their parish council.
Council helps businesses get to grips with regulations
- By Chief Editor
- Published 4 Feb 2010
- Herefordshire
- Unrated
Herefordshire Council is working closely with members of the county’s business community to ensure they are kept up-to-date as ever-changing regulations affect the way they operate.The Herefordshire Business Partnership, attended by officers from Herefordshire Council as well as representatives from different business sectors, meets every four months and also offers an opportunity for business leaders to raise any concerns or issues they have.
Marc Willimont, Herefordshire Council’s acting regulatory manager, said: “As a council, we are responsible for ensuring businesses comply with a wide range of regulations such as licensing, waste management, planning and food hygiene.
“We also have an active role in economic development and finding sites for creating employment opportunities together with promoting tourism.
“This forum allows us to work more closely in partnership with businesses over any concerns they may have as well as ensuring everyone is kept up-to-date on new regulations that affect them.
“The Partnership includes representatives from small businesses and agriculture as well as the hospitality, retail, manufacturing and estate agency sector, and is also used to provide a business perspective on any consultations the council is running as well as updates on the major Edgar Street Grid scheme.
“Recently, the Partnership has received a presentation on the council’s consultation for the Local Development Framework and members will be giving feedback on the current options,” he added.
The next meeting is being held in May.
Council encourages residents to waste less food and help environment
- By Chief Editor
- Published 1 Feb 2010
- Herefordshire
- Unrated
Herefordshire Council is encouraging residents to make a late resolution and make 2010 the year they start saving money and playing their part in helping the environment by wasting less food.Research has shown that the average family in the UK throws away around £50 worth of perfectly edible food every month but by following the simple advice on offer people can keep more money in their pockets.
Some of the top tips include:
Why not start writing a shopping list – Did you know that half of us make a shopping list all or some of the time, but half don’t stick to it in the store? Try making 2010 the year of the shopping list and sticking to it.
Try planning weekly menus – Take the effort out of thinking what you are going to cook each night, and wondering if you have the ingredients to make it, by planning weekly menus. By buying ingredients for the delicious meals we've planned at the supermarket, we will be less likely to buy foods we won’t get round to using up.
There really is such a thing as a free lunch - Simply by using what’s already in the fridge, or last night’s leftovers for a packed lunch at work, we can save between £3.00 and £5.00 a day.
Get friendly with your freezer – There’s not much that can’t be frozen for later.
Double up on family favourites – When you’re cooking dishes such as Bolognese, chilli, soups and casseroles, cook one for now and freeze one for later. That way you will have a readymade meal when you get in on these cold winter nights.
Storecupboard essentials – Keeping essentials such as oils, sauces, beans, pasta and rice means that there will always be something to add to odds and ends in the fridge to create a quick meal
Perfect Portions – One of the reasons we throw away food is because we cook too much! Its easy to cook too much of foods such as pasta, rice and potatoes, so use the Love Food Hate Waste portion calculator to help you buy and cook just the right amount of food for yourself, your family and your friends.
Councillor John Jarvis, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for the environment and strategic housing, said: "This is the time of year when we all look forward and make promises to ourselves about a number of things that can make things better. I'd like to encourage people to make 2010 the year where we all try to reduce the amount of food waste that ends up in our bins.
"By following these handy hints, residents can really reduce food waste and save money, protecting those pennies, as well as preventing waste ending up in the landfill site," he added.
A host of information and advice on reducing food waste is available at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com and www.wastemissionimpossible.com. Residents can also call the County Council's Waste Prevention team to find out more on 01905 766883.
Herefordshire continues to lobby government for fairer funding for schools
- By Chief Editor
- Published 26 Jan 2010
- Herefordshire
- Unrated
A delegation from Herefordshire met with Minister for Schools and Learners, Vernon Coaker yesterday (January 25) to lobby for fairer funding for the county’s schools. This follows a similar meeting which took place between Herefordshire Council and the previous Minister for Schools, Jim Knight in March 2008.Herefordshire Council’s director of children’s services Sharon Menghini, was invited to join MPs Bill Wiggin and Paul Keetch, Peter Box, head of Sutton, Lord Scudamore and Kings Caple primary schools, Chris Barker, head of Fairfield High School, Denise Kennedy, vice chair of governors at Kingstone High School and John Spackman, community governor at Dilwyn Primary School.
The delegation told the minster that Herefordshire remains the third worst funded authority in the country which has made development, investment and opportunities for improvement very difficult. As pupil numbers fall, Herefordshire is facing reduced funding and as schools feel the squeeze on budgets, there is serious concern that the quality of education is likely to suffer.
Mr Coaker heard about the difficulties local schools have recruiting head teachers, the growing number of schools with budget deficits and the rising costs of school redundancies.
“We are already beginning to see the quality of education being affected by reduced funding and are concerned that we have more schools needing local authority support and a growing number in Ofsted categories,” said Sharon Menghini, director of children’s services.
Mr Coaker explained that the way schools are funded is set to change in 2011 and that as a result of a nationwide consultation, five key principles would be used to set funding from 2011. Although he was unable to provide detail, he explained that the new formula will continue to work on an amount per pupil with additions made for sparsity, additional educational needs, deprivation and area cost adjustment.
“Collectively we outlined our hopes that future funding would align Herefordshire with average levels of funding rather than remaining one of the poorest,” continued Sharon Menghini. “Although the meeting went well and Mr Coaker listened to our concerns, he explained that any change would produce winners and losers and that all local authorities would have good arguments as to why their authority deserved more.
“The meeting was a welcome opportunity and of value in raising awareness and understanding of the issues with the minister although I believe we will continue to face challenging times in the months ahead.”
Herefordshire’s head teachers will discuss the implications of Mr Coaker’s comments and the new funding formula when they meet with the council’s director of children’s services on February 12.
Herefordshire’s young poet laureate marks snowy weather
- By Chief Editor
- Published 15 Jan 2010
- Herefordshire
- Unrated
Herefordshire’s young poet laureate Sapphire de Sousa Stayton has written a poem to mark the snowy weather conditions that have gripped the county.Sophie, who won the Poet Laureate for Herefordshire competition run by the council’s libraries service in June 2009, has been using her time off school constructively to pen a poem about her own experience of the snowy weather.
The poem is:
Smelling Snow
A fragment of a second,
A minute less than time,
It was gone before I realised
That it was there and mine.
It was faster than the speed of light,
As calming as the sea.
As confusing as a Labyrinth
Of which you can’t get free.
It had the wonder of a waterfall,
The intensity of the sun.
The freeness of a child
In the meadow having fun.
It brought me all my memories
Of winters, Christmases past.
Hanging out the stockings,
Building snowmen in the park.
On that calm day in October,
When the sun was slipping low,
That moment in early autumn,
That’s when I smelt the snow.
Recent Articles
Rock salt record in worst cold spell for 30 years
- By Chief Editor
- Published 20 Jan 2010
- Herefordshire
- Unrated
Over 10,000 tonnes of grit have been used on Herefordshire’s roads this winter so far, mostly during the first two weeks of January, when the county was in the grip of the worst cold spell for 30 years.
Herefordshire Council reports that storage barns were full with 6,500 tonnes of rock salt stockpiled before Christmas to ensure it could fulfil its pledge of keeping the county’s 600 miles of priority routes open over the winter.
This was backed up with more deliveries as needed and more rock salt has been received today (20 January 2010).
Last year, the council used 10,000 tonnes of salt during the whole winter period, and in the year before that under 4,000 tonnes were used, with under 3,000 tonnes used in total the year before that.
The council’s winter service plan is to grit the strategic routes that carry heavy traffic, the key commuter and public transport routes, and those important to the emergency services. But the council says it is almost impossible to also grit the unclassified and minor roads that make up the remainder of Herefordshire’s 2,000 plus miles of roads.
“I know many people in rural areas would want us to grit every minor road”, said Clive Hall, the council’s highway network manager. “If the council attempted to do so, it would soon have run out of rock salt altogether, given that the whole country was in the grip of icy conditions and there were national shortages due to the high demand on supply.
“Running out of supplies would mean it would be almost impossible for most people to get anywhere in the county, and this could bring business and commerce to a halt, as well as endangering lives and seriously impacting emergency and public services”.
“We do have a good track record in keeping primary routes open in even the worst conditions, but the recent prolonged period of below freezing temperatures has been a real challenge to our services”.
The council also has to carefully manage the way its salt is stored and used, as there is the risk of environmental damage if too much is washed into the soil or into water courses.
In the aftermath of the big freeze, there is also the problem of the potholes created as water freezes, expands and breaks up road surfaces. The council estimates it will cost over £5.5 million to rectify the damage to Herefordshire’s roads.
Herefordshire Council and its highways partner, Amey Herefordshire, are currently scouring the streets and lanes across Herefordshire to make sure that all hazardous potholes are repaired as soon as possible.
Local authorities are expected to lobbying central government for financial help in addressing the full costs of the damage to road networks during the extreme weather.
“We have contingencies in our budgets for the impact of winter on our roads, for we will be seeking help from government”, explained Clive Hall.
“Teams are out and about already repairing potholes,” he added. “They are also be inspecting drains at critical locations to make sure they are not blocked by debris and not the cause of localised flooding.
If anyone spots a pothole, they are asked to contact the council’s street care line on 01432 261800 or at streets@herefordshire.gov.uk
Herefordshire Council reports that storage barns were full with 6,500 tonnes of rock salt stockpiled before Christmas to ensure it could fulfil its pledge of keeping the county’s 600 miles of priority routes open over the winter.
This was backed up with more deliveries as needed and more rock salt has been received today (20 January 2010).
Last year, the council used 10,000 tonnes of salt during the whole winter period, and in the year before that under 4,000 tonnes were used, with under 3,000 tonnes used in total the year before that.
The council’s winter service plan is to grit the strategic routes that carry heavy traffic, the key commuter and public transport routes, and those important to the emergency services. But the council says it is almost impossible to also grit the unclassified and minor roads that make up the remainder of Herefordshire’s 2,000 plus miles of roads.
“I know many people in rural areas would want us to grit every minor road”, said Clive Hall, the council’s highway network manager. “If the council attempted to do so, it would soon have run out of rock salt altogether, given that the whole country was in the grip of icy conditions and there were national shortages due to the high demand on supply.
“Running out of supplies would mean it would be almost impossible for most people to get anywhere in the county, and this could bring business and commerce to a halt, as well as endangering lives and seriously impacting emergency and public services”.
“We do have a good track record in keeping primary routes open in even the worst conditions, but the recent prolonged period of below freezing temperatures has been a real challenge to our services”.
The council also has to carefully manage the way its salt is stored and used, as there is the risk of environmental damage if too much is washed into the soil or into water courses.
In the aftermath of the big freeze, there is also the problem of the potholes created as water freezes, expands and breaks up road surfaces. The council estimates it will cost over £5.5 million to rectify the damage to Herefordshire’s roads.
Herefordshire Council and its highways partner, Amey Herefordshire, are currently scouring the streets and lanes across Herefordshire to make sure that all hazardous potholes are repaired as soon as possible.
Local authorities are expected to lobbying central government for financial help in addressing the full costs of the damage to road networks during the extreme weather.
“We have contingencies in our budgets for the impact of winter on our roads, for we will be seeking help from government”, explained Clive Hall.
“Teams are out and about already repairing potholes,” he added. “They are also be inspecting drains at critical locations to make sure they are not blocked by debris and not the cause of localised flooding.
If anyone spots a pothole, they are asked to contact the council’s street care line on 01432 261800 or at streets@herefordshire.gov.uk
Local people to reshape Herefordshire as a new land of opportunity – major consultation starts next week
- By Chief Editor
- Published 12 Jan 2010
- Herefordshire
- Unrated
Thousands of residents are expected to participate in discussions to help turn Herefordshire into a new land of opportunity, with more and better paid jobs, more decent and affordable homes, and better transport links.
Herefordshire Council is launching next week the Shaping Our Place 2026 consultation, the findings of which will affect everyone who lives and works in the county. A public event at the Kindle Centre at Asda in Hereford - from 10am to 4pm – on 18 January kicks off an eight-week series of exhibitions and road shows across the county.
“Herefordshire Council needs you to share your views now in what will be one of the most important consultations ever to take place in the county”, said Councillor John Jarvis, cabinet member for environment and strategic housing. “The council wants to help create a land of opportunity, right here in Herefordshire, for all our communities.
“Herefordshire has the room and freedom to grow, while retaining its special heritage and environment. Everyone has a view about how Herefordshire can be improved – whether we need a relief road for the city, more decent and affordable homes, a university or better-paid jobs. But it will be up to local people to help grow the right future for the county, the city and the market towns”.
The consultation is driven by the need to grow the county. Herefordshire has below average wage levels for the region but above average house prices. There are 5,000 people on the county’s housing waiting list and demand is high for homes that are decent and affordable.
Herefordshire is recognised as providing a good education. But without a university, or sufficient higher education to build skills and qualifications, or good career prospects, the council knows young people are more likely to find better prospects elsewhere.
The county also needs more enterprises, offering high quality jobs. More space for employment land has to be found. Growth in the county will provide stronger markets for local firms to thrive and prosper - and safeguard local essential public services.
Sorting out Hereford’s traffic problems is a major priority. Previous consultation shows that most local people feel that a blend of public transport improvements and a new relief road and second river crossing is the preferred solution. However, the route – either to the west or the east of the city – needs careful consideration and the consultation details the implications of either option. Leominster is also identified as requiring a southern relief road.
The strategy for the market towns is to further promote their roles as service and economic centres for their rural hinterlands but also improve links with Hereford. Several villages could see development designed to increase affordable housing and sustain essential services, including schools, and new shops, along with rural transport improvements. The options are also to promote extended employment land and more enterprise centres to encourage the creation of new jobs, particularly creative industries and environmental technologies to boost the economic viability of villages.
The council is holding several exhibitions and road shows across the county in the coming weeks, as well as workshops in schools and colleges. People’s views will be analysed and proposed policies developed and presented back to cabinet later in 2010 and publicised, before being submitted to the Secretary of State, who will arrange for a public examination and inspector’s report with final adoption anticipated in 2011.
It provides a chance for everyone to help finalise the Local Development Framework, which will be the blueprint for planning and developing Herefordshire for the future.
In parallel, the council is also running a consultation on the Local Transport Plan, which will be adopted by April 2011 and will drive the county’s transport strategy for the next 15 years. The review of the transport strategy is intended to align transport policy with the wider needs of the county and will help coordinate support for growth. The Local Transport Plan consultation enables local people to let the council know what their priorities for transport are for the county, whether it is greater public transport investment, more cycle routes, better highway maintenance or further road safety improvements.
Members of the public wishing to comment can access the consultation documents on the council’s website www.herefordshire.gov.uk. Literature can also be picked up from council facilities like info shops and libraries.
More public events are expected to be announced by Herefordshire Council soon, but the following have been arranged:
Herefordshire Council is launching next week the Shaping Our Place 2026 consultation, the findings of which will affect everyone who lives and works in the county. A public event at the Kindle Centre at Asda in Hereford - from 10am to 4pm – on 18 January kicks off an eight-week series of exhibitions and road shows across the county.
“Herefordshire Council needs you to share your views now in what will be one of the most important consultations ever to take place in the county”, said Councillor John Jarvis, cabinet member for environment and strategic housing. “The council wants to help create a land of opportunity, right here in Herefordshire, for all our communities.
“Herefordshire has the room and freedom to grow, while retaining its special heritage and environment. Everyone has a view about how Herefordshire can be improved – whether we need a relief road for the city, more decent and affordable homes, a university or better-paid jobs. But it will be up to local people to help grow the right future for the county, the city and the market towns”.
The consultation is driven by the need to grow the county. Herefordshire has below average wage levels for the region but above average house prices. There are 5,000 people on the county’s housing waiting list and demand is high for homes that are decent and affordable.
Herefordshire is recognised as providing a good education. But without a university, or sufficient higher education to build skills and qualifications, or good career prospects, the council knows young people are more likely to find better prospects elsewhere.
The county also needs more enterprises, offering high quality jobs. More space for employment land has to be found. Growth in the county will provide stronger markets for local firms to thrive and prosper - and safeguard local essential public services.
Sorting out Hereford’s traffic problems is a major priority. Previous consultation shows that most local people feel that a blend of public transport improvements and a new relief road and second river crossing is the preferred solution. However, the route – either to the west or the east of the city – needs careful consideration and the consultation details the implications of either option. Leominster is also identified as requiring a southern relief road.
The strategy for the market towns is to further promote their roles as service and economic centres for their rural hinterlands but also improve links with Hereford. Several villages could see development designed to increase affordable housing and sustain essential services, including schools, and new shops, along with rural transport improvements. The options are also to promote extended employment land and more enterprise centres to encourage the creation of new jobs, particularly creative industries and environmental technologies to boost the economic viability of villages.
The council is holding several exhibitions and road shows across the county in the coming weeks, as well as workshops in schools and colleges. People’s views will be analysed and proposed policies developed and presented back to cabinet later in 2010 and publicised, before being submitted to the Secretary of State, who will arrange for a public examination and inspector’s report with final adoption anticipated in 2011.
It provides a chance for everyone to help finalise the Local Development Framework, which will be the blueprint for planning and developing Herefordshire for the future.
In parallel, the council is also running a consultation on the Local Transport Plan, which will be adopted by April 2011 and will drive the county’s transport strategy for the next 15 years. The review of the transport strategy is intended to align transport policy with the wider needs of the county and will help coordinate support for growth. The Local Transport Plan consultation enables local people to let the council know what their priorities for transport are for the county, whether it is greater public transport investment, more cycle routes, better highway maintenance or further road safety improvements.
Members of the public wishing to comment can access the consultation documents on the council’s website www.herefordshire.gov.uk. Literature can also be picked up from council facilities like info shops and libraries.
More public events are expected to be announced by Herefordshire Council soon, but the following have been arranged:
- 18 Jan - Launch at Kindle Centre, Asda, Hereford. Turn up any time from 10am to 4pm
- 26 Jan - Public event at the Town Hall, Hereford from 10am to 1pm
- 02 Feb - Road show at Ross Market Square. Visit any time from 10am to 1pm
- 03 Feb - Road show at Leominster Corn Square from 10am to 1pm
- 04 Feb - Road show at Evans Easyspace at Rotherwas, starting 11pm
- 09 Feb - Road show at Kington Mill Street Car Park from 10am to 1pm
- 11 Feb - Road show at Bromyard Tenbury Road Car Park from 10am to 1pm
- 13 Feb - Road show at Hereford High Town from 10am to 3pm
- 23 Feb - Road Show at Ledbury St Katherine Street Car Park from 10am to 1pm
- 23 Feb – Evening event at Hereford’s Aylestone School from 6pm to 8pm
- 24 Feb - Road show at Ewyas Harold Memorial Hall Car Park from 10am to 1pm
KFRS praise for Army assistance and planning success
- By Chief Editor
- Published 11 Jan 2010
- Kent
- Unrated
Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer Charlie Hendry has thanked the Army for its ongoing assistance during the inclement weather and confirmed that military units will continue to be on standby at certain fire stations across the county for the next 24 hours.
With weekend forecasts of unprecedented weather conditions, KFRS took the decision to ask the army to be on stand-by to assist with their heavy all terrain 4X4 vehicles to supplement KFRS's own capability.
Charlie Hendry said: “As an emergency rescue service we have to be ready to prepare for every eventuality. and being able to call on the army is an established aspect of Kent's resilience planning. We are pleased at how well it has worked so far and want to thank the army for getting their crews and vehicles to our fire stations so swiftly on Saturday and also for the way they have worked so closely with our crews.
“The public of Kent and Medway have responded to our call for ensuring they stay safe and although there haven’t been any significant incidents when the Army’s equipment has been specifically needed, they have accompanied us on a small number of callouts during the weekend and we have asked that they continue to do so over the next 24 hours because some specific areas and communities may still be difficult to reach.”
The military units are based at Ashford, Folkestone, Maidstone, Thames-side in Gravesend, Medway (Watling Street), Thanet (Westwood Cross) and Tunbridge Wells. The units consist of a 4 tonne lorry and a Landrover, both of which have 4X4 capability.
Over the weekend, the unit at Medway accompanied fire crews on eight occasions. The most serious incident was a kitchen fire at Sturdee Avenue in Gillingham on Sunday afternoon when a man in his thirties left cooking unattended and tried to tackle the blaze which then broke out. He required hospital treatment for burns to his hands and face.
Charlie Hendry warns this sort of incident highlights how Kent and Medway residents must continue to take care at home, as well as on the roads, during the bad weather.
He added: “Fortunately, people have generally been listening to safety advice from ourselves and the other emergency services and the number of callouts for our firefighters has been relatively low but until all roads are re-opened, we would continue to urge residents to take extra safety precautions at home.”
It is important to remember the following safety tips to keep you and your family safe during this chilly spell:
• If you plan to use an open fire, make sure your chimney is swept as built up soot and ash can cause chimney fires.
• Portable heaters should be dust free and kept well away from anything that could catch fire
• Candles should be placed on a non flammable surface and never be left unattended
• Snow and ice on the roads are causing dangerous driving conditions. Do not travel unless your journey is absolutely necessary.
• Make sure you have a working smoke alarm and test it.
For more information on fire safety please log onto www.kent.fire-uk.org
With weekend forecasts of unprecedented weather conditions, KFRS took the decision to ask the army to be on stand-by to assist with their heavy all terrain 4X4 vehicles to supplement KFRS's own capability.
Charlie Hendry said: “As an emergency rescue service we have to be ready to prepare for every eventuality. and being able to call on the army is an established aspect of Kent's resilience planning. We are pleased at how well it has worked so far and want to thank the army for getting their crews and vehicles to our fire stations so swiftly on Saturday and also for the way they have worked so closely with our crews.
“The public of Kent and Medway have responded to our call for ensuring they stay safe and although there haven’t been any significant incidents when the Army’s equipment has been specifically needed, they have accompanied us on a small number of callouts during the weekend and we have asked that they continue to do so over the next 24 hours because some specific areas and communities may still be difficult to reach.”
The military units are based at Ashford, Folkestone, Maidstone, Thames-side in Gravesend, Medway (Watling Street), Thanet (Westwood Cross) and Tunbridge Wells. The units consist of a 4 tonne lorry and a Landrover, both of which have 4X4 capability.
Over the weekend, the unit at Medway accompanied fire crews on eight occasions. The most serious incident was a kitchen fire at Sturdee Avenue in Gillingham on Sunday afternoon when a man in his thirties left cooking unattended and tried to tackle the blaze which then broke out. He required hospital treatment for burns to his hands and face.
Charlie Hendry warns this sort of incident highlights how Kent and Medway residents must continue to take care at home, as well as on the roads, during the bad weather.
He added: “Fortunately, people have generally been listening to safety advice from ourselves and the other emergency services and the number of callouts for our firefighters has been relatively low but until all roads are re-opened, we would continue to urge residents to take extra safety precautions at home.”
It is important to remember the following safety tips to keep you and your family safe during this chilly spell:
• If you plan to use an open fire, make sure your chimney is swept as built up soot and ash can cause chimney fires.
• Portable heaters should be dust free and kept well away from anything that could catch fire
• Candles should be placed on a non flammable surface and never be left unattended
• Snow and ice on the roads are causing dangerous driving conditions. Do not travel unless your journey is absolutely necessary.
• Make sure you have a working smoke alarm and test it.
For more information on fire safety please log onto www.kent.fire-uk.org
Snow still disrupting Herefordshire schools and roads
- By Chief Editor
- Published 11 Jan 2010
- Herefordshire
- Unrated
As Herefordshire enters its second week of snow and ice, some schools in the county have reported to local radio and to the council that they will be open today. But parents are advised to check the school’s individual websites for updated information or call Herefordshire Council’s emergency information line– the number is 0844 939 6101.
The following schools are expected to be open today:
Ashperton Primary
Canon Pyon Primary
Cradley Primary
Fownhope, St Mary's Primary
Garway Primary
Holme Lacy Primary
Pencombe Primary
Trinity Primary
Whitchurch Primary
John Kyrle High School for years 11,12,13 and exam candidates only
The Minster at Leominster for years 11,12, 13 and exam candidates only
Kingstone High
St Mary's RC High for years 10 & 11 only (packed lunches are required and parents driving their children to school should please pick them up at 3pm).
Motorists are respecting the difficult road conditions and driving with care on the county’s principle roads, which have been kept open by gritting teams, who were out at 12.30am and 4am this morning. Herefordshire Council and its contractor Amey Herefordshire are focusing on treating the 600 miles of A and B roads and managing road salt supplies - but much of the county’s 2,500 miles of minor roads remain icy and hazardous.
Snow showers started at midnight and have been persistent on times across the county. Motorists are advised to check local road and weather conditions before making the decision to drive. Visit the council’s website on www.herefordshire.gov.uk and look in the spotlight on the home page to access information on which roads will have been gritted.
Don’t get caught out even on short journeys. If you have to travel, make sure you take plenty of warm clothing, food and hot drinks.
The county’s emergency services along, with Herefordshire Council and NHS Herefordshire, reviewed together the situation over the weekend to ensure key services are maintained and communities supported throughout the spell of very cold weather.
The West Midlands Ambulance Service warns that people should take care to avoid the risk of slips, trips and falls if they have to venture out on foot.
NHS services remain under pressure and NHS Herefordshire is urging people to only use 999 if a situation is life-threatening. Anyone requiring medical treatment should consider using parts of the NHS other than Accident and Emergency and the 999 service. People can get advice on their condition from their local pharmacist or GP and should also consider calling NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visiting it on-line at http://www.nhs.uk/.
While social services are doing their best to ensure elderly and vulnerable people are looked after, residents are asked please to check on their older neighbours as many may be in need of basic supplies.
The following schools are expected to be open today:
Ashperton Primary
Canon Pyon Primary
Cradley Primary
Fownhope, St Mary's Primary
Garway Primary
Holme Lacy Primary
Pencombe Primary
Trinity Primary
Whitchurch Primary
John Kyrle High School for years 11,12,13 and exam candidates only
The Minster at Leominster for years 11,12, 13 and exam candidates only
Kingstone High
St Mary's RC High for years 10 & 11 only (packed lunches are required and parents driving their children to school should please pick them up at 3pm).
Motorists are respecting the difficult road conditions and driving with care on the county’s principle roads, which have been kept open by gritting teams, who were out at 12.30am and 4am this morning. Herefordshire Council and its contractor Amey Herefordshire are focusing on treating the 600 miles of A and B roads and managing road salt supplies - but much of the county’s 2,500 miles of minor roads remain icy and hazardous.
Snow showers started at midnight and have been persistent on times across the county. Motorists are advised to check local road and weather conditions before making the decision to drive. Visit the council’s website on www.herefordshire.gov.uk and look in the spotlight on the home page to access information on which roads will have been gritted.
Don’t get caught out even on short journeys. If you have to travel, make sure you take plenty of warm clothing, food and hot drinks.
The county’s emergency services along, with Herefordshire Council and NHS Herefordshire, reviewed together the situation over the weekend to ensure key services are maintained and communities supported throughout the spell of very cold weather.
The West Midlands Ambulance Service warns that people should take care to avoid the risk of slips, trips and falls if they have to venture out on foot.
NHS services remain under pressure and NHS Herefordshire is urging people to only use 999 if a situation is life-threatening. Anyone requiring medical treatment should consider using parts of the NHS other than Accident and Emergency and the 999 service. People can get advice on their condition from their local pharmacist or GP and should also consider calling NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visiting it on-line at http://www.nhs.uk/.
While social services are doing their best to ensure elderly and vulnerable people are looked after, residents are asked please to check on their older neighbours as many may be in need of basic supplies.
Icy weather hampers refuse collections in Herefordshire
- By Chief Editor
- Published 24 Dec 2009
- Herefordshire
- Unrated
Herefordshire’s refuse and recycling crews are out and about but the snowy weather is causing difficulties, particularly in rural areas, due to icy roads.
Earlier this week one of the refuse collection lorries slid off the road into a ditch in the Ross-on-Wye area.
“The crews will make every effort to complete their collections today, but where they can't, we’re asking residents to take back in their refuse and recycling so it isn't left out over the Christmas period,” said Richard Wood, Herefordshire Council’s waste services manager.
“Extra crews will be available next Thursday, December 31, to collect the extra refuse and similarly for the additional recycling on January 7,” added Richard.
Bottle banks, can banks, paper banks etc at the recycling centres across the county are still available and the household waste sites will be open on their normal operational day, unless this falls on a Bank Holiday over the Christmas period.
“The clinical waste collection vehicle is also having difficulties today, so we would ask if you don't receive a collection today, please take this back in and put it out for collection next Thursday.”
Earlier this week one of the refuse collection lorries slid off the road into a ditch in the Ross-on-Wye area.
“The crews will make every effort to complete their collections today, but where they can't, we’re asking residents to take back in their refuse and recycling so it isn't left out over the Christmas period,” said Richard Wood, Herefordshire Council’s waste services manager.
“Extra crews will be available next Thursday, December 31, to collect the extra refuse and similarly for the additional recycling on January 7,” added Richard.
Bottle banks, can banks, paper banks etc at the recycling centres across the county are still available and the household waste sites will be open on their normal operational day, unless this falls on a Bank Holiday over the Christmas period.
“The clinical waste collection vehicle is also having difficulties today, so we would ask if you don't receive a collection today, please take this back in and put it out for collection next Thursday.”
Helping Herefordshire’s children become healthier in the New Year
- By Chief Editor
- Published 21 Dec 2009
- Herefordshire
- Unrated
Herefordshire Council and NHS Herefordshire have launched a major initiative to start to make the county’s children healthier from this year.
The new phase within the Healthy Schools Programme - known as The Enhancement Model - will help the primary care trust, council and schools achieve long-term improvements to the health of children and families by focusing on specific needs in individual schools and areas.
The launch highlights the success of Herefordshire’s schools: the majority are involved with the Healthy Schools Programme and 82 per cent have National Healthy Schools Status. The new initiative will expand the work done so far by encouraging existing Healthy Schools to follow an eight stage model over a period of two or three years. The process will help them explore areas that need to be addressed within their school community and develop plans to bring about change. Priorities will vary from school to school but will focus around obesity, emotional health and wellbeing, substance and alcohol misuse or teenage pregnancy.
January 2010 will see the first local schools piloting this new initiative, which is being managed by the council’s healthy schools team.
“We want children to grow up making healthy life choices and helping their children do likewise,” said Councillor Jenny Hyde, cabinet member for children and young people. “The healthy schools programme has been a great success with over 17,000 children attending a healthy school in Herefordshire.
“The Enhancement Model will help schools build on their existing successes to bring about long lasting positive change to the health and well being of children and their families.”
Kim Goddard, of Herefordshire Council’s healthy schools team, said: “The new model has been designed to help schools to help young people change their behaviour and strive for lasting health and wellbeing. The model focuses on providing targeted support for those who are most at risk”.
The new phase within the Healthy Schools Programme - known as The Enhancement Model - will help the primary care trust, council and schools achieve long-term improvements to the health of children and families by focusing on specific needs in individual schools and areas.The launch highlights the success of Herefordshire’s schools: the majority are involved with the Healthy Schools Programme and 82 per cent have National Healthy Schools Status. The new initiative will expand the work done so far by encouraging existing Healthy Schools to follow an eight stage model over a period of two or three years. The process will help them explore areas that need to be addressed within their school community and develop plans to bring about change. Priorities will vary from school to school but will focus around obesity, emotional health and wellbeing, substance and alcohol misuse or teenage pregnancy.
January 2010 will see the first local schools piloting this new initiative, which is being managed by the council’s healthy schools team.
“We want children to grow up making healthy life choices and helping their children do likewise,” said Councillor Jenny Hyde, cabinet member for children and young people. “The healthy schools programme has been a great success with over 17,000 children attending a healthy school in Herefordshire.
“The Enhancement Model will help schools build on their existing successes to bring about long lasting positive change to the health and well being of children and their families.”
Kim Goddard, of Herefordshire Council’s healthy schools team, said: “The new model has been designed to help schools to help young people change their behaviour and strive for lasting health and wellbeing. The model focuses on providing targeted support for those who are most at risk”.