My inbox has been full this month, mostly about the price of oil. The council is now running a scheme to provide financial support for those people who need to replenish their tanks. It is means-tested, but with households of income below £38k having 100% support on the difference between a “normal” minimum delivery and one with these elevated prices, it is generous, offering maybe £300. If you are running low, call the team on 01432 260401; the process is remarkably easy and payments are typically being made within 48hrs. I’ve been working with officers and those operating pool buying schemes to make sure that the scheme works for them, and it should now work (although please do contact the council before ordering as they can’t typically make retrospective grants). If there are any problems, please get in touch.
In January next year, the analogue telephone system (“Plain Old Telephone System” – POTS) is to be turned off, with everything transferring to digital. For most consumers and businesses, this change will be straightforward:
- If you already have an internet connection, the change may be as simple as plugging your phone into your broadband router, rather than the socket on the wall.
- If you need to upgrade your phone system, your provider may need to arrange for a telephone engineer to come to your home to install a new system.
- If you have other devices connected to your phone line, such as an alarm and digital / tele-healthcare system, your alarm or healthcare system provider might need to upgrade your alarm device to make sure it's compatible. If you're unsure about how a device in your home or business might be affected, contact the equipment supplier or device manufacturer to find out whether it will still work on a digital phone line.
I’ve been told that your telecoms provider (eg Virgin Media, O2 or BT) will contact you ahead of the switchover to let you know what you need to do to make sure your service isn't affected, and that you do not need to take any action until your provider contacts you directly. Please do get in touch if you or anyone you know is worried about this.
I’ve escalated a request to the Chief Executive to address the unresolved sewage issues in Dilwyn Common and have been assured he will be taking this to the CEO of Welsh Water later this month. It’s complicated, with lots of different public bodies involved, but the progress has simply been too slow and there’s still no clear agreement on accountability.
On the subject of the Chief Executive, he is due to leave at the end of June, and we continue to look for a replacement, potentially decided in the next few weeks. I have made it clear that – while the outgoing CEO has in many ways been excellent – I think his replacement must live in (or at least very near) the county.
I’ve also been looking at the slow delivery of section 106 programmes for traffic calming; it is taking an interminable amount of time in two of my parishes – and there is a similar pattern across the county. In many cases, schemes are held up because of their complexity and it just takes one dependency for the whole thing to pause. I’ve asked the Leader to consider a different approach where we get what can be done, done. It sounds simple – time will tell.
After months of raising concerns, earlier this month I was delighted that the flashing lights outside Weobley school were at last working. The broader safety issues remain, as does the concern about the bus network – I’m working on both.
On roadworks: in the last few days, remedial works have been undertaken on the A4112 above Dilwyn, where the initial resurfacing wasn’t up to quality. I met with officers there to discuss other aspects which are still outstanding; drainage on both sides of the road in particular. I am glad to have assurances that the costs of the remedial works are not being met by us (the council and ultimately residents/tax-payers). I am still awaiting a similar assurance regarding the works in Westhope. Outside Garnstone Drive in Weobley, the works undertaken have again proven insufficient. And I continue to raise problems with paint being washed away, or cats-eyes not being replaced. This recurring theme of work not being done properly first time is something I’ve raised with the Leader of the council, and he has assured me that the new scheme (when Balfour Beatty leave) M Group will be managed to get jobs done right first time.
The main news from Hereford Council this month has been around the Hereford bypass, and the increased communications around it as we continue to make the argument for it. It’s a political hot potato, and there are obviously many people who think it a folly. For my part, I continue to find evidence that it is vital (it was a salutary lesson to see how many other “county capitals” don’t have one), and unless I see something to the contrary, I will continue to back it. Two criticisms I do want to address is the idea that this is simply for housing – absolutely not true – and that we need infrastructure before the bypass. The reality is that the only way we can have a coordinated, integrated, delivery and renewal of public services is by being able to plan around a future. The bypass must be part of that; and knowing it will be part of that infrastructure then allows us to make sure we have the schools, hospitals, GPs and dentists, water services and so on that we so desperately need. Also – and I make no apologies for this, the fact we do need to build more houses is something that as a council we must accept unless/until the government changes its direction; and I’d much rather we plan those as part of existing towns rather than simply adding more to the villages, without that infrastructure they desperately need being provided.
Finally – a bit of personal news; our third child is imminent, due early May. Although my role as a councillor isn’t a “job”, so I don’t have formal paternity leave, I will be taking some time off to be with my family. If there is anything urgent/important please do of course still get in touch (as always, [email protected] or 07884 268624), but please forgive me if lack of sleep means I drop anything.