Services will close temporarily in line with government advice and to ensure public safety

Following the most recent government announcements regarding COVID-19, Herefordshire Council will close museum, library and archive services from the end of business on Friday 20 March until further notice. All sites will be closed to the public and all events and activities due to take place will be postponed.

During the closure, staff will be asked to work from home, work at the closed sites or potentially be redeployed to support the delivery of other essential council services.

We are very sorry for this interruption to services. We are striving to minimise the impact this may have on the public with the following actions:

• There will be no overdue charges on library items borrowed since 14 March
• Our Borrowbox e-book and e-audio service can still be accessed online and we will increase the number of items available to borrow
• Our existing Home Delivery library service to housebound and vulnerable customers will continue with some adaptations
• Our existing online resources will remain available to anyone with a Herefordshire Libraries membership card and PIN. If you experience any issues email libraries@herefordshire.gov.uk

We will also look at other ways in which we can support our communities and make our services available in different ways during the closure period.

Councillor Gemma Davies, Cabinet Member for Commissioning, Procurement and Assets, said: “Cultural services are at the backbone of our communities, serving some of the most vulnerable members of our society. For many, engaging with these services is vital for their health and wellbeing – both physically and mentally – and is key to the prevention of social isolation. In light of government guidance on social distancing and self-isolation, the need for cultural services in the next few months will be greater than ever.

“Over recent years the services have faced significant challenges with cuts to funding. These challenges have been taken head on with services finding ways to survive and thrive. This pandemic will be no different. Services will have to be delivered in a different way and this will take some time to finalise, so please bear with us for the interim period while this is agreed.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the incredible staff, volunteers, ‘Friends of’ groups and users for their continued fight to keep cultural services at the heart of our communities. Your resolve never falters and I am proud to work alongside you.”

For updates to council services visit www.herefordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

For the latest government advice visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

Update on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Herefordshire Council and its partners are well prepared to deal with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). There are tried and tested procedures to prevent further spread and the NHS is very well prepared and used to managing infections.

For further details please visit the Herefordshire Council website https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus. The website has links to a variety of guidance documents which you may find useful.  We advise that you do not print or download guidance but use the links provided, which will be updated as required based on new information.

How you can help

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, especially before cooking and eating; after using the toilet and using public transport.
• ‘Catch it. Bin it. Kill it’: If you sneeze or cough remember to catch it with a tissue; bin it and kill it by washing your hands or using a hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water isn’t available.
• Follow PHE’s returning traveller advice: There are some countries and areas where there’s a higher chance of coming into contact with someone with coronavirus. If you have returned from travelling outside of the UK within the last 14 days please check and follow the PHE specific advice for returning travellers.
• Stay up to date with the latest information.

Additional sources of general information

For the latest, reputable sources of information about this coronavirus please visit the following websites:

• Health advice about coronavirus: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
• Latest information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public
• Frequently asked Questions: https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/01/23/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/

OFFER TO BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY FLOODING

BUSINESS SUPPORT

Offering FREE face-to-face support services for businesses, the Marches Growth Hub – Herefordshire is a place where businesses can find out more about funding and finance and wider business support available to local Herefordshire businesses, regardless of size or sector, from pre-start to established businesses  https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/about-us/hereford/

GRANTS

Business Flood Recovery Grants for business premises https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/xfp/form/209

Council Tax and Business rate relief

Council tax relief and Business rate relief is available for properties affected by the recent floods.

You can apply by emailing – counciltax@herefordshire.gov.uk or, if relating to business rates, businessrates@herefordshire.gov.uk who can arrange for a visiting officer to go and inspect the damage.

Business Grants – we have listed those grants that we feel are the most relevant but there are other funded schemes and programmes available – just ask your local Growth Hub.

• Business Growth Programme – https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/directory/v/-318
• Marches Building Investment Grant – https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/directory/v/-207
• BEEP – https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/directory/v/-183

ACCOMMODATION

• The University of Wolverhampton – Cyber Quarter has offered 4 business incubation desks at the Hereford Business Solutions Centre for a business management/administrative function Free of Charge on a temporary arrangement.
• Commercial Property Register – the Economic Development Team can undertake property searches for businesses looking for alternative premises. https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200145/business/329/commercial_premises

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING ADVICE

Every Mind Matters – https://www.wisherefordshire.org/mentalhealth

BUSINESS RESILIENCE

• FREE business resilience 121 sessions are being delivered during February & March by the Marches Growth Hub https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/news/growth-hub-experts-offering-one-to-one-advice/
• Emergency Planning Team Herefordshire Council (Business Continuity)
  https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200139/community/346/emergency_planning_in_herefordshire/5

OTHER SUPPORT

• Community Flood Recovery Grants for residential properties – https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/xfp/form/208
• Flooding advice for farmers and land managers https://www.gov.uk/guidance/flooding-advice-for-farmers-and-land-managers

Able Community Care has printed door stickers which they are offering free to individuals or older people’s groups.  If you would like to receive a number of the above door stickers free of charge, please contact chris@ablecommunitycare.com or 01603 764567 with your postal address and the quantity that you would like.

We Don’t Buy Crime Initiative

Acquisitive crime, including burglary, robbery and theft harms our communities. A person’s home and possessions often carry an emotional attachment and when a criminal interferes with this, it can have a long-lasting impact on victims. West Mercia Police is committed to protecting people from these crimes.

‘We Don’t Buy Crime’ demonstrates this commitment, by taking an innovative approach to reducing and disrupting the market for stolen goods and protecting your home and possessions by making them less attractive to the would-be criminal.

West Mercia Police is committed to our vision of protecting people from harm. We want to prevent crime from happening in the first place, but when it does happen we want to ensure that we respond to it by providing the victim with a professional and high quality service, seeking to prevent people from falling victim again. ‘We Don’t Buy Crime’ is tailored to achieve this.

By working together, we will make our communities a safer place to live in.

If you require any further assistance or information do not hesitate to contact your Safer Neighbourhood Team. If you have information about a crime, phone the police on 101 or anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Brockhampton Group Parish Council’s Annual Parish Meeting will be held at 7:30PM on Friday 3rd May 2019

Agenda 03 May 2019 – Annual Parish Meeting

Purpose of the Annual Parish Meeting
The purpose of the meeting is so that the Parish Council can explain what it has been doing over the last year and it enables the electors to have their say on anything they consider is important to the people of the Parish.

Who can attend the meeting?
The Annual Parish Meeting is a meeting of all the local government electors for the Parish. It is NOT a Meeting of the Parish Council. Anyone may attend but only registered electors of Brockhampton, Linton and Norton may speak and vote.

Will I be able to ask questions and make suggestions?
Yes, any registered elector may ask questions of the Council, which will usually be answered by the Chairperson, the Clerk to the Council, or a designated Councillor. An elector may also make suggestions and comment on anything pertinent to the residents of the Parish. This is to be welcomed and is the whole purpose of the meeting.

Who will chair the meeting?
The Chairperson of the Parish Council will chair the meeting. If the Chair is not able to attend, then the meeting will elect a chairperson from amongst those electors present.

Will Parish Councillors be there?
Usually they do attend and will speak if need be. But the purpose of the meeting is to enable the ordinary electors to have their say on any topic of their choosing. Councillors will listen with interest and as electors themselves, also have the opportunity to raise questions and make comments if they wish.

Will notes be taken of the meeting?
Yes, a written record of the meeting will be taken and will be presented at a future meeting of Council for their consideration.

What else happens at the meeting?
In the past we have invited local clubs, societies and other voluntary and statutory organisations to provide a report or speak about the work of their group.

How long will the meeting last?
As long as need be within reason. It really depends on those present and the number of questions and the discussion that is raised. Generally, the meeting will last no longer than 1 hour.

Do you own land which you may wish to bring forward for development by 2031?
If so, we want to hear from you

The Parish Council is looking for land in or adjacent to Bringsty and Linton which could be included in the Neighbourhood Development Plan to help meet housing and other needs up to 2031. Visit our NDP page for further information including a Site Submission Form.

If you have land which you think might be of interest, please get in touch. Completed site submission forms must be returned by 28th February 2019.

To hear about the results of our recent household survey, come along to the next NDP Steering Group meeting: 6:00PM on Wednesday 20th February at the Bromyard and Winslow Town Council offices, Rowberry Street, Bromyard. There is also a summary of the results on our NDP page.

 

Join and be an active member of our local community and help us with crime and safety, planning issues, environment, highways and local services.

You must:
• be over 18 and on the electoral register or a resident of the Parish or live within three miles of the Parish as the crow flies or own a business in the Parish
• be able to attend evening meetings every month
• have an interest in local issues
• have a desire to improve the quality of life in the Parish
• be able to represent the views of local people

The position is unpaid and voluntary, but some expenses such as training are paid for by the Parish Council.

For further details contact the Parish Clerk.