Herefordshire Council Reviews 2

Nothing good to say about this bunch of shysters ...
The 'roads', 'social services' etc etc ...
Diabolical

An appalling institution which appears to be badly managed and in my view couldn't care less about its residents and the services they provide. This council want you to pay up and shut up. The costs of council tax are in the 5 highest in the country without any reason for such. Councillors can't be bothered to reply and the administration staff are equally appalling in replying in a timely fashion if at all.

After 4 years of asking I have seen no due regard under s149 EQA 2010 done to the legal requirements. This means the impact of policies is not reviewed for its effects on those with protected characteristics. This became law in 2011 and I still have seen no discharge of the duty.

Indeed on our arrival in this area in 2021 we informed this organisation of disability to which no signposting was provided to council tax reduction schemes. It was up to me to find this out and even then the council took a while to respond.

for those persons who are assisting an elderly and frail family member and you are living and working as a full time carer, there should be a 25% reduction applicable to you. This council won't signpost you to such. You have to know about it beforehand.

Highways and Public Rights of Way in this county are appallingly managed. Balfour Beatty who operate in certain spheres such as Open Spaces and highway maintenance appear to ignore road conditions and I am not convinced whether they even check roads and public spaces on their own. They seem to wait for public reports. So much for the Assessment Matrix.

As this county has a higher number of elderly residents than the national average (see ONS website) the duty to examine policy before passing such onto council books and then the duty remains active afterward when any problems become disclosed.

Alas this is not the case with this council, its officers, management and councillors who seem to vote on matters of public importance without the required training or knowledge of the law.

Worse is to follow with their general attitude which is one of lack of disclosure, honesty and accountability. I generally feel this council believes it is above the law and can do what it so wants.

Such remains the case in the Public Rights of Way Team. The complaints process is a joke and in this case got the substance and facts of the complaint wrong. The result is no change in situation or policy. The pathways here are in such a bad state and then one has to contend with unlawful obstructions such as dangerous electric fencing or cattle in PROW (Public Rights of Way fields) with no action taken by the alleged enforcement officer in question. Indeed the officer in this case actually assisted the farmer in maintaining the fencing by putting up shoddy insulation paid for by the taxpayer. The duty remains that of the landowner not the taxpayer who also demanded the council provide signage which it allegedly duly did. If you are a walker here forget the usual rights which other councils apply. Here the landowner is provided with a soft touch to unlawful activities such as ploughing up pathways under s135 Highways Act 1980 and actual assistance in carrying on with such activities.

There are 2 enforcement officers for this county, one for North and South Herefordshire. That is it.

The Rights of Way Improvement plan (ROWIP) is mainly aspirational as the council define it and this has had no s149 EQA 2010 or PSED done to show the effects for those with protected characteristics.

Street cleaning is not done to DEFRA standards. We only get one per year not every 2 weeks as required by the DEFRA guidance. This council have refused to explain why rubbish including natural detritus which includes vegetation left to grow without any concern or duty of removal. Indeed in our area this council with Balfour Beatty can't be bothered to cut their own grass. The result is a shabby looking and unkempt street. Hardly surprising why housing prices are struggling in this area.

Complaints are ignored and even if they are upheld there is no evidence of change to the complainant.

The CEO Paul Walker receives over £159,000 from the taxpayer. The s151 Officer Rachael Sanders was receiving £129,000 pa but this figure is 3 years out of date.

The s151 Officer duly wrote to me regarding the PSED under s149 EQA 2010 and since then has remained silent. The duty remains undone to any legal standard,

This county and its residents are being treated so badly by council staff including councillors that the abuse of position in my view is abhorrent.

The effects for those caring for disabled and elderly persons in this county means you are on a backfoot all the time.

There is not one area of council operation that is in my view effective, honest and serving the needs of those who are vulnerable.