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Buy safe online this Christmas

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Winter ready roads

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Community Brokers - putting clients first

See centre

pages for

more about

our adult and children services

Our cover photo is a reminder of how last winter brought more snow to the county than many of us had seen for a long time.

As we leave autumn behind and head into this winter, this issue of Herefordshire Now includes a number of articles about how local services are preparing and how you can take steps to keep well and safe during colder weather.

As well as taking care of ourselves, it is important that we all keep an eye on family members, friends and neighbours who may be more vulnerable at this time of year – whether due to the cold, reduced mobility or loneliness. The services and support the council provides for some of the most vulnerable people in our county, children and adults, is the focus of our centre pages.

If you are passionate about helping your local community, whether it is about a particular issue such as making your local roads safer or wanting to participate more in local decisions, have you thought about being a local councillor? With local elections taking place next May, we need people of all ages and backgrounds to put themselves forward.

We hope you find this issue of Herefordshire Now informative. Please get in touch with us and let us know what you think.

Contact us:

herefordshirenow@herefordshire.gov.uk

Walking is a great way to become more active and an excellent way to appreciate the beautiful Herefordshire countryside.

During the winter it is tempting to stay indoors, however getting some natural daylight when we have the opportunity is an important boost for our physical health and our mental wellbeing.

With open spaces, woods and country parks throughout the county there is lots of choice of family friendly and accessible places to go.

If you are looking for somewhere new to explore there are details of circular walks and longer distance routes on the council website, details below.

If you would prefer a shorter walk, or some company while you stretch your legs, you could join a health walk. They take place regularly across Herefordshire, and everyone is welcome. See the Walking for Health website - details below.

Whenever you are out and about this winter, please ensure you wear clothing suitable for the cold, and often wet, weather conditions and appropriate footwear.

Winter walks in our
beautiful county

Cover photo: Anna aged 8, Withington

We have printed 5,000 copies of this magazine at a cost of £528

Walks and trails - www.herefordshire.gov.uk/walks

Walking for Health - www.walkingforhealth.org.uk

areas, such as Hereford city centre, where larger vehicles cannot operate.

There are a number of ways you can prepare to help you travel safely this winter.

• Check your tyres and lights.
• Top up anti-freeze screen wash.
• Allow extra journey time.
• Keep a blanket and shovel in your car, and if you are going on a longer journey take a flask with a hot drink with you.
• Consider alternative working arrangements for severe weather – can you work from home or closer to home?
• Make sure you have the medication you need.

We grit when there’s a risk

the road surface temperature may fall below zero. (risk of ice on network)

Stay safe.

Be informed.
Follow @HfdsStreets for 24/7
updates on gritting

For 24/7 updates on road conditions follow us on twitter @HfdsStreets, @HfdsCouncil or like Herefordshire Council on facebook

As we head into winter and the colder weather, measures are being taken to make sure council services are prepared and ready to respond to issues caused by wintry conditions.

To help keep drivers safe and traffic flowing on the county's roads when the temperature drops, a dedicated team, managed on behalf of the council by Balfour Beatty Living Places, is on 24-hour stand-by. The 34 highly-trained drivers and three

mechanics are in charge of 15 gritters, and have access to more than 6,000 tonnes of rock salt, to cover priority routes including major roads, high-use commuter routes and routes of importance to the emergency services, and some secondary routes across the county.

In addition there are four snow blowers for clearing deep snow, and two new quad bikes which will be used to pull hoppers full of salt for busy pedestrian

To find out more about Trading Standards visit: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/trading-standards

If you have unknowingly bought fake goods, or to
report a counterfeit goods seller, call the Trading Standards Consumer Helpline on 03454 040506.
www.herefordshire.gov.uk/trading-standards

In October, two Multi Agency Targeted Enforcement Strategy (MATES) raids took place in Hereford on premises found to be persistently selling illegal tobacco.

Illegal tobacco can be more harmful to health than duty paid tobacco as there is no quality check, and its sale is often linked to other organised crime.

Officers from Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards and Environmental Health service, West Mercia Police and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service seized over 20,000 packets of illegal cigarettes and the equivalent of 195 50g pouches of illegal hand rolling tobacco.

A three month emergency closure notice was granted against both businesses.

Taking action against organised crime

Buy safe online this Christmas

Christmas can be a busy time for fraudsters who know you are looking for a bargain. Follow these tips to stay safe when shopping online:

•Only buy from reputable retailers.

•Pay for goods by debit or credit card to give you protection if things go wrong. Never transfer money directly to people or companies you don’t know.

•Check that payment pages are secure – the web address bar should begin with ‘https’ and contain a closed padlock.

•Log out of your account when you’ve finished shopping.

•Don’t buy fake – some websites which claim to be legitimate may be scam websites. Counterfeit goods are inferior quality, can be dangerous and profits made from counterfeit sales can go on to fund larger criminal operations, including organised crime, people smuggling, drug dealing and even terrorism.

•Do not click links or open attachments from unexpected emails, texts or posts.

Remember: If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Drivers on the City Link Road, which links Hereford railway station to Edgar Street, will have noticed that changes are starting to take place with new developments underway.

Building work has begun on the site of a new GP Hub which will provide modern local healthcare facilities, and there are proposals for new purpose-built student accommodation supporting the established Hereford College of Arts, and the new NMiTE

The council’s Trading Standards team protect consumers, and legitimate business, through the regulation of trades and services.

University, helping attract talented young people to study and work in the county.

Further development is planned for the city link road, which opened in December 2017 providing an alternative route for traffic and opening up land for development to help make Hereford a more attractive place to live, work and visit.

Community Brokers have completely transformed the way residents with a care plan are supported. The team has a person-centred approach to the welfare of their clients, taking the time to understand each person’s story and then use this knowledge to match people with opportunities for community involvement.

Studies indicate that individuals are more likely to live healthier and happier lives when they have a support network around them. By incorporating activities that interest the individual, the brokers are successfully helping residents to combat depression and loneliness, improving mobility and giving people the confidence they need to live independently without relying on formal care.

The team’s commitment to their work has been recognised by the recent announcement that they have been shortlisted as finalists for a Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Community Involvement Award.

The winners will be announced at an award ceremony in London on
13 March 2019.

You can catch up with the Community Brokers at one of their monthly community hubs held across the county, 9.30am - 4.30pm. These are drop-in sessions, so no appointment is needed. Venue details are available on the Wish website - details below:

AreaMonthly Date

Golden ValleyFirst Tuesday

KingtonThird Tuesday

LeominsterFourth Friday

LedburyLast Tuesday

Ross-on-WyeThird Tuesday

BromyardFourth Thursday

HerefordThird Monday

Herefordshire has a thriving population of over 186,000, and this is steadily growing. Each day Herefordshire Council provide quality services to thousands of people across the county, but some of the more vulnerable residents need extra support to help them to stay well and independent. These members of the community remain our priority.

Every year, three quarters of the Council Tax income received is spent looking after adults and children in social care, so we work with individuals and communities to empower them to do as much as they can to support themselves and each other.

Where people need additional support, we always ensure that this is provided in ways that maximise independence, choice and control, to enable people to stay in their own home, supported by and contributing to their local community.

WISH is a free online directory of services and activities in Herefordshire. The service helps residents find information and advice on all aspects of health, social care and wellbeing.

The online service also offers local organisations and community groups the opportunity to promote their activities and services to residents, to help people maintain their wellbeing and independence.

If you provide support in the Herefordshire area why not join over 600 other services and groups and register your organisation on the WISH directory for free?

WISH - the free online directory

Supporting care leavers

Herefordshire Council is passionate about improving the lives and life chances of children and young people across Herefordshire. The priority is to keep children and young people safe and give them the best possible start, particularly if the young person is leaving care and setting out in life.

The council's 16+ team offers advice, information and assistance to prepare care leavers for the future, enabling them to live as independently as possible helping them to achieve their potential. The team provides support with accommodation options, benefits, employment, training, apprenticeships, keeping healthy and staying safe.

The team is committed to helping young people achieve in further and higher education.

Herefordshire’s Young Person’s Network (YPN) works with disabled young people between the ages of 11 and 18 in the county. Led by Cameron Wood, the YPN is in its second year and growing fast.

The group recently held their first forum which gave young people with disabilities the opportunity to come together to discuss issues that affect their daily lives.

The group plans to make the forum an annual event and is keen to encourage

Cameron Wood

Photo Credit: House of Commons press team

more young people to take part. If you’re interested in getting involved with the YPN please contact Cameron Wood by email ypnplead@outlook.com

You can also follow the YPN on twitter @ypnetworkHerefd

Herefordshire’s Young Person’s Network

The 16+ team can be contacted by calling 01432 261625 or by emailing
16plus@herefordshire.gov.uk

You can find out more about
care leavers council tax
discount by visiting
www.herefordshire.gov.uk/

careleaverct

Recently the council has introduced extra support by granting a ‘care leavers council tax discount’, which may see some care leavers having nothing to pay - helping to support young people to become financially secure.

For a paper copy of the care leaver’s discount application form or to arrange assistance with completing the form, please call 01432 260360.

Nurseries in children centres

Three nurseries in the county have been able to extend their services to local families and children by making the most of space at children centres.

In Leominster, Honeybees has extended into the children centre space while the Children Centre has moved next door to the council offices. K.E.S. Childcare in Kingstone has expanded to provide additional space and community activities for young children in the area, while Lollipops nursery in Hereford now operates from Widemarsh children centre in a wonderfully rich environment.

The changes are part of a partnership with Herefordshire Council that sees local organisations such as nurseries and schools sharing spaces and cost, with children centre services remaining available across the county.

Health chiefs across Herefordshire are asking people to think carefully about where they go for treatment this winter.

Hospitals can fill up quickly with people needing urgent care – this can mean long waits if you’re there for a non-serious illness.

Pharmacies are equipped to give expert over the counter and NHS 111 is literally only a telephone call away.

To help it cope with patients needing urgent medical care, Wye Valley NHS Trust is to open a new ward at Hereford County Hospital.

The Minor Injury Units at Ross and Leominster community hospitals have been temporarily closed to allow staff to be redeployed to help care for seriously ill patients at Hereford County Hospital.

For the latest news from Wye Valley Trust follow twitter @WyeValleyNHS

Herefordshire residents who are most susceptible to flu are being urged to make an appointment with their local GP practice or pharmacy to book a free flu vaccination as soon as possible as it is the single best protection against flu.

Use health services wisely this winter

A growing aging population means that there’s an increased need for more care professionals in Herefordshire. If you are interested in working in social care a ‘Care Heroes’ website is available to provide information about training opportunities and job vacancies. There are also videos of real life Herefordshire care heroes talking about their experiences of making a difference in the local community.

Caring is an extremely rewarding profession, which provides plenty of opportunities for training

Could you be a
Care Hero?

To find out more visit the website
www.careheroes.co.uk

and career progression for young people, parents, people of retirement age, and those who may not have considered working in the care sector before.

There are currently vacancies available within the residential, nursing, community and day service areas working with older people and people with disabilities.

A Herefordshire Police Constable, who also works as a foster carer, has received a prestigious bravery award for protecting a child, a member of staff and a vulnerable man during an incident in a supermarket in August this year.

Chris Barrett has served with the Ministry of Defence Police for 30 years and is also a foster carer with his wife, Sharon.

During their time working with Herefordshire Council as foster carers the couple have fostered ten children and continue to keep in touch with them all.

The couple are among a large number of foster carers who provide a stable environment for children and young adults who are in need of a loving home, while pursuing their own careers.

Could you make a difference to a young persons life? Why not become a foster carer?

If you are interested in fostering find out more by visiting www.herefordshire.gov.uk/fostering

Keeping children and young people safe is a priority in Herefordshire. Fostering provides a family life for children and young adults who are unable to live with their own families because they may be going through a difficult time or experiencing issues with their health.

Fostering doesn't just include long term placements, it can be short emergency stays, weekends or holidays. It can often be what gives the young person the start in life they deserve, in a safe home where they are loved.

Herefordshire Council currently supports 160 foster carers but more are needed, so children can be placed with families that best reflect their background and culture and, wherever possible, are near to their own families, schools and communities.

Fostering is a fantastic and rewarding experience. You'll be fully trained and

supported and receive an excellent financial package.

John and Shirley Hanson work with the council as foster carers, providing a safe and happy home for young people. They've fostered over 300 children in 40 years and received an MBE for their work.

The Community Champion Awards recognise and say a massive ‘Thank You’ to the extraordinary individual and group contributors in Herefordshire, who have made a positive difference in their community.

Nominations for the 2019 awards will open on 6 December 2018. Award categories for 2019 are:

• Community Champion• Volunteer of the year
  
• Caring Champion• Environment Champion
  
• Youth Champion

All finalists will be invited to attend a presentation evening at the Shire Hall on 22 March 2019 where the winners will be announced.

Parish and town councils are an important part of local democracy and across the county over a thousand parish councillors volunteer to support their community.

By working together Herefordshire Council and parish councils can make a real difference to the quality of life of residents. On 17 October members of the 133 Herefordshire parish councils came together for the inaugural parish council summit to explore ways of working to address some of the key challenges in the county. This included looking at the strengths and challenges for the county’s residents in areas of health, care, education and economy, along with hearing from real life experience of the work of parish and town councils.

A number of key points emerged from the summit that can be pursued. For example parish councils are well placed to know about people who need support in their community, and with a small amount of help could

Parish Council Summit

Listening to parish councils

mean that people avoid becoming part of the care system in older age. Also, for residents to become more involved in village and community life to reduce people’s feeling of loneliness and become more active to help improve physical and mental health.

Parish councils were also keen to raise the maintenance of the physical environment especially making sure road sides and ditches were clear, along with play areas for children and ensuring roads get back to normal after flooding or snow as experienced earlier in the year.

Transport was another key issue, specifically how people can get about when they don’t have a car and the limited number of buses. Community transport options were discussed along with cycle routes and car sharing.

The summit highlighted that Herefordshire is a county with a

vibrant and dedicated voluntary and

community sector, with creative and

ambitious businesses of all sizes. With the combined efforts of the councils in Herefordshire working together this can create a significant resource which can help to achieve prosperity and wellbeing for the county.

The next summit is on 24 January 2019 for all parish and town councils. For more information about the role
of parish councils in the community and how to get involved, visit www.herefordshire.gov.uk/parishcouncils

Find out more at

www.herefordshire.gov.uk/champions

Could you get faster broadband?

Herefordshire Council’s steam road roller, Emma, has been formally entrusted to the Waterworks Museum in Hereford.

In the summer of 1920 Emma, who weighs 13 tonnes and carries a 10 tonne compound roller, became the fourth roller to be purchased by the council, and worked on the county’s roads for over 50 years.

Emma arrived at Broomy Hill back in July, just in time for the Museum’s annual Gala Day. Since then, volunteer engineers have been looking after her maintenance and more than 2,000 visitors have had the chance to view this fine example of a steam roller.

Visitors to the Waterworks Museum can now see both Emma and the council’s manually operated fire engine dating from 1805, which has been on loan at the Museum since 1978.

Emma in her new home with representatives of Herefordshire Council
and the Waterworks Museum

The council provides free internet training courses at libraries across the county -
to find out more pop into your local library, or visit

www.fastershire.com

Around 86% of premises in our county can now receive superfast broadband, a major increase from less than 1% in 2012.

To check broadband services in your area visit www.fastershire.com and enter your address.

This is also the website to use if you are having a problem ordering a fibre broadband service.

Please ensure your bin is put out by 6.30am as collections may be earlier over the festive period.

For information on reducing waste and recycling more, including large cardboard boxes, visit:

www.herefordshire.gov.uk/

Christmas rubbish and recycling collections are due to change as follows:

Tuesday 1 January 2019

Herefordshire Council invited pupils from secondary schools across the county to take part in the annual Takeover Challenge.

The week gave young people the opportunity to take over professional roles in the council, participate in debates and have their say in decisions that affect them.

Flood management

A partnership project has been launched that aims to use natural processes to slow down the flow of water and reduce the risk of flooding to rural Herefordshire communities.

The Herefordshire Wye and Lugg Natural Flood Management project is one of 26 projects funded by DEFRA.

Herefordshire Council are leading the project in partnership with the Environment Agency and other key delivery partners, including Severn Rivers Trust, Wye & Usk Foundation, Natural England, National Trust, National Farmers Union, Farm Herefordshire, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission.

The project aims to work with landowners and communities within seven priority areas within the county, which experience both local flooding and water quality issues:

•Brimfield Brook (above Brimfield and Orleton)

•Cheaton / Cogwell / Ridgemoor Brook system (above Leominster and Frome)

•Tedstone Brook (above Bromyard)

•Dulas Brook (above Ewyas Harold)

•Pentaloe Brook (above Mordiford)

•The Red, Norton and Twyford Brook system (above Rotherwas, Hereford)

•The Bodenham and Millcroft Brooks (above Bodenham)

Improvement works to make Cider Apple Alley a safer and more attractive pedestrian route have been completed. The footpath in the Whitecross area of Hereford, has been widened and resurfaced and new lighting, drainage and fencing has been installed along with CCTV for improved safety.

A joint project with Hereford College of Arts and the Cider Museum has also seen stunning new art works unveiled, based on designs by pupils of Lord Scudamore Primary School.

The campaign, coordinated by Herefordshire Council with its community partners, aims to tackle the problem of dog mess in the county. Bag it, Bin it was launched in Hereford over the summer, and has already been rolled out to Ross-on-Wye and Leominster.

Bag it, Bin it is one element of Herefordshire Council’s wider

campaign to encourage responsible dog ownership, including:

-Getting dogs and other pets microchipped

-Making sure dogs have a collar and ID tag

-Keeping dogs on a lead in public places

-Ensuring dogs and other pets have regular check-ups with a vet

-Addressing noise pollution by minimising dog barking

Herefordshire Council’s Bag it, Bin it campaign has reached Ledbury – its final stop this year.

To get involved, or find out more, contact: Beth Lewis, Flood Management Project Officer on 01432 260739 or email bethany.lewis@herefordshire.gov.uk

www.herefordshire.gov.uk/nfm

Herefordshire Council registered address

Herefordshire Council, Plough Lane, Hereford, HR4 0LE

Telephone: 01432 260000

Stand for what you believe in

Could you be a Herefordshire Councillor?

What matters to you in your local area? Is it the need for more activities for young people, improving services for older people, making the roads safer or ensuring that local businesses can thrive?

You could be the person to change it by becoming a Herefordshire councillor. Herefordshire Council can only be as effective, relevant and vibrant as the people elected to run it. The council needs councillors who are capable, energetic and engaged, with a commitment to local people and a passion for change.

Perhaps you are already involved in local affairs and want to take the next step. Or you may be looking for a worthwhile and rewarding way to help your local community.

On Thursday 2 May 2019, all 53 Herefordshire Council ward seats are up for election. This is an opportunity for you to stand as a representative of your local community and become a ward councillor.

The men and women of Herefordshire made a huge contribution to the war effort; from the brave young men recruited into the Herefordshire Regiment, to the Canary Girls who filled munition shells at the Rotherwas Munitions Factory. Local farmers provided food and horses to the war effort, while the Home Front kept Tommy warm with handmade knitted goods.

Leading up to the centenary of the Armistice, commemorations took place across the county.

Herefordshire’s only county-born WW1 Victoria Cross recipient, Lance Corporal Allan Leonard Lewis VC, was remembered with the unveiling of a bronze statue at Hereford Old Market and a plaque dedication at Hereford Cathedral.

The Herefordshire fallen were remembered at Hereford Cathedral in a week-long tribute, culminating

in the Remembrance Sunday service where 3200 petals fell inside the cathedral to remember each person who died in service, including at Rotherwas, during the First World War.

Communities and parish councils across Herefordshire, such as Leominster and Aymestrey (pictured), played their part in remembering the Great War by preparing their war memorials for local commemorations.

Marking the Centenary

of the Armistice

A year-long art project culminated in an inspiring exhibition at The Courtyard, Hereford this autumn.

The 'Space to Engage' project was a partnership between Herefordshire Libraries, Toni Cook and SHYPP and made possible by Arts Council funding. Young people worked with local artists to become familiar with the library as an expressive community space – reflected through performance, film, writing and photography.

View the names of the 3200 Herefordshire fallen at
www.herefordshire.gov.uk/WW1

Local councillors tell us why they became a councillor

If you think being a Herefordshire councillor is for you, find out more at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/

beacouncillor