Hereford City Council

Twinned with Dillenburg, Germany & Vierzon, France

Administrative Functions/Responsibilities

The functions carried out by the Council from 1^st April 1998 to 1^st April 2000 were mainly Civic and Ceremonial – linked to the Mayor’s programmed of Events; Since April, 2000, Hereford City Council have taken on the Statutory Allotments within the City and also act as a consultative body for Planning matters within the City.

Administration

Six people carry out the administration of the City Council. The Town Clerk, The City Treasurer, The Town Clerk & Treasurer’s Secretary, The Administrative Assistant, The Mayor’s Secretary and The Mayor’s Officer.

Administration costs include Payroll, Civic Ceremonial organisation, Grants,Contributions etc., Committee Administration, Supplies & Services, Civic car, Official receptions to visitors and other dignitaries, Premises rents/maintenance, and general running costs.

Since 1^st April 2000, when the City of Hereford became Parish Council, additional functions have been: -

Allotments – the Hereford Leisure and Garden Allotments Association who are a non-profit organization manage these. The City Council makes up their shortfall of income to match their expenditure in managing the allotments. They organize, with Herefordshire Unitary Authority, the maintenance of the allotments and also provide an Allotments Competition each year.

Contributions to expenditure of Herefordshire relating to the City - These items were subject to a Service Level Agreement that came to an end in March 2006. The City Council insisted that payment of these contributions would only be made when the agreements have been received and agreed; this took place in March 2002..  It should be borne in mind that the title to land and assets, previously held by the ‘old’ Hereford City Council (pre 1998), was passed to the ‘new’ Herefordshire Unitary Authority. The only assets held by the new Hereford City Council are the statutory allotments.

The contributions referred to were as follows: -

CCTV –The City Council make a contribution towards the cost of the BT line rental the maintenance involved with cameras operating within the city.                    This amounts to £29,000 p.a. A new agreement is due to be considered in 2006-2007.

Christmas Lights – The City Council contributed approximately half the cost of setting up, dismantling and maintaining the lights. The Traders meet the other half of these costs. Hereford City Council contributes £24,000 p.a. The 2006-2007 Christmas Lights will be organised by the City Council and a contribution of some 11,000 will be made, towards the estimated cost of 50,000, by Herefordshire Council

City Centre Management - The City Council contributes £16,000 p.a. towards management costs; this was not part of the Service Level Agreement with Herefordshire and is paid direct to Hereford City Centre Partnership Ltd. Originally this figure equated to 50% of the then (year 2000) City Centre Manager’s salary. The Partnership is now a separate body and not part of Herefordshire Council; the post concerned has since changed and the contribution is made towards management salaries.

Parks & Open Spaces - The City Council had £200,000 in its estimates, for 2001-2002,the Service Level Agreement identified the Unitary Authority areas, within the City Centre and surrounds, which receive contributions to fund enhancements. This agreement Had very little accountability attached to it and it came to an end 31st March 2006. The City Council has revised its criteria for making donations/contributions and now requires an ‘application’ to be made that details projects and their estimated costs; In addition the City Council requires assurances that such projects will produce reports of progress and actual costs incurred each year. A limit has been imposed on the amount that will be contributed to any one applicant/project. This makes the applicant more accountable and the City Council more responsible in the manner that it contributes or grants monies.

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Other Functions taken on by the new Parish of Hereford City: -

Grants & Donations – These are to be made to local bodies within Hereford City. A Small Grants budget of 15,000 is utilised. This is over and above the contributions referred to elsewhere.

Please click on the year to view the record of Contributions/donations and Small Grants for 2005-2006.

Hereford in Bloom - The City Council sponsor various flower beds/holders/tubs throughout the City. The sites are in Town hall frontage, Ledbury Road, between Church Road and Quarry Road; The troughs in the central reservations of Newmarket street and Victoria Street; also the bed/basket tree in St. Peter’s Street and the Memorial bed in front of St. Peter’s Church.

In addition the City Council has agreed to underwrite the cost of Hereford in Bloom. The underwriting and sponsorship will all be held within a budget of £45,000.

Hereford City Council Website - This is a relatively new venture and has been operating from 2002. It is expected to link to many other sites in Hereford City, Herefordshire and throughout the world.

Planning Consultation - Plans submitted to the Planning Authority, for works within the City, are passed to Hereford City Council for consideration. The volume entails the Council’s Planning Committee meeting on a fortnightly basis. The Planning Authority remains as Herefordshire Council and all enquiries etc., are still be routed to them.

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