Herefordshire's 'really bad' situation over budget shortfall

Coun Jennie Hewitt said Herefordshire Council was facing a "really bad” situation in regard to budget shortfall, to the tune of around £11 million.

Speaking at Wyeside Group Parish Council's December meeting, she said children's’ services had been subject to “years of poor practice and the decline had been inherited”, appearing to put blame onto previous administrations.

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Coun Hewitt, an Independents for Herefordshire councillor for Golden Valley North, said “loads of reserves had been used up on this”, with an improvement plan in place to try and drag the failing department up to scratch.

She also said all of the council departments were making efficiency cuts and a strategy would need to be devised for emergency service cover.

It comes just weeks after Liberal Democrats councillor Terry James said the council has never been in such a mess and there is huge anger at the local authority for splashing more than £1 million on a cycle path less than a quarter of a mile long.

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Under the Independents and Green Party Coalition currently in power, with that possibly changing in May's local elections, Coun James said Herefordshire Council was in a mess.

"I have never seen it in such a mess," he said, adding the council had overspent by £11 million and it would be "catastrophic" for services in the county over coming years.

"It will be a disastrous time ahead," he warned.

Since then, Herefordshire Council's cabinet has agreed to push for a 4.99 per cent rise in council tax.