Ross Gazette readers may have noticed that this year the details for the Herefordshire Council Christmas rubbish and recycling collections have not been included in the newspaper, as they have in previous years. We would like to inform our readers that this is due to a decision made by Herefordshire Council not to include the Ross Gazette in their advertising budget.

This has been very frustrating for the Gazette as we feel it is an important service the Council should promote. And, although the information is available online the Gazette is very aware that not everyone uses the internet. The local newspaper is often the first place many residents look for this type of information.

The Ross Gazette contacted Herefordshire Council to remind them of the demographics in Ross, and to once again explain that a large number of residents of Ross are not online and their only source of local information is the Ross Gazette.

According to a statement released by Herefordshire Council this is due to keeping their costs to a minimum, through using their own website and social media.

A spokesperson for Herefordshire Council said: “Herefordshire Council will notify each affected household directly about revised Christmas waste collection dates. The council always strives to ensure best value for money, and this includes the cost of telling residents about changes to their waste collection days.”

Charlotte Reynolds General Manager of the Ross Gazette said: “It is extremely disappointing that Herefordshire Council has not included the Ross Gazette, a paper which has been established for 150 years, in their advertising budget for this service.”