Councillor Chris Bartrum is continuing his campaign to press Herefordshire Council to pass on to all Parish Councils the full amount of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme funding provided by the Government. And most of his fellow Town Councillors supported the proposal he made at the meeting of Ross Town Council on Monday, January 11th.

In 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16 the County Council passed on this funding in full to Ross-on-Wye Town Council but will not be passing it on for 2016/2017.

Councillor Bartrum presented a notice of motion to Ross Town Council asking the council to protest against this decision. He wants the Council to write to the Leader of Herefordshire Council and the MP, to contact other Parish Councils and to work with the Herefordshire Association of Local Councils with a view to mounting a campaign to keep the money intended for Parish Councils, with Parish Councils. The decision will be considered when Herefordshire Council finalises its budget in February.

Councillor Richard Mayo, who is also a county Councillor, told the meeting that the matter is very difficult to understand, as not many Councillors are accountants. He said this is a technical adjustment and out of 140 parishes only a few are not getting their support grant cut. He said overall Herefordshire Council have looked at this and realised that they can get an extra quarter of a million pounds, this is money which could be allocated to grass cutting or museums.

He said Herefordshire Council is in ‘dire straights’. He added: “They have to rob Peter to pay Paul to keep Herefordshire Council bouyant.” He said that he did not disagree with the resolution but is not sure how a campaign is going to work.

Councillor Cutter added that he would like the money saved to be used in Ross, but a campaign is not going to work. He said that he will not be voting when the matter comes before County Council but he added: “We have to accept that the money is not available.”

Councillor Nigel Gibbs also said that the Town Council could carry out the terms of the Notice of Motion but Councillors had to be realistic.

Councillor David Ravenscroft said that Ross should support NALC which will be lobbying government ministers regarding the legality of the move.

Councillor Bartrum then called for a named vote, he said: “I want to see who is standing up for Ross.”

All the Councillors present voted in favour, Bartrum, Bennet, Gibbs, Gray, Ravenscroft, Utting, Roberts, Morgan, Lerego, Coker and there were two abstentions – Cutter and Mayo.

Daniel Lister had been delayed, Councillor Bramer had sent his apologies due to a work commitments and Councillor Bedford is in hospital. Councillor Gren had attended the meeting but left before this matter was discussed.