Madam, I am saddened to have to write a reply to last week's letter from former Councillor the Reverend Bedford.

The letter accuses me of breaking promises and following "the party whip".

I have not broken any promises and we do not have a party whip, nor do I think that Ross Town Council, a local parish council, should have party whips, we do not have pre meeting meetings and I will always vote with my conscience and for what I think will deliver what the people of Ross actually want.

I did not vote for an increase in our council tax, I voted to keep our precept request exactly the same, set at £200,000, the same as it has been for the last 4 years.

I wanted to keep the precept the same not decrease it, as I want to see that money spent in Ross.

People constantly compare us to Ledbury whose precept is £60k more than ours and Leominster which is £21k more than ours, coincidentally their towns look smarter and they seem to be thriving because those town councils have more resources.

Myself and some colleagues have big plans for the town and really want to push it forward and see it succeed and that's why I wanted to see the precept stay the same.

I am enthusiastic and am willing to continue working hard for the town we love, I have been a Councillor a matter of weeks, all I would ask is that people let me do my job and put the personal comments aside.

Please get in touch by phone or email if you would like to know my views on this or any other subject.

Cllr Richard Mayo