A decision on plans to cut the budgets for corporate services, childrens' services, adult services and culture and leisure was put on hold by Herefordshire Council last week. A 'stay of execution' was how David Stevens, the local Unison branch secretary, described the postponement of a decision on the cuts.

The proposals, including the loss of 300 jobs and the closure of libraries, museums and public toilets, were due to be discussed by the cabinet at a meeting at Brockington last Thursday, May 16th. As members of Unison and service users descended on the Brockington offices to lobby Councillors, Council leader John Jarvis said the matter would be heard by full council on Friday, May 24th.

After the meeting local Councillor Andrew Atkinson revealed to the Ross Gazette his decision to resign as a cabinet support member. Councillor Atkinson, who represents Ross-on-Wye East Ward, resigned from his role as Support Member for Education and Infrastructure but reassured residents that he is continuing with his work as a ward councillor.

He said his decision is due to the council's repeated failures to communicate with the electorate. Cllr Atkinson voiced concern that the county council should be doing more to explain to constituents the budgetary difficulties being faced. He said:?"Herefordshire Council is constantly under fire for the tough decisions it is being forced to make, which are not of all of our own making, but stem from massive cuts to Council income. I have tried for several months to encourage the authority – as a collective – to do more to share the detail with our constituents.

"I feel I'm a minority voice calling for that at the moment, which is why I have decided to stand down from cabinet and continue to serve Ross East Ward where I know I can continue to make a difference."

Councillor Chris Bartrum, the new Mayor of Ross, told the Ross Gazette that he had abstained from the vote setting the budget as he did not feel it was achievable. He said:?"I was one of a group of Councillors who warned that it would not be possible to achieve what the budget claimed and now, here we are, three months later, having to reset the budget."

For the full story please see this week's Ross Gazette.