The new occupants of the former chapel in Cantilupe Road, Ross-on-Wye looks set to be agreed imminently, possibly at the next Ross Town Council meeting. Herefordshire Council has been hoping to take on the building as an extra site for Children’s Services in Ross, when they move from the Ryefield Centre to the Library.

According to the minutes of the meeting held on January 8th the Town Council agreed to approve a five-year rent-free lease to Herefordshire Council, on a full insuring and repair basis, in exchange for the removal of the overage clause that was imposed when the asset was transferred.

The Gazette understands that this mean that Ross Town Council would not gain any rental income, however Herefordshire Council would take on the insurance costs and carry out any ongoing repairs necessary in return for the removal of the overage clause. This clause was part of the asset transfer agreement and the Gazette understands that if the Old Chapel building was sold by the Town Council (within a certain time frame) then Ross Town Council would have to pay half of anything above the valuation made when the asset transfer was agreed, which was £100,000, and the sale price.

The Ross Gazette asked for confirmation of these details, and for more information regarding other costs involved in maintaining and operating from the building, such as utility bills.

The Clerk for the Town Council said, “The negotiations are still in progress and as the item excluded press and public I can only confirm what the minutes state.”

The Old Chapel is listed on the agenda for the next full council meeting which will take place on Monday, February 12th and states that the Council will ‘receive a verbal report and update on the proposed lease.’

It is also proposed on the agenda that ‘In view of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, it is likely that the press and public will be excluded during consideration of this item.’