ERIC PICKLES, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, was a guest at the 'Hereford 20/20' conference at the Courtyard last Friday (March 2nd).

The event, which was attended by several representatives from Ross, explored the freedoms and responsibilities that could come about from the new Localism Act (see below).

On a day where the line-up of speakers, including Anthea MacIntyre and JKHS head, Nigel Griffiths, offered their visions of life under 'Localism', it remained unclear what the tangible effects would have on a market town like Ross.

Speaking to the Gazette, Mr Pickles said: "This is truly an exciting time to be involved in local politics and local businesses, because for the first time in a generation you really have the opportunity to mould your area, your county, your towns and villages. You can make a difference, you can make the decisions. Use that power wisely."

Later, speaking to a packed audience, he said: "I am pleased that you are having this event today. It shows that Herefordshire is a 'can do' county, where local leaders are thinking differently, seizing the opportunities, taking the initiative. Taking obstacles away, not waiting for instructions. You have the power at your disposal to deal with it.

He went on to say: "The last government micro-managed and local government was left toothless, community groups were left out in the cold and people were without power to change anything. In my first day in the job I made it clear that this Government would be about the folks. I told my department we would have three priorities, localism, localism, and localism."

"Localism will bring change and growth for this country. Now it's your opportunity as leaders, businesses, and communities to sieze these unprecedented opportunities, to run ahead with these new powers given to you, to grow, develop, invest and share the future of this area. This time the government is not putting a leash on you or telling you what to do, when and where. It is standing right there beside you, helping create positive change, change that you decide.

"Localism will support growth and growth will support localism. Enable your council to act creatively, innovatively, drive down costs and enhance your local area."

There was applause from the appreciative audience, even if one delegate was called a 'wimp' by the Minister during the Q & A session!

Like many areas of political thought, 'Localism' sounds ideal in essence but the Gazette wonders, can it really work? Isn't there a tendency to hold on to power by those in control in all communities, whatever its label is? One criticism of the conference, brought up by a delegate from Kington, which will have echos in Ross, was how Hereford-centric the discussions were. If Localism is going to revolutionise our communities, is there a case for all the market towns in the county to stand togetherso they are no longer a forgotten part of a forgotten county?

The Gazette asked local delegates their views on the event. Ross business man Mr Roger Parckar, Managing Director of Dawleys, thought the concept of the conference was an interesting way of looking at what they are trying to do.

"Yet," he said, "there was nothing tangible about how it was being done. The commitment, though, seemed worthy."

Ross Town Councillor and County Councillor, Andrew Atkinson, thought it was a good debate: "It's good to have a vision and I was pleased to see so many people wanting to be involved in that vision.

"A number of times I got the impression that Herefordshire is very much a forgotten county of England and that they were working hard in many ways to address that.

"That being the case I would suggest Ross is very much the forgotten town of Herefordshire and while we are setting our vision we need to make sure that Ross gets its fair share of attention."

Do Gazette readers think the Localism Act will help towns like Ross?

Let the editor know what you think by emailing t