Last week, Herefordshire Council moved on recommendations which will drastically change the provision of local services across the county.

Most notably, Ross Library will have its opening hours reduced by 30%. The changes to libraries and Council customer service centres across the county will save £425,000.

A reduction of service is also to be introduced at museums and heritage centres across the county. In Ross, the Market House is currently being explored as a community asset transfer but will be included within the reductions proposals if a transfer does not go ahead.

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson told the Ross Gazette that the changes in opening hours are likely to be implemented in January, after community and staff consultations.

Herefordshire Council also confirmed that the 30% reduction in opening hours would be applicable to the hours as they were in May and are not on top of the recent reduction in hours which came in affect in July, which were due to staffing issues.

Councillor Roger Phillips, Cabinet Member for Enterprise & Culture said: "All of the options are levels of drasticness, but we need to recognise the reality. Investments in Bromyard, Kington and Ross brings the case for investments in services in the market towns.

"Presence in market towns is important and an area we can develop. The proposals are about reducing opening hours, maintaining service and presence but not closing. In Ross' case we are having dialogue with organisations to make more use of the buildings."

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