Additional man power may be needed to help keep Ross-on-Wye tidy during the summer months, Councillor Phil Cutter said at the full meeting of Ross Town Council, on Monday, February 14th.

Cllr Cutter said that the Council may need to employ part-time summer staff, or agency contractors, to empty the bins and collect litter, during the summer when the town becomes busier.

Cllr Jane Roberts asked whether this additional staffing cost had been budgeted for. The Town Clerk said that it had not, and the costs would be additional.

Cllr Roberts said that the Town Council had only just set a budget, and they were already looking at a £4000 overspend to put in a barrier at the entrance to the Red Meadow Car Park, and now they were looking to overspend once more.

“We’re in danger of getting in to a difficult position,”?said Cllr Roberts.

Cllr Ravenscroft said that when Ross Town Council took on the Open Spaces Asset from Herefordshire Council, they thought that Balfour Beatty would continue to empty the bins, which is why it had not been budgeted for.

“We have a duty to ensure we empty the bins and pick up the litter,”?said Cllr Ravenscroft.

The Councillors voted in favour to look at employing additional staff to empty the bins and litter pick in Ross.