The annual public meeting of Ross Town Council was held at the Larruperz Centre on Monday, April 4th. Attendees were given verbal reports from the Mayor of Ross-on-Wye, as well as reports from the Chairs of Town Council committees, and an update from Melvin Reynolds about the Neighbourhood Development Plan.

During the meeting, residents with concerns about aspects of Ross had the opportunity to raise these issues directly with their Councillors.

During the meeting, a Ross resident, Julian Utting raised one issue, which seemed to strike a chord with many of the other members of the public who had attended the meeting. Mr Utting told the Councillors that he was concerned that Ross was not getting a fair deal from Herefordshire Council; he referenced the grant of more than £23,000 that Ross will not receive from Herefordshire Council, although other market towns are.

He asked the Councillors, especially the four who are also County Councillors, what progress was being made to get the grant re-instated.

The Mayor of Ross told Mr Utting that the Councillors would send him a written response, and any other attendees who would like to know the response to the question should submit their details and they would receive it. It was also suggested that this statement would appear on the Town Council’s website.

Mr Utting said that while he was happy to have the response online, he said he was disappointed that none of the Councillors, especially the four who are also on Herefordshire Council, could stand up and give a brief response there and then.

Cllr Chris Bartrum said that he has set up a petition, and he encouraged all the attendees to sign it, to campaign against County Council not passing on the funds to Ross Town Council.

He added that Ross Town Council had taken on more assets than any other Market Town in the County, but they were being penalised the most. He said the other market towns are getting the reduction phased in by County Council, but Ross has had it cut entirely.

Mr Utting asked if any of the Councillors who are also on Herefordshire County Council could comment. Cllr Phil Cutter said that he would get an explanation in writing.

Cllr Jenny Hyde said that the money had not been stolen, but Ross had not met the criteria set by Herefordshire Council.

Sue Kirby, another member of the public who had attended the meeting, agreed with Mr Utting and she said that “Most residents in Ross-on-Wye feel like we’re the underdogs in the County and there seems to be more cuts in Ross than anywhere else.”