Notice to quit should be given to the group currently based at the Market House in order to protect the Town Council from the possibility that they could claim tenancy rights under a lease, according to Councillor Harry Bramer.

When the previous Ross Town Council agreed to the Courtyard-backed Made in Ross artists’ co-operative being allowed to use the Market House they were given a six month ‘licence to occupy’ which could be renewed or terminated at the end of the six months.

Councillor Bramer told the meeting of the full Ross-on-Wye Town Council, on Monday, July 13th, that if the six month agreement is allowed to continue it is in danger of becoming a lease, which would give the group far more rights.

Cllr Bramer said: “It is paramount that we terminate their licence before the six months, we need to terminate it prior to the next Town Council meeting which is in September.”

Councillor Chris Bartrum objected saying that the matter had not been put on the agenda, it had not been discussed by the Management Committee and he had not seen any legal advice regarding the ‘licence to occupy’ becoming a lease. He added: “We should not even be discussing this.”

For the story in full, see this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette.