New developments in Ross could mean a cash bonus for Ross Town Council which would be used to improve the town for residents.

Currently, developers’ agreements with Herefordshire Council, which are regarding how much of a contribution they make, is worked out according to a set formula. In addition to this, Herefordshire Council decides where to allocate the money.

These Section 106 agreements are also known as planning obligations, and have in recent cases been used for road layout improvements. Furthermore, there have also been significant payments that have been made to John Kyrle High School.

Councillor Julien Utting told fellow Councillors at the meeting of Ross Town Council on Monday, January 14th that in a recent agreement: “John Kyrle High School got everything, three other primary schools in the town got nothing, and the Town Council’s own project, the Ropewalk playground, also received no funding.”

The Councillors were discussing a Notice of Motion put forward by Councillor Jane Roberts. She said that legal powers for English Planning Authorities to introduce in their areas a Community Infrastructure Levy have been in place since 2008.

Councillor Jane Roberts proposed that Herefordshire Council should introduce the Community Infrastructure Levy to replace the 106 agreements and suggested that this would mean that: “CIL provides for Parish and Town Councils to receive at least 15% of all proceeds, or 25% if a Neighbourhood Development Plan is in place.”

The Motion continued: “Ross Town Council calls upon Herefordshire Council to proceed as quickly as possible with the implementation of CIL.

“The urgency is due to the rate at which planning applications are being made within the town, and the significant loss of potential CIL receipt to the Town Council if the bulk of the remaining housing allocation to 2031 is granted planning permission before a CIL charging regime is in place.”

The Mayor, Councillor Harry Bramer, pointed out that until the Government gives their agreement to the introduction of CILs, and that Herefordshire Council are not able to implement CIL.

Councillor David Ravenscroft said: “This would still mean that Herefordshire Council would have 75% of the money to spend anywhere in the county but under 106 agreements the money can only be spent on items relating to the application, a CIL can be allocated anywhere.”

Councillor Phil Cutter said: “The more money that Ross-on-Wye can get, the better it will be, but we have to wait for the Government committee.”

Councillor Ravenscroft added that the Notice asks Herefordshire Council to proceed as quickly as possible. He said that the Councillors could still support the Notice.

Local resident, Joyce Thomas MBE, attended the Town Council meeting to speak in favour of the Notice.

She said that there are large planning applications in the pipeline for Ross-on-Wye and she said, at this moment, it does not matter whether local residents support them or decide to be against them, if an application goes through all the correct processes and it is given permission ‘it is right and proper that something should come back to the town.’

Joyce added that Ross’ Community Hospital is desperately in need of money, and the Leg Club which does vital work in the town is working at full capacity, and there are other projects which could benefit.

She said that if Ross could benefit by 15% or 25% of the proceeds, this could be really important for the town.