Jonathan Preece was invited to attend the meeting of Ross Town Council as he is the Council’s Land Agent and they wished to discuss the future of the Old Chapel.

Members of the press and public were asked to leave the meeting on Monday, December 12th before the discussion about the Old Chapel took place as ‘publicity would prejudice the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted’.

The Policy and Management Committee had recommended that the Council should try to sell the Old Chapel on the open market while the Council’s Agent continues to seek a tenant that would comply with the terms of the Transfer Document. The Old Chapel was one of the Assets transferred to Ross town Council from Herefordshire Council.

There was a prolonged and considered debate weighing up the benefits and advantages of keeping the Old Chapel versus the continued costs and restrictions imposed by Herefordshire Council.

The Town Clerk and Agent were authorised to arrange a meeting with Herefordshire Council and the Council’s solicitors to seek further clarification regarding the overage condition and other clauses within the Transfer Document.

A named vote was called for. Those in favour were Councillors Cutter, Gray, Lerego, Gren, Coker, Hyde, Bramer, Mayo, Lister and Ravenscroft. Those against were Councillors Utting, Roberts and Bartrum.

The Council’s Agent will market the Old Chapel while continuing to find a tenant.