Ross-on-Wye residents face a 27% rise in the council tax they pay to Ross Town Council for the next financial year (2018/19), after the majority of members of the Town Council voted to increase their precept.

This increase will be in addition to the increase to Herefordshire Council’s precept, which the Full Council voted to increase by 4.9% for 2018/19.

At their full meeting on Monday, February 26th, Mayor Nigel Gibbs stated a total precept budget of £448,133 for 2018/19; last year’s figure was £353,235.

The total increase of £94,898, will mean that Ross residents will see an increase of almost 27% in their council tax. This means that the occupier of a Band D property will pay £115.35 per year towards the services provided by Ross Town Council. Cllr Llerego pointed out that this was “less than 50p a week increase.”

Cllr Bartrum called for a named vote, which means that the councillors had to publicly say how they voted. Cllr Craig Morgan proposed the motion, and Cllr Lerego seconded it. There were 11 votes in favour, and six votes against, therefore the motion was carried.

Cllr Lerego said: “The Market House and the Old Chapel and toilets have high running costs. We are in a position that we have to pay for them as they are our responsibility. Therefore I seconded this motion as it is necessary.”

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