At the Annual Meeting of the Full Town Council, Liberal Democrat, Councillor Jane Roberts was chosen to be this year’s Mayor. Independent Councillor Daniel Lister was elected Deputy Mayor.

Mayor Roberts thanked her fellow Councillors for electing her, and began her role as Mayor with a short speech outlining her vision for Ross-on-Wye.

Mayor Roberts said: “We all know that Ross-on-Wye is wonderful. One of its many strengths is its strong and vibrant voluntary sector. To give proper credit to all in the time available would be hard. I believe there is scope for this Town Council to work even more closely with voluntary sections.

“There are far too many lonely people in Ross. In Frome, for example, the Town Council has done amazing work with loneliness, to the point where emergency NHS admissions have fallen, even when the national rate is rising. We can do the same.

“The Good Neighbour Scheme, developed by Ross Community Neighbour Trust is my good cause this year. I will support ongoing work of the Town Council and its staff.

“As well as this, the Town Council will be working on the final consultations and implementation of the Neighbourhood Development Plan, the work to the Market House, the Linear Arboretum, and protecting the Minor Injuries Unit.

“Ross Town Council also needs to provide leadership on the reduction of carbon emissions. I hope that this Council will soon declare a Climate Emergency in line with other Town and County Councils.”See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition here