Wendy Salter, who has pioneered the Ross Community Litter Clean up Crew (RCLCUC) which dedicate themselves to cleaning up the streets of Ross-on-Wye, spoke at the Annual Review Meeting on Monday, April 29th, and said she wished to apologise to Ross Town Council.

She said: “During this year, the RCLCUC have managed to remove over 3.5 tonnes of litter from Ross.

“However, following a visit by council employees to the new depot at Homs Road, and after various calls being made to Balfour Beatty, it appears we have not gained permission from the Town Council to leave rubbish we collect on Town Council land, but on certain occasions we have left it on Homs Road Car Park. We have had no intention of flytipping.”

Despite the Town Councillors expressing their wish to give permission to the RCLCUC to use their land, Councillor Harry Bramer explained that because litter is commercial waste, permission could not be granted without further discussion, or by the executive decision of the Town Coucil Clerk, who is currently on holiday.

Wendy told the Ross Gazette: “After further discussion, the RCLCUC are not able to leave the rubbish we collect on Town Council land - at least until a proposition has been put before council - which, because of council process and elections will take some time.“We are able to use land owned by the county council to temporarily leave the rubbish and very often we do, but occasionally it means carrying much further.”See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.