Two Ross-on-Wye Town Councillors are eager to get more local residents involved with making the town a better place.

They have noticed that lots of local residents are unsure about the differences between Town and County Councillors, and they hope that in giving the local residents a bit of information about what they do, this should clear up some confusion.

Cllrs Hannah Lerego and Caroline Bennett were newly elected on to the Town Council in May last year. While Hannah is a Conservative Councillor, and Caroline is a Lib Dem Councillor, both women have formed a strong bond, and are passionate about making Ross the best it can be.

They, along with Cllr Craig Morgan, organised the Christmas Fayre this year, which attracted many visitors, and it raised £973 for St Michael’s Hospice, the Mayor’s chosen charity.

Cllr Bennett told the Gazette that one of the key differences between Town and County Councillors is that Town Councillors are unpaid, while County Councillors receive a salary. “But it’s like a full time job,” Cllr Bennett said. She explained that in addition to attending the Full Council Meeting once a month, many of the councillors are also on committees, on working parties, and act as Council representatives for other outside bodies.

Cllr Lerego said: “It is an honour to have been elected on to the Council, and to be accessible to the public. What we try to do is to talk up Ross.”

While the Town Councillors do have limited powers; they do not have the responsibility for the roads or repairing potholes, they are taking on more responsibilities from Herefordshire Council, as part of a package of Asset Transfers. The Town Council are responsible for certain bins around Ross, the Rope Walk and Riverside, the Market House, the Old Chapel, The Bandstand, and Deanhill play park, no name just a few. Full details can be found online: www.rosstc-herefordshire.gov.uk.

The Town Councillors are holding surgeries in Ross Library on Saturday mornings, between 10am and 11am; they encourage any residents with concerns or ideas to call in during these sessions.

They are also holding their annual public meeting at the Larruperz Centre on Monday, April 4th from 7pm, which will give another opportunity for local residents to express their views to the Town Council.

“There’s a lot of goodwill in the town,” Cllr Bennett said. “We just need to harness it.”

Cllr Lerego agreed: “In the town there is a lot of potential for people willing to put in the effort for the good of the community. If people want to organise an event, we would help publicise and support it.”