Ross Town Council is expected to keep their council tax at the same rate next year. COUNCILLORS in Ross-on-Wye are proposing to keep town’s council tax at the same rate for the next financial year. Town councillors say they should do as much as they can to help the many people struggling financially due to the pandemic. Householders who live in band D properties currently have to pay £131.24 a year to the town council. Speaking at this week’s management committee, councillor Louis Stark proposed that the council should go for a 0% for the next financial year. “The pandemic has lasted far longer than we thought,” he said.
“They do it in Belgium,” he said. Councillor Jane Roberts said the council unfortunately did not have the same legal powers as local government has on mainland Europe. “It would be very useful to secure some professional advice from somebody who is an expert in public health and who is familiar with the up-to-date science on Covid-19 transmission. “That would help us make an informed decision and would also lend weight to that decision when we are seeking to justify it to traders and residents in the town.” Councillor John Winder said the measure did not seem popular with traders.