ROSS-ON-WYE town council’s scheduled meetings for this week cannot go ahead due to national mourning after the death of Prince Philip.

The council cannot legally hold any meetings without giving three clear working days’ notice after issuing an agenda.

However, days during a period of national mourning are not classed as working days and as such sufficient notice had not been given for tonight’s management committee meeting.

Councillor Julian Utting said: “In accordance with the Local Government Act of 1972 we need three clear working days between the issuing of an agenda and holding a meeting,” he said.

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“Unfortunately, due to national mourning, Friday April 9 until April 17 the day of the funeral are not counted as clear days in accordance with that act.

“Because this agenda for last night's (April 12) meeting was issued on Wednesday it is not the three clear days.

“We can’t hold tonight’s meeting nor tomorrow’s meeting and we can’t hold the amenities meeting on April 19 because we can’t get the three clear days.”

These meetings will be rescheduled for later this month.