It is certainly not business as usual, as the coronavirus crisis hurls a wrecking ball at the carefully laid plans of Ledbury Town Council, leaving a host of major cancellations in its wake.

One of highest profile events to be cancelled is the town's VE Day anniversary celebrations.

A statement issued for the council by town clerk, Angela Price states: "It was agreed, with great sadness, that the VE Day Celebrations planned for Friday, May 8, should be cancelled.

"Ledbury had plans to mark and commemorate this event by having the War Memorial unveiling, Church Service and a Street party in the High Street. In line with the social distancing guidance it is advised that large gatherings should not take place."

The town council recently held an an extraordinary meeting, to consider how best to proceed due to the emergence of Covid 19.

At that meeting they took the unprecedented decision to cease all council and committee meetings until the end of May 2020 at which time they will review the situation again.

The Parish Meeting scheduled for last Monday, March 23, did not to take place as a result. It had been called to discuss the town council's planned strategy of fighting a planning appeal, to stop a Bloor housing development to the north of Ledbury viaduct. Town councillors had raised concerns about the single access off the Bromyard Road, proposed for the estate.

However, at the time of going to press, it was not clear whether or not the actual planning enquiry had been cancelled or postponed.

The town council is "currently waiting to hear from the Planning Inspectorate as to whether the Viaduct Housing Development Appeal will be postponed".

As soon as the town council hears it will provide an update.

A Youth Parish Meeting planned for Wednesday, March 25 also did not go ahead.

Other meetings cancelled include a gathering of the Climate Emergency Working Party on April 1; Full Council on April 2, the Economic Development and Planning Committee on April 9, the Neighbourhood Development Working Party on April 20 and the Annual Town Meeting on April 30 and the Annual Council Meeting on May 14.

The cancellation of the Annual Council Meeting raises questions as to how a new mayor for Ledbury will even be selected for 2020/21.

Ledbury Town Council is currently running at half strength, and a raft of co-options had been planned, but this process too has been postponed.

A statement reads: "The co-option of new councillors and the Annual Distinguished Citizen Awards will also be postponed, until such time the Council is in a position to resume public meetings safely."

In order to reduce the risk to residents and staff a decision was taken earlier this week to close the town council reception desk to the public.

However, staff are still working from home, and it is possible to contact the Clerk and Deputy Clerk and the office via telephone and email at:

Office: 01531632306 – admin@ledburytowncouncil.gov

Town Clerk: 07734966926 – clerk@ledburytowncouncil.gov

Deputy Town Clerk: 07734966928.