A PUBLIC meeting has been called over “serious concerns” about a proposed Private Bill by the body which manages the Malvern Hills.

Malvern Environment Protection Group, which called the meeting, say they are concerned over proposals by the Malvern Hills Trust which could include reduced access to the common land for the public which could 'change the face of Malvern forever'

However, the trust says it needs to modernise and deal with the effects of clmate change and the increasing amount of visitors to the hills and no public rights would be taken away.

The protection group says there has not been public consultation for a Private Bill by Malvern Hills Trust to determine whether or not the public approve the proposal or are prepared to pay for it.

Katharine Harris, chair of the Protection Group, said: “It is wrong the way in which this is being railroaded through and the people of Malvern are sleep walking into the unknown.

"Of the issues we are aware of, the precept paying public of Malvern has every right to be concerned. 

“The details of the Bill have not been shared with the public. MHT, as a public body, has a duty to act fairly and reasonably in dealing with the public - this is not happening. What is proposed includes significant changes which will adversely alter the face of Malvern forever.”

Mrs Harris said the changes included a general power which could allow increases of the precept above its present maximum; a removal of the ability of wards/parishes to elect their own trustees; the acquisition of wide powers to secure the commons that could allow more fencing off and reduced access to areas now accessible.

She said: “These represent huge and dangerous changes to the methods of working of Malvern Hills Conservators whose remit is to ‘preserve the Hills and Commons’.

“Malvern Hills Trust is a public body as well as a charity, by virtue of being in receipt of substantial funds by the levying of a precept on local residents, a matter being ignored in the rush to apply for a Private Bill by November, 2024. It is bound by public law obligations designed so ‘confidence in public bodies is not eroded’. These obligations include acting in a fully transparent way.”

Deborah Fox, chief executive officer of Malvern Hills Trust stressd the meeting which Katharine Harris had attended was open to the public and the minutes available on its website.

She said:  “This year Malvern Hills Trust celebrates its 140th anniversary and I want to reassure you we plan to continue managing this iconic landscape for the benefit of people and nature for the next 140 years.

“We need to be able to respond effectively to the crises of climate change and biodiversity decline; diseases such as ash dieback; the decline in grazing by commoners; and effects of increasing use of the Hills by visitors.

“But how we are governed is outdated and stifling our ability to operate effectively and provide good value for money. As a charity governed by statute, the only way we can change is by Act of Parliament. We agreed at our public board meeting we would introduce a new Private Bill to modernise our governance arrangements.”

The minutes state the Bill should include a general power to give flexibility to adapt to new challenges without seeking new legislation each time. It would not grant powers to increase the levy and there should be an obligation to hold meetings in public when a binding decision was to be made.

She said: “We have ambitious plans for the future, but looking after the hills is ever more challenging. It’s vital our governance arrangements are fit for purpose. None of the rights the public enjoy will be taken away.  We will invite responses to our public consultation.”

For more visit www.malvernhills.org.uk/governance-changes/

Two meetings will be held on Saturday, May 11, at Christ Church Hall, Avenue Road, Malvern at 2.30pm and 4pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

: