SIGNIFICANT legislation which could redirect the governance of the Malvern Hills was submitted for consideration in Parliament yesterday (Wednesday, November 27).
The Malvern Hills Trust has submitted a private bill which looks to reshape how the organisation carry out their custodial duties of the district’s greatest asset.
After plans for the bill were announced by the trust, many mooted changes were met with trepidation from locals who have strongly voiced their opposition to various aspects of the proposed legislation.
John Michael, trust chair said: “The board took full account of the feedback given in the public consultation.”
Campaigners garnered 2,500 signatures opposing the bill in October, with major sticking points focusing on the possibility of the trust being able to install solar farms due to its new general power plans.
Following this campaign and a fair amount of consultation responses, trust board members have proposed various changes to alleviate concerns.
The trust has since made changes to the proposals for general power, included plans to have a trustee as a named point of contact with each local area and have removed plans to allow fence installation for animal health reasons.
And the trust has established a web page which it says addresses misinformation around the bill.
Deborah Fox, chief executive officer added: “This is a significant milestone for Malvern and for the Trust that cares passionately for this iconic landscape.
“A couple of things that I feel would really make a difference in future will be having a supporters’ organisation for those that wish to follow the great work of the team to keep the Hills and Commons open and unspoiled so they can enjoy them.
“Also, the ability to fundraise, which isn’t currently in our supporting legislation.”
It is expected we will know by December which house the bill will start in – the House of Lords or Commons.
The formally submitted bill is now available to view on the parliament website.
A hard copy of the bill will be available to view from December 4 at the trust’s offices on Grange Road, Malvern (9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday except Bank Holidays). Personal copies will be purchasable there from the same date.
Visit https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3897/publications for more information.
Visit https://www.malvernhills.org.uk/governance-changes/myth-busters/ for more information.
