A GROUP aimed at tackling climate change in the Malvern Hills has had its free printing service cut by the district council.
Transition Malvern Hills (TMH) previously had the support of MHDC as it was a member of the Malvern Hills Partnership, a group of influential organisations in the area which come together to identify the gaps in service provision across the district.
As part of the partnership, TMH received free printing for posters and newsletters to help support various projects. Those projects have included electric bikes, the Malvern Hills car club, solar panel schemes, recycling methods and food alliances.
Robin Coates, a member of the group which was set up in 2008, said they were ‘extremely upset’ the decision had been taken while Coun John Raine also criticised the move.
“It is mean-minded and disrespectful in the extreme,” Coun Raine said.
“The decision to withdraw the offer was made summarily without even the courtesy of forewarning or prior consultation.
“It underlines just how little MHDC cares either about volunteer effort in general or, more specifically, about community-level responses to the threat of climate change.”
However John Williams, head of policy and governance at MHDC, said the arrangement was an informal agreement with a previous head of service who no longer works for the council.
“Over the last three years this agreement has cost the council £2,500 and at a time when our finances are under pressure and we are looking at new ways of working, it is only right we review it,” he said.
“Support provided has mainly been in the form of printing newsletters and officers have been asked to work with TMH to examine alternative methods they could use to spread their message by publishing information online or via electronic newsletters.
“We are always happy to work with voluntary organisations but it is vital we look carefully at how they support the services we provide.”
