LEGISLATIVE PLANS to revise the ways that the Malvern Hills are managed are set to be debated by a specialist legislative committee next month.
A Select Committee at parliament has been convened to consider local views on the Malvern Hills Bill, which seeks to refresh the way the Malvern Hills are managed.
Fifty people and local organisations have submitted feedback on the Bill but the Malvern Hills Trust’s representatives have contacted some respondents suggesting they are not entitled to comment on the proposed legislation.
Petitioners still have the right to appeal to the House of Lords committee to ensure they have their say, and a decision will be made on each case following a public hearing.
Dame Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, has been following the Bill closely and has met with both the Malvern Hills Trust management and objectors to hear their views.
The MP said: “The Malvern Hills Bill is due to be considered by a Select Committee next month and ahead of that agents acting on behalf of the trust have advised some petitioners that they will not be heard.
“However, I have spoken to the parliamentary clerks and they say petitioners who have received a solicitor’s letter still have the right to make their case on this to the Select Committee.
“This is a complicated Parliamentary process, but I am anxious to ensure that people know the procedure. Anyone who needs clarification should contact the Bill clerks as soon as possible.
“The House of Lords plays a crucial role revising legislation and I have every confidence this expert Committee of Lords will apply their usual scrutiny to this Private Bill.”
John Michael, chair of Malvern Hills Trust, added: “This is all part of the Parliamentary process and there have been instances where select committees have criticised promoters of private bills for not raising these points.
“Whether or not individual petitioners will be heard, the Select Committee will consider all of the clauses in the Malvern Hills Bill and will pay particular attention to the matters that were highlighted on second reading-on the levy paying area, the composition of the board of trustees, the powers contained in the Bill and whether any provisions in the Bill would impede or restrict public access.”
Visit the website at bills.parliament.uk/publications/57803/documents/5643 for more information on the hearings.
