MALVERN Town Council has issued out a statement saying its financial situation is in safe hands and strongly refuted claims it is ‘running on empty’.
Malvern Town Clerk Linda Blake said the council’s Mayor Cynthia Palmer and deputy Mayor Hannah Campbell have wrote the statement to clarify the authority’s financial position following comments made in another local newspaper’s letters page in recent weeks.
The council’s clarification comes after the hugely critical Mike Charles resigned as a Dyson Perrins councillor earlier this month.
Mr Charles accused Malvern Town Council of being untrustworthy and said the authority had become a ‘laughing stock’ in the wake of the unfair dismissal of former town clerk Richard Chapman.
The joint statement from Coun Palmer and Coun Campbell reads: “As Mayor and Deputy Mayor of this beautiful town we would like to confirm the following points about Malvern Town Council and reassure the taxpayers that the Town Council is not ‘running on empty’ and that high quality delivery of services, effective financial management and prudent budgeting remains a key part of this Council.
“The Town Council’s cash balances fall to their lowest levels at the end of December in each year as this is just before precept funds are received from the District Council.
“Even at this low point, the balance at 31 December 2016 was £517,000 which represents a healthy level of reserves.
“Council agreed in December 2016 that Council tax charges for a Band D household will be increased to £57.64 for 2017/18.
“This equates to £4.24 increase in a Band D Council tax charge per household per annum.
“Despite pressure on budgets caused by reductions in grant funding and inflationary factors, Malvern Town Council will continue to deliver ongoing high quality operational and administrative services within a moderate budget increase.
“The Town Council is in very safe hands with many hardworking and committed councillors working positively together and supported by our excellent team of Town Council staff.”
