LEGISLATION to revise the ways the Malvern Hills are managed has passed its first hurdle this week following a debate in the House of Lords.
The Malvern Hills Bill, which seeks to refresh the legislation which governs the stewardship of the Malvern Hills, had its first scrutiny and has been passed for consideration by a Lords committee.
A transcript of the debate is available to read. Visit Malvern Hills Bill [HL] – Hansard – UK Parliament for more information.
Over 50 people and local organisations have submitted feedback on the Bill and a group of Lords will be convened to consider making improvements to the draft legislation.
Dame Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, has been following the Bill closely and has met with both the Malvern Hills Trust management and petitioners to hear their views.
The MP said: “Over recent months, I have heard a wide range of views on this proposed legislation and seen some of the passionate responses from local people to this Bill.
“I have always said the current legislation has worked pretty well for over a hundred years, and it requires some careful consideration to make changes to it.
“I have met with several Members of the House of Lords who have expressed their own interest in this legislation and there is set to be further debate on the proposals.
“The House of Lords plays a crucial role scrutinising legislation and I have every confidence that Their Lordships will apply their usual expertise.
“I plan to keep a close eye on this Bill as it proceeds through the House of Lords and expect revised legislation to come to the House of Commons in due course.”
Many organisations and individuals have raised concerns about the bill, suggesting its proposals are dangerous for the future of the hills.
Concerned parties believe the bill will give the Trust new and wide-ranging powers whilst replacing the existing five Malvern Hills Act which have served ‘so well’ for over 140 years.
Campaigners garnered 2,500 signatures opposing the bill in October before it went before the House of Lords, 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 the campaign last year 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.
The MHT website declares only to ‘amalgamate’ all the governing provisions within a single act which has been branded misleading and incorrect by opposers.
Parliament has received over 50 separate submissions of concern, known as Petitions in Parliamentary language.
Parish councils, Malvern Town Council, Malvern Hills District Council and even the County Council have petitioned against this Bill. As well as this, a good number of local residents, councillors and even some of the Conservators or Trustees themselves have echoed concerns.
Visit https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3897/publications and https://www.malvernhills.org.uk/governance-changes/myth-busters/ for more information.
