TAX: Cllr Peter Whatley presented the plans COUNCIL tax will be increasing for Malvern residents after councillors voted to approve this year’s budget. At the full meeting of Malvern Hills District Council this week, councillors voted to adopt this year s budget, which approves a council tax increase of £5 for the average Band D property. Cllr Peter Whatley, introducing the budget, said: The financial situation is more challenging this year for councils than it has been for many years, and Malvern is better off than most councils, but let nobody be in doubt, we are only here through sound financial planning.
CONSERVATIVE councillors in Malvern have hit back at the criticism they faced after voting against the district’s Five Year Plan. The Tories had been criticised by district council leader Sarah Rouse, who said she was surprised they had voted against proposals including additional affordable housing and a covid memorial forest. Conservative leader Cllr Jeremy Owenson responded to the criticism, saying the council was not addressing the key concerns of the district. He said: “The Conservative group will continue to support good policies, irrespective of the party which raises them, but we cannot support Sarah Rouse and her team who are fiddling while the District burns in a Covid Crisis.