A NEW leader has been chosen for the Conservative group on Malvern Hills District Council.

Cllr Jeremy Owenson has been chosen to head the group, with Cllr Bronwen Behan being chosen as deputy.

Cllr Owenson said: It is our intention to try to do things a bit differently at the Council.

"The district has been badly affected by the floods, and then Covid 19.

"Having barely started to clean up from the terrible flooding of the town centre, Tenbury shops, businesses and the cinema have now been forced to close during the lock-down, meaning the commercial future of Tenbury is in doubt.

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"In Upton Upon Severn, the cancellation of the summer’s festivals mean that many businesses will struggle to survive the year.

"In Malvern, the Theatre’s future looks in jeopardy, and the swimming pool is under threat.

"The Conservative Group at Malvern Hills District Council say this is the time for working together with all councillors, including those at County, Town and Parish levels.

"This is the time to rebuild the communities that have been hardest hit by the floods and the lockdown. This is the time to support our High Streets and businesses.

"We need to spend the next three years working with all willing councillors to re-build Malvern and the district, and to ensure that we are resilient to withstand any future disasters that may affect our residents and businesses in the future.

"This is the time for co-operation, not conflict."