THERE is no 'compelling evidence' for Malvern Hills Trust to chop its elected Trustees to six, according to the local council. 

Malvern Hills District Council called an extraordinary meeting to consider its response to the controversial consultation on plans to update the governance of the Malvern Hills Trust. 

The consultation has drawn heated debate with campaigners fearing there would be 'taxation without representation' if current plans to cut the number of elected trustees to six came to pass. 

Under current rules, there are 11 directly elected trustees, as well as a further 17 who are nominated by several local authorities such as Malvern Hills District Council and Worcestershire County Council.

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One trustee is also nominated by church commissioners.  

However, the revamped plans would see the number of trustees cut to a maximum of 12 and the number of elected trustees chopped to just six. 

The other half of the board, according to the Trust, would be selected for their skills and experience, although all six positions would not have to be filled for the Trust to function should suitable nominees not be found. 

The board's rationale for this in the proposals said: "As much as we feel it is essential to continue to have some elected trustees, a majority of the current board considers it very important to have some trustees appointed specifically for their relevant skills, knowledge and experience, and to enhance diversity."

Council leader Cllr Tom Wells proposed an amendment to Malvern Hills District Council's draft response to the consultation to ensure there was 'taxation with representation.'

He said: "Around £600,000 is contributed towards the Trust's fund every year by precept payers in certain parts of the district, that's the lion's share of the funding they receive each year. 

"They are the major shareholders so you would expect them to have a significant representation on the board. 

"The Trust ought to reconsider its proposal to have up to six elected. 

"We agree that 29 trustees are too many, but we have seen no compelling evidence that the number of elected trustees should be limited to six."

Cllr Wells also proposed that Malvern Hills Trust allows future representations to be made on the bill once it's drafted, but stressed the council was a consultee, no more or less. 

Cllr Jeremy Owenson proposed a further amendment, which was voted down, proposing the district council and the relevant Herefordshire authority discussed becoming the levy-raising body on behalf of the Trust.

He said this would maintain the link between taxation and representation as if the public were not happy they could vote for councillors at the council to stop Trust money. 

The chief executive officer Vic Allison said there were restrictions on how much the authority could increase council tax year on year, and so we would have to think about that very carefully as a council.