THERE will be no election for Malvern Town Council as not enough candidates have come forward to fill the spaces.

Only 16 nominations have been received to fill the 20 seats on the council, meaning four members will have to be co-opted.

However town council chairman Paul Tuthill believes this is an indication that people are happy with the state of the council.

“I think it shows that residents are very happy with the work that the town council has been doing, and we will continue to do good things for the people of Malvern,” he said. “There are also set to be some fresh faces on the council, which I think is a good thing, and it means that people will be able to concentrate on the district council elections and the referendum vote.”

Malvern Town Council is not alone in missing out on an election. In the entire Malvern Hills district only one parish or town council, Tenbury Wells, has received enough nominations to go to the polls.

In contrast the Malvern Hills District Council elections look set to be keenly contested, with 76 candidates vying for 38 seats.

The council is currently controlled by the Conservative group, which holds 30 seats. The Liberal Democrat/Green/Independent group has eight.

The Conservatives are fielding 35 candidates, and there are 15 Lib Dems and nine independents. The Green Party has six candidates, the UK Independence Party has eight, the newly-formed Heart of Malvern Party has two and there is one candidate standing under the banner of Independent Community and Health Concern.

Ten current councillors are not seeking re-election. They include former leader Serena Croad, who has now moved out of the district, and executive committee members John Waring and Ralph Madden.

Coun Madden, who has been responsible for resources in the current council and served as interim leader following Coun Croad’s resignation, said: “I will be 79 by the time the next elections come around in four years, and I felt it was the right time to move aside.

“I didn’t see myself being an onlooker from the back benches, and I think it is time for others to take up the cudgels. I look forward to seeing some fresh blood on the council.”

The district will be going to the polls on Thursday, May 5. To make sure you are registered to vote, or to apply for a postal vote, visit malvernhills.gov.uk/cms/council-and-democracy/electoral-services/forthcoming-elections.aspx.