ONE of Malvern’s Liberal Democrat councillors has defected to the ruling Independent Group.

Cllr Caroline Bovey has left the party to become an independent, joining fellow former Lib Dem Cllr Beverley Nielsen representing Pickersleigh. She said: “I am looking forward to working with Beverley as independent councillors who can truly put residents’ concerns first above political agendas.

“As your town and district councillor, I am continuing to work on your behalf to tackle local concerns and I am particularly looking into the recent, marked increase in vermin infestations around Malvern.

“I urge people to ensure that food waste is not left out and to take action if they have vermin in their shed or garden. If you are on a low income the Council may be able to help.”

Cllr Nielsen, newly elected as an Independent onto Worcestershire County Council, said: “I have greatly enjoyed working with Caroline over the past few years and I am so pleased that we’re going to collaborate even more closely in future.

“I’m very grateful for Caroline’s support in the recent county council election campaign and having worked alongside each other during this period, I’m really looking forward to building on this to put our residents’ interests first and foremost in all that we do.”

“There are a lot of pressing issues which have been flagged up during the county campaign.

“Upskilling and retraining is the number one priority highlighted by people in Pickersleigh in particular. Everyone I’ve spoken with has wanted to see Malvern Hills College saved from closure.

“Speeding is a priority for people across Malvern Priory and Malvern Langland – and all the other councillors I speak with share this priority on behalf of their residents. Waste removal and bins for dog waste and litter are also required as a public health matter.”

Last summer saw four Liberal Democrat councillors leave the group over the leader's decision to withdraw from the ruling coalition.

Cllr Tom Wells, Cllr Beverley Nielsen, Cllr Kathy Wells and Cllr Kwai Hung Chan quit in response to the decision by new leader Cllr Kaleem Aksar to pull the party out of the council’s ruling administration forged by Independent and Green councillors.