HANGING baskets could return to Malvern’s showpiece park if plans are approved to transfer control of the site from district to town council.

This year, as part of a cost-cutting exercise, Malvern Hills District Council decided not to provide hanging baskets in the town centre’s most popular open space, Priory Park. The move was heavily criticised by members of the Malvern in Bloom steering group and judges in the Heart of England in Bloom competition. It was also a concern raised in a survey of concert-goers at this year’s Bands in the Park concerts. Now, the cost of supplying and maintaining hanging baskets has been included in detailed costings of running Priory Park if it is transferred to the town council.

Operations manager Charles Porter said: “If we take on Priory Park we will definitely have hanging baskets.

“The town council wants hanging baskets in there but it is not ours at the moment.”

Members of the town council’s operations committee are to discuss the proposed transfer at a meeting next week.

Earlier in the year the district council asked the town council to consider taking control of the parks as part of a bigger package including the public lavatories and car parks. Since then, the district council has withdrawn its offer of the income-generating car parks and Rosebank Gardens, while the town council has declined to take on the public lavatories.

The assets which could now be transferred are Priory Park, the Priory grounds and Belle Vue island, while Sling Lane playing fields would be negotiated separately.

Malvern Civic Society has already backed the idea, saying the town council would do a better job of managing some of the town’s public assets.

Mr Porter believes the town council could make savings on running costs. He said: “The town council is capable of maintaining Priory Park, the Priory grounds, Belle Vue Island and Sling Lane with its existing machinery.

Priory Park, the Priory grounds and Belle Vue island would be run with staff based in the town to avoid the need to buy more vehicles.

The mowing would be worked into the existing schedule. The idea is that a more regular and therefore improved service would be provided.”

It is estimated to cost £30,282 a year to maintain the assets – including Sling Lane – which would equate to an increase of £2.75 per year in council tax for a band D household in the town council area.