INTERNET blogs and meetings outside the Great Malvern area are just two of the suggestions put forward by the district council to increase its engagement with the community.

Other suggestions include encouraging councillors to write newsletters detailing their activities, forming closer relationships with the public and the creation of residents’ groups dedicated to local issues.

The community engagement and leadership policy, approved at a meeting of MHDC’s executive committee, on Tuesday, November 25, seeks to improve the council’s involvement with local people. The suggestions will be considered in detail before an action plan is presented to the executive and then full council in the new year.

The idea of holding meetings away from heart of Malvern was demonstrated in November, when Hanley Castle High School was used as the venue for a full council meeting at which the regional spatial strategy was discussed.

This drew criticism from Liberal Democrat councillor Tom Wells, who felt that the move meant debate was being taken further away from the people it would affect. Council leader Serena Croad said: “By gaining the views of residents through community engagement and leadership we will have a better understanding of how we can effectively serve our communities and how, together, we can create a positive vision for the district, and turn that into a reality.”

The first project the council wants to seek better public engagement for is its waste strategy review, which is in the early stages of development.