MEMBERS of the public made full use of a question and answer session to grill the panel over the future of Malvern Theatres.

Former councillor Pat Merrick explained how she had been a proud member of the district council committee that handed over the theatres to the trust.

But she criticised MHDC for the way it had handled the situation over management and operation.

"I think it would have been honest of the district council to have expressed the fears and worries over the future - we may have raised half a million pounds to pay off the debts," she said.

"I want to ask the district council what they are doing with the enormously inflated Council Tax they take off us every year and I want to know why it is considering putting out for commercial gain the most important building in the Malvern district, which we should be fighting tooth and nail to keep?"

Coun Paul Cumming, who said that a final decision would be taken by the full council of 42 members, defended charges of secrecy. "The reason we haven't consulted previously is because there was nothing to consult about," he said, adding that the proposals were only received in June.

He also said cuts in funding to the theatres were down to having to balance the books.

"It was a matter of looking at all areas of expenditure to see where the council could save money. We are not in the position to turn around and just say here's £600,000. Had we just turned around and said here it is, other people would have questioned it. If you and we decide it's the best option, fine, we go and do it."

Actor and director Rob Swinton wanted assurances that the theatres' uniqueness would be preserved.

"I tour around and see a large number of theatres and very few if any can match the quality and programming you have here," he said. "Would the council be prepared to assure me that to save money it won't sacrifice the integrity of this theatre's management?"

Coun Cumming said the exercise was not to save money and said the plan was for people to question ATG themselves during the consultation process.

Asked by Malvern's Alan Carter what programming could be expected from Ambassadors, current chief executive Nic Lloyd replied: "In terms of programming it will be diverse but will be very much a touring one - you won't get Almeida and Derek Jacobi.

"What I suggest is you ring up Richmond, Brigh-ton and Stoke and get their brochures - but don't go!" he joked.

Coun Cumming twice brought up the subject of the "proper" running of the theatres.

After MADCAP chairman Robert Wilson had first picked him up on it he then answered a question on timescale for consultation.

"Once the facts are out people can make their minds up pretty quickly and get on with running the theatres properly...not that it isn't being run well now."