MALVERN town councillors are bound willingly by the National Code of Local Government Conduct. Councillors have an over-riding responsibility to the whole community.

An individual councillor has a special duty to his/her constituents, including those who did not vote for them, or even did not vote at all. Present town councillors have kept their promise in respect of the Code of Conduct.

Town councillors work, unpaid, for the community. Whatever the community of Malvern needs doing, if it is reasonably achievable, and not done by another organisation, and it is lawful for parishes to do, then Malvern Town Council, with your agreement, may take it on.

A poll has been demanded by a lobby group, which suggests that it alone speaks for the population of Malvern and is demanding full control. The poll asks if you believe Malvern town councillors should resign and stand for re-election and will cost in the region of £10,000, to be paid by the town council from your Council Tax.

Parishioners have control of the council through the regular ballot box, through talking to councillors, by answering local consultation documents and by speaking out at council meetings. The lobby is seeking control by other means. It has ignored all town council invitations to joint discussions and has conducted its campaign through the media and by calling rowdy public meetings.

The present council is contractually obliged to complete the project to provide adequate office space and the public service centre, which was set in motion by the previous council.

This council had set a five-year programme for the maintenance and refurbishment of community assets, financial grants to community organisations (like CAB) and support, in kind, to Community Action. Bus shelter and play area work was included, as were community projects like "Bands in the Park", "Christmas lights", "Malvern in Bloom", and some provision for the Langland Regeneration programme.

After a last-minute approach by the district council and some representations, the town council looked again at the budget it had set and, after a lot of soul-searching, reduced the precept demand by some 20 per cent. That now means that some of the promised developments and improvements will be delayed.

Recent "Best Value" legislation means we have to provide you with a summary of our Best Value Plan. Please read it and return the completed questionnaire (over 300 returned so far). We value your response to all consultations.

Our statements are based on sound factual evidence and are audited.

Base your judgment on facts. Gain that knowledge by attending our regular meetings, and talking to your ward councillors.

Town councillors do not like tax increases but we have a job to do, voluntarily, on your behalf. All councillors have the difficult decision of trying to balance the demands of Malvern residents and the resources available.

It is for these reasons that I ask you to vote "No" and let the democratic system work in the way that it always has.

Malvern Town Council works.

Coun David Williams, Mayor of Malvern