District Council HQ: It appears that some council buildings in Malvern may be sold off before a decision can be made about a new office building. The sale of Highlea and Rockliffe have been mentioned. The building of a new HQ will be delayed until the future of MHDC is known. We understand the Brunel House site in Portland Street and the former Treasurer's site in Albert Road North are the most likely candidates for a new HQ although the former site is likely to involve a demolish and rebuild. Meanwhile, Hereford Council has followed the suggestion of the Audit Commission that it would be more efficient if it sold its outdated offices and worked out of a modern building. Hereford have moved council staff to a single building in Plough Lane that until recently was the national headquarters of Bulmers Cider. Hereford make similar claims to that heard in Malvern, namely that the move will save money on heating and lighting, help to focus recycling efforts and reduce motor emissions, no need for staff to drive between offices, etc.
Cemeteries: Malvern's eagerness to drive stakes into the ground to make upright memorial stones safe with its vampire like tone has upset a lot of people. Other cemeteries I have visited in the West Midlands with the notable exception of Atherstone do not appear to have taken such drastic action. Under the Local Authorities Cemeteries' Order 1977 the 3,300 burial authorities in the UK are required to take immediate action to make safe dangerous memorials. However, they are banned from taking direct action to remove an unstable memorial that presents no immediate risk without posting public notices and seeking permission of the owners. It is the responsibility of the owners or their heirs or assigns to carry out remedial work or make the grave safe. Herefordshire Council has stated that it will write courtesy letters to the owners of gravestones that are found to be unsafe and the same letter will explain the owners' responsibilities. One hopes that Malvern will treat this annual testing procedure more sensitively in future.
Another problem for Malvern is the lack of space in Malvern Cemetery. If nothing is done the cemetery will be full by 2009. The Town Council is looking to find a new home for 63 allotments that were granted long before any shortage of space was foreseen, moving them will extend the life of the cemetery another 19 years. Apparently there are two possible sites on land owned by the Malvern Hills Conservators to the east of Townsend Way, but inevitably there are legal difficulties that must first be disentangled.
Public Lavatories: Malvern has its entry in the Guinness Book of Records namely the Theatre of Small Convenience in Edith Walk. It seats just 12 people and was converted from a Victorian public lavatory. You can visit the website of this superb piece of regeneration at www.wctheatre.co.uk. However, it came as no joke when our District Council decided to close all public 'loos' a decision that has unbelievably got into the political arena! The trouble is the 1936 Public Health Act which makes provision optional.
Local Government Minister, Phil Woolas in his recent speech to the British Toilet Association stated that he wanted to see a national toilet strategy fit for the 21st century. Presumably he meant along the recommended standards of provision of the BTA? If so that means one cubicle per 550 females; one cubicle per 1,100 males; one unisex disabled cubicle and one unisex nappy changing facility per 10,000 population. Note the 2:1 ratio favouring female provision! At present Malvern isn't over the horizon on this one. What about following the example of Wolverhampton where they have initiated their own toilet improvement programme with full public consultation. In any case why not have good quality toilets subsidised by charging as is already happening across this land?
Rubbish Decision: The government believes households should be made to pay for their non-recyclable waste. The Institute for Public Policy Research has published figures showing that we have the third worst recycling rate in the EU after Greece and Portugal. This came after we learned that over 500,000 bins across the country have already been fitted with secret electronic chips that would allow homes to be billed for the amount of rubbish they produce. Surely the way forward is by persuasion and education rather than these 'Big Brother' tactics?
YHA Lights Out! The Youth Hostel Movement has disposed of Malvern's Edwardian Youth Hostel in Peachfield Road. Not too surprising as the movement has listed 32 hostels either too remote or under-used for closure by the end of next summer. The YHA is nursing a £30m deficit. The reasons for the crisis include changes in budget travel and general affluence. Today people want more privacy than a hostel can offer. The YHA is countering by making hostels more like very competitively priced B&Bs, catering for school parties and conferences. We wish them well and hope the movement survives.
Congratulations: Well done to all concerned in Malvern's Gold Award for the Britain in Bloom programme. It was well deserved, especially the effort put on by the Community Hospital.
Mistletoe shortage: The disappearing apple orchards of the Midlands allied to the uncertain future of the famous Tenbury Wells Mistletoe Auction suggests you should get your bit of romantic foliage early before prices rise!