IN her valedictory address former mayor Whinray Coates criticised the people of Malvern for not supporting local charities.

She apparently does not know they are easily the largest contributors to a major local charity to which they will be making payments this year of £234,000 (an average of £23.39 per household). Further contributions totalling £77,000 will be coming from people in West Malvern, Malvern Wells, Guarlford, Colwall and Mathon. The charity in question is the Malvern Hills Conservators.

The residents of Castlemorton and Powick are among the lucky beneficiaries of the charity. They contribute nothing for the upkeep of the commons at Castlemorton and Old Hills, which is paid for by the generosity of the people of Malvern. Walkers and naturalists from all over the region also benefit from being able to use the well-maintained footpaths on the hills while picnickers from Worcester are able to play ball games at Old Hills, all thanks to the generosity of the people of Malvern.

Despite the benefits of tourism, the local authorities do not appear to see the need to support the charity. Herefordshire, with two Conservators, and Malvern Hills District Council, with seven Conservators, pay nothing and Worcestershire pays a paltry £6,000.

To add insult to injury ten of the Conservators make no financial contribution to the charity of which they are trustees, including the two Conservators nominated by Worcestershire CC who curiously live in Herefordshire. One of them is the chairman.

In one way or another since 1968 the county councils have steadily wriggled out of their obligations, diddling the people of Malvern with all the skill and aplomb of the late Robert Maxwell.

Malvern is the most heavily taxed parish in the county. This is entirely due to the burden of supporting the Conservators and the town council.

As a town councillor I firmly believe we can cut Council Tax by at least £10 per taxpayer. I also believe half the amount paid to the Conservators by the six parishes should be taken over by the various local authorities and spread over a much larger tax base.

Alternatively, we could consider putting up signs saying "Welcome to Malvern, top taxed town in Worcestershire".

ALISTAIR MACMILLAN, Alexandra Lane, Malvern.