LEGAL advice is being sought by members of the Malvern Town Action Group after what they claim was a "blatant misuse of procedure" at the annual town council meeting this week.

The council met on Tuesday (May 21) to appoint a new mayor, deputy mayor and various committees members.

During the meeting, Coun Willie Ford (Independent, West) proposed that standing orders, rules that govern the running of a council, be suspended so that he could propose an amendment to the committee structure.

MTAG councillors questioned his proposal, saying they had not been given a reason for the suspension. However, the move was voted through.

Coun Ford then announced his amendments, which included the dissolution of the Belle Vue Terrace working party, in which MTAG had a majority membership.

The working party was approved by full council last December to examine the future of the former Manders building, where the town council is based. The council borrowed £490,000 for its new base, £460,000 of which is still outstanding.

Currently £310,442 has been earmarked to spend on council administration and only £258,569 on operations. The working party was to consider renting out space in the building to raise extra funds.

Under Coun Ford's proposal, the responsibilities of the working party would be transferred to the Best Value working party.

Normally, under the "six-month rule", council decisions cannot be reversed until six months after they have been made. However, because the standing orders had been suspended, a vote was taken on Coun Ford's proposals and approved.

After the meeting, Coun Adrian Ward (MTAG, West), said he was completely appalled at what he described as the manipulation of the standing orders.

"It's a blatant misuse of the procedures laid down by statute," he said. "The whole purpose of the six-month rule is to enable continuity of council decisions.

"Now by precedent, any decision made by council can be changed at the next meeting. I intend to raise this issue as to the legality of it. The working party which they have effectively thrown out was there to try and come up with some ideas as to how we could get better use of the Belle Vue building. They (opposing councillors) are opposing MTAG being involved in any discussions about that."

Mr Ward has written to the new mayor, Coun Frances Victory, to say that he is planning to seek legal advice on the matter.

"Coun Pat Mewton (Lib Dem, Langland), who seconded Coun Ford's proposal, said that the changes would make the running of the council more efficient.

"We need to press on and get things done for the benefit of Malvern. Things will now be more streamlined. There will be fewer meetings but more will get done."