I WAS most surprised to read the MHDC are threatening legal action against Keith Phillips as a result of his protest at the behaviour of the town council.

The reason for this may well be that they are as frustrated as the majority of chargepayers in Malvern over this out-of-control organisation. Clearly someone at a higher level has recognised this and, as a result, MHDC have been fined £25,000 because they are the authority that collects local taxes. A principle of good management is that responsibility and authority should be coincident, so the logical action would be for MHDC to take control of the town council.

When Keith Phillips and myself were on the district council, sensible councillors from all parties worked together with the staff to provide value for money within the financial constraints. This has long been part of the tradition of good local government in Malvern. This tradition is now at risk from the actions of the current town council.

If the MHDC cannot gain powers to reform the free-spending town council, then I would suggest that they take legal action to recharge the £25,000 fine personally on each of the town councillors. That would be fair and perhaps help restore the tradition of good local government to Malvern.

Paul Tuthill, Lower Howsell Road, Malvern.