The governing Board consists of 29 unpaid members and includes both elected and nominated members.
Eleven of the members are elected directly by the electorate in the parishes and wards that pay the precept. 17 are nominated by local authorities and one is nominated by the Church Commissioners
The Board meets at least five times a year, to consider the reports presented by its committees and officers and to set policies and strategic aims of the organisation.
COVID-19 Contingency Committee
Authority has been delegated by the Board for this committee to take urgent decisions whilst normal meetings of the Committees have been suspended during the Covid-19 emergency. It comprises the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board, and the Chairs and Vice Chairs of all the standing Committees (Land Management, Finance, Administration and Resources, Staffing, Governance). These meetings will be held by telephone conference in the light of the Government requirement for the public to stay at home, to not travel unnecessary, and to stay 2 metres away from others.
Next meeting of the Contingency Committee is the 3rd July.
Temporary arrangements during Covid-19 restrictions
The Trust may hold virtual meetings (with trustees taking part by video link or by telephone) whilst it is not possible to hold face-to-face meetings. The Trust has now set up a facility to live stream meetings. All the Board meetings are open to the public, except where personnel matters or commercially sensitive matters are to be discussed or where legal professional privilege applies. These virtual meetings will now be open to the public by way of a link to a streaming service and the link will be published on the agenda. This will not apply to any part of a meeting where exempt/confidential business is discussed.
Members of the public may submit a short statement (which will take no longer than 3 minutes to read out loud) to a virtual Board or standing committee meeting. This must be received no later than 12 noon, one clear day before the meeting (e.g. for a meeting on a Thursday evening, by 12 noon on Tuesday). For a committee meeting, the statement must be relevant to a matter on the agenda for the meeting. Statements submitted before the deadline will be posted on the Trust’s website (where possible), circulated to trustees and read out verbatim at the meeting. The Trust reserves the right not to publish or read out any statements which contain information which may be defamatory or are otherwise in breach the law.
Please note that our meeting agendas will be added prior to upcoming meetings. Meeting minutes are signed off at Board meetings therefore the documents below are the most recent drafts available.
Next Board meeting
Meeting timetable (Board and Committees)
Minutes from previous meetings can also be viewed in our archive.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, standing Committee meetings have been cancelled until further notice.
This committee makes recommendations to the Board in relation to:
Next Land Management Committee meeting (to be confirmed)
This committee makes recommendations to the Board in relation to:
This committee also has the authority to approve contracts for budgeted expenditure between £10,000 and £20,000 and approve non-budget expenditure limited to a maximum of £20,000 in any financial year.
Next Finance, Administration and Resources Committee meeting (to be confirmed)
This committee advises the Board and some of its primary functions are to:
Next Governance Committee meeting (to be confirmed)
Governance Handbook (PDF 13.8 MB)
This committee makes recommendations to the Board in relation to:
Next Staffing Committee meeting (to be confirmed)
The Disciplinary Committee will meet only when required to implement the process set out in the Disciplinary Procedure to investigate and adjudicate any complaint about trustee conduct.
Members of the public may submit a short statement (which will take no longer than 3 minutes to read out loud) to a virtual Board or standing committee meeting. This must be received no later than 12 noon, one clear day before the meeting (e.g. for a meeting on a Thursday evening, by 12 noon on Tuesday).
Statements submitted before the deadline will be posted on the Trust’s website (where possible), circulated to trustees and read out verbatim at the meeting. The Trust reserves the right not to publish or read out any statements which contain information which may be defamatory or are otherwise in breach the law.
For a committee meeting, the statement must be relevant to a matter on the agenda for the meeting.
Recreation Advisory Panel - This Panel meets twice a year to discuss work and projects which may affect users and visitors to the Hills. Representatives from different recreation user groups including cyclists, walkers, joggers and hang gliders meet to advise the Trust.
Report from previous meeting (PDF)
Wildlife Panel - The Panel is made up of wildlife and species experts and is an opportunity for the Trust to review the records of species and habitats which could inform future management of the Hills and Commons.
Report from previous meeting (PDF)
We actively engage with with other local organisations and groups to find ways in which we can work together to care for the Hills and Commons.
Castlemorton Commons Coordinating Committee (4C's) - The Castlemorton Commons Coordinating Committee or 4Cs was set up to to provide a forum for discussion about the management of Castlemorton, Hollybed and Coombe Green Commons.
Castlemorton Common Coordinating Committee (4C's)
Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - The main ridgeline of the Malvern Hills and Commons fall within the Malvern Hills AONB. The AONB designation signifies that the natural beauty of this area is of national importance. As such, a Partnership of local and national interests works together to conserve and enhance the area through the implementation of a five year AONB Management Plan.
Visit the Malverns - Official tourist information website with more information about visiting the Malvern Hills, food, accommodation and other attractions in the area.
Natural England - Are the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England, helping to protect England’s nature and landscapes for people to enjoy and for the services they provide. NE also advise us on the management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest on the Malvern Hills and Commons.
Historic England - Are the public body that looks after England's historic environment. They champion and protect historic places, helping people understand, value and care for them. HE advise us on the management of the Scheduled Monuments on the Malvern Hills and Commons.