WHAT can possibly justify Malvern Hills' leading councillors voting themselves a 17 to 20 per cent pay rise?

Like members of Parliament and bankers perhaps they alone think they are worth it!

Is this also the reason why Malvern Hills councillors agreed to defy government wishes and raise council tax by nearly two per cent?

A pity they can’t bring themselves to defy government wishes when they make their planning decisions!

Clearly, this cannot be blamed on government funding cuts when neighbouring Tewkesbury Borough Council has voted for no increase and Cotswold District Council has even reduced council tax by three per cent.

Malvern band D households will be expected to pay £1,512, while similar households in Tewkesbury will only pay £1,192. Why the whopping difference?

Anthony Skelsey

Malvern