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The 4Cs - Representing You
The Castlemorton Commons Coordinating Committee or 4Cs was set up to advise the Malvern Hills Conservators and the owner of Coombe Green on matters relating to the management of Castlemorton Common and to consider and represent the views of the residents, and users.
The minutes from each meeting are available (see links below) and the most recent minutes are also on Recent News.
- How the 4Cs operate
- Terms of reference for Castlemorton Commons co-ordinating committee (4Cs)
- Taking an issue to the 4Cs
- Committee members
- Minutes of Meetings
- Background to the 4Cs
How the 4Cs operate
The 4Cs can make recommendations to the Malvern Hills Conservators (MHC) or Mr Dawes, who have the responsibilities to manage the common.
The Malvern Hills Acts of 1884-1995 imposed several duties on the MHC, which are as follows:-
- They shall preserve the natural aspect of the Malvern Hills and Commons and protect the trees, bushes and turf from spoilation.
- They shall keep the hills and commons as open spaces for the recreation and enjoyment of the public.
- They shall prevent any buildings, enclosures and encroachments upon the hills and commons or any part thereof under their jurisdiction other than specifically allowed under the Malvern Hills Acts.
- They shall not do anything or act which will take away or adversely affect the right of any commoner.
As a result of the Acts the MHC cannot carry out anything which is in conflict with these duties.
In addition there are several other legal requirements to which the management of the common must adhere to.
- National Legislation (pdf)
When the 4Cs make a recommendation to the MHC, the MHC must respond within 2 months. Their response and the resulting action taken will be influenced by the Malvern Hills Acts and their own budgets.
For incidents that need urgent attention the MHC should be contacted directly. Issues that the 4Cs would address are described in their terms of reference.
Terms of reference for Castlemorton Commons co-ordinating committee (4Cs)
- Updating information that will help Worcestershire County Council maintain the register of commoners.
- Give advice on the Higher Level Stewardship application, particularly relating to capital works, to enable positive environmental, landscape, recreational and historic measures to be incorporated.
- To monitor the Higher Level Stewardship to ensure that the capital works and stocking levels adhere to the agreement and inform DEFRA on shortcomings.
- To advise the owners of the common on matters relating to management of the area.
- To advise the owners of the common and relevant authorities on appropriate action to tackle anti-social behaviour.
- To support and endorse the decisions made by the 4Cs.
Made up examples of which issue should be taken to the MHC or the 4Cs are:
| Issue | Contact | Response | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Example 1.a |
Goose at millpond tangled in fishing line. | MHC | MHC wardens would be informed and they take the appropriate action. | |||
| Example 1.b |
Some Individuals want fishing policy changed to prevent injuries from fishing lines. | To be raised with the 4C | Issue discussed by the 4Cs and a recommendation made to the MHC. By taking it to the 4Cs the outcome represents a wider group of people. | |||
Example 2.a |
Sheep being chased or hurt by a dog. | MHC | MHC take action to intervene. | |||
Example 2.b |
Graziers report that the message to control dogs on the common is not getting through. | 4C | 4C discuss other ways to get the message across and work to disseminate the message among the organisations they represent. |
Taking an issue to the 4Cs
If you have an issue about the common on which you feel the Malvern Hills Conservators should act there are several routes through which you can communicate.
- Write or speak to a 4Cs representative and ask them to raise your concern at the next 4Cs meeting. The 4Cs can then respond and if necessary make a recommendation to the Malvern Hills Conservators or Mr Dawes
- Write to the 4Cs via the Administrative Officer of the MHC and the letter will be read out at the next 4Cs meeting. The 4Cs can then respond and if necessary make a recommendation to the Malvern Hills Conservators or Mr Dawes
- Write to the MHC (if the issue is not in relation to Coombe Green) and the MHC staff will try and address your concerns, and if necessary raise the issue at the next 4Cs meeting.
| Those represented |
Number |
Current Representatives |
|---|---|---|
| Malvern Hills Conservators | 2 | Mr Chris Rouse, Mrs Sue Thetford |
| Representative of the owner of Coombe Green Common | 1 | Mrs Sue Windle |
| Castlemorton Parish Council | 2 | Mr Angus Golightly, Mr Bill Bowen |
| Castlemorton Common Association | 2 | Mr Lionel Bartlett, Mr Med Snookes |
| Birtsmorton Parish Council | 1 | Mr Roger Gillard |
| Welland Parish Council | 1 | Mrs Andrea Calvesbert |
| Active Graziers | 3 | Mr Anthony Bunn, Mr Richard Dawe, Mrs Fay Priday |
| Recreational interests | 1 | Lyn Hartmann |
The Malvern Heritage Project is a partnership project that includes the Malvern Hills Conservators, the Malvern Hills AONB and Natural England. Part of the project was to help conserve the grazing heritage of the Malvern Hills and Commons. In 2006 an action plan for the whole of Castlemorton common was commissioned by the Malvern Heritage Project. The company commissioned to produce the plan, Land Use Consultants, consulted with members of the public, active graziers, commoners and local bodies involved in the area. The action plan was completed in early 2007 and discussed some of the significant issues and challenges on the common and made some proposals about the future (Action plan and appendix). Part of the future proposals was for the formation of the Castlemorton Commons Coordinating Committee.
The Castlemorton Commons Coordinating Committee or 4Cs was formed in spring 2007 to bring together the interested parties of Castlemorton Commons. The 4Cs replaced the Tripartite Committee as a representative body for the common. The Tripartite consisted of the Malvern Hills Conservators, Castlemorton Parish Council and the Castlemorton Common Association. The 4Cs now includes representatives from, MHC and the owner of Coombe Green, three parish councils, commoners, active graziers, and recreational interests. The first meeting of the 4Cs was in 21 May 2007 after which a sub committee met to make proposed changes to the constitution of the 4Cs. The reformed constitution was accepted on the 24 th July 2007 and the 4Cs committee was established.
