Home > Malvern Hills Bill > Bill News

Malvern Hills Bill News

Updated as of 28 August 2026

The Malvern Hills Bill was deposited in Parliament on 27th November 2024.

The Bill originated in the House of Lords.

The Bill had its first and second readings in 2025. It was then considered by a House of Lords Select Committee, which sat in January, February and March 2026. The Trust had to give evidence to prove that the Bill was expedient and necessary. The Committee also heard evidence from petitioners who raised concerns about some of the content of the Bill.

The Committee’s findings are contained in their Special Report and the Bill as amended in Committee are both available on the UK Parliament website.

After Parliament was prorogued at the end of April, the Trust had to apply for the Bill to proceed in the current session. A motion to reinstate is a purely procedural motion, and an objection is very unusual; however Baroness Coffey raised an objection and the matter will now have to be debated. Baroness Coffey has asked for a “Take Note” debate, which is expected to be listed after the Conference Recess in October.

Baroness Coffey has been invited to contact the Trust or its Parliamentary Agent to discuss the reason for her objection.

Update Following Select Committee Review

April 29, 2026

On receipt of the report of the Lords Committee on the Malvern Hills Bill, David Core, Vice Chairman and Chair of Governance of The Malvern Hills Trust said: “We welcome that the Committee has accepted the need for the Bill and endorsed the case …

Select Committee make a further decision on the right to be heard of some petitioners

February 2, 2026

Select Committee made a further decision on the standing of some petitioners on Thursday. You can read more here - https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/51355/documents/285143/default/

Select Committee Hearings Update

January 28, 2026

On Thursday 22 January, the Committee made an interim decision on the right of certain petitioners against the Bill to be heard and that decision is available on the Trust’s website at:www.malvernhills.org.uk/media/4292/malvern-hills-bill-select-comm…

Malvern Hills Trust prepares for Committee Stage of Malvern Hills Bill

December 1, 2025

The Private Bill lodged by the Malvern Hills Trust will be moving to the Committee stage in the House of Lords over the coming weeks. The Select Committee will examine the Bill clause by clause to consider whether the case has been made for the cha…

Charity Commission sets out expectations for Malvern Hills Trust trustees

August 25, 2026

The Charity Commission has written to all Malvern Hills Trust trustees setting out its expectations in relation to their conduct. The letter explains the Commission’s view on trustee duties, collective decision-making, public disagreement with Board decisions, and the importance of resolving disputes constructively.

What the Commission says

The Commission reminds trustees that their legal duty is to act collectively and solely in the best interests of the charity. It also clarifies that elected trustees are not on the Board to represent the interests of those who elected them. The Commission says the Board has already made a valid decision that promoting the Bill is in the charity’s best interests. It advises that trustees should not publicly oppose or petition against the Bill while acting as trustees. Trustees can raise concerns and debate issues within the Board. However, once a decision has been made, the Commission says all trustees must follow the agreed position.

Why the Bill is important

The Commission notes that the Bill is intended to update the Trust’s five governing Acts, which it describes as outdated and complex, and to help ensure that trustee elections can be conducted lawfully. It also says that, given the charity’s current governance difficulties and the funds already spent preparing the Bill, it is difficult to see a credible case that the Bill is no longer in the charity’s interests.

Resolving disagreements

The Commission says disagreements between trustees can affect how well a charity operates and damage its reputation. It expects trustees to resolve disagreements early and constructively. The letter welcomes the planned use of mediation and says trustees are expected to take part constructively.

Regulatory expectations and next steps

The Commission has issued its advice to each trustee individually. It says that failure to act on the advice may lead it to consider further regulatory steps, including an official warning or statutory inquiry. Trustees were asked to confirm by 5pm on 21 August 2026 that the letter had been received, read and understood.

John Michael, Chair said:

“I’m pleased that our regulator is clarifying what it expects from trustees. I want to be clear that trustees are entitled to hold and express different views around the Malvern Hills Bill. This, however, goes deeper into the fundamentals of being a charity trustee. The Trust sought independent regulatory advice on this difficult and unusual issue. It is important for all of us to act consistently with that regulatory guidance. We have published the full advice on our website, and I hope that all trustees will consider their position carefully. We are a charity, not a council, and we must all take collective responsibility for the decisions that have been made in the best interests of the Malvern Hills. In the meantime, we are reaching out to all existing petitioners to invite them to meet with us, while the parliamentary bill process is paused.”

Special Board Meeting postponed

August 20, 2026

The Special Board meeting announced for Thursday 27 August has been postponed to a future date, to be confirmed in due course.

Malvern Hills Bill News

Update Following Select Committee Review

Select Committee make a further decision on the right to be heard of some petitioners

Select Committee Hearings Update

Malvern Hills Trust prepares for Committee Stage of Malvern Hills Bill

LATEST NEWS

Charity Commission sets out expectations for Malvern Hills Trust trustees

What the Commission says

Why the Bill is important

Resolving disagreements

Regulatory expectations and next steps

John Michael, Chair said:

Special Board Meeting postponed

Newsletter Signup

Stockwatch

Northern Hills

Central Hills

Southern Hills

Old Hills

Castlemorton and Hollybed Commons