THE political landscape at Malvern Hills District Council has changed after Green party members called time on their long-running pact with Lib Dem and independent councillors.

Clive Smith’s recent defection from the Lib Dems to the Greens to join Councillor Julian Roskams and John Raine gives the party its strongest-ever representation.

Coun Raine said this was the main reason for deciding to go it alone after 12 years working in alliance.

“We are now of a size and with the experience-base to work effectively as a group on our own,” he said.