Budget set for inquiry (From Malvern Gazette)

Budget set for inquiry

4:40pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in News

THE inquiry committee looking into the dispute between St Ann’s Well café tenant John Redman and the Malvern Hills Conservators has been granted an initial budget of £5,000.

The decision was approved at the special meeting of the Conservators’ board on Thursday, January 26.

Rev Carl Atwood, chairman of the committee, said: “They quite properly wanted it done through a board meeting.

“I’m very pleased they have agreed to do it.”

The dispute dates back to 2009 when Mr Redman was informed his lease on the premises would not be renewed by the Conservators when it expired in March 2010.

A new lease was finally agreed in May 2011 but both Mr Redman and the then Conservators chairman Clive Smith agreed there should be a thorough investigation to establish the truth of what exactly took place during the affair, which has racked up a legal bill of £120,000.

􀁥 The inquiry committee is inviting members of the public to submit written evidence to be considered as part of its work.

Inquiries for the formal letter of invitation for submissions should be made to: The Inquiry Committee Chairman, Submission Invitation Request, Malvern Hills Conservators, Manor House, Grange Road, Malvern, WR14 3EY.