Councillor information
- Councillor information
- Your Local Council
- Compliments and Complaints
- Environmental Information
- Freedom of Information (FOI)
- Public Notices and Consultations
- Weddings and Civil Partnerships
- Moving to Malvern
- Tackling climate change
- Browse Meetings, Minutes and Agendas
- Modern Slavery Act Statement
- Malvern Theatres £20m project
- Jobs
- Community Infrastructure Charging Levy Consultation
- Media and Press Enquiries
- Councillor information
- Your Local Council
- Compliments and Complaints
- Environmental Information
- Freedom of Information (FOI)
- Public Notices and Consultations
- Weddings and Civil Partnerships
- Moving to Malvern
- Tackling climate change
- Browse Meetings, Minutes and Agendas
- Modern Slavery Act Statement
- Malvern Theatres £20m project
- Jobs
- Community Infrastructure Charging Levy Consultation
- Media and Press Enquiries
There are 31 councillors, each one is elected for a period of four years to represent the residents in part of the district known as a Ward.
- A Councillor's Political Group is not necessarily the same as the political party they stood for at election.
- View councillor details, including committee appointments, contact information and register of interests.
- View political structure
- pdf Councillor Ward Map (1.44 MB)
The role of the district councillor
Each elected Member serves on full Council, which determines strategic policy and approves certain matters "reserved" to Council, such as setting the budget and Council Tax.
Councillors also serve on one of two Area Planning Committees, and may also serve on other committees, such as Executive Committee, Overview & Scrutiny or the Licensing and Appeals Committee.
An important part of the councillor's role takes place away from the Council itself and in their ward, where they act as a point of contact between the district council, parish and town councils and residents on a range of community matters.
Many Councillors are also representatives on outside bodies. View list of outside bodies.
The leader and chairman of the council
No single party or group is currently in control of Malvern Hills District Council.
At an Annual Council meeting in November 2024, Councillor John Gallagher was elected as leader of Malvern Hills District Council and Councillor Jeremy Owenson as deputy leader.
Cllr Daniel Walton was elected as chairman and Cllr John Raine as vice-chairman.
Portfolio Holders
There are five Portfolio Holders with specific responsibilities for different areas of our work.
Cllr John Gallagher, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Resources
Responsibilities: Strategic leadership and direction, lead on emergency planning, corporate communications and reputation management, corporate performance and strategy, business planning, financial strategy and financial planning, revenues and benefits, Information and Communications Technology matters, property strategy and asset management, health and safety and risk management, human resources and legal, and car parking,
Cllr Jeremy Owenson, Portfolio Holder for Environment
Responsibilities: environmental campaigns including litter, plastics and energy reduction, waste management, refuse collection and recycling, food waste, biodiversity and the natural environment, green agriculture, parks, grounds maintenance, street scene services, delivery of the Destination Zero Plan.
Cllr Jennie Watkins, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Housing
Responsibilities: community transport and active travel, community engagement and development including parish councils and young people/schools, voluntary sector links, leisure strategy and delivery including sports promotion, health and wellbeing including Ageing Well, community safety, policing and crime, domestic abuse, strategic housing, lead on links with registered housing providers, private sector housing, Homes for Ukraine and migration, homelessness and rough sleeping, poverty alleviation, external equality, diversity and inclusion.
Cllr David Harrison, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Flooding
Responsibilities: strategic planning, SWDPR and JAP lead member, neighbourhood planning, development management, heritage matters, Building Control, planning enforcement, land charges and street naming, strategic transport and infrastructure, strategic and urban design policy and initiatives, land drainage and flooding, and Worcestershire Regulatory Services lead member (including licensing).
Cllr Douglas Godwin, Portfolio Holder for Economy and Tourism
Responsibilities: economic growth and prosperity, hi-tech sector growth, promotion of the district as a low carbon economy, urban regeneration and town centres revitalisation, rural economy and growth matters, tourism and visitor economy, strategic employment sites, strategic business liaison, skills and apprenticeships, and arts and culture.
Member Champions
Our member champions will promote and support various interests of the community.
Acting as a positive focus for the local community, they will make contact with local organisations, familiarise themselves with the needs of the relevant section of the community, act as advocates on their behalf and feedback the decisions of the council.
- Armed Forces Member Champion: Cllr Natalie McVey
- Young People Member Champion: Cllr Frances Victory
- Heritage Member Champion: Cllr John Raine
- Rural Member Champion: Cllr Barbara Jones-Williams
- Poverty Alleviation Member Champion: Cllr John Gallagher
- Health and Wellbeing Champion: Cllr Christine Wild