Are Local Authorities allowed to hold hybrid Meeting for Precept paying Public, at a venue 20 miles from Precept area?

Question

Annual Meeting for the Levy payers of Malvern in September 2021 at a venue 20 miles away. Residents pay a Precept to the Malvern Hills Trust (MHT) for looking after the land of the Hills and Commons. MHT Meetings follow format of Local Authorities.

The Levy Payers Meeting is where the rate for the Precept is set for the following year.  This year, it will be a hybrid Meeting, restricting the numbers of the public who can attend face-to- face, disadvantaging those without online means, and those unable to travel. No public transport is available. Many of the Trustees are not Precept payers. Last year, the Precept was increased.

Are MHT allowed to hold Meeting at such a distant venue?

Answer 1

No idea but perhaps request to see their Terms of Reference/Rules/Standing Orders or whatever they call them. There should be something formal; you would certainly hope so!

Answer 2

It seems to me that Malvern Hills Trust  are not a Town or Parish Council & this is not the best forum to seek advice about them.

Their website says "Malvern Hills Trust is the working name of the Malvern Hills Conservators (Registered Charity no. 515804) "     http://malvernhills.org.uk/visiting/byelaws-and-policies/