KIDDERMINSTER could have its own separate town council in place before the end of the year.

The new authority, which residents voted overwhelmingly in favour of in a poll in May, will give people in the town greater control over facilities and services currently run by Wyre Forest District Council.

Members are being asked to agree a raft of recommendations for the proposed “Kidderminster Parish Council” at a full Wyre Forest District Council meeting on July 29.

If approved, assets including the freehold of the Town Hall, the War Memorial, Market Street toilets, land adjacent to St Mary’s Church, statues such as Worcester Road clock and street furniture at various locations will be transferred to the new council.

Subject to a decision by the Kidderminster Educational Foundation, councillors will also be asked to agree the proposed transfer of the property, rights and liabilities vested in the Kidderminster Educational Foundation to the new council.

It will also be responsible for Kidderminster’s Christmas lights, in line with Bewdley and Stourport which already have existing town councils.

District Council will also be asked to agree the number of members sitting on the new authority – which is recommended to be 18 to represent the six Kidderminster wards of Broadwaters, Offmore & Comberton, Aggborough & Spennells, Foley Park & Hoobrook, Blakebrook & Habberley South and Franche & Habberley North.

The report also asks the District Council to agree, as a basis for consultation, the funding arrangements for the new council for 2016-17.

The proposal is based on an average of about £21 at Band B, or about 40p a week, and would be payable by all households in Kidderminster as part of their council tax bill. This is similar to the amounts paid by residents of Bewdley and Stourport for their town councils.

Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, said: “The electors of Kidderminster have made clear their wish to see a town council. Creating the new council will put Kidderminster on the same footing as Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn in terms of control and influence over what happens in the town.

“The new council will enable Kidderminster people to have a single collective voice for the first time since 1974. It will manage some local assets and services for local people and may be able to make funds available for local projects as the new council sees fit.”

In the Local Advisory Poll in May, a total of 18,264 people voted in favour with 4,668 rejecting the idea, representing a turnout of 53.3 per cent.

There will be further public consultation on the proposals for electoral arrangements, transfer of property and other issues following the meeting. An online questionnaire will be available on the District Council’s website from July 31 to September 17.

If full council agrees to the reorganisation in September, an initial authority consisting of sitting Kidderminster ward councils could be in place by December 1. Elections to the new council will take place in May next year.