THE next step in creating a new council for Kidderminster will be launched with residents, organisations and businesses being urged to take part in a consultation on the plans.

Wyre Forest District Council met last night (July 29) and recommended to set up a separate parish council for the town and opinions are now being sought on the proposals for how it should be created.

Assets that are set to be transferred over include the Town Hall, War Memorial, Market Street toilets, statues including the Worcester Street clock and land adjacent to St Mary’s Church.

The new council will also be responsible for Kidderminster’s Christmas lights, in line with Bewdley and Stourport which already have their own authorities.

Residents in Kidderminster will see an increase in their council tax bills – a rise estimated to be around 40p per week for people in Band B properties.

The consultation will get underway tomorrow (July 31). Among a range of issues it covers will be how many councillors and the areas they will represent, the assets it is suggested should be transferred to the new council and the temporary arrangements for membership of the new council before elections in May 2016.

People have until Thursday 17 September to complete the questionnaire.

Cllr Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, said: “The consultation is the next stage in creating a council for Kidderminster.

“We are recommending that there are 18 Councillors and that the same six Kidderminster wards are used as for Wyre Forest District Council elections.

“We have also produced a list of assets which we propose to transfer to the new council. We want people to have their say on these proposals.”

He added: “There are a large number of issues that need addressing before the elections in May 2016. That is why we need to make temporary arrangements for membership of the new council before that date, and we would welcome people’s views about that aspect as well.”

More information and a link to the questionnaire will be available on the Council’s website www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/PreparingforKTC from Friday, July 3.

Paper versions will be available at the Worcestershire Hub at Kidderminster Town Hall, Kidderminster Library and from Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster.

The webpage also has a frequently asked questions section which explains the background to the recommendations.