ANOTHER consultation has opened into proposed changes to polling places in Kidderminster after concerns errors on the council website "may have confused respondents".

Wyre Forest District Council is proposing to create a polling place at Habberley Social Club, meaning residents who usually vote at Gainsborough House Hotel would vote at either Habberley Social Club or Kidderminster Carolians Rugby Football Club.

Some residents who normally cast their vote at Kidderminster Carolians Rugby Football Club would see their polling place changed to Habberley Social Club.

Consultation on the plans has now reopened after it emerged there had been incorrect information on the council website in the first two weeks of the original survey which may have confused respondents and therefore affected their answers.

Ian Miller, electoral registration officer at Wyre Forest District Council, said: “We apologise wholeheartedly to everyone who took time to complete the original survey.

"The most important thing is that the results of this consultation are accurate and fair and the only way we can be sure of that is to repeat the consultation exercise.

“I would ask everyone who filled in the original survey to complete the new questionnaire and I would urge anyone else in the two wards who may not have done so, to take up this opportunity and make their views known.”

All residents in the Blakebrook and Habberley South and Franche and Habberley North wards in Kidderminster are being asked to complete a questionnaire online - even if they already took part in the first consultation - before the deadline at 5pm on Friday, January 29.

Proposals set out in the survey have not changed, but questions have been revised in order to make it clearer what the implications will be for voters in those wards.

As part of the review, residents were able to comment on the accessibility of polling places and whether they provide reasonable facilities for voting.

Cllr Vicky Caulfield, for Blakebrook and Habberley South, said: “Like my fellow councillors here today, I really want to see a polling station back on Habberley and urge all residents of voting age to give their views via the survey.”

Cllr Anna L’Huillier, for Franche and Habberley North, added: "We want to run the survey again to be sure that residents’ views are being reflected accurately.”

For more information on the plans and to submit feedback, visit wyreforestdc.gov.uk/pollingreviews.

The full council meeting on Wednesday, February 24 will consider the results of the consultation and take a decision on what changes should be implemented for elections to be held in May 2021.