A consultation on the future of adult education launched yesterday was suspended today until further notice.

An online survey from Merton Council which invited people to comment on its plans to ‘review’ adult education as part of a £32m budget gap could not be accessed on the website.

Tonight the website said: "As of November 18, the consultation on the future of adult education in Merton has been suspended until further notice, due to a "call-in" by scrutiny."

This could mean the overview and scrutiny commission has raised concerns over the consultation. They have powers to immediately stop something the Cabinet has decided if they feel it is inappropriate.

It can be suspended while investigations are carried out.

The consultation was only launched yesterday as part of a process set to last until early January with residents over plans to ‘review’ Merton Adult Education in Whatley Avenue, Raynes Park.

Two petitions have attracted hundreds of signatures against plans by the council and a succession of public meetings have been scheduled.

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A meeting organised by Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond is due to be held at the Whatley Avenue site which has over 5,000 students on Wednesday, November 19.

Two further meetings for residents organised by the council have been scheduled for Tuesday, December 2 at 2pm and 7pm at the council chamber in Morden.

Councillor Martin Whelton and director of the community and housing department, Simon Williams, will be on hand to discuss options.

The council said all contributions to the consultation will be fed into a report on the findings which will go to the January cabinet meeting for a decision.

It insists no decision will be made until the consultation has concluded and cabinet has considered the opinions of the respondents.

The consultation was due to continue until January 4 next year.

Do you know more? Contact Becky on Becky.middleton@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 020 8722 6336.