A consultation on the future of adult education launched on Monday which was suspended the next day has now been re-launched.

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 last night.

A message on the council website said the consultation on the future of adult education in Merton had been suspended until further notice, due to a "call-in" by scrutiny.

However Merton conservatives said they had raised concerns about the survey and asked for it to be suspended.

Councillor James Holmes said he had called it in because he was concerned about the plans.

Coun Holmes said: "Noone has been able to tell me how much money will be saved.

"I don't believe closing Whatley Avenue saves any money - the council gain £124,000 a year."

Labour councillor Martin Whelton, education cabinet member, said the council had taken legal advice yesterday but were pleased to announce the consultation was going ahead as planned.

Coun Whelton said: “Yesterday it was taken down following a call-in.

“We had to get legal advice but we are proceeding as normal.

“From time to time, decisions by the cabinet are called in by others.”

The consultation was only launched on Monday 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.

A meeting organised by Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond is due to be held at the Whatley Avenue site, which has over 5,000 students, from 7pm tonight.

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.

Coun 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 is due to continue until January 4 next year.

There will be a meeting at the council to discuss the suspension of the survey at a date to be decided. 

Take part in the survey here.