A MOVE to stop schools from being turned into polling stations has secured cross-party backing at Worcestershire County Council today.

In a rare move at County Hall, councillors decided to unite as one to back a motion calling for the practice to be abandoned.

It means all election returning officers across Worcestershire will now be written to asking them to shelve the tactic and find other suitable locations for people to vote.

The council’s Conservatives, Labour, Green and Lib Dems all backed the motion, as well as independents, on the basis of children’s education being disrupted.

The decision, which the Worcester News first revealed was on the cards two days ago, comes after concern from schools about the inconvenience of closing down.

Labour group leader Councillor Peter McDonald, speaking during a full council meeting, said: “What really reeks of double standards is that parents are fined for taking their kids out of school.

“In just five weeks (due to May’s local elections and the General Election) children will have lost two days’ schooling, which they cannot make up.

“It cannot be beyond the scope of this council to find alternatives, given the disruption it causes.”

Councillor Pattie Hill read out an email from a headteacher, which stated they “dread” having to close and that “two and three-day weeks do not have the same levels of productivity”.

The note also said: “It astounds me that schools have to be used as polling stations, the education of 500 children is disrupted.”

Conservative Councillor Marcus Hart, the new cabinet member for education, said his group supported the motion but added it was important to “clarify” that of the 376 county polling stations used at the local elections, 25 were in schools, just 6.6 per cent.

“And of those 25 schools, only 10 closed, so that is 2.7 per cent,” he added.

“But we do agree with the general thrust of this motion - it’s not so much about schools being used as polling stations, it’s about their ability to stay open and function.”

Lib Dem Councillor Liz Tucker said she had been “an energetic campaigner” against schools being used as polling stations ever since one in Flyford Flavell closed for a parish council vacancy where just seven votes were cast.

All the district council returning officers will be sent a note, expressing the view of County Hall's councillors.

It will ask them to find alternatives where possible, but the end decision will be up to them.