COMMUNITY forums are being held throughout Halesowen and Stourbridge this month.

The forums replace the old area committee meetings when councillors used to make decisions on a set agenda.

Residents are being urged to get involved and raise issues which are affecting their neighbourhood.

Councillors, council officers and representatives from other agencies will attend to answer questions and try and solve problems.

Councillor David Sparks, leader of Dudley Council, said: “People have a very important role to play in how this council is run and this is their chance to speak to councillors directly.

“This is about bringing the council and it’s work to the community as part of our commitment to creating a community council and dealing with issues that are important to people.”

He added: “I hope people will take the time to come along and find out more.”

On Wednesday, June 19 the Halesowen North and South community forum will be held at Olive Hill Primary School, Springfield Road, Halesowen and on the same night the Norton, Pedmore and Stourbridge East, Wollaston and Stourbridge Town forum wil be held at Ham Dingle Primary School, Old Ham Lane, Stourbridge.

The Belle Vale, Hayley Green and Cradley South community forum is on Tuesday, June 25 at Earls High School, Furnace Lane, Halesowen, while Kingswinford North and Wall Heath, Kingswinford South and Wordsley community forum takes place at St Mary's Parish Church Hall, The Village, Kingswinford.

On Wednesday, June 26 the Amblecote, Cradley and Wollescote, Lye and Stourbridge North community forum is being held Wollescote Community Centre, Wassell Road and the Brierley Hill, Brockmoor and Pensnett forum is at Nine Locks Community Centre, Hill Street, Brierley Hill, on the same day.

All the forums start at 6.30pm.