DUDLEY Borough residents are being urged to speak out on neighbourhood issues at the next round of community forums.

The next round of meetings will take place at the end of March where members of the authority will be on hand to discuss subjects ranging from cuts to car parking.

Community good causes are also being invited to apply for up to £5,000 in funding at the meetings.

Cllr David Sparks, leader of Dudley Council, said: “I would encourage genuine community groups to put bids in for activities in those communities. That money is about helping smaller localised groups as opposed to larger organisations who will be better off applying for borough-wide money.”

The forums begin on Monday March 17 with Castle and Priory, St James's and St Thomas's Community Forum, at Wrens Nest Community Centre, Summer Road, Dudley. On the same night Netherton, Woodside & St Andrews and Quarry Bank & Dudley Wood Community Forum, takes place at Quarry Bank Community Centre, Sheffield Street.

On Tuesday March 18 Coseley East and Sedgley Community Forum, will be welcoming people to Age Concern, Sedgley, Ettymore Road. While Gornal, Upper Gornal & Woodsetton Community Forum, runs at Parkes Hall Social Club, Parkes Hall Road, Dudley, on the same night.

Residents will be able to speak to councillors at Halesowen North and Halesowen South Community Forum, at Lapal Primary School, Priory Road, Halesowen, on Wednesday March 19. Norton, Pedmore & Stourbridge East, Wollaston & Stourbridge Town Community Forum, takes place at Church Centre Hall, Chawn Hill Church, Chawn Hill, Stourbridge, on the same night.

Amblecote, Cradley & Wollescote, Lye & Stourbridge North Community Forum, is on Tuesday March 25 at Lye Community Centre, Cross Walks, Lye, with Brierley Hill, Brockmoor & Pensnett Community Forum, taking place on the same night at Brockmoor Community Centre, Pensnett Road, Brockmoor, Brierley Hill.

Kingswinford North & Wall Heath, Kingswinford South and Wordsley Community Forum, also takes place on Tuesday March 25, at St Mary's Church Hall, The Village, Kingswinford.

Finally, people will be able to raise issues and discuss ideas at Belle Vale, Hayley Green & Cradley South Community Forum, Wednesday March 26 at Lutley Community Centre, Brookwillow Road, Halesowen.

All the community forums start at 6.30pm.