COMMUNITY groups across the borough can bid for much-needed funding at the next round of Dudley Council community forums.

Forums will be held at venues across Dudley from September 6 to 12 to give people chance to have their say on issues affecting their communities.

Residents are invited to attend their nearest event and community groups and organisations are invited to bid for grants of up to £5,000 to help them in their work.

Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of Dudley Council, said: “The community forums are an excellent way for people to tell us what things are working in their communities and where we need to support them to make improvements.

“There’s also an opportunity for community groups to bid for vital funding to help them continue their excellent work and I urge them to come along to find out more.”

The forums start on September 5 with Coseley East and Sedgley at Christ Church CofE Primary School, Church Road, Coseley.

On the same night, Gornal, Upper Gornal and Woodsetton Community Forum takes place at The Baggeridge Social Welfare Centre, 1 The Straits, Dudley.

Halesowen North and Halesowen South Community Forum will be on September 6, at Leasowes High School, Kent Road, Halesowen, with Netherton, Woodside and St Andrews and Quarry Bank and Dudley Wood Community Forum taking place on the same night at Savoy Centre, Northfield Road, Netherton.

Brierley Hill, Brockmoor and Pensnett Community Forum will be at The Centre Management Suite, Upper Mall, intu Merry Hill shopping centre, Brierley Hill, on September 7, with Castle and Priory, St James's and St Thomas's Community Forum, at DY1, Stafford Street, Dudley, on the same date.

Norton, Pedmore and Stourbridge East, Wollaston and Stourbridge Town Community Forum will be welcoming people to St Michael and All Angels Church, Maynard Avenue, Norton, on September 8.

Kingswinford North and Wall Heath, Kingswinford South and Wordsley Community Forum takes place on the same night at Kingswinford Royal British Legion, Summerhill, Kingswinford.

The final two community forums will be on September 12. Amblecote, Cradley and Wollescote and Lye and Stourbridge North residents will be able to speak to councillors at Lye Community Centre, Cross Walks, with Belle Vale, Hayley Green and Cradley South Community Forum taking place at Windsor High School, Richmond Street, Halesowen.

All forums start at 6.30pm.

For more information go to www.dudley.gov.uk/resident