DEMOCRACY is returning to Cradley next week with a forum at Providence Church, Windmill Hill on Monday.

Passions ran high and there were high attendances at previous forums in Cradley but Dudley Council replaced them with community forums which included other wards in 2012.

Cradley Councillor Tim Crumpton wants the community forums scrapped when the council debate the issue on Wednesday, July 27.

He said: "Cradley's forums were brilliant in years gone by because so many really care about this area.

"They were used as a blueprint for the community forums but I think we got them wrong because they cover too big of an area and the attendances are awful. "The forum at Providence Church on Monday is open to anyone from Cradley and they can raise any issue they like."

Cradley Cllrs Crumpton, Richard Body and Gail Partridge held a similar forum in Wollescote earlier this month which was a success.

Cllr Crumpton said: "We had a lot of people attend and we covered a large amount of subjects, we lead the meeting but the agenda is chosen by the residents."

Cllr Crumpton also wants the allocation of community grants to be decided at ward forums and not the bigger community forums.

He said: "Local people should have a say in how the money is spent and we want to bring back democracy to Cradley.

"I used to love the passion of the old forums and I hope we will get that atmosphere back."

Doors open on Monday at 7pm for a 7.30pm start at Providence Church, Windmill Hill.