PROJECTS such as improving the environment, promoting arts and crafts, carnivals and preserving sites of historical interest are on the agenda of Halesowen North and Halesowen South Community Forum this week.

The meeting, at Hurst Green Primary School, on Thursday (June 6) is one of ten being held this month which grant cash awards of up to £5,000 to local groups across Dudley for good causes and improving neighbourhoods.

The meetings also allow people to meet with councillors and the police to discuss how they can work together.

Community groups applying for grants include the Cornbow Quilters, which is seeking £750 towards the costs of an exhibition of its work to encourage new members and for tutors for workshops.

Other grants being considered include £2,775 to the Friends of Hurst Green Park, an award of £4,984 to Halesowen Abbey Trust and £1,028 to the disabled user group Access in Dudley.

During 2018-19 £250,000 was paid out by the council-run forums to local groups and projects to help towards the cost of delivering activities and improvements.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said: “It’s really encouraging that so many voluntary groups want to make a difference in the areas they are proud to call home and I’m pleased we can continue to offer some financial support to help them with projects and activities through our community forums.

“The forums are about discussing what’s best for our borough and what action we can all take to make it an even better place to live.

“They also provide a great opportunity following the recent local elections to meet with some of our new councillors, who have been elected for the first time, alongside our local neighbourhood policing teams.”

On Monday, June 17, the community forum for Netherton, Woodside and St Andrews, Quarry Bank and Dudley Wood will take place at Dudley Wood Neighbourhood Learning Centre.

It will by followed on Wednesday, June 19, by Cradley and Wollescote, Lye and Stourbridge North community at Cradley Baptist Church and at St John’s Parish Hall, Kates Hill, for residents in Castle and Priory, St James’s and St Thomas’s.

People living in Coseley East and Sedgley are invited to the meeting in their area on Thursday, June 20, at Christ Church C of E Primary.

On the same night is the community forum for people in Gornal, Upper Gornal and Woodsetton at The Baggeridge Social Welfare Centre.

On Monday, June 24, the Belle Vale, Hayley Green and Cradley South community forum will take place at Caslon Primary School and the Kingswinford, Wordsley and Wall Heath meeting will be at Kingswinford Royal British Legion.

The final forums in this round are happening on Tuesday, June 25. They include the meeting for people in Brierley Hill, Brockmoor and Pensnett at the Neighbourhood Learning Centre on Hill Street and for residents in Norton, Pedmore, Stourbridge and Wollaston at St James’s Church Hall, Wollaston.

All community forums start at 6.30pm.