Community groups can bid for vital funding at the next round of the council’s award winning community forums.

People are invited to one of the 10 forums, which run throughout September, aimed at giving people the opportunity to have their say on issues affecting their communities. Community groups will also have the chance to bid for grants of up to £5,000 to help them continue their work, in line with the authority’s community council vision.

The forums run from September 6-12 at a number of venues. Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of the 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 never a better chance for people to quiz their local councillors on issues that are important to them. 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 & 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 of the community forums start at 6.30pm. For more information on the community forums visit dudley.gov.uk/resident