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 in October and November 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 October 31 to November 7 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 get underway with Gornal, Upper Gornal and Woodsetton Community Forum, on October 31, at Upper Gornal Pensioners Club, Kent Street, Dudley. Coseley East and Sedgley Community Forum also takes place on October 31 at Age Concern, Ettymore Road, Sedgley.

Netherton, Woodside and St. Andrews and Quarry Bank and Dudley Wood Community Forum takes place on November 1 at Dudley Wood Neighbourhood Learning Centre, Dudley Wood Road, Dudley. On the same night people living in Halesowen North and Halesowen South will be able to attend their community forum at Olive Hill Primary School, Springfield Road, Halesowen.

Brierley Hill, Brockmoor and Pensnett Community Forum will be welcoming people to Pensnett and Bromley Senior Citizens Club, Tiled House Lane, Pensnett, Brierley Hill on November 2, while Castle and Priory, St. James's and St. Thomas's Community Forum takes place at St Francis' Parish Church, Laurel Road, Dudley, on the same night.

People will be able to go along to Kingswinford North and Wall Heath, Kingswinford South and Wordsley Community Forum on November 3 at Kingswinford Royal British Legion Club, Summerhill, Kingswinford. On the same night Norton, Pedmore and Stourbridge East, Wollaston and Stourbridge Town Community Forum will be at Ham Dingle Primary School, Old Ham Lane, Stourbridge.

Amblecote, Cradley and Wollescote, Lye and Stourbridge North Community Forum will be on November 7 at Providence Methodist Church, Colley Orchard, Colley Gate. Belle Vale, Hayley Green and Cradley South Community Forum takes place on the same night at Earls High School, Furnace Lane, Halesowen.

All of the community forums start at 6.30pm. For more information on the community forums visit dudley.gov.uk/resident.