WARRINGTON Borough Council’s new leader, Cllr Russ Bowden is hitting the road and heading out across Warrington with new ‘Leader’s Forums’.
The forums will be a chance for residents to ask the council leader, outside of formal Council meetings, about local community issues and priorities.
Cllr Bowden said: “I want to visit wards across the borough to find out about the issues that matter most to communities.
“Warrington has a big year ahead, with a very challenging budget position, and it’s important that I don’t lose sight of those local issues which have the greatest community impact.
“I welcome scrutiny and challenge, and the forums will be a chance for me to respond to questions and discuss key issues in an informal, open setting. I know that asking questions in formal Council meetings can be a little daunting, so I want to create an environment where everyone can raise questions or concerns and know they will be listened to.
“I look forward to getting out to the wards across the borough, bringing ‘the Council’ to the communities it serves.”
The forums will take place once a month, in different wards across the borough, during the evening and will be chaired by the Council’s chief executive, Professor Steven Broomhead.
The list of the first four forums, which will be followed by forums in other wards throughout the year, is as follows:
• Tuesday 19 February, 6.30pm-8pm – Whitecross Community Centre, Lexden Street, WA5 1PT
• Tuesday 12 March, 6.30pm-8pm – Culcheth Community Campus, Warrington Road, WA3 5HH
• Tuesday 16 April, 6.30pm-8pm – Lymm Youth and Community Centre, Bridgewater Street, WA13 0AB
• Tuesday 14 May, 6.30pm-8pm – Oakwood Neighbourhood Hub, Whitethroat Walk, Birchwood, WA3 6PQ
Registration to attend the forum or to ask a question is not required. Please note, there is limited capacity at each venue, so the forums will be held on a first-come-first-serve basis.
For more information, visit www.warrington.gov.uk/leadersforum
