GROUPS can bid for £5,000 of vital funding at the next round of Dudley Council’s community forums.

Ten forums are being held throughout the borough during October and November, aimed at giving people in the community the opportunity to have their say on issues affecting their local area.

During the forums, which take place from October 31 to November 7 at various venues, groups have the chance to bid for grants of up to £5,000 to help continue their community work.

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 community forums, which all begin at 6.30pm, start with Gornal, Upper Gornal and Woodsetton, at Upper Gornal Pensioners Club, in Kent Street, and Coseley East and Sedgley’s forum at Age Concern, in Ettymore Road, Sedgley, on Monday, October 31.

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

Brierley Hill, Brockmoor and Pensnett Community Forum will be welcoming people to Pensnett and Bromley Senior Citizens Club, in Tiled House Lane, Pensnett, on Wednesday, November 2, while on the same night Castle and Priory, St James’s and St Thomas’s residents can attend their event at St Francis’ Parish Church, in Laurel Road.

Thursday, November 3, will see people able to go along to Kingswinford North and Wall Heath, Kingswinford South and Wordsley Community Forum at Kingswinford Royal British Legion Club, in Summerhill, with Norton, Pedmore and Stourbridge East, Wollaston and Stourbridge Town’s forum taking place at Ham Dingle Primary School, in Old Ham Lane.

Amblecote, Cradley and Wollescote, Lye and Stourbridge North forum at Providence Methodist Church, in Colley Orchard, Colley Gate, and Belle Vale, Hayley Green and Cradley South Community Forum at Earls High School, in Furnace Lane, will be on Monday, November 7.

For more information on the community forums visit www.dudley.gov.uk/resident