KEY policies and services affecting the borough will be reviewed in a series of Dudley Council scrutiny committees meetings - the first of which kicks off tonight (Thursday).

The round of meetings starts with the overview and scrutiny management board which will get underway at Dudley Council House from 6pm.

It will be followed by the place scrutiny committee on September 18.

The corporate scrutiny committee and the health and adult social care scrutiny committee both meet on September 25 while the children's services scrutiny committee completes the cycle on September 27.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said: "Overview and scrutiny committees play an important role in the good governance of the council, scrutinising policies and strategies.

"Committees can also carry out inquiries into specific topics and make recommendations to the relevant decision-takers. They are set up on a cross-party basis and are an open and transparent way to hold decision-takers to account.

"Views and recommendations from the scrutiny committees can make a real difference in shaping key decisions faced by the cabinet and council.”

All scrutiny committee meetings start at 6pm at Dudley Council House and are held in public session.

They include a ‘public forum’ slot, where residents can raise issues within the remit of each committee.

Details of the agenda items for the meetings can be viewed online at http://cmis.dudley.gov.uk/cmis5/Meetings.aspx or alternatively call the council on 01384 815238.