Merton Council is this month launching a new opportunity for local people to get their voices heard and challenge public service providers on the issues that matter most to them.

Community Forums will help everyone with a connection or interest in Merton become more involved. They will make sure the council and other agencies in the borough know about local people’s concerns and aspirations for the community.

The Forums will span across the borough, using the town centres of Colliers Wood, Morden, Mitcham, Raynes Park and Wimbledon as reference points for surrounding areas. They are not ward specific and residents are welcome to attend the Forum with which they feel the most affinity. The first Community Forum will take place next Monday 16 June at Raynes Park Library.

The Community Forums will meet four times a year in community venues and the issues discussed at the meetings will be governed by what matters most to local people. The meetings will also include short presentations on new developments in the local area from public agencies such as the council, the police or the NHS.

Issues raised at Community Forum meetings will be taken up by the responsible organisation to follow up and report back on how problems are solved.

Merton Council is urging local people to come to the first round of the new Community Forum meetings and to make sure that the issues that matter most in their local area are put forward for discussion.

Councillor Tariq Ahmad, cabinet member for community safety and engagement comments:

“Merton Council’s commitment to putting residents first is the motivation behind the launch of these new Community Forums. Through our Mission for Merton consultation with residents we found that they were keen for more opportunity to get involved and so we have designed the forums to respond to residents’ concerns. We need input from residents to ensure we can provide the best services at the best value for money and so would urge anyone with an interest in their local area to join us.”

For more information about the Community Forums, telephone 020 8545 4400, e-mail community.forums@merton.gov.uk, or visit http://www.merton.gov.uk/communityforums

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Notes to Editors:

The first round of Community Forum meetings will take place in June and July on the following dates:

16 June 2008
Raynes Park Community Forum
Raynes Park Library

1 July 2008
Mitcham Community Forum
New Horizon Centre, Pollards Hill

2 July 2008
Morden Community Forum
Council Chamber, Civic Centre

14 July 2008
Col