SOUTH Gloucestershire Council is launching new forums to give people a chance to have their say about local issues.

The new Community Engagement Forums (CEFs) will replace the disbanded area forums in a merger with existing police-led Safer Stronger Community Groups. They are intended to maintain discussions between residents and councillors, officers and representatives from the police, town and parish councils and fire service.

There will be 14 CEFs across the district and each meet three times a year. The meetings will include a panel of officers and councillors from South Gloucestershire Council along with partner agencies including Avon & Somerset Police, Avon Fire & Rescue Service, town and parish councils, and various local voluntary and community groups.

Agenda items can be suggested in advance and each agenda will contain an item where local issues of immediate and urgent concern can be highlighted.

Environment and community services chairman Cllr Heather Goddard said: “Community Engagement Forums have been developed to provide a setting for listening and responding to local people’s issues, so that we can help shape plans for the future.

“Communities know best what works for them and what their real needs are, so it is important that we have opportunities to engage directly with them. These meetings will also support groups who wish to make a positive difference and improve their own communities.”

Area forums were scrapped earlier this year in a move to help save the council £36million.

Council leader Cllr Matthew Riddle (Con, Severn), whose ruling Conservative party approved the restructure said: “We want to maximise the amount we spend on frontline services and one of the best ways of doing this is cutting out duplication - having found two groups – Area forums and Safer Stronger groups - doing effectively the same job we are making a saving and redirecting that money somewhere more useful.

“We should set an example and tighten our own belts at the same time as tightening spending elsewhere.”

For more information or to find out more visit southglos.gov.uk/cef