I HAVE previously written about the threat to Area Forums and their importance as the only place where electors can hold the elected to account in a public meeting.

Now it appears that their frequency is to be further reduced to one per year.

In my view and that of my colleague Cllr Hornby, more Forums are required not fewer.

It is thus our intention, certainly in Little Lever and Darcy Lever, in addition to the remaining one, to organise a further three public meetings over the course of each calendar year along the lines of the official Forum

Regrettably there would be no council officers in attendance but all resident’s issues and concerns could be put directly to ourselves.

The only anticipated cost would be the salary of the school caretaker which we would cover out of the Area Forum Flat Rate Budget.

I recommend that other councillors in other wards consider doing a similar thing.

Cllr Paul Richardson

Ripon Close

Little Lever