In response to Cllr Richardson’s letter, Area Forums are not and have never been the only place where councillors can be held to account.

Ward councillors have always been able to organise their own ways of meeting their constituents.

In addition to the Area Forums, ward councillors may also hold regular surgeries where they meet residents face to face to discuss any issue or concern.

Councillors also organise separate public meetings where they are aware of an issue of interest or concern in their ward such as a planning application or a traffic issue.

In the age of digital media, many people also prefer to contact their councillors online, by email and increasingly through social media, rather than attending a meeting.

Any discussion of the frequency of Area Forums should be considered in the context of the diverse means by which residents can contact their local councillors.

Councillor Ebrahim Adia

Bolton Council

Executive Member for Regeneration and Resources