THE first meetings of new-style public consultation forums will be held in Derwentside later this month.

Derwentside District Council, Durham County Council and the Derwentside Primary Care Group - the local authority for health services such as GPs and clinics - want to give local people more say on issues that affect them.

Three forums covering different parts of the district have been set up, so residents can give their views about the services they receive.

Staff from the organisations will be on hand at the meetings to help discussions, and a desk will be set up to take individual questions and inquiries.

Derwentside District Council leader Alex Watson said: "The emphasis will be very much on listening to the voice of the community.

"This will not only lead to local people having more say over local priorities and services, but also to more effective partnership working and co-operation between organisations for the benefit of Derwentside. We want to get away from the old-style public meeting and have a much more informal workshop style, with the emphasis on participation, so that we can hear people's views.''

The West Derwentside Forum - for Consett and surrounding areas -will meet for the first time on Tuesday, February 20, at 6pm, in Consett Civic Hall, when the chairman will be Don Robson, leader of Durham County Council.

The East Derwentside Forum - covering Stanley and its neighbouring villages - will hold its first meeting the following night, at 6pm, in Stanley Civic Hall.

The forum for South Derwentside - including Lanchester, Castleside, Langley Park and Esh - meets on Thursday, February 22, at 6pm, in Lanchester Community Centre