THE fire service and children are among topics of a consultation.

The next round of Neighbourhood Consultative Forum meetings starts next week in Hartlepool. They are a council initiative to involve residents more in matters that affect their lives.

At each forum meeting, there is a public question time that enables residents to raise any concerns they have.

The details of the meetings are as follows:

North Forum, today, at 2pm, West View Community Centre, Miers Avenue;

Central Forum, tomorrow, at 10am, Civic Centre

South Forum, Friday, at on Manor Community Centre, Wynyard Road.

On the agenda at all three meetings will be a presentation by the children's services department on the first draft of the Children and Young Peoples' Plan.

The blueprint aims to ensure that the best interests of every child and young person in Hartlepool, up to the age of 19, are met. The plan must be in place by April.

Also on the agenda at all three meetings will be a presentation from Cleveland Fire Brigade.

The proposed improvements for York Road are on the agenda at the Central Forum. Items for the North Forum include updates on the North Hartlepool Partnership programme.

For further information, contact Hartlepool Borough Council on (01429) 523568.