RESIDENTS in Caerphilly county borough are being given the opportunity to put forward issues to be discussed by the local authority’s scrutiny committees.

In January, Caerphilly council developed a quarterly Forward Work Programme for each of its five scrutiny committees, which are crime and disorder, education for life, health social care and wellbeing, policy and resources, and regeneration and environment.

Part of this process involves a period of public consultation where residents can comment on a topic in the Forward Work Programme or suggest an issue they would like a scrutiny committee to discuss.

The next period of consultation takes place throughout next week. Those wishing to take part will have seven days to submit their views to an online form on the council’s website.

Suggestions received during the public consultation will be considered by a scrutiny leadership group, who will decide which issues are suitable to appear on a future meeting agenda.

Keith Reynolds, the council’s cabinet member for corporate services, said: “We value the views of our residents, and it is important that they have a say on matters concerning scrutiny.

“Taking part in this consultation could have a direct effect on our decisions, services and activities, so I would urge interested parties to take part.”

For more information, visit caerphilly.gov.uk/forwardworkprogramme or call 01443 864279.