People in Ealing will soon get the chance to be more involved in decisions that affect their local area.

In early September, Northfields residents will become the first in Ealing to use the new forums, which are being set up by the Council in every ward across the borough.

In May the Council voted to abolish the old poorly attended area committees and replaced them with 23 ward forums, with the aim of getting more people involved.

It is hoped that will encourage more people to attend because each forum covers a much smaller area it can focus on local issues.

Each ward will also have the chance to influence an annual budget of £40,000 for local improvements.

Led by ward councillors, the forums will feature joint problem solving on local concerns, including round table discussions on issues such as community safety, traffic and transport schemes, parks and street improvements.

Council Leader, Councillor Jason Stacey, said: "The area forums were usually quite poorly attended and people would often turn up to the one item that was of interest to them and then leave."

"I hope more residents will want to attend the ward forums because they cover smaller areas so the discussions should be more relevant and people can really influence the decisions."