A NEW innovative style of open meeting, designed to give residents and others the opportunity to become more involved with the work of the council, begins in September.

The first forums will focus on each of the current development projects, the Central Winchester Regeneration, Station Approach and Winchester Sport and Leisure Park.

The forums will allow discussion between residents and councillors, as well as other interested parties, to promote a two-way dialogue.

Cllr Lucille Thompson, leader of the city council, said: “It is vital that we’re having an open conversation with our residents on the big projects we lead in our district. We are looking to do things differently and to start with we want to ensure people have a voice in these three very important developments in our city.

“This is just the start of a process of making our council more transparent and we will also be looking at other ways of improving resident engagement in democracy.”

In September, three forums will be held:

Friday September 13, Winchester Sport and Leisure Park, 3.30pm, Walton Suite, Guildhall;

Monday September 16, Station Approach, 4.30pm, Walton Suite, Guildhall;

Tuesday September 24, Central Winchester, The Nutshell, Kings Walk, drop-in information session at 3.30pm, and Q&A session at 5.30pm.