RESIDENTS will get the chance to press council leader Cllr Russ Bowden face to face next week.

The Labour politician has added two sessions to the leader’s forum schedule for October.

The forums – which give residents a chance to question him outside of formal council meetings – have been confirmed for Stockton Heath, as well as Chapelford and Old Hall.

Cllr Bowden said: “Warrington continues to face big challenges but also real opportunities.

“Our budget pressures remain a difficulty but we have been working hard to offset these pressures with pioneering investments such as our solar farms in York and Hull.

“I want to make sure I can speak honestly with residents about the work we do to protect our most vulnerable and deliver the services that matter most.”

Cllr Bowden also reaffirmed that the council is ‘here to serve Warrington and its communities’.

He added: “The forum meetings are also a place for residents to raise any community issues with me in an informal, open setting.

“We’ve had some excellent discussion and good debate at previous forum meetings and I’d welcome the same again this time round.

“One of the best ways of understanding how we can improve and respond to your issues is by meeting face to face.”

The two sessions will take place on Wednesday October 9, from 6.30pm to 7.45pm, at Sandy Lane Community Centre in Stockton Heath and on Monday October 28, from 6.30pm to 7.45pm, at Chapelford Village Primary School, on Santa Rosa Boulevard.