THREE Labour councillors have urged residents at an area forum to object to cost-cutting measures which will see the number of meetings halved.

Bolton Council has launched a public consultation after town hall chiefs proposed to cut the number of meetings from two to one a year to save around £100,000.

At Farnworth area forum, ward councillors told the meeting at Trinity Church they had objected to the plans but needed the support of the public to make sure the protest was heard.

Cllr Asif Ibrahim said: “I can say quite categorically as far as we three are concerned, rather than reducing the number, we would like it to be increased.

“We find it quite invaluable. I know we have monthly surgeries and are always there for people to come to us with issues but the nature of a forum is something totally different.

“It is a really, really important thing for Farnworth to have a good turn out and I really urge you guys to engage in the consultation and make your views clear.”

Residents at the meeting were quick to argue in favour of keeping the forums, with some expressing fears that the council would remove area forums entirely.

Cath Stones, aged 54, from Farnworth, said: “If it goes down to one a year it is only one step away from none a year so I would ask everyone to use the consultation.”

Councillors also confirmed that they had been talking to neighbouring ward councillors in Kearsley and Harper Green on the potential of hold joint meetings, allowing a saving or resources and money for neighbourhood management and area forum teams.

Bolton Council said the reduction in forums was being considered as part of the £34.3 million savings it must find between 2015 and 2017.

The £100,000 saving would be made in the neighbourhood management and area forum team by reducing staff, resulting in a reduction in the number of area forums which the council is able to deliver.

The consultation closes on Friday, February 19, to take part visit www.bolton.gov.uk/website/pages/Currentconsultations.aspx.