Several 'community conversations' will be held across the borough, with residents urged to get involved to "have their say" on the future of their neighbourhoods.

Starting from May - the talks will give residents and businesses a chance to raise issues and matters that are dear to them with local ward councillors.

The conversations will also provide the opportunity to start identifying priorities and prepare the ground in preparation for new ward budgets, which will be introduced later this year.

Cllr Michael Wilson, Cabinet Member for Equality, Communities and the Voluntary Sector said: “We strive for an ‘open town hall’ approach.

"We don’t want decisions to be made behind closed doors.

“To achieve this, we must work in partnership with residents.

"And, we know that on a day-to-day basis it is the ward councillors who are out on the door step, listening and engaging with residents."

Nine events have been scheduled for 2020.

Each will also have a mini exhibition with stalls around the ward budgets (Local Area Fund), Climate Change, the Local Plan consultation and a key local issue.

While not required, residents are urged to register for the events at: www.richmond.gov.uk/community_conversation

Attendees can pre-submit questions in advance by emailing: communityconversations@richmond.gov.uk

The current dates for the 2020 round of community conversation events are as follows :

Kew Community Conversation - Wednesday May 20 - National Archives, Bessant Drive, Kew, TW9 4DU

Teddington/Hampton Hill and Fulwell/Hampton Wick Community Conversation - Tuesday June 9 - Teddington Baptist Church, 17 Church Rd, Teddington TW11 8PF

Whitton/Heathfield Community Conversation - Tuesday June 30 - Twickenham School, Percy Road, Twickenham TW2 6JW

Mortlake, Barnes Common and East Sheen Community Conversation - Thursday July 2 All Saints Church, 63 East Sheen Ave, London SW14 8AX

Barnes Community Conversation - Thursday July 9 - OSO Arts Centre, 49 Station Road, Barnes, SW15 0LF

Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside Community Conversation - Tuesday July 14 - St Richard’s Church, Ashburnham Rd, Richmond TW10 7NL

North Richmond and South Richmond Community Conversation - Wednesday September 9 - RHACC, Parkshot, London TW9 2RE

St Margarets, North Twickenham and Twickenham Riverside Community Conversation - Wednesday September 24 - Clarendon Hall, York House, Richmond Road,Twickenham, TW1 3AA

Hampton North and Hampton Community Conversation - Tuesday October 6 - White House, 45 The Avenue, Hampton TW12 3RN