WANT to know about the big decisions that affect your way of life?

Now is the chance to find out for yourself.

For St Helens Council is setting time aside at the beginning of future full meetings for the public to put their questions.

If you live or work in the borough you can ask a question.

If you want to ask a question contact the Chief Executive's Department with your question, and also give your name and address, by 5pm on the Thursday of the week before the appropriate council meeting.

In addition to the public question time, arrangements have also been made for hearing deputations from the public.

Deputations, like questions must be concerned with matters relating specifically to functions of the council, or which affects the borough, part of it, or the population within a local area. They must not relate to any personal or individual matter. Here again to submit a deputation you need to inform the Chief Executive's Department on the same date and time on the week before the council meets. You will need to state the subject of your deputation and the names and addresses of each member which can be as many as six.

Council meetings will be held on September 6, November 1, January 3 (2001), February 28 (2001) and April 25 (2001). The meetings are in St Helens Town Hall and start at 6.15pm (deadline for next Council is 5pm, Thursday, August 31).

If you want further details on how to take advantage of these opportunities to have your say, contact either Samantha Tunney (tel. 456040), or David Heyes (tel. 456065) in the Chief Executive's Department.