A COUNCIL is to give residents a say by recruiting 18,000 residents to become members of a citizens panel.

Members will be selected from different age groups and ethnic backgrounds from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's electoral roll.

They will be expected to complete four or five questionnaires a year, giving their views on a range of issues.

The results will be analysed and reported to councillors and the council's Corporate Management Team to help it plan and deliver services to meet the public's needs.

Prospective panel members will receive a letter from the council's chief executive Colin Moore and cabinet member for Corporate Resources Councillor Glyn Nightingale, asking them to join the scheme, called Viewfinder.

The first questionnaire will be circulated by September.

A newsletter will be sent out with every questionnaire and the reports from each survey will be available on the council's website, www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk