A SERIES of public meetings has been organised so that people can air their views on how their council should make decisions.

Stockton Borough Council wants a system that allows speedy, efficient and responsive decision-making, which local people understand and support.

Council leaders want as many people as possible to be involved in debating how decisions should be made. Options include a cabinet with a leader elected by the council, a directly-elected executive mayor and cabinet, or a directly-elected executive mayor and council manager.

Meetings have been organised across the borough so the council can explain its plans and hear comments.

One will take place tonight at Hardwick Community Centre, Whessoe Road, Stockton, at 7pm. There will be another at Thornaby Pavilion tomorrow, at 7pm, and at Billingham Community Centre, The Causeway, on Friday, at 7pm.

Further meetings will take place next week in Ragworth, Ingleby Barwick, North Thornaby and Yarm.