Ealing Council’s chief executive, Paul Najsarek, will talk with local people about the council’s Future Ealing programme at ward forum meetings taking place in the new year.

Paul will be at the Northolt and Perivale ward forums and Kieran Read, the council’s director of strategy and engagement, will speak with residents at Dormers Wells.

They will talk about Future Ealing, the council’s plan to make the borough better at a time of ongoing budget cuts and increasing demand. There have already been resident updates at meetings in Hanwell, Ealing, Greenford and Acton.

Like most local authorities, Ealing is adjusting to a decade of ongoing cuts to its government grant. Over the last 10 years, it has seen a 64% cut in core government funding, meaning for every £1 it used to receive, it now gets just 36p.

At the same time, demand for council services is rising, especially in adult social care, children with special educational needs and homelessness. Future Ealing is the council’s response to the budget cuts and rising demand.

The council has embarked on a series of transformation programmes, including the most ambitious housebuilding programme in London; the creation of a new Ealing Parks Foundation to give local people a greater say in their green spaces; and improving the way that it works with adults who may need social care, placing a greater emphasis on supporting residents to live independently for longer.

Residents may come along to any of the ward forums. They do not have to live in the specific ward to be part of the meeting. The three dates are:

• Northolt Mandeville ward forum Wednesday, 22 January – Northolt High School, Eastcote Lane, UB5 4HP
• Dormers Wells ward forumTuesday, 28 January – Dormers Wells High School, Dormers Wells Lane, Southall, Middlesex UB1 3HZ
• Perivale ward forum Thursday, 20 February – Perivale Community Centre, Horsenden Lane South, UB6 7NP.

Mr Najsarek said: “I am always impressed by the community spirit shown by Ealing residents and ward forums are a valuable opportunity for me to speak face to face with local people and explain our ambitions for the borough as well as our difficult financial situation.

“The meetings so far have been lively and informed. I’ve very much enjoyed speaking with residents, finding out more about their concerns and telling them about the challenges we face and what they can do to help.”

Ideas for how to get involved with local projects and groups can be found on www.dosomethinggood.org.uk