CITY leaders will begin a fact-finding exercise with residents next week.

A City of York Council survey last year revealed only a quarter of the 2,700 people who responded believed they could influence decision-making in York.

In a response to that survey, the authority will start a series of “community conversations” next Wednesday in Haxby and Wigginton.

The events will be held in every ward in the city, involving residents, community organisations and local businesses as well as ward councillors, members of the Labour cabinet, senior council officials and public sector representatives to find out what neighbourhood needs are.

Council leader James Alexander will attend each event and take part in a one-hour question-and-answer session.

Kersten England, the council’s chief executive, said: “We want to support community life in this city and it will provide a regular opportunity for residents to talk to us directly about the issues they face and the York they would like to see in the future – we can only make life better for people in this city if we are working with them.”

A list of meetings already organised is at york.gov.uk/community_conversations and will be updated as new meetings are announced.