WELCOME to the second edition of Community News, a newsletter brought to you by Sunderland City Council to keep you informed about what’s going on in your area.

You’ve told us you want more “news you can use’”, whether that’s details of local events and activities or groups you might be interested in joining.

There’s information about the things that really matter to you, like accessing council services such as libraries, leisure centres, recycling and services provided by health, the police and the fire service, among others.

We’ll also keep you informed about how you can get involved in your local area and infl uence council decisions.

And we’ll be telling you how small organisations and groups can benefit from council programmes such as the Community Chest and Strategic Initiative Budgets – thousands of pounds that could help local communities and projects.

We’ll be producing another edition of the newsletter, so we’d like to hear your views on what you like and dislike about this version and what you would like to see in the next issue.

YOUR feedback is always welcome. Send us your story ideas or tell us what kind of news and features you would like to see in future editions of this newsletter. Contact Communications and Marketing, Sunderland Civic Centre, SR2 7DN, telephone us on 561 1136/561 1204 or e-mail communications@sunderland.gov.ukYou