THE country’s first ever council meeting to be held in a curry house is open to Dudley borough residents.

Dudley Council claims it has a recipe for success with its online community forums, but is now inviting local people to Korma-long and air their views at a ‘curry forum’ in Amblecote.

People can sit down for a three-course meal at East2West Fusion, in Brettell Lane, and quiz council leader, Councillor Pete Lowe, on issues affecting their communities or the whole of the borough at the same time.

Cllr Lowe said: “As far as we know we are the first council in the country to hold a public meeting as part of a curry night.

“This is a genuine move to get more people involved in local democracy.

“As a community council we are committed to listening to and working with communities to make improvements and deliver services, but best of all, people can just come along and enjoy some great food at a fantastic venue.”

The evening will take place on Tuesday, March 10, from 7pm until 8pm and follows the online community forums which have seen thousands of people log onto the council’s facebook and twitter feeds to quiz council bosses on a range of issues.

Hero Haque, owner of East2West Fusion, said: “I’m really pleased to be able to support the very first ever curry forum.

“As a local business we want to work with the council and this is a great way of doing that.

“I hope people will come along to speak to Councillor Lowe and enjoy a good meal out too.”

Booking for the event, which costs £9.95 for a meal deal, is essential and can be done by calling 01384 377600 quoting reference ‘curry forum’.

Discussions at the restaurant will also be posted onto the Dudley borough facebook page and twitter feed (@Dudleymbc).

People will also be able to ask the council leader questions via both social media channels from anywhere in the borough during the hour.