THE new leader of Colchester Borough Council says she wants to hear what residents think of where they live.

THE new leader of Colchester Borough Council says she wants to hear what residents think of where they live.

Anne Turrell said she wants to get closer to the people of Colchester and launched her initiative yesterday with a sightseeing tour of the town on an open top bus tour.

She said the new council administration was keen to hear the views of residents and give them a chance to put questions to the newly formed council cabinet.

Mrs Turrell said: “It is important, to move forward, that we continually listen to and respond to our residents.

“We want to hear their thoughts and ideas about the place in which they live and work their opinions are very important to us as a new administration.

“Clearly we can't promise to change everything that is requested but we will listen and we are opening up new channels of communication with the introduction of an e-mail and text service.”

n Anyone wanting to tell the council what they think should e-mail leader@colchester.gov.uk or text messages, starting with “Tell Leader” to 82010.