Residents in west Suffolk are being urged not to miss their chance to have their say over civic leadership in the area.

The consultation for people to give their views on how the area should be represented at civic events after the formation of the new West Suffolk Council ends on Sunday.

The consultation includes looking at whether the new authority should apply to the Privy Council for borough status and explores views on having a mayor or chairman.

People can answer questions at www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/civicleadership and the council is also engaging with a number of stakeholder groups, including schools.

Forest Heath district councillor Ruth Bowman and St Edmundsbury borough councillor Carol Bull, portfolio holders for future governance, said: “The new council is designed to better promote our great area, attract investment and further drive prosperity for the communities we serve.

“Civic leadership will play an important role in helping achieve those ambitions.

“Creating a new council for west Suffolk gives our communities an exciting opportunity to help shape how it works, given the council will be a new organisation, covering a larger area.

“As part of this, we are looking to redefine at the role of the civic leader for the new council.

“This is an important figurehead who not only chairs council meetings but is a representative of the area at important events, championing our communities and businesses.

“We already know people have strong views about this subject and we now want them to tell us through this consultation and engagement process all of those views to help us shape civic leadership in West Suffolk. Please don’t miss your chance to have your say.”