From this week, as part of the Future Rutland Conversation, Rutland residents can get involved and have their say on Living in Rutland and Council Services.

The Future Rutland Conversation was launched by Rutland County Council in April and is a chance for families, businesses and visitors to the county to comment on a range of important issues. By gathering this feedback from people of all ages and backgrounds, the Council hopes to produce a new shared vision for the county.

People can share their views by completing short surveys, posting comments and suggestions on themed forums, or by registering to take part in live virtual conversations.

Council leader Oliver Hemsley said: "Please do join the Future Rutland Conversation and share your views on these two new topics. When it comes to living in Rutland, we want to hear from you about how safe you feel, your views on the availability of housing and other accommodation in Rutland, and whether you plan to carry on living here long into the future."

Coun Hemsley continued: "We also want your views on Rutland's local services. How happy are you with local services? Which services are most and least important to you? Where could we do things differently or better? All of this is really important as we look ahead and plan for the future."

Other surveys already launched as part of the Future Rutland Conversation remain open and are available now. These include:

Your life in Rutland

Environment and climate change

Getting around

Health and wellbeing

Learning, skills and employment

A dedicated survey for young people

A survey for business owners

As part of this eight-week engagement, which runs until 1 June, Rutland County Council is also hosting a series of virtual conversations, which are open to everyone. The views collected during the engagement will inform the vision and aspirations for the county and future Council strategies and policies. Past engagement work will also be fed into the conversations.

There have now been almost 3,000 responses across all live Future Rutland surveys, along with 800 comments across nine themed forums. There have also been more than 140 bookings to take part in live online discussions. Registrations remain open for discussion groups taking part throughout May, including dedicated sessions for young people and for business owners.

Information on how to sign up and take part in the two new Conversations on Living in Rutland and Council Services can be found at: www.rutland.gov.uk/futurerutland, along with details on how to book a place at an upcoming discussion event.

If you want to take part in the Future Rutland Conversation but don't have access to the internet, please call Rutland County Council on 01572 722 577.

Upcoming live virtual events include:

Living in Rutland on Thursday 13 May, 6.30pm to 8.30pm

Learning, skills and employment on Saturday 15 May, 10am to 12pm

Health and wellbeing on Monday 17 May, 12pm to 2pm

Business owners on Tuesday18 May, 6.30pm to 8.30pm

Business owners on Thursday 20 May, 10am to 12pm

Your life in Rutland on Friday 21 May, 3pm to 5pm

Public services and how we spend your money on Wednesday 26 May, 10am to 12pm

Public services and how we spend your money on Saturday 29 May, 10am to 12pm

Your life in Rutland on Saturday 29 May, 2pm to 4pm

Full details and information about how to register can be found at: future.rutland.gov.uk/live-virtual-conversations