MARY Lockhart will attend her first meeting of the Cowdenbeath Area Committee today (Wednesday) but she feels that it is doubly important to know what people are thinking.

She said: "I feel it is important to know exactly what the people of the ward are concerned about.

"I would like to hold public meetings every six weeks or so to find what people see as problems needing tackled.

"I also feel we have to engage more with young people. It is important to make them feel that they are part of the local government process and make them feel that their views are taken on board.

"We need young people to feel they are an important part of the political process and through that we can persuade them to think about becoming councillors."