A frequent complaint of modern politics is that people feel like their voice is not heard.

At a national level - who can honestly say they feel their views are taken into account when MPs vote on legislation, or when ministers announce a new foreign policy direction?

At a local level too, that frustration can be borne out in planning committee decisions, that so often run against the wishes of a community, or in the now annual rise in council tax.

However, such cynicism is often misplaced when it comes to local councils. Councillors, in the main, are dedicated, enthusiastic public servants, whose national party often bears little resemblance to their own politics.

They care about, and listen to, their communities and are often only a phone call or an email away, should a resident care to raise an issue.

Now, Barrow Borough Council is extending that consultative ethos to how it would spend millions of pounds of funding from the Government.

Barrow could be given £25m from the Government’s Towns Fund, and is asking locals to let them know how they should prioritise spending.

A website has been set up, brilliantbarrow.org.uk, where residents can highlight their preferred schemes to the advisory Town Deal Board.

You can’t complain your voice isn’t heard, if you never try and use it.