WINCHESTER City Council is setting up a new group to ensure all minority communities are happy across the district.

This was revealed at a meeting on July 8 after John Tippett-Cooper questioned leader Cllr Lucille Thompson.

During the public participation section he asked: "Winchester is one of the best places in the country to live and I am sure the council will agree that our district is enhanced by the diverse groups and communities that live in it.

"What more can the council do to engage different communities in its decision making?”

Cllr Thompson shared the plans for the group which has not yet been named.

This will have officers who will speak with minority communities to ensure their ideas are considered.

She said: "It is essential that all communities are heard in our district. I am pleased to announced this new group, which will consult and engage with these communities to ensure their feedback is heard and acted upon."

Mr Tippett-Cooper said he was happy to hear this and that his wife is from a Muslim family.

"This is reassuring to hear after it was revealed a Winchester City Councillor referred to my wife as a 'cancer' on social media."

He was referring to Cllr Judith Clementson who is currently under investigation by the national Conservative party.

She has allegedly been posting racist opinions on Twitter using the account @Clem205.