Labour politicians call for ‘yes’ vote for Bristol mayor: A group of heavyweight Labour politicians in Bristol have come out in favour of an elected mayor for the city. They believe a figurehead chosen by the people would liberate the council and “move it out of the shadows with no more stitched up deals in closed rooms by the majority party”. More from Bristol Evening Post…
Elected mayors need wider powers: Warwick Commission: Elected mayors should have powers extending beyond city boundaries so they can “foster economic growth”, a report suggests. Ten cities hold referendums on 3 May on directly elected mayors. The Warwick Commission said mayors with responsibility for “economic areas” spanning city boundaries – so-called “metro mayors” – were more likely to be effective. More from BBC News…
Severn bridges: Longer deal allows company to collect extra £33m: Tolls on the Severn bridges are likely to continue at their current level for longer than expected after a new deal with the company which charges the fee. Severn River Crossing plc has been told it can run both bridges until it has taken an extra £33m, up to £1.02bn. The bridges are expected to pass into public ownership by 2017, and MPs have said tolls should then be cut heavily. Newspaper reports claim that will mean a delay of five months before the company loses its right to the tolls. More from BBC News…
Mug sale helps pay court fees over Tesco fight: A community group held a night of fundraising to pay off the court fees incurred in their legal challenge against Tesco in Cheltenham Road. Almost a year after the riots in which the Tesco Express store was ransacked, The People’s Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) managed to raise £1,800 by selling mugs printed with the words “I paid the fine”. More from Bristol Evening Post…
Trial postponed for pair accused of Anni murder: The case against two men accused of taking part in the murder of honey- mooner Anni Dewani has been postponed for a week by a court in Cape Town. Mziwamadoda Qwabe and Xolile Mngeni appeared in the Western Cape High Court in South Africa for a pre-trial conference. More from Bristol Evening Post…
Houses approved in Totterdown despite height concerns: Permission has been given to build nine houses in Totterdown despite residents voicing concerns about the height of the proposed structures. Councillors decided to grant consent after being advised by planning officers that the scheme meets with council guidelines. More from Bristol Evening Post…
Burnham bomb man jailed: A man has been sentenced for making explosives in a shed at his Burnham-on-Sea home. Phillip Leonard, aged 35, pleaded guilty to four counts of making explosives when he appeared at Taunton Crown Court. On Friday, he returned to the court and was sentenced to two years in prison for each offence to be served concurrently. More from Jack FM…
