News / Politics
Council committees kerfuffle
Bristol’s committee system has already descended into bickering, claims and counter-claims.
Within the space of an hour on Friday afternoon, three different press releases were sent by a trio of political parties all giving their own versions of events going on behind the scenes at City Hall.
It comes just over a week after the local elections in which the Green Party won 34 seats out of 70, just short of an overall majority, with the new committee system made up of eight different committees allowing for a sharing of roles and policy decisions.
Labour were first out of the blocks, saying in their press release that they have decided not to chair any committees “and will instead act constructively and collaboratively within the council’s committees, assessing their policies on a case-by-case basis”.
Then it was the Lib Dems’ turn, saying they were “disappointed that of the four sessions thus far, which were scheduled prior to the election, Labour have only attended one meeting. Furthermore, they have actively decided that they do not wish to chair any of the new policy committees.”
The statement from the Lib Dems, who have eight councillors, added that “talks are continuing and we would like to see all parties fully participate in these for the good of the city”.
The Green Party now have 34 out of 70 councillors at City Hall – photo: Martin Booth
The press release from the Green group said that Labour have “refused to engage in any meaningful dialogue with the other parties, despite their leader Cllr Tom Renhard saying that ‘the residents of Bristol cannot afford for us not to work with other parties as is necessary’.”
Emma Edwards, leader of the Green group on Bristol City Council, said: “The people of Bristol voted for the committee system and the Greens because they saw that political culture in this city needs to change.
“By starting these discussions, we are trying to work in a collaborative way that the previous Labour mayor never did.
“Avoiding meetings with the other parties to talk about this like adults is a dereliction of Labour’s responsibility to the city, and an insult to all those that voted for Labour and a more democratic governance system.
“If Labour do not take the policy committee chairs that they are entitled to, they will not get extra chairs on any regulatory committees.
“Ultimately, we want to work together for the good of the city, and we believe that is what the people of Bristol want too. It is disappointing that Labour are not coming to the table to negotiate at this vital time.”
Bristol’s Labour group leader, Tom Renhard, promised to work collaboratively in City Hall after the local elections – photo: Rob Browne
The Labour group, who now have 21 councillors, say they will take up a number of committee vice chair positions and chair regulatory committees, outside of the official administration.
Renhard said: “Following the local elections on Thursday 2 May, we recognise that as the largest party, the Green Party have a mandate to lead Bristol City Council.
“As the Green Party fell short of an overall majority, they have offered a policy chair role to the Liberal Democrat group in a backroom deal, before making an offer to Labour.
“In recent years, both parties have offered plenty of criticism but few solutions. They now have the opportunity to take the reins and face up to Bristol’s challenges.
“As such, Labour will not chair any policy committees within their administration and will instead act constructively and collaboratively within the council’s committees, assessing their policies on a case-by-case basis.
“We’ll strengthen their proposals, hold their chairs to account, and support any progressive policies that will benefit Bristolians.
“We will look to take up some of the policy vice chair roles to ensure proposals are scrutinised, improved and benefit Bristol’s communities that need it most.”
A press release from the Conservative group, who have seven councillors, is yet to drop into inboxes.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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