News / Politics
Mayor opens up council to public questions
City mayor George Ferguson has said he will open up public forum debates at meetings of full council to questions on any subjects.
Questions from the public to the mayor or a member of his cabinet will no longer have to relate to items on the agenda.
The mayor said he hoped the move “inspires more people to be more active in our democracy”.
is needed now More than ever
But he was criticised by leaders of some of the main parties for not being democratic enough.
The mayor introduced the changes in his annual speech given at the first meeting of full council since recent local elections.
The speech came at the mayor’s last council AGM before he is up for election alongside all city councillors next May.
After announcing the changes to the public forum he said: “This constitutional change is the latest step down this path of empowered democracy that has already seen the roll out of public Mayoral Question Time events, both face to face and broadcast, as well as a massive increase in the use of social media.”
He also used his speech to reissue his support for devolution to bring more power, control and additional funding to Bristol.
He said the council would also continue to restructure itself in the age of austerity through “ongoing administrative efficiencies”, which include the consultation on the city’s libraries.
But following the speech Ferguson faced criticism of his commitment to reinvigorating local democracy.
Helen Holland, Labour leader, said: “People don’t feel more access to democracy. You only have to see the consultations on RPZs. People feel very,very fearful that decisions have already been made.”
Mark Weston, Conservative Party leader, added: “I think too often the criticism I would level at you is you dismiss all criticism as party political posturing.”
Councillors voted to change the council’s constitution to accommodate the new changes. The changes also saw the removal of the role of cabinet advisors, introduced to help cabinet members with their work.
The meeting also saw councillors and the mayor reject proposals which would have seen their salaries and allowances rise.
Clare Campion-Smith was elected by councillors to serve as the city’s new lord mayor, with Alistair Watson acting as deputy lord mayor.
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