6 minute read
Citizens recommendations
Recommendations and associated actions put forward by citizens on climate change and housing, transport, and health are outlined in a report from Bristol’s Citizens’ Assembly received by Cabinet.
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The recommendations will help inform the city-wide Economic Recovery and Renewal Strategy and the council’s refreshed Corporate Strategy as a key input into shaping the future of Bristol.
Deputy Mayor, Asher Craig said: “It was a privilege to observe the assembly members respond to the important question ‘How do we recover from COVID-19 and create a better future for all in Bristol?’. The members’ response to taking part, and their enthusiasm for being involved in a democratic process to shape Bristol’s future following the pandemic has been impressive.
“This assembly has given us a way of listening to diverse views on complex subjects, capturing and feeding those opinions into the city’s recovery and renewal planning. The members heard in-depth evidence about the issues, held lively and constructive discussions, challenged each other’s and their own views, made informed decisions and reached agreement on a set of recommendations and actions.”
The citizens’ assembly met online over four weekends hearing information from 55 speakers including community organisations, citizens with lived experience of inequality, One City partners, academics, subject specialists and council officers. They engaged in facilitated deliberation and developed 17 recommendations and 82 associated actions. 40 Councillor Paula O’Rourke, Party Group Leader, the Green Party said: “In 2020 Bristol committed to rebooting democracy and asked its citizens to help identify future aspirations for a city where we can build back better and everyone can share in the city’s success.
“The spirit of hearing all our communities’ voices has underpinned Bristol’s first citizens’ assembly. The assembly’s ideas and priorities will influence and help to shape Bristol’s future. The time and energy members dedicated demonstrates citizens’ enthusiasm and appetite to be a part of shaping progress in Bristol. Outcomes will be monitored and shared, as we work to embed deliberative democracy techniques in our citizen engagement work.”
One assembly member reported that it had been an incredible and insightful experience to help bring the city toward a new direction for everyone to enjoy and prosper post COVID-19. “We have heard speakers from housing to green energy to transport, with all the information that we could possibly need and the guidance to help us make informed recommendations. I was able to voice my opinions and share my experiences that helped create a more balanced picture of Bristol as a whole and keep equity in mind when making decisions.”
Full details of the assembly and their recommendations can be found at Bristol Citizens' Assembly - Bristol - Citizen Space
Round-up of local news in Brislington West with Jos and Andrew
Brislington Greenway update:
Since both being elected in early May we have repeatedly requested a meeting with council officers for an update on the A4 corridor project, but were getting nowhere. Eventually, we complained directly to the Mayor, Marvin Rees, and we managed to get a meeting. At the meeting were the project manager for the scheme together with the head of strategic city transport. What is absolutely clear is that nothing has been taken off the table, including using the old Brislington Railway Line for a road, despite claims to the contrary during the election. The council officers were unable or unwilling to give any details about their preferred options nor when the public consultation would likely be taking place. Between now and then, the project team will be reducing a long list of options to a short list, which will then be presented to the public. Whatever happens, we will continue opposing the Callington Road Link, as we have done so consistently for the last five years. You can join the Friends Group here: https://www. facebook.com/groups/196044540963847/
Flowers Hill update:
At our first meeting with the developers of the Flowers Hill site back in January we were delighted with their suggestion of using the old War Rooms, a listed monument, as a community space. However, when we examined their Outline Planning Application for the site (21/01699/P), we noticed that this use had been left off the proposal and instead it was earmarked for storage or business use (Class B8 and E). 42 We quickly organised another meeting with the developers and are pleased to say they agreed to resubmit the application to include Class F, which would allow for community use. We know that a local community organisation has expressed an interest in the site so hopefully, we will have some more good news soon. You can find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/487689002398624/
Community speedwatch:
We joined local residents and our local police community support officers on Saturday for a Speedwatch session on Wick Road. According to data the team have collected over the last few years, this location is one of the worst in the city for speeding. However, our presence on Saturday morning had the desired effect and the majority of drivers were keeping to the speed limit. As one of the speedwatch organisers said, “It’s not about penalising drivers but improving driving”. If you would like to join the friendly Speedwatch team, please send us your details which we will forward to the organisers.
Big Tidy comes to Brislington West:
The Big Tidy crews will be working in the area for the next couple of weeks. We are hoping to join them during their time in Brislington West to say thank you on behalf of local residents. We are also hoping to have a Saturday morning street stall on Sandy Park Road. Once the all-clear has been given by the Health & Safety team, we will let you know the date. More details here: https://bristolwastecompany.co.uk/big-tidy/
Our next community litter pick will be in the Brislington Village area. We plan to meet at 10am on 3 July in the car park opposite Lidl. As usual, we’ll provide litter pickers and bags. Please bring your own gloves and hand sanitizer.
Repositioned litter bin on Talbot Road:
A poorly sited litter bin on Talbot Road meant litter, including doggie poo bags, was regularly ending up in a neighbouring garden! Following talks with Bristol Waste, they have agreed to reposition the bin.
EV charging points on their way:
We have been talking about the need for more publicly accessible charging points for quite some time so we are pleased to hear visitors to three of Bristol’s leisure centres will now be able to charge their electric vehicles while they work out. However, the new chargers are all located in the north of the city. Once again, we have been overlooked but we will keep pushing for more charging points in this area. The council is also offering residents the opportunity to suggest where they would like to see more charge points, including residential locations, as it plans for a future expansion of Revive Residents can fill in their suggestions via a form on Travelwest, which also includes a map of where people have already suggested new sites: https://travelwest.info/electric-vehicles/charging-points#suggest-a-newcharging-point-location-or-make-an-enquiry
By Jos Clark, Liberal Democrat Councillor (Brislington West) Email: cllr.jos.clark@bristol.gov.uk Mobile: 07584 370429
& Andrew Varney, Liberal Democrat Councillor (Brislington West) Email: cllr.andrew.varney@ bristol.gov.uk Mobile: 07584 183381
