Bristol’s elected mayor will have to tackle ‘council malaise’
BRISTOL’S first elected mayor is going to have their work cut out to change the culture within the city council to make it closer to the people, according to a leading yes campaigner.
Stephen Perry, who organised a Speakers’ Corner event on College Green in the run up to the referendum, said he was thrilled that Bristol had voted for a more democratic form of government.
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Stephen Perry
He said: “From November we will have our very own mayor in charge – someone we can contact and know and someone we can hold accountable for what is happening in Bristol.”
He said it was a shame that the turnout was not higher – 24 per cent – but thought this was probably due to a “general disillusionment with politics and politicians in the city”.
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And he warned: “Our new mayor is going to have to address this malaise and work hard to change the culture in the Council House, so that it becomes closer and more responsive to the public.”
Mr Perry said the referendum result in favour of an elected mayor for the city was “one of the most significant days in Bristol politics in living memory”.
He said their campaign would now change and were planning to develop a “people’s manifesto” which the new elected mayor should take on board.
The Post has already suggested a job description for an elected mayor which includes having a clear vision for the city and the region; having a passion for the city, understanding how local government works and having a good business sense.
They must also know how to bang the drum for Bristol in winning funding for major projects and running public services.
The momentous referendum result saw a majority of more than 5,000 in favour of an elected mayor. A total of 41.032 voters were in favour while 35,880 were against.
Bristol will still continue to have a Lord Mayor who is chosen from the city’s 70 councillors. The Lord Mayor is a ceremonial post and represents the city at major events.
They also chair full council meetings in the chamber at College Green.
The election for an elected mayor will be held on November 15, by which time we can expect a host of candidates to have stepped forward in the hope of being chosen for the job.
Comments
by BarryW
Tuesday, May 08 2012, 10:15AM
“It will be the same electors who decide who will be the Mayor as already elected all the Councillors.
Why will their collective decision be any different?”
by PJB_1972
Tuesday, May 08 2012, 10:12AM
“fordz,
"Only 1 stupid City voted yes" - isn't it interesting that in Doncaster where they already have an elected mayor and have done for 10 years, they had a higher turnout ( 30% ) of which 62% voted to keep them. Doesn't sound as though its working out too badly there.”
by Tody123
Tuesday, May 08 2012, 9:56AM
“hahaha fordz is so angry
lets all do the 'L' sign”
by DM_Fishponds
Tuesday, May 08 2012, 7:53AM
“It's a wonder that the LibDems encourage @KBillies to lobby for them.
His enthusiastic words of support for various LibDems are the kiss of death.
They would be better asking him to keep quiet.”
by A_Mushroom
Monday, May 07 2012, 11:10PM
“My fear is that the Yes campaign, that was so openly backed by businesses in the city, will dictate the mayor's agenda and further alienate the disillusioned electorate by not delivering on public services.”
by fordz
Monday, May 07 2012, 7:58PM
“no one give a **** about a mayor only 12% of Bristolians could be bothered to vote yes.,
It may be down to that no one new there was going to be a vote and the rest did not know what they where voting for with no information coming from the council.
10 citys vote No and only one stupid city voted yes.”
by KBillies
Monday, May 07 2012, 6:52PM
“Good to see our elected councillors securing valuable resources to support key infrastructure projects like this.
They are showing nerve, vitality imagination and expertise.
Well done to key figures in the administration and hopefully the new mayor will award key portfolios to some of the existing cabinet members to continue the superb work that is underway, particularly at transport and neighbourhoods”
by KBillies
Monday, May 07 2012, 6:13PM
“Abdul Malik looks like a strong candidate”
by cliftonsays
Monday, May 07 2012, 5:14PM
“This city is also very unequal in terms of aspiration and opportunity..as we are now to elect a mayor we need someone who understands this and will bring us together”
by Richard34
Monday, May 07 2012, 12:03PM
“It's one thing trying to change the culture and way of thought and support within BCC and another trying to reach out to the world to Invest in Bristol and tell everyone what a fantastic area that Greater Bristol is to visit.
These are two completely different jobs and of two different skills sets.
Plus what can be done outside of politics is already happening in the most part. The new mayor is going to spend their first 8 months learning the role, the following 8 months battling with dead wood politicians and the following 2 years failing to make much difference except possibly a change in working conditions, locations of council offices to help with the cuts and to tear up the exciting progress that's just been passed for development i.e. a new swimming pool for East Bristol, something that is needed but not in the eye's of someone who maybe elected and lives in Clifton. What we cannot afford is a quack who believes that they know what's best for people living in the Bristol's most deprived communities.
Let's hope that we start to see some other talent put themselves forward for Mayor and who will calculate cuts wisely and see balance implemented across the city using the correct tool which is via Neighbourhood Partnerships. These tools can be improved but they must stay or we need to question any mayor candidate who wants to remove them becuase this will mean that they are in this race for power and not for passion.”