Bristol's new Liberal Democrat council leader Simon Cook elected
BRISTOL'S new Liberal Democrat council leader has told colleagues the next year would be a momentous one in the city's history.
Simon Cook said the city would have its first ever elected mayor in November and he appreciated that the way in which the council conducted itself during the next six months was vitally important.
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Simon Cook
Mr Cook was elected unopposed at the council's annual meeting yesterday, to follow Barbara Janke as leader of the council. His party, which is the largest but does not enjoy an overall majority, will continue to run the administration.
The Lib Dems have 32 members, Labour have 22, the Tories, 14, and the Greens, two.
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Mr Cook, who represents the Clifton East ward, said: "We do recognise there are potential contentious issues which are already in the leader's forward plan and Councillor Rogers has already pointed out that we are a minority administration. We sincerely undertake to have discussions with the other party leaders to find agreement on any contentious issues that might be coming up."
Although Mr Cook did not name any of them, they include the future of day care centres and elderly people's homes in the city.
He said that council officers will be drawing up a transition plan so that the reins of power can be handed over to the elected mayor as smoothly as possible.
"It will be a difficult period but I am confident that with good co-operation, we can make sure there is a smooth transition," said Mr Cook. "If we do this, then we can make sure the elected mayor finds the council in a good state in which to take the city forward in the best possible circumstances."
The elected mayor will have the power to run the council and be responsible for setting the annual civic budget. They will also have to appoint a cabinet of between two and ten councillors.
Labour leader Peter Hammond said there was a delicate balancing act for the council leader between ensuring continuity and influencing a future agenda. He warned that if any Lib Dem proposals "did not enjoy the support of the people of Bristol", then his group would have to oppose them.
Mr Hammond said it would be "disastrous" if the ruling Lib Dems made decisions on some key issues which the incoming elected mayor did not agree with. He said the Labour group would look at each key proposal on its merits.
Tory leader Peter Abraham said it was crucial that the elected mayor was presented with a coherent policy with which to take the city forward.
Green Party leader Tess Green was delighted to hear such conciliatory remarks about cross-party co-operation. She said: "One of the reasons why people voted for an elected mayor is because people don't like political bickering – maybe that's why they think an elected mayor will help."
Mr Cook paid tribute to Mrs Janke, who had led the Lib Dem group for 14 years, saying that she had left behind a "fantastic legacy".
Comments
by KBillies
Thursday, May 17 2012, 9:10PM
“Simon Cook.
A high quality man overseeing a high quality administration.”
by DennisB2012
Thursday, May 17 2012, 9:16AM
“It is instructive to see what has been written about (E)P articles.
Moreover, it is interesting to see which articles are retained on this website.
I have recently questioned whether one of my comments had been censored. Interstingly the particular article is no longer appearing in the list of articles seeking comment.
However, when I checked through the list on offer today, I was interested to see that the last entry was for "Bristol Man jailed over stealing steaks" which was published - or so it says - on "Thursday, July 16 2009"!
Come on (E)P lets see all the recent articles - uncensored - and for a suitable time for comments on the comments.”
by swrural
Wednesday, May 16 2012, 8:12PM
“"The fact is that hundreds of thousands of sandal-wearing, Guardian-reading, ciabatta-munching, yoghurt-knitting, dope-smoking, tree-hugging electors"
Yawn.”
by fordz
Wednesday, May 16 2012, 6:15PM
“Don't trust the lid Dem's they will do or say anthing to stay in power Nationaly or Locally, Broken promesses and lie's , they say one thing and do another.
the sooner we have a vote the sooner we can get rid if them.”
by smoosername
Wednesday, May 16 2012, 4:38PM
“Hmmmmmm.... a LibDem Council member saying they will listen to the public.
Now where have I heard that before?
Ah yes.... right before they ignore the public and do what they want.”
by DennisB2012
Wednesday, May 16 2012, 4:33PM
“All these negative comments get rather repetitive. What I don't see are genuine practical suggestions as to how to sort out the problems that actually exist. Or even, for that matter, hearing what the anti-Council mob actually want to happen.
Forget magic wands - they don't exist. Whatever the "new ideas" are, they will have to be paid for. Borrowed money needs to be paid back later - and with interest. The Elected Mayor might have plans that will need increases in Council Tax. But how will residents then influence what the Elected Mayor spends their money on?
I suspect in a few months time people will have realised what actually was achieved in recent years and how much "pie in the sky" is being talked about as "what the people of Bristol really want".
The real world, with all its problems and variety of solutions, still exists!
Time for Bristol to "get real" and start saying what it wants for the future. But keep to practical suggestions - not pie in the sky. If we don't, then any Elected Mayor will use their own ideas......
Time to stop "knocking" and try being "positive" and "real"!”
by Banjo9
Wednesday, May 16 2012, 3:45PM
“Well the Entry criteria ! basically PUTTING BRISTOL FIRST ! not like Kerry McCarthy an MP swanning off to Syria "Grandstanding" on about supporting same sex marriage these are National issues already covered by Westminster why is she not Fighting for Bristol all the closed shops ! unemployment, promoting business,manufacturing Saving The Green Space " working with the council to getting the Best for "Bristol" she and Dawn, don't ......they are career first !
Stephen Williams not a Bristolian but Welsh But he a least try's to work for Bristol and with the Council. Never has the time been so right for a MAYOR to Stand up, and save Bristol Yes the way forward is a strong Leader A MAYOR..........preferably Independent who answers to the People not the LiblabCon.”
by MarkBS9
Wednesday, May 16 2012, 2:08PM
“Cook and his ilk are a mere symptom of the Bristol disease. We have got the local government we deserve. The fact is that hundreds of thousands of sandal-wearing, Guardian-reading, ciabatta-munching, yoghurt-knitting, dope-smoking, tree-hugging electors must have turned out to vote these nutters into office - unless some sort of widespread electoral fraud was perpetrated, there can be no other explanation. Then having witnessed the way they ignore CONsultations, foul up the transport system, extract our money and hose it up the wall while failing to achieve anything of benefit whatsoever, they continue to turn out year after year to keep them in office. Einstein had something to say about repeating behaviours and expecting different results. Or maybe most people are happy with the way things are. I'm not.”
by SextonsNose
Wednesday, May 16 2012, 2:03PM
“What are the entry criteria to becoming a Bristolian, then?”
by Banjo9
Wednesday, May 16 2012, 1:40PM
“The Lib Dems and this man has been a monumental disaster for Bristol and its long suffering tax payers Bristol is being run by NON BRISTOLIANS working in Westminster and in the Council offices
They have and Councillor Cook has been at the forefront of ignoring what the people of Bristol want ! he and co have wasted thousands and thousands of pounds on hair brain schemes and project like "Mshed " "the spraying of walls with grafitti" The transport system,the push bike fiasco,the "Harbour Circus fiasco" all dopey liberal left wing ideas, now we have to endure more expense with a beef up (money wise ) gay parade ! yet cutting essential services It does not make sense !”