Contact: Cllr Helen Holland - helen.holland@bristol.gov.uk @helenhbristol & Labour Councillors @LabourBristol

Bristol LabourNews your Labour councillorskeeping you up to dateJune, 2015

Helen HollandHelen Holland

Helen began by saying that the Mayor painted a picture of a prosperous Bristol that not everyone in the city is able to enjoy it is a picture simply not recognised by many. Helen said that Labour councillors would like to have heard the Mayor acknowledge what a divided city Bristol is and what he is doing to make the city a fairer place for all who live here. Labour councillors are committed to a fairer city for all, and recognise the real fear that people have with vital services being cut to the bone, vulnerable people will see services they rely on reducing or even disappearing.Even Conservative-led authorities have lobbied the Government about the unsustainability of the cuts to Local Government. Could the Mayor not do more to persuade government that there was no fat left in local government that could safely be cut this time. Labour councillors had heard the Mayors comments suggesting that he looked forward to more co-operation at the council - but our experience is that he works round the Council not with it - continually rubbishing the role of local councillors. He talked of opening up democracy but you only had to look at statements from the public at Council meetings, to hear many complain how hard it was to get their voices heard by the Mayor and Council since he took over. They do not feel they have more access to democracy.

That when it came to consultation and Residents Parking and Libraries consultations in particular - many people were very, very fearful that decisions have already been made. This surely was a real turn off for engaging with the electorate.On devolution of more powers and resources from central to local government, sadly it was clear that Bristol was well behind the curve when it came to making this happen. Difficult relationships between the four West of England authorities have been cited as delaying the process. Helen said that previous council leaders had found ways of working across the sub-region, and that people can understand the nervousness of the neighbouring authorities since the Mayors arrival.Labour councillors wanted to see more flesh on the bone when it came to co-operation between the Mayor and councillors. She wanted to hear more about the Mayor delegating more decisions to Neighbourhood Partnerships so that local people can have a real stake in the future of their areas, a counter-balance to the centralised power in the Mayors hands. Try to take councillors with you, she appealed and as a first move why not insist on extending the Living Wage to the contractors who work on projects and services for the council that would contribute to a fairer Bristol. The Mayor needs to reach out to the energy and experience he had available in the council chamber and in our partners outside to make Bristol a fairer and better place to live in.

Labour's Reaction to The Mayor's Annual Statement to CouncilLabour's Reaction to The Mayor's Annual Statement to Council...from Cllr Helen Holland ...from Cllr Helen Holland Leader of the Labour GroupLeader of the Labour Group

Welcome to the second edition of our Labour Councillors newsletter since the election and especially welcome to the many new members who have recently joined the Labour Party in Bristol. You are joining at a crucial time with the national Leadership election, local council candidate selections and the Mayoral election all ahead of us. I have already had contact with some new members, and look forward to hearing from more. As promised in the last newsletter, overleaf you will find the names and contacts of the 11 champions that the Labour Group has nominated across many key policy areas. All of us are committed to working with Party members, with constituencies and the MPs to make sure that the Labour message is heard right across the city. The cycle of committees and work inside the Council is just starting up again, but we know that this is not where the real work of representing our wards and communities is done. The next newsletter will feature some of the excellent community campaigns our councillors are leading, and which you can help by getting involved with.Any questions just get in touch!

Champions for Labour in BristolWe have appointed a number of champions this year for policy areas. They will link with individuals and organisations in the city , and fight their corner in the council advocating our policies across all committees and in our communities.As well as working with Policy Group Conveners to develop Labour policies they'll be interested to hear from you the more policy ideas the better. Don't hesitate to get in touch.

HealthGillKirkgill.kirk@bristol.gov.uk

Living WageMikeWollacottmike.wollacott@bristol.gov.uk

EnvironmentMhairiThrelfallmhairi.threlfall.@bristol.gov.uk

CyclingChrisJacksonchristopher.jackson@bristol.gov.uk

Young PeopleRhianGreavesrhian.greaves@bristol.gov.uk

HousingRon

Stoneron.stone@bristol.gov.uk

Older PeopleJenny Smith

jenny.smith@bristol.gov.uk

EducationAfzal Shah

afzal.shah@bristol.gov.uk

Equalities+Disability

Sue Milestone

sue.milestone@bristol.gov.uk

Women(and rep. on Bristol Women's

Commission)

MargHickman

marg.hickman@bristol.gov.uk

Would YOU like to be a LABOUR councillor?Next year - for the first time for many years Bristol City Council will have all out elections. That means that all 70 council seats are up for election in May. So we need 70 candidates to stand in the new city wards.Every community wants to make the local area a better place to live in we in Labour want all areas to be fairer places to live in too. If you think you can represent a local community's aspirations and ambitions why not put your name forward?You are not restricted to the area in which you live.

The role involves helping local people with their problems in dealing with the council, seeking improvements for a local area's parks, schools, streetscene etc... And being actively involved in the governance of the city at council meetings making sure we get the best for all our citizens.We all think Bristol is a great city, but there are serious inequalities and divisions which political choices can improve. So how about it? Call for an informal chat - 0117 922 2013.

CONTACT: the Local Campaign Forum for an application pack.Email: LCFBRISTOL@gmail.comOr by post LCF Secretary, c/o St Gregory the Great Vicarage, Filton Road, Horfield, Bristol

Arts and CultureEstella Tincknellestella.tincknell@bristol.gov.uk