Release Date:  03-Jan-2008

Bristol City Council is to hold its first ever 'State of the City' debate to help define the council’s top priorities for the future - and shape its Corporate Plan for 2008/09.

The debate will take up the first two hours of the next meeting of the full Council on January 15th 2008 - and the public are invited to submit statements to inform the discussion by the city’s 70 elected councillors.

The meeting will be webcast live - and you can follow proceedings online at www.bristol.gov.uk/webcast 

Welcoming the debate, Cllr Helen Holland, Leader of the Council, said: “Our city is a wonderful place to live, work and visit - and the city council is an improving authority, although there’s still a long way to go before it can say with confidence it is consistently delivering high quality, value for money services to all.

“The Cabinet is clear about its priorities. We want Bristol to be an ambitious city that includes and values all its citizens.  We want to drive forward change that makes a difference to people’s lives. We want to ensure the city is safer and healthier for all. And we want to deliver visible improvements to streets, parks, open spaces, community facilities and transport links in local neighbourhoods - so that wherever you live you can be confident the council is serving you well.

“The Cabinet’s draft budget, published just before Christmas, seeks to reflect those priorities - and this debate offers an unprecedented opportunity for all elected councillors to discuss the issues and influence the council’s future direction.”

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group, Cllr Steve Comer added: "Over recent years, the council has started to turn around many of its services. However, there is still so much that needs to be done to improve Bristol - to fulfil the potential we all know it has and to make it the world class city it should be. Many Bristol residents feel promises are made but not delivered.  This debate gives councillors an opportunity to discuss the future of our city and contribute their ideas and solutions."

Leader of the Conservative Group, Cllr Richard Eddy said: “Everyone is agreed that the city faces massive challenges if it is to tackle congestion, improve public transport, continue to raise educational standards and ensure the council and other public bodies deliver the highest quality services to the people of Bristol. An open public discussion about these and other issues is to be welcomed and this State of the City debate is a welcome development for local democracy.”

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Royston Griffey said "This is the first State of the City debate that the Council has ever had and a novel experience for everyone - including myself. I hope everyone finds it an informative and useful experiment that can only add to our understanding of our great City and County."

Public statements should be submitted in writing by 12 noon on Monday, January 14th 2008 – by post to Democratic Services Team, Room 220, The Council House, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TR, by fax to 0117 922 2146 or by e-mail to democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk.  Anyone requiring further information can phone the Democratic Services Team on 0117 922 2362 (Minicom – 0117 922 2115).

Author:  Simon Caplan

For all media enquiries relating to this press release, please contact Corporate Communications on 0117 922 2650.

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