Mayor in ministerial talks for more powers

Bristol Mayor George Ferguson will make the case for further devolved powers to the city when he meets with ministers in Westminster tomorrow (Thursday 29th) - his first meeting with Government since his election 10 days ago.

In a series of meetings the Mayor will meet the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Cities Minister, Greg Clark, and Local Government Minister, Brandon Lewis.

George Ferguson said: “I am determined to take bold decisions for Bristol but we need the same determination and commitment from Government to devolve powers from the centre.

“I shall make the case strongly to ministers that Bristol is ready to be a test-bed for radical ideas. We need to look at models of social finance and bonds to drive city investment in infrastructure, and we must look at ways we cut regulation to boost local enterprise and entrepreneurship.

“My message to ministers is simple. Bristol is the most successful city economy outside London, and we can help drive growth if we are given the powers to invest and innovate.

“The City Deal negotiated this year is a good start which we need to build on and I want to kick-start talks immediately on a Mayoral Deal.

“The meetings tomorrow will be the first of an ongoing dialogue between myself and ministers over the next few months.”