NEWS RELEASE

From the Labour Councillors on Bristol City Council

for immediate release, 9th February, 2015

"Labour's priorities are not the Mayor's priorities"

Labour in Bristol have ripped up the Mayors proposals for spending extra cash, believing that totally
different priorities are needed for some of the citys most vulnerable, for reshaping libraries and to ensure
that the Green Capital Year leaves a lasting legacy.
While crippling cuts have been imposed on the City Council by the Coalition government we must spend
any extra resources as best we can. At the moment the Mayor has vague proposals to implement his
commissions findings and no-one is sure what Bristols Green Capital legacy might be. Labour has clear
priorities, says Cllr Helen Holland, the Labour leader.
Labour will halt the 500,000 cuts to parks maintenance planned by the Mayor by using Green Capital
legacy funds.
We find it astonishing that in Green Capital year the citys parks will be hit hard, and our park keepers
laid off. We know that park keepers bring real value to our parks, working with local groups, ensuring that
scarce resources are best used, and helping to reduce anti-social behaviour in green spaces, says Cllr
Holland.
Labour will also amend the capital budget diverting funds from the next phase of Residents Parking
Zones to invest in a new Hartcliffe Recycling centre.
The Mayor seems determined to plough on with Residents Parking even in areas where there is currently
no problem, whilst doing nothing to improve recycling. We know that recycling rates are lower in the south
of the city and the promised Hartcliffe Way Recycling Centre would boost Bristols recycling rates, which
have recently reduced. That would mean a real Green Capital legacy for decades to come, says Cllr
Holland.
Other money allocated to implement the Mayoral Commissions Labour believes needs to be better
targeted.
We know that the Mayor's Fairness Commission had real concerns about isolation amongst older people,
so stopping the Mayor's proposal to prevent Diamond Card pass holders from using community transport
needs to be an immediate priority, she says.
Thousands of people across the city have engaged in the consultation about the future of the library
service, but are concerned about the threat of cuts. Labour's additional money will fund the changes
needed, enabling our libraries to modernise and provide better services to communities.
Labour would also spend money on extra funding for transition at the BUSH respite care home, extra
support for the Welfare Rights and Money Advice Service reversing the Mayor's proposed cuts to these
services, and ensuring that residents get the right help to get benefits they are entitled to.
Labour would also fund an increase in the council apprentices pay and conditions of service to bring them
up from 2.80 towards a Living Wage.
Labour believes that members of the Mayoral Commissions would welcome specific funding to help
deliver their ideas, and help the vulnerable who are being left behind by the current cuts, says Cllr
Holland.
Labour are also not impressed by the allocation of 100,000 to be spent on celebrations for the Bristol
800 celebrations.
/more.

Labour creating a fairer Bristol

NEWS RELEASE
From the Labour Councillors on Bristol City Council
It does seem frivolous to be spending money on celebrations while people are suffering. Labour feels we
should stave off cuts to crime reduction projects involving PCSO patrols, domestic violence and hate
crimes, she says.
Finally Labour feels that the Mayor has simply delayed any progress on replacing the East Bristol
swimming pool. Speedwell was closed in 2005. A replacement pool, attached to the Brunel Academy
school, has been an aspiration ever since. Labour will press for the proposed swimming pool to be moved
up the priority list for the capital investment programme.
Labour has different priorities from the Mayor. The coalition government austerity programme limits what
is possible but we have sought to help the low paid and the vulnerable where we can, to ameliorate what
many see as a threat to our libraries and to identify a lasting Green Capital legacy. This is the approach
we offer to all Bristol citizens in spite of financial constraints, says Cllr Helen Holland.

CONTACT: Cllr Helen Holland - 0117 987 2238

or Labour councillors office - 0117 922 2013 or 07957 474865

Labour creating a fairer Bristol