Last November architect George Ferguson was democratically selected as Bristol's first Elected Mayor. The appointment was greeted as a progressive step for Bristol and was supported by many in both the construction and creative industries. The Mayor's budget (released earlier today) is the first effective political action Ferguson has taken and while he has been significantly welcomed in his new position the latest actions are likely to attract considerable backlash.
The probable headline will be the planned budget cuts amounting to £35m, largely coming from a cull of local authority jobs (around 300), a cutting of funding for 32 Police Community Support Officers, raising council tax, and scrapping plans for both a new recycling centre and community swimming pool.
Also likely to attract criticism is the way in which the Elected Mayor has released the details of the Budget. Having leaked details to the press, both the direction and budget were only revealed to the democratically elected councillors through the media rather than Ferguson directly. The council's Liberal Democrat leader Tim Kent has condemned this as both a "shambolic way top handle such an important budget... [and a] disregard for the democratic process and the city's wards councillors". In a similar manner acting Labour leader Ron Stone has suggested that "the mayor's new ways are aimed at bypassing any input or critique we may have... An effective opposition is recognised as a sign of a healthy democracy".
Despite the opposition to both the content and manner of the proposals it is important to remember the constraints in which the Elected Mayor is working. Facing a considerable 'budget hole' there is limited room to maneuver and Ferguson defends the proposals as a means to protect the most vulnerable in Bristol. The reality of the situation is that within the current economic situation no proposal would be both effective and well supported. It is argued that the budget makes cuts where cuts are necessary, and while the proposals may not be as progressive as hoped perhaps they will enable growth within coming years and (hopefully) when Ferguson is in a position to guide Bristol forward. Ferguson himself states that: " I ask you to bear with me as I do my very best to make sure that Bristol prospers in the future. The important thing is that we bring jobs to the city, that we make the transport work, that we make the city much more connected than it is".
More on the budget can be found on the Bristol City Council website.
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