Our plan to build back better in Bristol - The Conservative Manifesto for the City of Bristol on 6 May 2021 - Mark Weston
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Our plan to
build back
better in Bristol
The Conservative Manifesto for the City of
Bristol on 6 May 2021
Printed & Promoted by Stephen Bower on behalf of Bristol Conservatives, both of 5 Westfield Park, Bristol, BS6 6LT.
Bristol deserves better...
A personal message
from the Conservative
Group Leader
Bristol has been let down by Labour
Cllr Mark Weston
Conservative Group Leader, Bristol City Council
Our plan to build back better in Bristol City | 1
Bristol deserves better...
Contents
A personal message from the Conservative Group Leader 1
Contents & Samuel Williams for WECA Mayor 2
Delivering our pledges to you 3
A referendum on the City Mayor 4
Transport & Housing 5
Local facilities & Safer streets 6
Environment & Families 7
The choice at this election 8
Vote Samuel Williams for WECA Mayor
• Delivering a transport network that connects you to the things
that are most important
• Providing skills, training and apprenticeship opportunities so
you can get the jobs you want and employers get the skills they
needs
• Strengthening our business sector and boosting the recovery of
local enterprise
SECURING OUR RECOVERY
On Thursday 6th May you have the chance and Bristol needs a
to vote for a brighter future for Bristol, by region which works
voting for me, Samuel Williams, to be the together to improve
next Mayor of the West of England. our transport links and
provides the jobs,
The Mayor co-ordinates investment across housing and training
the region, and is responsible for allocating opportunities we
hundreds of millions of pounds of central need.
Government money to deliver better
transport, training, housing and investment As a local
in jobs and the economy. businessman and
charity leader, I’m Bristol has been let down by Labour
Bristol plays a vital role in our region: a passionate about
centre of creativity, research, and a location energising our region
famous around the world. So the West of to increase opportunities and quality of life
England needs a Bristol which is thriving, for all, and Bristol is key to that vision.
Our plan to build back better in Bristol City | 2
Bristol deserves better...
Delivering our
pledges to you
Your local Conservatives have worked tirelessly to support our
communities and protect local services. With your support we will
continue to do so.
What we’ve achieved together…
1 Stopped the Mayor from
closing our local libraries
3 Over £700m in Covid support
for the City
5 Originally proposed a
Housing Company for Bristol
The Mayor proposed to close the We have been raising concerns with Bristol Conservatives were the first
majority of the City’s libraries. By Government to secure support for to propose a housing company to
working with local residents we businesses and residents. Over deliver affordable housing for local
mounted a ferocious campaign and £700m has been provided to the residents. Including securing £9m
succeeded in keeping them open. City so far. investment for the project.
4 6
2 Worked with the West of
England Mayor to secure
4 Secured money to invest in
community schemes
6 Argued for greater
accountability in City Hall.
more transport funding Conservative Councillors have Conservatives have led the charge
By working with the WECA Mayor helped secure funding for local calling for the Mayor to publish the
we secured tens of millions of road, park and community schemes details on the tens of millions he has
pounds in additional transport across Bristol. wasted on vanity projects.
investment for the City region.
And what we’ll do next…
1 Fix our broken transport
system
3 Build more affordable
housing for Bristolians
5 Protecting our green
environment
We will improve local bus services, Under the current Labour Lockdown has shown us all the
invest in our railway network, leadership, Bristol is lagging behind importance of local green spaces.
improve cycling & walking provision neighbouring authorities when it We will invest in our parks and play
whilst still recognising that car travel comes to providing affordable areas so that everyone has access
remains important for many. homes. This has to change! to high quality open space
2 Work to make our
communities safer for all
4 Protecting & Investing in
local facilities
6 Hold a referendum to scrap
the Mayor
We want people to be safe and feel We will always fight to preserve our The City Mayor has proven to be a
safe where ever they live. We will much-needed local amenities so waste of vital resources with no
work with the Police Commissioner that local people have access to the checks on their authority once
to make this happen and ensure facilities they need such as public elected. It’s time to scrap the City
safer streets across Bristol toilets. Mayor!
Our plan to build back better in Bristol City | 3
Bristol deserves better...
More accountable
leadership -
SCRAP THE CITY MAYOR
A referendum to scrap the Mayor
• Too much power is concentrated in one persons hands leading
to constant mistakes that are damaging this City.
• The Bristol Energy Debacle, the spiralling costs of the Colston
Hall refurb, the congestion charge about to cut our City in two!
• We will hold a referendum to let Bristolians decide whether to
stick with the Mayor or go back to the Cabinet model.
In 2012 Bristol voted to have a Mayor—the
only city in the country that did so.
Vote Alastair
It was hoped that this change would provide
better leadership and stability. Watson for Mayor
It hasn't.
AN EXPEREIENCED LEADER WHO
Instead the City has reeled from one crisis to WILL LISTEN TO LOCAL RESIDENTS
another. £50m wasted on the energy
company, housing targets missed, the Alastair is an experienced businessman
Colston Hall refurbishment to cost another and former Lord Mayor of Bristol who
£50m, congestion charging about to dissect wants to bring back competent
our City, libraries threatened with closure, leadership to our great city. He argued
parking charges with parks… passionately when he was a Bristol City
… the list goes on and on. councillor against the setting up of the
Bristol Energy Company. He would not
Under the old administration no leadership spend tens of millions of pounds of your
would have survived these debacles and money on highly risky ventures. Being
yet time and again the citizens remain Mayor should not be an ego trip.
powerless to stop him.
Alastair says, “I want to listen to
We want to change this. We will hold a residents and work on the issues that
referendum to scrap the Mayor and bring really matter to local residents –
accountability back to the Council House focusing on housing, transport, jobs,
rather than this form or unaccountable education and
dictatorship. quality of life.
However, having
Voting for a Conservative Council and a two Mayors only
Conservative Mayor ensures your confuses matters
democratic right to have a say on whether and undermines
power is returned to the people or remains the very thing
in the hands of an error prone Mayor that Bristol needs
answerable to no one. - a clear vision
that will support
Enough is enough. families across
the City.”
Vote Conservative on 6th May 2021.
Alastair Watson is standing to be the last City Mayor
Our plan to build back better in Bristol City | 4
Bristol deserves better...
More homes,
better housing
The Mayor was elected on a
promise to build more affordable
housing. We were told it would be
800 a year. He has failed.
Better transport He managed little more that 300.
for Bristol Conservative led South
Gloucestershire Council is building
For too long the Council has failed nearly twice this.
to get a grip on the City’s transport
problems bouncing from one pipe He has over promised and under
dream to another. Labour’s £4bn delivered. We can do better!
underground proposal just isn’t • Work in partnership with housing developers to
bring forward developments that provide
feasible - by working with affordable housing.
neighbouring authorities and the
Regional Mayor our plans are: • Use the Council’s housing company to deliver
the next generation of Council House
• We support clean air for Bristol but believe that construction.
the current proposals are flawed. We will lobby • Ensure that developments also provide money
the Government to change the Clean Air Zone for vital community infrastructure in the area
to remove the Portway from the plans - if these they are built rather than the City Centre.
go ahead then it will cut our City in two.
• Use the Council’s powers to move van dwellers
• Work with neighbouring Councils to deliver on to permanent sites rather than allow informal
our rail ambitions for the Henbury Loop and sites to develop on local roads.
Portishead lines.
• Introduce licensing for all ‘houses of multiple
• Continue to develop our rail plans with new occupancy’ across the city not just in certain
stations at Horfield and St Anne's. areas.
• Work in partnership with bus companies to • Stop the over-development of some of our key
expand frequency and services around the City sites such as the Cumberland Basin and
not just to the City Centre. Hengrove Park. We want to develop the City
• Develop a ring of park and ride facilities around working with, not against, local communities.
the City to capture commuters further out and • We will listen to communities on how to make
reduce traffic on our roads. neighbourhoods safer for all.
• Look to improve cycling provision with a series
of targeted interventions that improve safety
and encourage use - such as over the Downs.
• Speed up roadworks construction times – 7
days a week/24 hour working where
appropriate with closer coordination between
Highways Agency and Bristol City Council.
• Clampdown on pavement parking. Where
parking prevents access then fines will be
levied.
Our plan to build back better in Bristol City | 5
Bristol deserves better...
Protecting &
investing in
local facilities
Time and again local services and facilities have been under threat
from the Mayor. Libraries have been threatened, toilets closed and
in some cases funding to children centres cut. This isn't how the
City should be run.
• We pledge to never close a local library. of defibrillator and community training on
Instead we will invest in the service to how to use them.
expand on the access card schemes • We will use developer contributions to
already in operation in some libraries. kick start a widespread park improvement
• We will invest in our secondary shopping programme across the City so residents
centres across the City so more people can access high quality open space.
have access to high quality retail areas to • We want to improve public toilet provision
encourage local shopping. across the city and reverse the Mayor’s
• We oppose plans to close the Jubilee cuts to these much needed facilities.
Swimming Pool in SE Bristol. This is a vital • We will fairly distribute money across the
community asset and should remain open! City so communities have a real chance to
• We want Bristol to become a ‘heart improve their area rather than fighting
friendly city’ with widespread availability over funding scraps.
Mark Shelford for Police Commissioner
• Reassuring Residents: I will reassure residents by increasing
visible policing of our streets.
• Fighting Crime, not more Admin: The Commissioner’s focus
should be fighting crime, not administration.
• Boosting Morale & Officer Support: Police officers deserve a
Commissioner who supports them in their vital duties.
SUPPORTING SAFER COMMUNITIES
The role of Police and Crime Commissioner and able to do more to
for Avon & Somerset is a vital one if we are support victims.
to drive down crime and make our streets
safer. It’s a big job. It matters who does it. I have served as an
army officer with
Having been a member of the region's diverse police forces
Police and Crime Panel, I know what Bristol around the world. I
needs: more visible policing, with much want to use my skills
more focus on reducing anti-social and experience to
behaviour, violence and drugs crime on our serve all our
streets. Burglary and car theft are communities, and
Mark Shelford for Police Commissioner
increasing, and online fraud. We need to make Bristol and Avon
see better trained and equipped frontline & Somerset a safer
officers freed up to prevent these crimes, place to live.
Our plan to build back better in Bristol City | 6
Bristol deserves better...
A fair deal for
families & children
The last 12 months have been hard
on families. We will do everything
we can to make life that little bit
Conservatives fighting to preserve the
easier as we look to build back
last working farm in Bristol better.
• We will invest in sports provision across
Protecting our Bristol. Healthier life styles need to be
supported and encouraged in light of the
Covid pandemic.
environment • Play areas will be improved so that our
children can access quality play
equipment in their neighbourhoods.
During the recent lockdowns we
have all come to value our local • We will invest in additional support for
children with special educational needs -
green spaces and environment the mayor has let them down badly and
more and more. we need to now rebuild that trust with
It is vital that more is done to their families.
preserve and improve our local • We will deliver a new secondary school in
amenity such as the Western Slopes Temple Quarter by working with parents
in South Bristol. and lobbying the Department for
Education. We cannot afford another
• We will continue to work towards carbon Council that promises action and delivers
neutrality across Bristol. Balancing the needs nothing.
of our economy whilst protecting the
environment. • We will work with businesses to kick start
work experience placements for young
• We will invest in a fresh anti-litter campaign people exploring career options.
across Bristol with more community
resources, strategically located bins and • We will work with charity and community
more litter police to fine those that pollute groups to tackle isolation amongst the
our city. elderly. After the last year we have all had
enough of being alone.
• We will cut the cost of bulky waste collection
for households in an effort to cut fly tipping. • We are pledged to keep our children’s
centres open and will work to reopen any
• We will protect our green belt and oppose that have been forced to close.
attempts to fence off local green spaces.
• We will develop a green bond scheme to
invest in renewable energy schemes in our
communities.
• We will not introduce parking charges at our
City Estates - Blaise Castle & Oldbury Court.
We do not support the idea of ‘pay to play’.
• We will target graffiti vandalism and tagging
which is blighting certain areas of Bristol.
• Expanding allotment provision across the
City. We know that many people want the We will invest in our play areas and
opportunity to grow their own food and we sports provision
want to help them do so.
Our plan to build back better in Bristol City | 7
Bristol deserves better...
The choice at
this election
In this election your choice is clear. You can either have another term of a
Labour Mayor and Labour Councillors wasting taxpayers money and
ignoring communities right across Bristol - or you can vote for the
Conservatives. We never forget that we work for YOU and not the Council!
Conservatives Labour
We will act responsibly with your money. We £50million wasted on the Bristol energy
will not waste tens of millions on vanity debacle after years of warnings. They
projects and pipe dreams. continually threw good money after bad.
We will invest in local parks and play areas so Colston Hall (Beacon Project) costs have
that all residents can enjoy the outdoors in soared with the taxpayer now on the hook for
safety. nearly £60m. Labour have lost control.
We will improve the standard of education in Special Educational Needs disaster across
our City - lobbying for additional schools and the City. The Court ruled against the Council
investing in special educational needs. and condemned their repeated failings.
We believe in getting the basics right - fixing Huge payoffs for former Council Chief
potholes, repairing swings, cleaning up our Executives when that money is urgently
streets rather than squandering money we needed on the front line.
don’t have.
We will generate more housing for Bristol by Housing targets missed! In fact Conservative
adopting best practice and working in run South Gloucestershire is building nearly
partnership with developers to deliver the twice as many affordable homes as Bristol.
next generation of affordable homes.
We will lobby the Government to review the Clean Air Zone for Bristol expanded to
Clean Air Zone - we do not believe that the include the Portway - this cuts the City in two
Portway and Cumberland Basin should be and could push HGVs onto local roads.
included
We will cut the cost of the Mayor’s office and The spiralling cost of the Mayor’s office at a
hold a referendum so that you can decide time when he is cutting front line staff. These
whether we as a City should have a Mayor or priorities just aren't in the interests of the City.
not.
We believe that we should be investing in our Huge cuts to community funding when
communities. There are vital projects like Neighbourhood Partnerships were slashed.
road improvements that have been ignored. Money that was vitally needed.
We will distribute money more evenly across
the city.
We will work with other neighbouring Damaged relations with neighbouring
authorities to deliver the transport, housing, authorities and potentially jeopardises future
skills and jobs that we need to thrive as a investment — surely enough is enough!
region.
Our plan to build back better in Bristol City | 8
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