In this election we have the opportunity to change the way our city works, not just within the Council but beyond it. Bristol Labour, if elected on Thursday, will:

• Renew our democracy. Marvin Rees as Mayor will share power with a cross party cabinet that is at least 50% female. We will reform and strengthen Neighbourhood Partnerships, bring greater purpose to the role of city Councillors, ensure that the Council House is open to the public, and will begin a mass registration of voters to ensure no-one loses their right to vote.
• Make this a safe city for women and girls. We will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to gender-based violence, abuse, harassment and exploitation. Victims of domestic abuse will get priority for housing, we will seek to make Bristol a city with no Sexual Entertainment Venues, and we will commit public health resources to ongoing work to tackle Female Genital Mutilation.
• Champion equality and diversity. We will ring-fence funding for community organisations working on equality and diversity. We will also develop an Equality Charter to apply to the Council and any organisation that it deals with.
• Promote Bristol as a City of Sanctuary. We will ensure that Bristol is welcoming and has a clear strategic approach to supporting refugees and asylum seekers.
• Empower young people. The Youth Mayors should have a budget to spend, and we will champion votes for 16 and 17 year olds.
• Get the basics of customer service and accountability right. Bristol Council is currently hard to deal with for local people. We will make sure that information about Council services is accessible, that when you contact the Council you can speak to a person, and that it is clear who is responsible for your request and how they will respond.
• Promote community safety. We will focus on cutting crime through building a stronger partnership between the Council, communities and the Police. We will also work to respond quickly to anti-social behaviour issues, and will pilot “no cold calling” zones.
• Join the Co-operative Councils Innovation Network. We will collaborate with other Local Authorities who are committed to finding better ways of working for, and with, local people.
• Make sure the voice of front-line staff is heard in the Council. We will work with Trade Unions and Council employees to ensure that this happens.

Overall, Labour wants to see a city where power is not concentrated in the hands of a few people, where the Mayoral system is more transparent and accountable, and where everyone’s voices are heard. You can read more about our pledges in this and other areas in our manifesto by clicking here.

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