Max Thrower

Politico: Kent County Council controlled by Reform UK, 'is likely to raise council tax rates next year after its cost-cutting “DOLGE” program struggled to find savings, the FT reports. Council Cabinet member Diane Morton said local services were already “down to the bare bones”'

Exactly as warned.

Ten years ago Bristol's Green Party councillors sent a message: refugees are welcome here.

A decade on, Bristol's Green councillors and MP want to repeat our message: #Bristol is a City of Sanctuary. Refugees are welcome here.

Bristol libraries ‘saved from budget cuts’ next year There are 26 libraries operated by the council

Good news for Bristol's libraries. www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...

'Targeting hotels full of children is not the answer to our problems' Heather Mack says we must target those who have the power to make meaningful change; not vulnerable and traumatised children

Really thoughtful piece from @heathermackbristol.bsky.social recognising the anger Bristolians feel as the cost of living crisis worsens and life gets harder. But as she makes clear, these are the fault of government and not traumatised families fleeing danger

www.bristol247.com/opinion/your...

Bristol council writes to deputy PM for van dweller help Tensions have grown in recent months due to a rising number of motorhomes on Clifton Down in Bristol.

#Bristol is taking a lead in liaising with the national government around van dwelling.

Between 2020 and 2023, average private rents have risen by more than 23%, while house prices are nearly 9x average annual earnings.

"But the big winner is the Science and Tech department, up an annual average of 7.4% - much of which will be investments in AI" - BBC

Prioritising the development of AI over adult social care is a political choice.

Local Government funding increasing by 1.1% a year until 2028-29 is welcome, but it will not be enough to address the key financial challenges local authorities face.

For example in Bristol, the amount budgeted for adult social care alone increased by 32% in the last three years.

Asylum families left unprotected from mob as police were sent to the wrong hotel Only a group of up to 100 counter-protesters protected the hotel and the families inside

Last summer, several of #Bristol's Green councillors were part of the group who protected families inside the Mercure hotel from fascists.

Greens will always stand up for vulnerable people against those who want to cause them harm.

🚮 The Greens running Bristol City Council are determined to make recycling easier across Bristol, and want to hear from YOU on how to do this. 🚮 Put a lid on speculation, fill in the consultation. LABOUR HAVE BEEN TALKING RUBBISH The Council want YOU to tell us how we can make recycling easier. But Bristol Labour have been scaremongering about monthly bin collections. Head over to the consultation survey and help us improve Bristol's waste collection.

🚮 The Greens running Bristol City Council are determined to make recycling easier across Bristol, and want to hear from YOU on how to do this. 🚮

Put a lid on speculation, fill in the consultation.

The consultation on #Bristol's bins is now open! Closes 10th March

We need to increase recycling rates - not just for nature, but for our finances. Recycling can EARN us money as a city; black bin waste COSTS money

The survey looks at options to improve this

www.ask.bristol.gov.uk/waste-consul...

‘We are doing all we can to set a balanced budget and prioritise low income households’ At the heart of our financial situation is a long list of failures under the previous Labour administration, compounded by the austerity agenda of the previous Conservative government.

”Compounding the problem for Bristol, we’ve faced eight years of local Labour let-downs on top of government austerity.”

You've probably heard Bristol's facing some tough choices at the next budget. Here's Council Leader Tony Dyer with all the facts, none of the hype, and the numbers to back it up:

A budget for Bristol now and in the future

🆕 The Council has released early options for budget savings on its website, and these will be considered in a public meeting next week.

This is a very difficult time for Bristol. The city will face bankruptcy if we can't close a £52m funding gap over the next five years.

Putting trust back into politics

Councillor Tony Dyer, Green leader of Bristol City Council, made a speech at last week's Full Council meeting on putting trust back into politics.

You can read it here:
news.bristol.gov.uk/press-releas...

Or watch the whole thing on YouTube here (from 20:49): www.youtube.com/live/CJodx8r...