Green budget amendments for new Liveable Neighbourhood and extra parks funding passed at Council meeting

Bristol Council passed both Green Party amendments at a meeting of Budget Full Council tonight (21 February) that will develop plans for a liveable neighbourhood in South Bristol and provide funding for local parks and streets upgrades.

Green Councillors, the largest group on Bristol Council, welcomed the outcome. Group leader Emma Edwards said:

“I’m really happy our budget amendments have passed at tonight’s meeting. One of our proposals, to fund improvements to parks and local streets, will help improve neighbourhoods across the city, by providing facilities like playgrounds, better access paths, and public toilets, especially in areas where big new developments will dramatically increase populations in years to come. By guaranteeing funds for four years of improvements we will be able to take time if needed and bid for match-funding to unlock greater amounts of money from other sources.

“And I’m excited that thanks to our other amendment work will now go ahead to develop a much-needed liveable neighbourhood in Greater Bedminster. Residents in this part of the city have been calling for action on parking and traffic for years now, and major developments in the future are likely to make those issues even worse – so an area-wide scheme that protects quiet residential streets from through traffic and makes it safe and easy for visitors and locals to walk and cycle about the neighbourhood is well-needed and will really benefit quality of life. Given the time it takes to develop projects like this, I hope the council will act swiftly to get work started on this amendment.”

“I am glad we have been able to bring these excellent amendments to the council and to have the support of other parties for them”

She added “Because of the deep and unsustainable cuts to council services in the overall budget, Greens felt we weren’t able to vote for the Mayor’s proposed budget and the majority of us abstained. Nevertheless I am glad we have been able to bring these excellent amendments to the council and to have the support of other parties for them. The budget process next year – working together and feeding into the new year when the committee system begins – will be a more collaborative process and I look forward to getting involved in that and developing a budget with councillors from other parties this Autumn.”

See all budget amendments submitted to the meeting here.