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Green Mayor candidate Sandy Hore Ruthven says the Bristol Beacon debacle shows the desperate need for ‘competent Green leadership’.
A new report prepared for Bristol City Council this week details how the cost of the refurbishment of the Bristol Beacon concert hall is now set to cost £106.9 million, up from the original £48.8 million.
Sandy said: ‘The Bristol Beacon costs have spiralled to an eye-watering £107m – that’s £50m more than planned. Yet again, like Bristol Energy, the Labour Mayor is letting costs get out of control. He just cannot manage the city’s finances.
“And again, like Bristol Energy, he has hidden the details behind a wall of secrecy and asked us to simply trust his judgement. But with an ever-growing parade of wasted millions the people of Bristol do not trust him any more. This is money that could have been spent on front-line services, building new homes and helping us to recover from the pandemic. Right now, we cannot afford to lose money – Bristol is being let down.”
As CEO of Bristol charity Creative Youth Network, Sandy has broad experience of directing large Bristol redevelopments like The Station and others – and delivering to plan.
Sandy said: “I have overseen multi-million-pound refurbishment projects and I know you have to keep a keen eye on the detail to keep projects on track and to budget.
“The key is transparency and swift action to stop costs from getting out of control. I want to see Bristol with world-class venues like the Beacon – they are part of my plan for the economic recovery of Bristol. Just as importantly I have the experience to see it through.”
“In May, we can continue to waste our money with a Labour administration or vote the only credible alternative – for competent Green leadership that will help the city to recover and thrive.”