Bristol Greens Make Changes to Committee Chairs

The Bristol Green Group have made several changes to their Committee Chairs on Bristol City Council:

• Councillor Abi Finch will be taking over from Councillor Martin Fodor as Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee
• Councillor Serena Ralston will be taking over from Councillor Rob Bryher as Chair of Planning Committee A.
• Half the Green Policy Committees will now be chaired by women

The Greens currently chair six of eight policy committees, as well as several subcommittees and one regulatory committee, Planning Committee A.

Unlike other parties, senior roles in the administration are elected by the 34 members of the Green Group. As part of this process, a scheduled internal election has been held halfway through the four-year council term.

Cllr Abi Finch has sat on the Environment and Sustainability Committee since 2024 and led the task and Finish Group looking at changes to Bristol’s waste and recycling service. She will be taking over from Cllr Martin Fodor, who has chaired the committee since 2024.

Cllr Abi Finch said, “I am honoured to have been selected and eager to begin Chairing the Environment and Sustainability committee.

“Thanks to the work of my predecessors, and Martin Fodor in particular, Bristol often leads the way when it comes to innovative climate solutions. As the climate and nature crisis progresses, the work of this committee has never been more vital and I’m keen to build on the work already underway to stretch our ambitions in tackling the climate and ecological emergencies we face.

“Over the next few years, we will be rolling out an improved recycling service across Bristol with new and improved containers to help bump up our recycling rate and reduce street litter.

“We’ll also be progressing projects for renewable energy generation, develop a sustainable food policy, and bring forward work on cleaner rivers.

“Martin has brought a huge amount of experience to this role, and I would like to thank him for his generosity with his time and knowledge. I am looking forward to continuing to work together on the Environment and Sustainability Committee to deliver for the people of Bristol and the planet.”

Cllr Martin Fodor said, “As the first ever Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last two years.

“We have made countless positive changes in that time, from pioneering new blue‑green infrastructure, electric vehicle charging and low‑carbon heating initiatives, to expanding large‑scale renewables and securing major national and European funding.

“We have also invested in people and communities by supporting youth‑led climate action, community nature projects, and schemes that empower residents to reduce glyphosate use and care for local spaces.

“At the same time, we have focused on getting the basics right by restoring waste and recycling services, replacing outdated vehicle fleets and tackling litter and fly‑tipping.

“While I will be stepping down as Chair, I am happy to be continuing as part of this important committee and delighted that Abi will be taking over the role.

“Her deep commitment to tackling environmental and sustainability issues, illustrated by her hard work chairing the waste task and finish group, demonstrates her ability to lead and develop key policies to the challenges facing Bristol.

“I shall as always be working hard alongside my colleagues to we continue to tackle the climate and nature emergencies with ambition and push for a fairer and more sustainable future for Bristol.”

Cllr Serena Ralston, who will be chairing Planning Committee A, said, “I am honoured to be appointed chair of Planning Committee A.

“I’m very conscious of the role’s responsibilities at a time of challenges on many fronts. Government reforms to planning committees are in the pipeline. Bristol residents are struggling with the housing crisis, and the development viability crisis continues to hinder developments.

“And the city faces the biggest challenge of them all – climate change – and the risks that brings.

“Having sat on planning committee for almost two years under the excellent Chairing of Cllr Rob Bryher, I hope to provide a steady pair of hands. We need to secure sustainable, high-quality development that serves the needs of the people of Bristol.”

Welcoming the changes, Leader of the Council Tony Dyer said, “I would like to thank Rob and Martin for their hard work over the last few years. The Local Government Association recently found that the committee system is ‘showing signs of maturity’, in no small part due to their hard work alongside all the Chairs, whose leadership was also praised for its purpose and authenticity.

“Looking ahead, I am extremely excited to be working alongside Abi and Serena, two talented councillors who bring a wealth of experience that will help us to continue to deliver positive and equitable outcomes for Bristol.”

Notes: 

1. Cllr Rob Bryher will also be taking over from Cllr David Wilcox as the Green Group Whip.
2. Since 2024, the Environment and Sustainability Committee has:

o   Put ambitious new council climate and ecological emergency action plans into place, including the first ever blue-green infrastructure strategy for the city

o   Achieved the first UK Horizon Europe Climate Neutral City Mission accreditation – which helps us to remain the leading UK city to tackle climate emissions

o   Put in place the first ever electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategy for Bristol

o   Committed to develop one of the country’s first Heat Network Zone schemes to expand low carbon heating further and faster

o   Restored the waste and recycling collection services to a reliable standard after the chaos of the past two years

o   Committed to replace the old and dated vehicle fleet and issue new collection sacks to make recycling easier and tidier, while commissioning new recycling facilities in Avonmouth to ensure materials are processed and ready for market

o   Invested to restore the teams needed to tackle litter and fly tipping across the city, while adding new CCTV monitoring and enforcement to catch waste criminals

o   Awarded £100,000 to support many inspiring Youth-led Climate Action grants projects

o   Won a £1m grant to support the Nature Together project to develop community nature initiatives in the city

o   Put in place a scheme for residents across the city to take on community weeding and contribute to driving down Glyphosate use even further

o   Developed new large scale renewables projects that will expand solar power generation on council land with our City Leap joint venture, and installing new PV on schools and M shed

o   Started work on a new and improved contract for Bristol waste to continue to serve the city and getting them closer to a new depot to suit the services they offer