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Martin was first elected Councillor for Redland ward in 2014 and reelected in 2016. He’s been an active councillor representing the ward since then, dealing promptly with case work, securing repairs and responses to residents’ problems, and being a regular attendee at community events and council meetings.
He is an avid advocate for community energy and locally-led solutions and has been actively involved with several initiatives within Bristol. These have included working with traders’ groups to support independent businesses, promoting procurement and social value to strengthen the local economy and local communities, as well as being involved in community groups including Sustainable Bishopston and Sustainable Redland, The Bishopston Society, and the Redland and Cotham Amenities Society. He’s also previously secured funds that provided local noticeboards, cycling facilities, and promoted traffic calming schemes on local roads, and ran local courses to help residents save energy at home.
Martin has consistently promoted council action and partnerships to promote reuse, repair and to prevent waste. Martin instigated a petition and secured a debate in the council, lobbying for action to reduce the wasteful use of single-use disposable plastics in Bristol (see the petition here) – securing a debate in November 2018 calling for action by the council. He was also heavily involved with food waste and recycling schemes for cafes and restaurants in the Gloucester Road, Stokes Croft and other areas in Bristol.
As a councillor, he has been active scrutinising community services including the management of local parks, libraries and council housing. He secured funding via budget amendments that has allowed extensions to smaller council houses, providing extra rooms for foster families. He also found funds for training council staff in fitting energy-saving and renewable technologies to ensure skills to help upgrade local housing.
Martin chaired a planning committee at the Council until summer 2018 and has been involved in developing the new local plan, challenging policies that will encourage more tall buildings. Martin has been a local and national champion for community-led housing to enable self build solutions to create new homes. He is also an independent adviser specialising in community initiatives and practical local solutions for businesses. Furthermore, Martin led a successful Council motion to get Full Council support for the divestment of fossil fuels and diversification into sustainable energy by the Avon Pension Fund. Martin has since kept up the pressure meeting with representatives of the Brunel Pension Partnership and attending Avon Pension Fund meetings to challenge the pace of action for positive investment in renewable energy solutions. He’s also promoted green bonds for local investment.
To read about some of the latest work Martin has been doing, please click here.
Rather than schedule ward surgeries Martin and Fi are happy to meet in person or deal promptly with emails – please contact them via the details above to raise any issues with them.
