This is Bristol -- BRISTOL's relationship with Westminster was put under the microscope as two political heavyweights went head to head at a lively debate. Frustrations over council tax, government hand-outs and integrated transport were all addressed by city mayor George Ferguson and Bristol West MP Stephen Williams at the public talk about democracy on Saturday. Both agreed that Bristol should be given greater autonomy and more access to the cash it raises at the Bristol for Democracy event at Armada House. Mr Williams, a Lib Dem minister responsible for localism, decentralisation and community rights in central government, was forced to admit shortcomings in the balance of power between council and government. Meanwhile independent Mr Ferguson, a former liberal councillor in the 1970s, bemoaned the lack of financial freedom the local authority has to raise and spend money. The politicians debated the past, present and future of the situation in front of about 85 people, some of who put the them on the spot with their own questions. Bristol's position as one of the wealthiest and most prosperous cities in the UK was addressed early on in the debate, with both figures agreeing that Bristol should be able to build on the wealth it produces. In his opening speech, Mr Ferguson said: "The issue is we only keep about five per cent of our local taxes and 95 percent goes to central government and we have to beg for it back. "In most OECD [Organisation for economic cooperation and development] countries in Europe, cities can retain closer to 40 per cent of what they raise." He added that few cities contribute more to national GDP than Bristol. He said: "This is the only core city with a net contribution to UK plc." Mr Williams agreed the UK was "one of the most centralised countries in Europe". He added: "I would like to take more power from people like me and give it to more people like him [Mr Ferguson]." Mr Ferguson interrupted, "also I would like to give it to more people like you," gesturing to the public. Mr Ferguson's proposals to raise council tax by 1.95 per cent were scrutinised, with the mayor claiming he had to draw up his budget blind as he awaited news from central government about the cap on rises before a referendum was needed. He criticised the rules "dictated" from government and called it a "cynical" move by local government secretary Eric Pickles. He promised not to have a referendum, saying the cost of holding a vote would overshadow the increase in revenue from taxes. Mr Williams said: "I share your frustrations. But one of the lessons I have learned in government is that departments like mine aren't the only players in town. You have Number 10, the treasury and people like Theresa May to get past." He added that coalition government changes had allowed Bristol to keep 50 per cent of business rates, thus giving the council more autonomy and spending power. But Mr Ferguson challenged this, amid a debate about the effectiveness of localism, by pointing out the the government had also reduced its support grant to the city at the same time. Both agreed that the "regressive" council tax needed to be looked at. Both also agreed that Bristol needs to change its electoral system from first past the post to a proportionate system. But the power to do this, Mr Williams said, would have to come from central government. The imbalance in power towards central government was accused of delaying and killing off major infrastructure projects in the past such as a tram system. During the debate, Mr Ferguson also said he was concerned councillors had not adapted to the new mayoral system. He also took a swipe at "blinkered" anti-residents' parking zones campaigners. The event was chaired by Bristol24-7 editor Christopher Brown.
Reported by This is 13 hours ago.
This is Bristol -- BRISTOL's relationship with Westminster was put under the microscope as two political heavyweights went head to head at a lively debate. Frustrations over council tax, government hand-outs and integrated transport were all addressed by city mayor George Ferguson and Bristol West MP Stephen Williams at the public talk about democracy on Saturday. Both agreed that Bristol should be given greater autonomy and more access to the cash it raises at the Bristol for Democracy event at Armada House. Mr Williams, a Lib Dem minister responsible for localism, decentralisation and community rights in central government, was forced to admit shortcomings in the balance of power between council and government. Meanwhile independent Mr Ferguson, a former liberal councillor in the 1970s, bemoaned the lack of financial freedom the local authority has to raise and spend money. The politicians debated the past, present and future of the situation in front of about 85 people, some of who put the them on the spot with their own questions. Bristol's position as one of the wealthiest and most prosperous cities in the UK was addressed early on in the debate, with both figures agreeing that Bristol should be able to build on the wealth it produces. In his opening speech, Mr Ferguson said: "The issue is we only keep about five per cent of our local taxes and 95 percent goes to central government and we have to beg for it back. "In most OECD [Organisation for economic cooperation and development] countries in Europe, cities can retain closer to 40 per cent of what they raise." He added that few cities contribute more to national GDP than Bristol. He said: "This is the only core city with a net contribution to UK plc." Mr Williams agreed the UK was "one of the most centralised countries in Europe". He added: "I would like to take more power from people like me and give it to more people like him [Mr Ferguson]." Mr Ferguson interrupted, "also I would like to give it to more people like you," gesturing to the public. Mr Ferguson's proposals to raise council tax by 1.95 per cent were scrutinised, with the mayor claiming he had to draw up his budget blind as he awaited news from central government about the cap on rises before a referendum was needed. He criticised the rules "dictated" from government and called it a "cynical" move by local government secretary Eric Pickles. He promised not to have a referendum, saying the cost of holding a vote would overshadow the increase in revenue from taxes. Mr Williams said: "I share your frustrations. But one of the lessons I have learned in government is that departments like mine aren't the only players in town. You have Number 10, the treasury and people like Theresa May to get past." He added that coalition government changes had allowed Bristol to keep 50 per cent of business rates, thus giving the council more autonomy and spending power. But Mr Ferguson challenged this, amid a debate about the effectiveness of localism, by pointing out the the government had also reduced its support grant to the city at the same time. Both agreed that the "regressive" council tax needed to be looked at. Both also agreed that Bristol needs to change its electoral system from first past the post to a proportionate system. But the power to do this, Mr Williams said, would have to come from central government. The imbalance in power towards central government was accused of delaying and killing off major infrastructure projects in the past such as a tram system. During the debate, Mr Ferguson also said he was concerned councillors had not adapted to the new mayoral system. He also took a swipe at "blinkered" anti-residents' parking zones campaigners. The event was chaired by Bristol24-7 editor Christopher Brown.
Reported by This is 13 hours ago.