News / Politics
Crucial budget meeting halted by protests
Bristol City Council’s full budget meeting was adjourned soon after it began on Tuesday afternoon.
Councillors were asked to leave the chamber while protesters were ejected from City Hall.
Marvin Rees was only part way through his introduction of the budget report when shouts erupted from the public gallery.
is needed now More than ever
The mayor was discussing the need to look at “new models to generate income”, and cited a report that suggested 94 per cent of local authorities would have to increase charges for services.
“We’re the ones who will be affected by the budget,” one woman shouted from the public gallery as many others cheered.
“The lot of you are just caving in,” came another jeer.
They were hushed by the Lord Mayor Jeff Lovell, who threatened to use his powers to eject individuals from the chamber.
Former councillor Rob Telford also accused Lovell of comparing the protesters in the public gallery to a “disease”:
Hi @BristolPost @bristol247 @TheBristolCable @bbcrb – did you hear Lord Mayor say public are “like a disease” just now? Worth investigating? https://t.co/vDs8Fikm7I
— Rob Telford (@GreenRobTelford) February 21, 2017
Tempers flared as Rees continued to speak about the legality of his proposed budget: “Transparency is a key commitment. Last year an illegal budget was passed by the chamber; this year we’re taking difficult decisions and can vote for a budget that is legal.”
“It might be legal but it isn’t moral!” came the continued shouts from the gallery.
At this point, City Hall security staff were called into the chamber and the public gallery was cleared. Around a dozen protesters refused to leave their seats, with one, who would only give his name as Viran, standing flanked by bodyguards, fist raised in a salute.
“He’s made a plan for economic survival, but it’s actually just cuts,” Viran said, referring to mayor Rees. “It’s not meeting the needs of the elderly or the disabled – people who have already been affected by years of cuts.”
Viran suggested that Rees “should be in Whitehall with Teresa May” demanding more money for Bristol from central government.
Councillors, lord mayor and mayor were finally asked to leave the chamber as the protesters remained in the public gallery.
When the meeting resumed, no members of the public were allowed to attend.
Read more: 100 ways to save £100m
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