Latest round of cuts approved by Bristol City Council

Schoolchildren, vulnerable adults and arts organisations are next in line to be hit by the latest round of Bristol City Council cuts.

The cabinet approved measures that will save £3.7m at a heated meeting in City Hall, which saw members come under fire from people in the public gallery, who accused them of axing funds needed for those most in need.

Providers warned that front line services will be hit by blanket reductions of 15 per cent across the ‘supporting people’ budget.

“The impact of the cuts will really affect us and the people we support who have sensory impairments and complex needs,” said Lynn Stewart-Taylor on behalf of the Sensory Support Service.

“There will be a delay in people’s needs being met and there is a real concern about that.”

Helen Holland says the council has not pitted one service against each other

Helen Holland, cabinet member for adult social care, defended the decision to reduce all budgets, saying: “Of course sensory impairment service is important, but so would others, such as mental health services and Brigstowe, say that. We have not pitted one service against each other and said one need is greater than another.

“We are still investing £5.4m in these services and that’s something our neighbouring councils got rid of many years ago.”

Rami Ghali issued a statement on behalf of HIV charity Brigstowe supporting the council and saying that despite the difficulty in operating with a reduced budget, the measures are preferable to the more drastic cuts originally proposed.

“By limiting the cuts to these vital preventative services, Bristol City Council is showing its commitment to tackling disadvantage and inequality,” said Ghali.

Others were less forgiving and shouts of “cuts, cuts, cuts” rang out from the public gallery.

Parents and children took to the streets in protest at proposals to axe the crossing patrol at Hillcrest Primary School

The number of school crossing patrols across the city will be slashed by 24 under the cost-cutting programme, which has been scaled back in the wake of opposition.

Jon Wellington, Labour councillor for Windmill Hill, welcomed the decision to save key crossings, including that at Hillcrest Primary School, but said lessons must be learnt from the consultation.

“The understandable fury of many parents who felt like the council did not care about the safety of their children must be avoided,” he told the cabinet.

Acknowledging the comment, mayor Marvin Rees said: “Trying to run local government at the moment is like trying to drive a car at 100mph while changing the tyres, but I hope you have seen a leadership that’s prepared to listen to consultation.”

Bristol Old Vic will lose £188,000 per year. (Photo: A Bristol Old Vic and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School production)

Arts funding has been scaled back across the city, with some of the biggest organisations such as Bristol Old Vic, worst hit as the reduced funds are spread across a larger number of causes.

The council received a deluge of statements from members of the public in support of Zion Community Arts Space in Bedminster Down which failed to receive any funding.

Described as an invaluable part of the community, the centre was credited with bringing a new lease of life to the area, as residents expressed heartbreak and disappointment at the denial of much-needed funds.

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