News / Bristol Arena
Extraordinary council meeting to discuss future of Arena Island
Debate surrounding the impending Bristol Arena decision will be thrust into the public eye during a rare extraordinary full council meeting.
Concern over the final location of the long-awaited project has been gathering pace ever since the publication of KPMG’s value for money report, which indicated a mixed-used development at Temple Island may bring more economic benefit to the city than if an arena were built on the city centre site.
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees has repeatedly refused to bow to pressure to commit to building the arena next to Temple Meads, saying he will take an “evidence-based approach” as to what will be best for the city.
is needed now More than ever
Marvin Rees says he will make a decision on the best use of land at Temple Island on September 4
With the decision over the future of Temple Island due to be made at a cabinet meeting on September 4, a cross-party group of councillors took the unusual step of calling for an extraordinary council meeting before the mayor announces his decision in order to open the contentious issue up to further public debate.
Bristol24/7 understands that the letter requesting the meeting has been signed by some of Rees’ own Labour councillors, opposition councillors and the three opposition party leaders.
Conservative group leader Mark Weston told Bristol Live: “The calling of an extraordinary council meeting is very rare and so this action reflects the seriousness of the situation.
“It is absolutely imperative that the mayor is made fully aware that there will be dire political consequences for him if he continues to ignore members and the majority of public opinion. Bristol wants an arena and it wants it in the heart of the city.”
A Bristol City Council spokesperson told Bristol24/7: “An extraordinary full council meeting is scheduled for September 3 in response to a request from councillors to discuss options for land use at Temple Island, ahead of the cabinet meeting on September 4.
“An agenda and further detail about the meeting will be published on the council’s website tomorrow (Thursday).”
The meeting will take place in the council chamber at City Hall at 6pm on Monday, September 3 and is open to members of the public.
Read more: ‘Let’s put headlines, sensationalism & speculation aside and talk evidence and facts’
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