News / Bristol Arena
Opposition leaders unite to ask Rees for clarity over arena decision
It is a decision that will have repercussions for decades to come, and now Bristol’s three opposition party leaders have come together to ask Marvin Rees to lay out the criteria, process and timescales for his decision on the location of Bristol Arena as soon as possible.
In an open letter sent to the Labour mayor by the leaders of the Conservatives, Green and Lib Dem groups at City Hall, they ask Rees “to lay out the process for the decision ahead”.
“Part of our duty as elected councillors is to ensure that decisions that affect Bristol are made in a manner that is effective, fair, responsible and transparent,” they write.
is needed now More than ever
An artist’s impression of what Bristol Arena next to Temple Meads could look like
Eleanor Combley, leader of the Green group said: “When the mayor finally released the Value for Money reports he commissioned, as we suspected, they were long on money and short on values.
“The mayor has still not given us a date for the decision, much less an idea of the criteria he will use to make it, or how the public will be given sight of the process.
“It seems that every time the mayor receives advice he doesn’t like, the decision gets postponed. We need clear communication of what the criteria for the decision are, how and when the process is going to happen, and I am happy to join with colleagues cross-party to ask for it.”
Lib Dem group leader Anthony Negus said: “Successful major decisions are founded on good information and judgement after listening to different views. Autocracy doesn’t deliver. Councillors from all parties have repeatedly been denied both for this crucial arena decision – and some common sense.”
Mark Weston, leader of the Conservative group, added: “The decision on where to site the arena is currently the largest issue on the mayor’s desk.
“After so long waiting the people of Bristol finally want a decision to be made. We need to know exactly when, why and how the mayor will make his choice. After so long talking, let’s get on and get building.”
The proposed arena at Filton would be built within the Brabazon hangar
Here is the full text of the letter:
Dear Mayor,
Part of our duty as elected councillors is to ensure that decisions that affect Bristol are made in a manner that is effective, fair, responsible and transparent. Effective scrutiny and transparent decision making are vital so that a variety of voices and experiences can provide advice and recommendations, ensuring we end up with the best possible decision. Just as importantly, they enable the public to see that decisions that will impact on their lives are made in a fair and open manner, and that their views matter.
This way of working is reflected in the Council’s organisational values, for example, “We take time to ask questions” and “We ask for other perspectives and respect different opinions.”
The location of the Bristol Arena is a decision which we all know will impact on the city for the next half century. Now that the value for money reports by KPMG have been released, as Party Group Leaders we are formally asking you to lay out the process for the decision ahead.
Could you please therefore:
1. Confirm the timescales for your decision on the location of the arena
2. Describe the criteria and the process which will you will use to identify the best option for Bristol
3. Explain what opportunities there will be for BCC to fulfil its responsibility for public scrutiny of this decision
Yours faithfully,
Cllrs Anthony Negus, Eleanor Combley and Mark Weston
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