News / Politics
Port sale decision sent back to mayor
Councillors voted to refer the sale of Bristol Port back to the city’s mayor George Ferguson.
Bristol City Council had finalised a deal to sell the freehold of the city’s docks to the Bristol Port Company for £10 million.
But the Lib Dems, who called in the decision, the Green Party and Labour united in opposition to the sale at an extraordinary meeting of full council.
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Anthony Negus, Lib Dem councillor for Cotham, who instigated the call-in, called the decision “dreadful”. He said the Henbury Loop line will be at risk and raised concerns that the price came from a “flawed report”.
He said: “We should be looking at the potential value of this plan over time and not at today’s fire sale cost. I say to you, think again.”
Helen Holland, Labour leader, added that £10 million “doesn’t sound like much” when considering the influence the council holds by owning the port.
Charlie Bolton, Green Party councillor for Southville, said the land should be considered a “community interest”. He added: “Once it is gone, it is gone forever. All for a short term, financial addition.”
Peter Abraham, Conservative councillor for Stoke Bishop, supported the port sale, saying he was concerned the call-in was being used as an excuse to “get at George”.
Conservative leader Mark Weston dismissed claims that the Henbury Loop line would be affected and defended the price, which he said would give the council an opportunity to invest. He added: “We need to do what is best for the city today.”
Ferguson responded that £10 million was a good price and the money could be used to free up other investments and purchases, like the former Royal Mail sorting office.
He said: “It’s difficult to find money to do these sort of deals but these sorts of deals are essential for the life of the city.
“This is in no way at all about selling the family silver, it is about using the family silver to add value today, tomorrow, for the people of Bristol.”
Councillors voted 41 to 16 (with three abstentions) to send the port sale back to Ferguson, who will have to take a final decision over whether it goes ahead.
The Bristol Port Company bought the port from the council in 1991 and agreed a 150-year lease on the understanding it could buy the freehold at a later date.
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