News / bristol energy
Tories seek government intervention for inquiry into Bristol Energy
Bristol’s Conservative group leader is seeking ministerial help to secure an inquiry into the council’s loss-making energy firm.
Mark Weston has accused mayor Marvin Rees of attempting to shift the blame on “risk management failings” at Bristol Energy, which was sold for £14m – leaving taxpayers in the city tens of millions of pounds out of pocket.
He has written to the secretary of state for local government to ask for his help in launching a detailed review of the beleaguered company, a move prompted by news that a ‘rapid non-statutory review’ will take place into Robin Hood Energy, a similar failed venture in Nottingham.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol City Council invested a total of £36.5m into Bristol Energy, which was set up in 2015, but the firm posted losses in excess of £30m. The company’s residential customer base was eventually sold to Together Energy for £14m in September – a month after Yü Energy acquired its business customer base for £1.34m.
Calls from opposition councillors for an inquiry into the saga were narrowly voted down in May. Speaking at the time, mayor Marvin Rees said his administration had inherited a failing company on which £15m of taxpayers’ money had already been spent or earmarked.
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Read more: Call for independent inquiry into Bristol Energy voted down
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Weston, Conservative councillor for Henbury & Brenty, has now written to Robert Jenrick, the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, in a bid to secure backing for an investigation into “risk management failings” for Bristol Energy.
Mark Weston is seeking government intervention to push for an inquiry into Bristol Energy – photo: Conservative Party
“Having tried unsuccessfully to secure agreement for this much-needed review into this well-meaning but ultimately disastrous project, I feel there is little option left but to ask for help from central government,” said Weston.
“The mayor’s evasions and rather shameful attempt to shift the blame for this calamity means that we can have no confidence that a truly transparent account will ever be forthcoming from his administration.
“It remains a stark fact that it was his decision to keep this broken business afloat – long after it was wise to do so and completely contrary to our private representations made to both him and his finance lead, Craig Cheney.
“Whilst mayor Rees may well be wishing for this issue to simply go away or be buried by the huge challenges presented by Covid-19, the taxpayers of Bristol will be bearing the cost of his mistakes for many years to come.
“Consequently, a detailed analysis and release of all relevant historical information must be made to take place.”
The mayor’s office has been approached for comment.
Main photo by Martin Booth
Read more: Criticism of how Bristol Energy sale has been handled
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