‘If we all pull together, we can build anew a city of hope and aspiration’

At the start of 2020, there were two contrasting aspects to the health of Bristol’s economy.

We were a diverse, thriving and dynamic city with a young, growing population that had internationally recognised strengths in advanced engineering, the low carbon sector, professional and financial services, and the digital and creative industries.

Our hospitality and tourism sector, nighttime economy, and cultural offer attracted people from all over the world, as did our universities, who helped create one of the highest skilled workforces of any British city.

It was also true that our city was  – and is – held back by historic deficiencies in public transport capacity, a housing crisis, rapid gentrification that risks shutting out many of our essential workers, and pernicious inequalities that left 15 per cent of our residents living in some of the most deprived areas in England. Three of the four worst performing areas in the country for young people going on to higher education were in south Bristol alone, and Bristol’s Black and minority ethnic communities faced among the worst inequalities at work and in education.

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The One City Plan has acknowledged these many contrasts and the council, working in partnership with people across the voluntary, business, and public sectors, faith communities and the Citizen’s Assembly, created a 30-year vision that would tackle these long-standing issues whilst continuing to build on our strengths.

Since then, the pandemic has had a profound impact on our city, as it has on communities across the globe. The pandemic has led to a loss of life, livelihoods and opportunities for many people. It has worsened inequalities, with a disproportionate impact on some of our already disadvantaged communities, and it is not over yet.

These issues, exacerbated by the pandemic, cannot and will not be resolved overnight.  However, our economic recovery plan, designed around the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, identifies and prioritises support for the city to continue to build back better in three pillars:

People and labour markets – by protecting jobs; building skills and improving pathways to work for young people and disadvantaged groups; and creating opportunities for better employment (particularly in green industries).

Business and investment – by supporting businesses to recover;  promoting digital innovation, investment in low carbon technology and practices; and attracting new and established businesses into the city.

Bristol’s places – by enabling development to ensure the provision of homes, jobs and quality places; improving connectivity, and protecting and enhancing green space; improving high streets and local centres; and working to improve areas with communities experiencing long term deprivation.

Last year, our administration’s balanced budget set aside £10m to develop and implement targeted interventions in all these areas and I will be bringing forward more investment and more activities as the year progresses. Our strong partnerships across the city mean that, if we all pull together, we can build anew a city of hope and aspiration, where everyone can share in its success.

Craig Cheney is Bristol’s Labour cabinet member for finance and one of two deputy mayors

Main photo courtesy of Bristol City Council

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