‘Why is Bristol electing 70 councillors in May?’

On Thursday 6 May 2021, elections will take place for 70 councillors representing 34 wards in Bristol. Some people may be asking “Why?”

The local government association (LGA) describes the role of councillor as a unique and privileged position with the potential to make a real difference in people’s lives.

LGA guidance for new councillors explains that residents will expect them to: respond to queries and investigate concerns; communicate council decisions; know their patch and be aware of any problems; work with representatives of local organisations, interest groups and businesses; represent the views of residents at council meetings, and; lead local campaigns.

Beyond representing ward interests, the responsibilities of councillors include developing and reviewing council policy, holding the executive/cabinet to account, and a range of regulatory, quasi-judicial and statutory duties.

But, after resigning as a Labour councillor and cabinet member for housing in 2020, Paul Smith indicated “there is a real problem at the moment” and suggested, “we need to look at how those backbench councillors and opposition councillors can have more of a say”.

What is the point in having 70 elected councillors, he asked, if almost all decisions are made by an elected Mayor and a small number of councillors in the cabinet?

Despondency about the role of backbench and opposition councillors was evident in a recent speech at full council by Labour backbencher, Mike Davies: “There has been such a disparity between my hopes before I got elected and the reality of being a councillor under the mayoral system – it’s been a demoralising experience, and I know that’s true not just for me but for many others.”

He argued “so much enthusiasm, talent and expertise has gone wasted” and suggested many good councillors are stepping down because “our role is hollow, and our communities are let down”.

Suzanne Audrey explores the role of councillors, who are elected to represent different Bristol wards. Photo: Lowie Trevena

When asked about the role of councillors, Mayor Rees suggested the mayoral model requires a new set of skills and culture from them and highlighted the importance of city partners, commissions and ‘thematic boards’ in setting city priorities.

But these boards and commissions have been described by others as operating like an unelected alternative council.

When I contacted councillors to ask about their role under an elected mayor, two Labour councillors responded favourably: one indicating, “I sought election in order to help my ward, and I’ve been able to do just that”; another stating, “I see myself as a representative of my ward community and have been able to work effectively within the current channels.”

But other councillors of all parties expressed concerns.

A Green councillor referred to the history of local government committee models being dropped for leader and cabinet systems in the 1990s, when many councillors felt side-lined, followed by the more recent switch to an elected mayor and cabinet, with many more feeling disempowered.

For some, this sense of disempowerment is made worse by the current mayor’s preference for working with selected ‘city leaders’ to the exclusion of elected councillors: “It’s galling when we’re then told to stop shouting from the side-lines and ‘get involved’ – we would all desperately love to get involved if there was any way of doing so” (Green).

Others described the current system as “undemocratic, unaccountable, non-transparent and unable to deliver real value-for-money” (Conservative), and as “making a mockery of participatory democracy” (Liberal Democrat).

Almost half of Bristol’s city councillors will not be standing for re-election in May, and some have placed the blame with a mayoral model that undermines their ability to fulfil the functions for which they were elected: “I hoped to contribute my skills and experience to the council, but little use was made of them; instead, I found myself a victim of what I describe as a culture of bullying and the suppression of dissent” (Labour).

But other councillors are standing again.

One experienced Liberal Democrat councillor argued: “We can sometimes make positive progress despite it being twice as hard as it used to be.”

And a Green councillor argued: “There’s loads to debate about how to run the city better, to achieve a fairer, sustainable, thriving city – I’d like to have that discussion so everyone can work out the pros and cons of different, more democratic ways to achieve positive change.”

On Thursday 6 May 2021, the people of Bristol will elect 70 local councillors. Those of us who elect them should be mindful of the challenges they face as they endeavour to represent their wards and the interests of the wider city.

Suzanne Audrey is a Bristolian with an interest in local democracy.

Main Photo: Bristol24/7

Read More: ‘Why I want to scrap mayoral model and bring back democracy’